When you go on vacation, it is natural to want to take your best fur-iend with you. And you can as long as where you are going approves of dogs. But even if they allow dogs where you are going, you should always have a traveling dog bed so your best furry friend has a comfy place to sleep just like you do.
When you and your dog are traveling, he may feel anxious or scared in a new place. Having his own traveling dog bed gives him a “safe place” to retreat to when he is feeling anxious. Be sure to let him use it at home before you go on your trip so it already has the smell of home on it. In addition, when you are out camping or at the beach, a portable bed is a lifesaver since it keeps your dog clean and bug-free.
We evaluated more than 50 beds for traveling and found that the “Chuckit! Travel Bed – Comfort on the Go” is the best overall combination of easy-to-clean, carry, and most important super-comfy for your doggie. Of course, we chose this traveling dog bed using our specific criteria to find the one with the most winning features that will apply to you and your doggie.
But I understand that you might have different needs, whether you’re looking for an elevated bed, sleeping bag, or an easy-to-carry bed, or you could be searching for a particular product that fits best for your lifestyle. That is why I prepared a shortlist of the top traveling dog beds that address different needs & styles.
In this list of 9 dog beds for traveling, we discovered many different features like being waterproof and lightweight, easy setup, machine washable & durability are all impawtant to you as well as to your furry family member.
But first, we are going to talk about what to look for and how to determine which dog traveling bed is the best for your pooch. In addition, you can use the short guide we’ve put together to choose the traveling dog bed for your doggie’s & your specific needs, and we’ll share with you an expert tip about what essentials to pack for your adventure with your pup.
Why Does Your Dog Need A Special Bed For Traveling?
All dogs need a bed of their own and since our pups sleep for about 20 hours a day, they will need a portable bed to take on the road when you go places. Whether you are going to the beach, the dog park, or traveling overseas, allowing your fur baby to have his own little piece of home with him can keep him calm and relaxed.
Here are a few of the main reasons to bring along a portable dog bed:
- Some places do not allow dogs to sleep on the furniture
- It can ease your pup’s anxiety
- A travel bed is a good place for him to hang out rather than laying in the grass or floor
- Travel beds are perfect for keeping him comfy in his crate.
- Portable beds can minimize the shed hair and dirt in your host’s home.
12 Rules Of Thumb When Buying a Traveling Dog Bed
There are some things that you need to consider when shopping for a traveling dog bed. You want to make sure you keep in mind his safety as well as his comfort. Know the size and material you want before you go shopping as well as how easy it is to clean if it is collapsible and easy to store, whether it is waterproof and weatherproof, how durable it is, and if it will stand up to your pup’s habits of digging, scratching, and even chewing.
- Your Dog’s Favorite Sleeping Positions: Does your fur buddy sleep all stretched out or curled into a ball? Does he like to have his head propped up on something? These are important to know when choosing a bed.
- Size: Measure your dog from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail and then add six to 12 inches. Then measure his width from shoulder to shoulder and add six to 12 inches. For example, if your pup is 20 inches long and 10 inches wide, you will need a bed that is 26 to 32 inches long by 16 to 22 inches wide.
- How Do You Clean It?: Whether you just hose it off with a hose or toss it in the washing machine is also a big deal. You do not want to get something that you have to spend hours cleaning by hand.
- What Is It Filled With? Older dogs and pooches with arthritis or other joint problems need some kind of orthopedic foam or padding. But make sure the filling is non-toxic in case your pup manages to chew it up.
- Ease of Storage and Collapsible: A traveling bed should be easily collapsed and stored in a small space. You do not want to have to spend an hour every time you move it.
- Portability: Besides being easy to collapse and store, your dog’s travel bed should be light enough to carry with you.
- Weatherproof and Waterproof Fabric: This is especially important if you plan to use your dog’s bed outside. Some of the waterproof and weatherproof materials include faux leather, vinyl, canvas, and Cordura.
- Material: In addition to being waterproof, you also want to make sure the material is safe. Believe it or not, some dog beds are made with toxic materials like phthalates, cadmium, polyvinyl chloride, formaldehyde, chromium, lead, bisphenol A (BPA), and bromine.
- Durability: Dogs can be “ruff” on their beds so make sure whatever you get can handle him jumping in and out of bed as well as digging and scratching like many dogs do before they lay down. If the bed is collapsible, make sure it is not going to collapse with him in it.
- Made for Aggressive Chewers: A lot of dogs just cannot help it. They seem to have to chew on their toys, bowls, and beds just because they can. While no material is chew-proof, there are some that are chew resistant like ballistic nylon, ripstop materials, Cordura, firehose material, canvas, and denim.
- Warranty: You know how confident a company is in their products by their warranty. The longer the warranty, the more confident they are that their product will last.
- Made In The USA: Many good dog beds come from out of the USA but most do not have to pass the strict guidelines that the US insists on. Although it is not a deal-breaker, it is good to find one that is made in the USA if you can.
Our 2024 Review For 9 Traveling Dog Beds
After we reviewed over 50 traveling dog beds using our particular criteria mentioned above, we chose 9 that are best matched to most fur babies and their owners. No matter where you take your pooch, these traveling dog beds can be unfolded and set up in seconds so he can get a good night’s sleep.
Chuckit! Travel Bed – Comfort on the Go
- Bed Size: 39L x 30W x 3H inches
- Material/Fabric: Poly-suede
- Ease of cleaning: Machine wash and dry
- Waterproof fabric: No, water-resistant
- Chew-Proof Fabric: No
- Easy Set-Up: Yes
- East To Carry: Yes
- Compact: Yes
- Durability: Very durable
- Warranty: Yes, for 30 days
- Best for: Our top pick
You may recognize the name Chuckit! because they make all sorts of dog toys including the famous Chuckit! ball. This bed is made with durable poly-suede that is water-resistant to repel most spills or accidents with ripstop vinyl on the bottom. And with three inches of padding inside, your pup can stay comfortable wherever you go.
The main drawback with this bed is that it only comes in one color and one size. So, if you have a giant breed, this bed is not going to work unless he does not mind half his body on the ground. It is nice that you can machine wash and dry the bed to get rid of germs and other nastiness though.
What We Like:
- Washer and dryer safe
- Water-resistant
- The bottom is ripstop vinyl
What Dogs Love about it?
- It is very comfortable
What We Don’t like:
- Only comes in one color and size
Furhaven Pet Dog Bed
- Bed Size: 32L x 26W x 2H inches to 39L x 30W x 2H inches
- Material/Fabric: Polyester
- Ease of cleaning: Machine wash
- Waterproof fabric: No
- Chew-Proof Fabric: No
- Easy Set-Up: Yes
- East To Carry: Yes
- Compact: Yes
- Durability: Very durable
- Warranty: Yes, for 90 days
- Best for: affordable traveling dog bed
Furhaven loves dogs and they make sure your pooch is happy by making the highest quality products and backing it with a 90-day warranty. The smooth polyester fabric makes a nice and soft sleeping surface and the two inches of batting keep him comfy no matter what surface he sleeps on.
The best part is that the bed rolls up and fits nicely into its eight-inch carrying sack. It is available in 10 colors and two sizes. The small is 32L x 26W x 2H inches for pups up to 28 pounds and the large is 39L x 30W x 2H inches for bigger dogs up to 80 pounds. And if it gets dirty, just toss it into the washing machine and line dry.
What We Like:
- Washing machine safe
- Comes with a carrying sack
- No assembly required
What Dogs Love about it?
- Has two inches of fluffy softness
What We Don’t like:
- Not waterproof
Paws & Pals Elevated Dog Bed
- Bed Size: 28L x 28W x 9.5H inches
- Material/Fabric: Oxford cloth, metal, and plastic frame
- Ease of cleaning: Wash by hand
- Waterproof fabric: No, but water-resistant
- Chew-Proof Fabric: Yes
- Easy Set-Up: Yes
- East To Carry: Yes
- Compact: Yes
- Durability: Extremely durable
- Warranty: Yes, for 30 days
- Best for: elevated bed for small & medium breeds
This Paws & Pals elevated bed is furfect for keeping your fur baby up off the ground away from drafts and pests. Not only that but it also provides good airflow so your pup stays cool when it gets hot. The folding frame is made of strong plastic and metal for durability you can count on for years.
It also has a carrying bag to make it easy to take with you and you can remove the cover to clean it. But it has to be hand-washed. Although it is not waterproof, it is water-resistant and will stand up to some ruffness since it is made of oxford cloth. The only size it comes in is 28L x 28W x 9.5H inches for small to medium dogs up to 90 pounds.
What We Like:
- Elevated to prevent ticks and fleas
- Made of strong plastic and metal
- Material is very durable and chew resistant
What Dogs Love about it?
- Provides excellent air circulation to keep him cool
What We Don’t like:
- Only come in one size
- Is not waterproof
Outrav Dog Sleeping Bag
- Bed Size: 36L x 26W x 1.5H inches
- Material/Fabric: Polyester
- Ease of cleaning: Machine washable
- Waterproof fabric: Yes
- Chew-Proof Fabric: No
- Easy Set-Up: Yes
- East To Carry: Yes
- Compact: Yes
- Durability: Durable
- Warranty: Yes, for 30 days
- Best for: sleeping bed for small & medium breeds
Another fantastic Outrav travel bed. This one is actually a sleeping bag that is furfect for your fur baby to cuddle in on those chilly nights or lay on top of when it gets warm. The material is waterproof so you do not have to worry about accidents or even rain, which makes it great for camping.
The double zipper is rugged enough to stand up to a little ‘ruff’ housing and the waterproof bag is a convenient touch. If it gets dirty, just wipe clean or toss in the wash for deep cleaning and hang to dry. It comes in three colors but only one size, which is 36L x 26W x 1.5H inches.
What We Like:
- Waterproof
- Machine washable
- Durable
What Dogs Love about it?
- Sleeping bag style is good for cuddling
What We Don’t like:
- Only comes in one size
YEP HHO – Elevated Indoor Outdoor Portable Bed
- Bed Size: 42L x 24W x 11H inches to 54L x 28W x 12H inches
- Material/Fabric: Teslin and mesh with PVC and steel frame
- Ease of cleaning: Machine washable
- Waterproof fabric: Yes
- Chew-Proof Fabric: Yes
- Easy Set-Up: Yes
- East To Carry: Yes
- Compact: Yes
- Durability: Extremely durable
- Warranty: Yes, for 30 days
- Best for: elevated bed for large breeds
Yep HHO makes this elevated dog bed for large and giant breeds so even your Great Dane has a travel bed of his own. The strong Teslin material is fused with mesh to keep your pup cool and let the air circulate better. The frame is made with durable steel and PVC and has rubber feet to keep it from sliding.
The bed comes in five colors and two sizes. The large is 42L x 24W x 10H inches and x-large is 54L x 28W x 12H inches. They both fold to a compact size and fit in their own carrying bag for fun on the go. When it gets dirty, you can hand wash or machine wash but it has to hang to dry.
What We Like:
- Made for large and giant breeds
- Can be machine washed
- Made of chew-resistant material
What Dogs Love about it?
- The mesh keeps him extra cool
What We Don’t like:
- Not waterproof
KUDES Dog Sleeping Bag
- Bed Size: 43L x 27W x 2H inches
- Material/Fabric: Polyester and fleece
- Ease of cleaning: Machine washable
- Waterproof fabric: Yes
- Chew-Proof Fabric: No
- Easy Set-Up: Yes
- East To Carry: Yes
- Compact: Yes
- Durability: Durable
- Warranty: Yes, for 30 days
- Best for: sleeping bed for large breeds
Kudes makes this pawesome sleeping bag for medium and large breeds that will keep them warm as well as dry out in any kind of weather. The drawstring design will keep him securely tucked in and warm like a burrito. The stitching keeps the inner material in place so it does not get all bunched up.
You can wash it in cold water on the delicate cycle or wash by hand and hang to dry. With the double zipper, you can be sure he will be safely snuggled all night long. Although it only comes in 43L x 27W x 2H inches, it opens up to 58 inches wide if you unzip and lay flat. That is big enough for you and your dog! And it comes in orange and gray.
What We Like:
- Machine washable
- Waterproof
- Can open up to almost five feet wide
What Dogs Love about it?
- Very cozy and warm
What We Don’t like:
- Only comes in one size
Outrav Raised Dog Cot
- Bed Size: 30L x 30W x 7H inches to 42L x 24W x 8H inches
- Material/Fabric: Durable polyester with rubber mesh and steel frame
- Ease of cleaning: Hose it off or machine washable
- Waterproof fabric: Yes
- Chew-Proof Fabric: No
- Easy Set-Up: Yes
- East To Carry: Yes
- Compact: Yes
- Durability: Very durable
- Warranty: Yes, for 30 days
- Best for: compact & easy-to-carry bed for travel
The Outrav raised travel bed is ideal for small to large breeds with the capacity to hold up to 100 pounds. It boasts durable waterproof polyester combined with a rubber mesh that will not only keep your dog cool, but it will also provide air circulation and reduce skin irritation. It can be washed with a hose outside or in the shower indoors.
The bed comes pre-assembled so you do not have to do anything to it but unfold and it comes in its own sturdy carrying case. It comes in two sizes but only one color, which is gray. The small is 30L x 30W x 7H inches and the large is 42L x 24W x 8H inches.
What We Like:
- Easy to clean
- Waterproof
- Holds up to 100 pounds
What Dogs Love about it?
- The mesh keeps him cool and comfy
What We Don’t like:
- It only comes in one color and two sizes
Kurgo Waterproof Dog Bed
- Bed Size: 36L x 27W x 2H inches to 48L x 36W x 3H inches
- Material/Fabric: Ripstop nylon and polyfil
- Ease of cleaning: Machine wash
- Waterproof fabric: Yes
- Chew-Proof Fabric: No
- Easy Set-Up: Yes
- East To Carry: Yes
- Compact: Yes
- Durability: Extremely durable
- Warranty: Yes, lifetime warranty
- Best for: best dog bed-roll bed
Kurgo offers a lifetime warranty for this travel bed so it is a winner just for that fact. Besides that, it is made of a durable waterproof ripstop material on top and a waterproof Rufftex material on the bottom to keep it from sliding around. It is perfect for camping, the beach, or wherever you go.
The bed rolls up and has a carrying handle so it is easy to transport and pack. It even has a small zip pocket that you can keep treats or small toys in. When it gets dirty, just toss it into the washing machine on a cold gentle cycle and hang to dry. You can get it in two colors and two sizes. The medium is 36L x 27W x 2H inches and large is 48L x 36W x 3H inches.
What We Like:
- Lifetime warranty
- Machine wash
- Waterproof
What Dogs Love about it?
- It does not slip when he jumps on it
What We Don’t like:
- Only comes in two sizes
PETMAKER 24″ x 37″ Roll Up Travel Portable Dog Bed
- Bed Size: 37L x 24W x 2H inches
- Material/Fabric: Faux fur, canvas, and memory foam
- Ease of cleaning: Hand wash
- Waterproof fabric: No
- Chew-Proof Fabric: No
- Easy Set-Up: Yes
- East To Carry: Yes
- Compact: Yes
- Durability: Durable
- Warranty: Yes, for 30 days
- Best for: calming dog roll-bed for travel
This unique travel dog bed from Petmaker rolls up like a sleeping bag so it barely takes up any room at all and is easy to carry with its own handles. And the best part is that it has two inches of memory foam inside to keep your pup comfy. The faux fur on top is great at keeping him warm too.
The bottom of the bed is made of durable canvas that is naturally water-resistant (but not waterproof) so it can take a little moisture. But it is not machine washable so you have to clean it by hand. It only comes in blue and has one size, which is 37L x 24W x 2H inches.
What We Like:
- Rolls up
- Has memory foam
- Soft and fluffy fur
What Dogs Love about it?
- Keeps him warm and comfortable
What We Don’t like:
- Not waterproof
- Has to be hand washed
Expert Tip: What Else To Pack for Your Adventure With Your Dog?
It’s true we do not like to leave our fur baby home when we travel. Your dog is a part of your family and you miss him when you are away and you know he misses you too, so why not bring him with you? Of course, there are some places you just cannot bring him but when you do, there are some things you need to pack with you.
Besides your dog’s bed, one of the most impawtant things to bring with you when you take your pup on a road trip is the first aid kit. A dog first aid kit is about the same as a human first aid kit. Some things that are essential include:
- Disposable gloves
- Ice packs
- Oral syringe
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Cotton swabs
- Antibiotic cream
- Alcohol wipes
- Medical tape
- Gauze pads
- Vet phone number
You will also need things like grooming supplies, your dog’s rabies, and ID tags, his favorite toy, some treats, a collar and leash, bowls, and of course, food and water. It is also essential to make sure your fur baby is up to date on his vaccinations, has a microchip, and is treated for ticks and fleas before you go.
Another thing that is extremely important is to make sure your dog will be allowed to go where you are going. Whether it is a hotel, airBnB, or at a friend or relative’s home, be sure they know you are bringing your dog. Check with the airline about their pet traveling rules as well.
It is also a good idea to make sure your pooch knows how to behave on a road trip or vacation. If he is rowdy and tends to jump all over people, pees on the carpet, or chews up everything he can get ahold of, you may want to teach him some basic training.
The Final Woof
The Chuckit! Travel Bed – Comfort on the Go may not be perfect for all dogs but after reviewing more than 50 traveling dog beds, we think this one is the traveling dog bed overall. We chose this one using our specific criteria to find the one with the most features that will apply to most dogs and their pet parents. With 30 days warranty, not only is this bed a bed that is super-easy to fold but it also has a carrying handle, it is waterproof and super-comfy for your doggie. In addition, you can put it in the washing machine for a deep clean when needed too.
