While some pet lovers enjoy sleeping with their dogs, sometimes a travel dog bed is necessary. Whether you’re staying in a hotel, visiting family, or going on a camping trip, you’ll want to bring along a dog bed. Most times the beloved bed your dog uses at home isn’t practical to travel with, so a travel bed is an easy answer. The best dog beds for travel will be comfortable yet lightweight and easy to clean. Check out our guide so you know what to look for when choosing the best option for you and your dog.
Quick Answer: Best Travel Dog Beds
- Best Overall: Chuckit! Travel Dog Bed
- Best Elevated: K&H Pet Products Original Elevated Dog Bed
- Best Roll-Up: Kurgo Loft Wander Dog Bed
- Best Self-Inflating: Lightspeed Outdoors Self Inflating Travel Dog Bed
- Best for Crate: Hero Dog Anti Slip Dog Bed Mat
- Best Compact: Riley and Mae Travel Dog Bed Bag
- Best Orthopedic: Brindle Soft Memory Foam Dog Bed
- Best Foldable: Amofy Travel Dog Bed Mat
- Best for Backpacking: Ruffwear Highlands Bed
- Best for Home & Travel: Barkbox Memory Foam Platform Dog Bed
What to Look for in a Good Travel Dog Bed
Here are the most important things to think about before getting your dog a new travel bed.
1. Size
Consider the size of your dog and make sure the bed is large enough for them to sleep comfortably in without any of their body parts touching the ground. If your pooch will be sleeping on a dog bed in their travel carrier, make sure the bed will easily fit inside.
Keep in mind the likely relationship between size and portability. If you’re looking for the best dog beds for large dogs, they probably won’t be as light or as easy to carry compared to options for smaller dogs since larger dogs need more support.
2. Portability
The portability of your doggie bed should match the type of travel you’re doing. If you’re taking a road trip and you have plenty of space in the car then portability won’t matter as much as it would if you were going backpacking. If space and weight are issues, a roll-up or folding dog travel bed will be much easier to travel with than an elevated cot option.
3. Comfort
With the exception of an elevated cot bed, the comfort level of a bed is usually determined by the thickness, often referred to as loft. A comfy dog bed is thick enough to protect your dog from a hard floor. The thicker the bed the more comfortable it’s likely to be.
4. Durability
Durability is crucial so you don’t have to replace your dog’s bed after every trip. Especially if your dog is a bed chewer, you want a bed that will hold up to the challenge. Whether you’ll be flying with the bed or camping with it, it needs to be able to withstand the wear and tear of travel.
5. Slip-Proof
This is necessary if the bed will be used on hard floors. It will prevent your dog from slipping when they get in and out of the bed.
6. Water Resistance
If there’s any chance the bed will get wet, you’ll appreciate it being water resistant. If you’re going backpacking or hiking with your dog then a water resistant bed is a good choice. The ground may appear dry but moisture and coldness may seep into a bed that’s not waterproof. Even if your dog won’t be using it outside, it’s a bonus feature that might come in handy.
7. Washability
After a trip many of us throw all of our clothes right into the washing machine. It’ll make things much easier if you can do the same with your dog’s bed. If it’s not machine washable, just make sure you’re able to clean it easily in the sink or with a hose so it doesn’t start to smell or cause health problems for you or your dog.
Best Travel Dog Bed Reviews
Now that you know what to look for, here are the best dog beds for travel currently on the market.
Best Travel Dog Bed Overall
1. Chuckit! Travel Dog Bed
When it comes to the best dog beds overall, Chuckit! Travel Dog Beds are always at the top of the list. Designed for dogs up to 25 pounds the bed weighs only 2.2 pounds and keeps dogs comfortable on all types of vacations. Made from a soft poly-suede, the bed is water resistant and has a double-offset quilted construction which provides a great cushion on hard surfaces. It’s machine washable and even includes a loop for easy hang drying. The Chuckit! Travel Dog Bed is a simple yet comfortable option for your dog that you can easily travel anywhere with.
Best Elevated Travel Dog Bed
2. K&H Pet Products Original Elevated Dog Bed
One of the best rated dog beds was created by K&H Pet Products. Their elevated bed is made of a waterproof 600D fabric, has a breathable mesh center, and can hold dogs up to 150 pounds. You don’t need tools to assemble it and it has non-skid rubber feet so it won’t slide around. When it’s time to clean it you can hose it off or wipe it down. It comes in four different sizes – small (17” x 22” x 7”), medium (25” x 32” x 7”), large (30” x 42” x 7”), and extra large (32” x 50” x 9”). Especially if your dog needs joint relief while you’re traveling, the K&H Pet Products Original Elevated Dog Bed is one of the best you can buy.
Best Roll-Up Travel Dog Bed
3. Kurgo Loft Wander Dog Bed
The Kurgo Loft Wander Dog Bed is a great dog travel bed for car and camping trips. Designed for outdoor adventures, it’s cozy, machine washable and travel-friendly. It has a water resistant top made of microtomic ripstop material and a waterproof Rufftex non-slip bottom. The medium bed weighs 2.2 pounds and measures 27” x 36” x 2” when open and 12.5” x 8” when rolled up. The large bed weighs 3.7 pounds and measures 36” x 48” x 3” when open and 17” x 9.5” when rolled up. With the Kurgo Loft Wander Dog Bed your dog can sleep comfortably everywhere from the hatchback of your vehicle to your camping tent.
Best Self-Inflating Travel Dog Bed
4. Lightspeed Outdoors Self Inflating Travel Dog Bed
Whether you’re heading to an island for a beach vacation or heading to the backcountry for some camping, the Lightspeed Outdoors Self Inflating Travel Dog Bed was made for you and your dog. The 1.5” inner foam mattress self-inflates and you can adjust it to your dog’s preference by blowing air in or pushing it out. The outer shell is machine washable and the bed includes a soft, thick fleece top that’s removable. It’s also puncture and water resistant to protect it against sticks, sea shells, etc. Nylon buckle straps are built in for easy storage and transport. It weighs 3.6 pounds and measures 42” x 32” x 2”. When it self-deflates and is rolled up, it measures 32’” x 6”. If you love bringing your dog on your outdoor adventures, consider taking the Lightspeed Outdoors Self Inflating Travel Dog Bed with you as well!
Best Dog Bed for Crates
5. Hero Dog Anti Slip Dog Bed Mat
This orthopedic dog bed has everything your dog needs to rest comfortably indoors. Specifically designed to be used in your dog’s crate, it can also be used on your house or hotel floor or in your car. It has a fleece cover, 3cm of cotton inside, an anti-slip bottom, and it’s machine washable. With six different sizes, Hero Dog wants to make sure all dogs can use their mats. The 21” x 14” and 27.5” x 19.7” mats are for dogs under 11 pounds. The 36” x 22” mat is for dogs under 33 pounds. The 42” x 28” mat is for dogs under 55 pounds. The 47” x 33” mat can hold dogs up to 88 pounds. The largest mat can fit dogs up to 110 pounds and measures 55” x 39”. For vacations where your dog will be sleeping in their crate, the Hero Dog Anti Slip Dog Bed Mat is the best travel bed for dogs.
Best Compact Travel Dog Bed
6. Riley and Mae Travel Dog Bed Bag
This Australian family-owned business has created an incredibly compact dog bed that you can use indoors and out. When open, it stretches 29.5” x 23.5” but it folds up into a 12.5” x 15” tote. The diamond quilted padded microvelvet provides comfort and warmth from cold and hard surfaces. The bed is water resistant, repels dirt and hair, and is machine washable. Soft handles tuck under the mat so they don’t bother your dog, and the side pockets conveniently carry toys and treats. The bed easily fits in your travel luggage and barely adds any extra weight so it’s a breeze to travel with. The Riley and Mae Travel Dog Bed Bag should be your go-to mat if portability is your top priority.
Best Orthopedic Travel Dog Bed
7. Brindle Soft Memory Foam Dog Bed
The Brindle Soft Memory Foam Dog Bed is loved because of its 3” orthopedic shredded memory foam fill. The padding is supportive and helps to increase breathability and eliminate pressure points. The microsuede cover has a hidden zipper to extend the life of the bed but best of all it’s machine washable. Small dog breeds like Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas should use the smallest sized beds – 17” x 11” and 22” x 16. The 28” x 18” beds work well for small dogs like Shih Tzus and Dachshunds. The 34” x 22” beds are suggested for medium breeds like French Bulldogs and Corgis. Beagles and Cocker Spaniels should fit well on the 40” x 26” bed. The 46” x 28” bed was designed for breeds like Boxers and Labrador Retrievers. The biggest bed size (52” x 34”) is for larger breeds like Great Danes and German Shepherds. For a lightweight bed that’s sure to keep your dog comfortable, the Brindle Soft Memory Foam Dog Bed is one of the best travel dog beds on the market.
Best Foldable Travel Dog Bed
8. Amofy Travel Dog Bed Mat
The Amofy Travel Dog Bed Mat is one of the coolest dog beds on the market thanks to its foldable design. This all-season mat is made of a soft, claw resistant polyester with refined stitching and measures 43” x 26”. The mat is waterproof and washable, and the bottom side includes an anti-slip fabric. The mat is antibacterial and anti-mite to help your dog stay healthy. When it’s not being used you can pack it into the included 12.5” x 8” drawstring bag and throw it in your dog travel bag. The Amofy Travel Dog Bed Mat is a great option you can use year-round on all of your vacations to help your dog rest well.
Best Dog Bed for Backpacking
9. Ruffwear Highlands Bed
The Ruffwear Highlands Bed is the perfect portable dog bed for backpacking. It measures 35” x 26” x 1” and has a loft of one inch. When you’re ready to store it in your hiking pack, it folds down to 12” x 4” and only weighs 12.7 ounces. Its synthetic insulation is lightweight but provides impressive warmth and protection from cold or hard surfaces. The shell is made of a water resistant, quick drying, durable polyester. After a night at a campsite you can easily shake off the bed and pack it away until you throw it in the washing machine when you get back home. If you want to hike with your pup and weight is important to you, go with the Ruffwear Highlands Bed.
Best Dog Bed for Home & Travel
10. Barkbox Memory Foam Platform Dog Bed
If you’ve been searching for high-quality dogs beds on sale, your search is over! The Barkbox Memory Foam Platform Dog Bed is equipped with 3” of high-density foam and gel memory foam. It gives dogs therapeutic support and relieves arthritis, hip dysplasia, body aches, and joint pain. The zippered cover is waterproof and machine washable to easily combat messes. It comes in small (24” x 16” x 3”), medium (29” x 18” x 3”), large (35” x 22” x 3”), and extra large (41” x 29” x 4”) to fit dogs as small as Yorkies and as large as German Shepherds. If you want your dog to have a restful sleep no matter where you are in the world, the Barkbox Memory Foam Platform Dog Bed is the most comfortable dog bed available.
Traveling can be stressful on pets and a good night’s sleep can make or break a vacation for you and your dog. If you’re not going to be sleeping with your dog, a high-quality travel bed will allow your dog to relax and adjust to a new place. Bringing a premium dog bed on your trips means you and your dog can have comfortable, and fun adventures.
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