As we know, dogs love being outside and one of the best things dogs enjoy is heading out to a campsite for a few days or weeks. It allows them to roam, discover and burn off all that energy that dogs seem to accumulate.
When the sun sets, your dog is going to need somewhere to sleep. Unlike home, where some dogs have outside kennels or others that are allowed inside to sleep – when we are camping, our space is limited inside the tent and we could do better than letting your pooch sleep on the ground.
And so we have the ideal sleeping arrangements for your dog – the camping dog bed so they too can have a good night’s sleep and be ready for more running around the bush the next day. This is our list of the best camping dog beds in Australia.
| OZtrail Small Folding Dog Bed | Outdoor Connection Large Folding Dog Bed | Wanderer Dog Bed | Kings Folding Pet Bed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
best for small dogs  |  |  | Best for large dogs  | |
62 x 62 x 23 cm | 87 x 87 x 37 cm | 72 x 72 x 24 cm | 117 x 61 x 21 cm | |
Textaline synthetic, steel, rivets | 600D polyester, PVC coating, steel | 600D polyester, PVC coating, steel | 600D polyester, PVC coating, steel | |
30 kg | 50 kg | 50 kg | 50 kg | |
2.6 kg | 3.3 kg | ?? | 2.45 kg | |
1 year | 5 years | 1 year | 1 year |
Best Camping Dog Beds in Australia
OZtrail Small Folding Dog Bed
Best For Smaller Dogs
Starting off our list of portable dog beds for camping, the OZtrail Small Folding Dog Bed is the perfect fold-out bed that will give your dog their own space up off the ground so ants or other insects can't get at them.
It's sturdy and stable and can be used inside a larger tent, outside under an awning or gazebo or out in the open. Your dog will be comfortable and cosy and can easily get on and off as it's quite low to the ground and it comes with an additional mattress topper sold separately for colder climates.
There is no negativity around this bed, with the only downside being that it is not great for multiple dogs or very large ones, but keep in mind that a larger version is available too.
We have given it a high rating as quite simply almost every review we have read has given it top marks. For a great price, this lightweight and easy to set up and pack away camping dog bed is exactly what your smaller dog needs for a great night’s sleep.
Outdoor Connection Folding Dog Bed – Large
Best For Older Dogs
The Outdoor Connection Folding Dog Bed – Large, is designed for larger dogs and as such, it has a higher weight rating and a sturdier frame than the smaller models.
Like the other beds, this folding dog bed for camping is easy to set up and pack down, has a great height for your dog to get on and off and can be used inside a tent out outside on the ground depending on your preference.
While the bed itself is made from 600D polyester, it also has replacement covers and fleecy mats available too for colder climates or if the original gets damaged.
While the majority of customers love this dog bed, there is one subset that does not – owners of large, often younger and excitable dogs. If left unsupervised, these dogs can and will tear the canvas by chewing and playing with it.
There are many reviews of this happening, so while it's a great dog bed, if your dog likes to chew, you may want to keep an eye on them or pack up their beds during the day so they can't destroy it. This product has a five-year warranty, unlike the others, so that may compensate for this issue.
Wanderer Dog Bed
Best For Medium Dogs
The Wanderer Dog Bed is another easy to set up and pack down camping bed for your dog for use while outside at a campsite.
Like the other models, it has a sturdy frame to take the weight of larger dogs, however, the overall sleeping area is smaller than that of the Outdoor Connection model. This means that even though it is strong enough for a large dog, it's not quite big enough.
This is obviously not an issue if you have a smaller dog, however, this is billed as a bed for all dogs, so unless you went through the specifications with a fine comb (like we do) or spent a lot of time reading through customer reviews, you may not pick this up.
In all aspects, it performs well, but this bed is only for small to medium-sized dogs. If yours is larger, the Outdoor Connection or the Kings unit is a better buy.
Kings Folding Pet Bed
Best For Larger Or Multiple Dogs
Last, but certainly not least is the King's Folding Pet Bed from Adventure Kings. This camping bed for your dog is a different design and instead of being square, it more resembles a stretcher for humans with its longer bed space. Indeed this extra space is great for very large dogs or even two smaller dogs to share.
The frame is very sturdy and this can be used inside or outside your tent and is very easy to set and pack away.
This is also the cheapest camping bed for dogs on this list coming in under $40, which is great value at the end of the day. Customer reviews are all very high with owners and dogs seeming to love this bed and get many years of life out of it. This is the best buy on this list for a larger dog.
What To Look For When Buying Camping Dog Beds
Dog beds are very similar in design and build, so there is not a lot separating them, however, there are a couple of things to consider:
Dog Size
Dog size, or more specifically dog weight, will determine what size of dog bed you purchase.
The OZtrail small dog bed is designed for dogs smaller than 30 kg for example (though it does have a larger version). Make sure you get the right size for your dog so they get the comfort designed for them when they sleep.
Bedding Materials
These don't differ too much from model to model, however, the Breathable Textaline Synthetic that the OZtrail uses is a little stronger than the 600D PVC coated polyester that the others favour.
The Outdoor Connection in particular has a problem with large excitable dogs tearing the fabric for fun. While this may be more of a dog issue than a material issue, it’s still worth taking note of if your dog behaves like this.
Extras
Two of the models listed here, the OZtrail Small Dog Bed and the Outdoor Connection unit, have extra bedding you can purchase as well.
Replacement covers are a good idea that will allow you to wash the canvas periodically if you are on a longer trip to keep your dog healthy. Fleecy mattresses are great too for additional comfort, especially in colder climates where your dog will feel the night air.
As they are purpose designed for a particular unit, extra mattresses or covers that fit perfectly on your dog bed are a great idea if you camp for long periods.
Final Thoughts
Dog beds are more important than you think, especially for people who do not want their dogs snuggled up beside them inside a small tent.
The camping dog bed allows for your dog to have their own space, which is important for them, even out camping and also provides them with a safe spot away from the ground to rest and sleep on.
Owners of smaller dogs would be best suited with the OZtrail Small Folding Dog Bed, while owners of larger dogs would be better suited with the longer Kings Folding Pet Bed.
Either way, your dog will be happier, better rested and more enjoyable after a good night’s sleep on their very own bed, which is what man’s best friend deserves after all.
…or with the Wanderer dog bed, if you have a larger dog buy the large size bed. We’ve got a (largish) medium sized dog and the she loves her Wanderer large bed!