Best Dog Beds for Traveling

Whether you’re taking a road trip, flying, or overnighting in the great outdoors with your furry friend, you’ll want to make sure they have a comfortable place to sleep. That’s why we put together a list and answers to frequently asked questions about the best dog beds for traveling.

Consider a designated outdoor mattress or a cot-style bed for your dog if you’re going camping. They’re lightweight and easy to transport, and many dogs love sleeping up high off the ground. For air travel, a soft-sided pet carrier is a must. It will keep your dog comfortable and safe during the flight. And for car trips, a portable yet durable bed with easy clean-up is ideal. 

But we’ve also got some recommendations that cross over so you can travel the country or the globe with your fur baby. Plus, we’ve got more good news – you don’t have to pay a lot to get everything you need.

Take a look at some of the best dog beds for traveling.

1. Carhartt – Best for Camping 

The Carhartt dog bed for traveling isn’t going to give you the compact portability of some others. But if you’re spending some time in the great outdoors or taking a car trip and staying in a hotel, it’s an excellent option.

Carhartt produces one pet bed model, and it’s a simple polyester fiber-filled mattress with a 12-ounce firm-hand cotton duck canvas cover. Not only is that cover heavyweight and durable, but it features a waterproof coating. So, you can get caught in the rain or get it muddy, and a trip to the washing machine will make it good as new.

Bottom Line – This particular option isn’t going to cut it for airline travel unless you want to devote an entire suitcase or you have a large crate to accommodate it. But we like this dog bed for traveling in the car or camping because it’s durable, waterproof, and gets your pup off the ground. Another benefit is it can do double-duty as your in-home and on-the-road bed of choice.

Another Dog Bed Option for Camping

2. FurHaven Quilted Faux Fur Throw Pet Bed – Best for Crates

It might look like a blanket and act like a blanket, but FurHaven’s Quilted Faux Fur Throw Pet Bed has a polyurethane foam core. So, don’t let appearances fool you, as it’s thick enough to provide most dogs with a comfortable night’s sleep.

This FurHaven model is perfect for trips where you have to drag out the crate as it’ll fit perfectly in most. Even if it’s slightly too big, the edges will curl up and provide side cushioning. 

Bottom Line – The downside to this option is it only comes in one size. So, it’s not going to be the best for jumbo breeds. However, if you have a small or medium pup, you can use this faux fur bed at home, in crates, in your car, or even bring it into hotels with you. It’s multi-functional, machine washable, and inexpensive.

3. Pet Gear Signature Dog Car Seat & Carrier Bag – Best Dog Beds for Cars or Air Travel 

When you’re looking to buy your small pup the best dog bed for cars, the Pet Gear Signature Dog and Cat Car Seat and Carrier Bag ticks off a few boxes. 

It’s a car seat that keeps your little one safe and secure, especially on longer trips. But it’s also a fleece bottomed carrier that doubles as a dog bed. While you’re looking for the next rest area, they’re snuggled up and sleeping soundly.

Depending on the airline, you might use this carrier for air travel, but we highly recommend you call first to confirm. For all other uses, this bag holds up to 20 pounds and has mesh sides so you can see your fur baby and vice versa.

Bottom Line – You probably don’t want to put your 80-pound Lab in a bag and carry it over your shoulder. So, this travel bed and carrier is ideal for small breeds that you can manage this way. All you have to do is unbuckle the seat belt, and you can carry your furry friend into a hotel, so it’s an excellent choice for road warriors.

4. FurHaven Packable Stuff Sack – Best for Portability

FurHaven has such a wide range of pet beds that we had to include two on our list of best dog beds for traveling. Like the Faux Fur model, FurHaven’s Trail Pup Packable Stuff Sack Travel Pillow can roll up, and you also receive a travel bag in the package.

The Stuff Sack provides you with the most versatility as it’ll go from car to plane to the hotel and everywhere in between. It comes in two sizes and, while the largest is 39” in length, remember this is a travel bed, not a permanent fixture. Even larger breeds can fit most of their bodies on this oval-shaped travel bed, and you want to go as small as possible, so it’s easier for you to manage.

Bottom Line – What’s not to like about the FurHaven Trail Pup Stuff Sack? It’s reversible, so you get two style options in one. The bed rolls up to fit into the included travel bag, and the whole thing costs less than some bags of dog food. While it cleans up easily, it just might not be the best for serious campers as it’s not waterproof.

What are some tips for dog beds for car travel?

You’ve got various options when it comes to dog beds for cars, depending on whether you want it to stay put, like a car seat/bed model, or use it as a carrier. Before you buy, be sure that the dog bed will fit in your vehicle and can be wiped clean. The last thing you want is to be stuck with a dirty dog bed for hours or even days. Another feature to look for is the option to fasten it with your standard seat belts instead of being forced to buy extra accessories to hold it in place.

Are there travel dog beds for large breeds?

There are quite a few more dog beds for traveling made for small and medium pups. However, your big boy or girl isn’t out of luck. Rollable mats or travel pillow types of beds will accommodate most breeds. You could also invest in a cot-style dog bed that disassembles for travel. Some cot-style or elevated dog beds hold fur babies as large as 200 pounds!

What should I look for in the best dog beds for traveling?

Not only are you looking for convenience and portability with travel-style dog beds, but easy clean-up is essential. The best options are waterproof or made with an outer cover that can be wiped clean as needed.

Are there dog beds for camping?

The pet product industry has just exploded over the past few decades. There are now dog beds for every shape, size, preference, and purpose, extending to outdoor use as well. If you’re looking for a dog bed for camping, you could go with an elevated model that looks like a miniature military cot. Or, some brands like Carhartt and L.L. Bean produce simple mattress-style beds that are rugged and waterproof.

Tips for Buying the Best Dog Beds for Traveling

Smaller is Better – Size matters when you’re buying a dog bed for traveling. You want to go as small as possible. Unlike your fur baby’s permanent dog bed, where bigger is usually better, a little overhang is acceptable with travel beds.

Simple is Best – Forget about bolsters, pillows, sidewalls, and other enhancements that are typically appealing with pet beds. When you’re traveling, you need something small and compact, and those comfy bolsters just take up too much room.

Multi-purpose Portability – If you and your pup head from the car to the hotel or the plane, consider buying something like a carrier that doubles as a bed. That way, you can streamline your packing, and your pup stays comfy everywhere you go.

Indoor or Outdoor Use? – There are some excellent dog beds for traveling that roll up and fit into a bag or are foldable and packable. But they tend to focus on portability over durability. If you plan on camping, we suggest you find an outdoor dog bed that disassembles or is small enough to fit in the car. And, when you plan to sleep outside with your pup, waterproof covers are a must.