So you decided to take your little paw friend along with you on a camping trip. That’s a great decision. Animals enjoy recreational activities just as well as humans.
But there are a few things to keep in mind before you start the trip. First and foremost consider the health and physical capacity of your pet. Not all dogs can endure long hours of backpacking, especially in humid and hot weather.
Always make sure you ask your veterinarian in advance if your dog is fit for strenuous physical activities. Never put your dog’s health at risk. Make sure you seek professional advice.
All that said, a few gears like a good pet carrier and a comfortable dog sleeping bag, can all make camping a pleasurable experience for your dog.
In this article, we will list the top 10 best dog sleeping bags for your camping trip.
Quick Comparison: Top Dog Sleeping Bags
**Below, you'll find our expert's reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
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The need for a Dog Sleeping Bag while Camping.
If you are hiking with your dog, a sleeping bag for him/her is not an option, it’s a necessity. In areas with rain or snowfall, your dog is in danger of being exposed to extreme cold. Similarly, in humid and hot conditions a cooling mat or bed can help your dog a lot.
Things to Look For in a Dog Sleeping Bag
- Make sure the dog bed is soft and well quilted. Do not buy beds made with harsh synthetic materials
- Use a cooling pad or mat if you are camping in hot weather
- Make sure it is compact and foldable.
- Choose a lightweight bed while hiking.
- Make sure it is water resistant
- Do not choose light-colored beds that stain easily
- Choose durable materials designed for rough use.
- Make sure the material used is hypoallergenic
- Make sure it does not have any parts that might pose a choking hazard.
- It must also be rip or tear resistant
- Preferable if it comes with a travel bag
- Look for fleece reversible beds.
Review of Some of the Best Dog Sleeping Bags for Backpacking or Travel
Our #1 Rated
Our #1 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Manufactured with durable 1680D Oxford fabric and steel frame
- Holds up to 120 lbs
- Elevated design for a cool summer which keeps your pet 9 inches above the ground.
- Comes with a canopy that protects the dog from heat and precipitation
- This canopy dog sleeping bed can be assembled and dissembled easily
- Comes with a travel carry bag
- Portable sleeping bed
Features
Pros
- Can be easily put together and taken apart
- Comes with a canopy
- Sturdy, rip resistant, durable fabric
- Perfect for hot weather
- High-quality construction
Cons
- The sleeping bed is not lightweight
- It is large. Can be inconvenient to carry it outdoors
- Not a collapsible sleeping bag, it needs to be dissembled part by part
Our #2 Rated
Our #2 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Machine washable, easily washable pet sleeping bed
- Comes with a built-in storage bag that has a handle and a zipper
- Waterproof sleeping bed ideal for outdoor use and camping
- Separate space to store toys and smaller gears
- Made with comfortable waterproof, soft material.
- Bed size: 30 x 39 inch
Features
Pros
- Fluffy and comfortable dog bed
- This is a travel bed that serves the purpose of storage as well
- Compact and easy to carry
- Comes with a handle
- Folds in half and very compact
- Lightweight, ideal for camping
- Easy to clean
- Ideal for short, fun camping trips
Cons
- Not very thick so might not provide much warmth
- Not for sustained trips in rough weather
Our #3 Rated
Our #3 Rated
Rated 4.4 out of 5
- Soft padded Dog bed for outdoor use
- This dog bed comes with a Waterproof and skid-free bottom
- Polyester filling
- Machine washable bed
- Can be easily rolled up and portable
- Sewn in handles and straps
- Tear resistant
Features
Pros
- Rolls up easily into a small bundle
- Soft and comfortable top
- Sturdy and durable dog bed
- Lightweight and can be easily carried during camping
Cons
- Only the bottom part is waterproof; the top is not
- Minimal padding
- The bed can be rather small for many breeds.
- Not suitable for the wet climate
Our #4 Rated
Our #4 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Comes with a Nylon stuff sack
- Compact, portable dog bed for camping
- Soft, poly-suede surface with double offset quilts
- This bed can be machine washed
- The nylon bed resists dirt
- Size: 30 x 39 inches
- Comes with a sewn in a loop so it can be easily hung to dry
- Ideal to be used while camping with your dog
Features
Pros
- Portable camping dog sleeping bed
- Easily cleanable
- Lightweight and compact
- High quality and affordable
- Comfortable for the pets
- Retains original shape despite multiple washes.
Cons
- Not very thick
- Not for long camping trips
Our #5 Rated
Our #5 Rated
Rated 4.5 out of 5
- Slip-resistant and durable large dog bed
- Soft and comfortable 42-inch dog bed
- Anti-skid and nonskid bottom
- Machine washable
- Retains original shape after multiple washes
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
- Available in different size variants
Features
Pros
- Very soft, cushy and supportive
- Soft velveteen on top
- Does not slip even on wooden floors
- Decent amount of padding
- This dog bed can be easily washed and dried
- Easy vacuum
Cons
- Not chew or rip resistant. You have to use a bitter spray to keep the dog from chewing it
- Stitching tends to fall apart in places if no treated with care
Our #6 Rated
Our #6 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Open size: 42" x 32" x 2"
- Self-inflating: can be adjusted by blowing air in or out of the bed
- Machine washable
- Puncture resistant
- Water resistant bottom
- Fleece top keeps your pet comfortable
- Built-in Nylon buckle straps for easy carrying
- This camping pet bed comes with one year warranty
Features
Pros
- If you turn the knob provided in the dog bed, it starts filling on its own
- One can blow into the knob to make the bed even comfier
- Protects your paw friend’s elbows from scarring
- Machine washable can be dried using a drier
- The mattress can be collapsed by letting out the air
- Chew resistant, the material does not rip easily
Cons
- Even after deflation and rolling up, it takes up quite a bit of space
- Comparatively on the heavier side
Our #7 Rated
Our #7 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Ultra soft fleece reversible pet mat
- This dog bed keeps your pet warm and cozy
- Lightweight and easily portable
- 30 Day 100% Money back guarantee
- Highly durable and comfortable pet bed
Features
Pros
- Easy vacuum and cleaning
- High quality
- It is durable and can be twisted, folded
- Comfortable for your pet
- Comes with a travel pouch
Cons
- Very minimal padding
- Not chew or rip resistant
Our #8 Rated
Our #8 Rated
Rated 4.5 out of 5
- This backpacking dog bed is durable and comfortable
- Lightweight synthetic insulation provides warmth to your dog
- Open size of this portable bed is 35 x 26 inches with a 1-inch loft
- Very lightweight and weighs just 12.7 oz.
- This camping dog sleeping bag is compressible and easily fits into the bag that comes with it
- Made with a durable polyester fabric shell
- Water resistant
- It can be cleaned easily and dries quickly
Features
Pros
- Keeps your pet cozy and war in cold weather
- Unzips half way around, the pup or dog can then be zipped in
- Comes with a stuff pack with loops
- Wide opening zipper
- The bottom comes with an additional pocket
Cons
- Does not come in different sizes
- Thin backpacking dog bed
- Very expensive for the specified features and size it comes in
- Not rip or chew resistant
Our #9 Rated
Our #9 Rated
Rated out of 5
- This camping dog bed comes with a Nylon exterior that is water resistant
- Soft microfiber interior bedding
- Comfortable and padded head rest for you furry friend
- Comes with a carry bag for easy transportation
- Open Size: 40" x 33.5” inches
Features
Pros
- Extremely light weight pet sleeping bed
- The bed comes with good padding
- The top can be completely zipped close for easy travel
- Affordable backpacking dog bed
Cons
- Flimsy zippers
- Does not pack down to a very compact size
Our #10 Rated
Our #10 Rated
Rated out of 5
- Pressure activated gel technology keeps your pet cool and comfortable
- Folds up easily
- This camping dog bed can be used both indoors and outdoors
- Uses a nontoxic gel which is safe for kids and pets
- Size when open: 37” X 31.5” inches
Features
Pros
- This immediately cools your pet when he/she is panting after a long walk session while caping or backpacking
- Can be cleaned easily using a wet towel or tissue
- Durable and portable backpacking pet bed
Cons
- It must not be placed under direct sunlight as it will absorb heat and become hot
- The cooling gel tends to shift around
Other Things to Keep in Mind
- Make sure your pet stays well hydrated during the trip, especially if you are traveling in hot weather. You can invest in a good pet water dispenser.
- Most breeds are put under a lot of physical and mental stress during continued physical activities so make sure you take breaks between specific intervals
- Take precautions regarding any allergies or diseases your pet suffers from.
- Carry cooling pads or beds when camping in humid regions
- Though most of the above-mentioned backpacking dog beds are water resistant, do check the bed at regular intervals to ensure it hasn’t become soiled or wet
- Carry more than one portable pet bed if space permits, just in case one of them gets ripped or soaked
- Canopy for outdoor pet beds can be purchased separately.