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Your dog’s crate should be a comfy safe haven. But in the hot summer months, you might think twice about crating your pup, even for short periods of time. 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. They have the pet world divided; while some pet parents think cooling fans for dog crates are great, others are calling them out for being 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?
To learn how—or rather “if”—crate fans work, it’s helpful to understand that dogs and humans cool down differently. Whereas humans 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. Ushi 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 actually make things worse, Dr. Ushi Phillips tells Rover.
The Cool Pup is an example of a hanging crate fan.
“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 collar or a cooling vest. On scorching hot days, however, a dog crate fan simply won’t cut it. And they’re certainly no substitute for air conditioning and lots of cold drinking water.
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 fan.
Hanging crate fans pair well with wire crates and typically clip to a crate at a spot of your choice. A popular example is the Cool Pup, which 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. But some reviews say it eats through batteries quickly, which we don’t like.
Standing crate fans, by contrast, tend to be both more powerful and sturdier, like this 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 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. Ushi 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. Ushi 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.”
Vichakorn via iStock
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.”
Finally, Dr. Ushi 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. 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.
Final Verdict
Under the right circumstances, a dog crate fan is a helpful and safe way to regulate your dog’s body temperature. And there are certain dog parents who may appreciate a fan more than others.
Both of our experts agree that brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, such as Pugs and Boxers, may get more mileage out of a crate fan since they struggle to cool off effectively through panting. Additionally, overweight dogs, dogs with long or double coats, and many senior dogs make good candidates for a crate fan.
For optimal safety in the heat, Dr. Wigfall offers this advice: “If your dog needs crating for short periods of time, ensure the crate is located out of direct sunlight in a well-ventilated, cool room.” She adds that ideally, the room will have AC. And, of course, access to cool water is critical.
twinsterphoto via iStock
Ultimately, 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. Ushi 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.”
For pet parents unsure whether or not their dog will take to a fan, Dr. Ushi Phillips offers this helpful tip: “You can also position the fan 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.”
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.
