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Your dog’s crate should be a comfy haven. But in the hot summer months, you might think twice about crating your pup, even for short periods. Aside from cranking up the AC (a good idea, if feasible), how can we keep our dog’s den from becoming an unbearable hotbox?
One solution that often comes up is dog crate fans. But they have the pet world divided: Some pet parents think cooling fans for dog crates are great, while others say they’re unsafe or ineffective against the heat.
To unravel the truth about dog crate fans, we enlisted the help of two canine experts: Dr. Corinne Wigfall, BVM BVS, a veterinarian working with SpiritDog Training, and Dr. Georgina Ushi Phillips, DVM, advising veterinarian and writer for NotABully.org. With their guidance, we’ll learn which dog parents might want to consider a crate fan—and who should probably pass.
How Do Crate Fans Work?
When considering dog crate fans, it’s helpful to understand that canines and humans cool down differently. Whereas people lower their body temperature through the evaporation of sweat on their skin, dogs mostly cool off through panting.
Fans are great for speeding up the evaporation process, making us feel cooler—but they don’t actually bring down the temperature of a room. And since dogs don’t sweat as we do, it raises the question: do crate fans even help dogs at all?
The answer is yes—but with some considerable limitations.
Dr. Phillips explains: “Crate fans can help dogs cool down by quickly displacing the air around them. So while the fan doesn’t actually make the air cooler, it can help displace hot air and speed up the convective heat transfer.”
But that cooling effect only works in moderately warm temps, around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the temperature climbs above 90 degrees, fans are rendered useless and may make things worse, Dr. Phillips tells Rover.
“Fans work best when the heat index (the combination of air temperature and humidity) is lower than the body temperature of a dog. In cases where the heat index is higher than the body temperature of a dog, the extra air circulation can actually make dogs hotter!”
For maximum cooling power, crate fans are best paired with an additional cooling method, like a cooling bandana or vest. On scorching hot days, however, dog crate fans simply won’t cut it. And they’re certainly no substitute for air conditioning and lots of cold drinking water.
Types of Dog Crate Fans
If you’re looking to make your pooch more comfortable in their crate on moderately toasty days, you can choose from a few different kinds of crate fans.
Hanging crate fans pair well with wire crates and typically clip to a crate at a spot of your choice. A popular example, the Cool Pup has two-speed options and a built-in thermometer to help you regulate the temperature. It’s battery-operated for use on the go, which we like—though it does eat through batteries fairly quickly.
Standing crate fans, by contrast, tend to be both more powerful and sturdier, like the above kennel fan from Lucky Duck. It offers maximum airflow, a water-resistant design, and a rechargeable battery. The tradeoff for power and a long-lasting battery is a steeper price, but depending on how much use it sees, durability can be worth it.
Mini crate fans don’t pack much power, but they do tend to be more versatile, precise, adjustable, and budget-friendly. Little clip-on fans like the Mikikin let you angle the airflow where you need it and run their three-speed options on a USB-rechargeable battery. A dense net cover keeps paws (and children’s teeny fingers) away from the blades.
What the Experts Say About Cooling Crate Fans
The general consensus is that dog crate fans have their place, but dog parents should temper their expectations.
While a fan can keep dogs comfortable in moderate temps (70 to 80 degrees), they’re less effective in blistering heat waves. So when should you use one?
“If your dog’s crate is inside a space with air conditioning, a fan is almost always going to help dogs feel cool,” says Dr. Phillips. “But if you’re outdoors or camping, the decision to use one isn’t always so clear.”
Even with their limitations, there are scenarios where dog crate fans come in handy. Dr. Corinne Wigfall mentions that when coupled with AC, a crate fan makes car travel with your pet much more comfortable. She also considers battery-powered fans to be a good backup when the power goes out.
Are Dog Crate Fans Safe?
When used correctly, both experts agree crate fans are safe for dogs. Battery-operated models are usually recommended as a safer choice than fans with cords, which pose the risk of electric shock (especially for heavy chewers).
Another minor concern raised by Dr. Phillips is that fans may dry out a dog’s eyes, mouth, and throat, and they can circulate dust into the crate. But she reassures dog parents that “unless dogs have a specific condition or you’re in an area with a lot of dust, these issues don’t usually amount to anything more than a minor annoyance.”
Dr. Wigfall also points out that, unlike AC, it’s hard to regulate the temperature with a fan. “With fans, it’s hard to control the actual temperature compared to air-conditioning units where the temperature can be set to turn on and off when temperatures are met. So your pet may be at higher risk of becoming too cold or still being too hot,” she says.
Finally, Dr. Phillips offers one last caveat. “It’s worth pointing out again that fans are best for keeping dogs comfortable and not for keeping them completely safe from the heat,” she says. “Some owners may rely too much on the fan to keep their dogs safe from the heat.”
In other words, a crate fan may cool down your pup—but it won’t protect them from overheating on super hot days.
For optimal safety in the heat, Dr. Wigfall advises that the crate be located out of direct sunlight and in a well-ventilated, cool room—ideally one with AC. And, of course, access to cool water is critical.
Final Verdict on Crate Fans
Under the right circumstances, a dog crate fan is a helpful and safe way to regulate your dog’s body temperature. And certain dog parents may appreciate a fan more than others. In particular, we think dog crate fans would be most beneficial for:
- Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, such as Pugs and Boxers, since they struggle to cool off effectively through panting
- Overweight dogs
- Dogs with long or double coats
- Senior dogs
Dog crate fans, however, aren’t always the best choice to keep your pup cool, especially for:
- Outdoor use when the temps are above 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dogs with special health conditions
- Areas with a lot of dust
Dog crate fans are most effective when paired with another tried-and-true cooling method, such as frozen toys or treats, which offer enrichment as well. Cooling mats are another helpful item to consider, according to Dr. Phillips. “Cooling mats come in many variations, but by placing it on one side of the crate (and not the entire crate), you can give dogs another way to choose what’s most comfortable for them,” she says.
For pet parents unsure whether or not their dog will take to a fan, Dr. Phillips suggests positioning the device so that it only impacts half of the crate. “Then you can watch to see if your dog prefers the cool side more than the side without the fan,” she says.
How We Chose
The dog crate fans featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. We prioritized convenience, durability, battery life, and power. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.