Dogs like to hang around outside on sunny days and often enjoy the outdoors in cold weather as well, so it’s a good idea to purchase them a solid bed to rest on while they are out in the elements. However, there are quite a few models available, and it can be difficult to sort through them all to find the best one for your dog. We’ve chosen 10 different models to review for you so you can see the difference between them. We’ll cover the pros and cons of each bed and tell you if our pets enjoyed using them. We’ve also included a short buyer’s guide where we discuss what makes a good outdoor bed and what you should look for as you shop.
Join us while we discuss elevation, materials, durability, comfort, and more to help you make an informed decision.
The K&H Pet Products Elevated Dog Bed is our pick as the best overall outdoor dog bed. It’s available in multiple sizes from 22 to 50 inches long, so it will suit most dog breeds comfortably. Plus, it can hold up to 150 pounds. It keeps your pet several inches off the ground so they can get a more comfortable rest without moisture from the ground getting into their fur. The mesh fabric increases air circulation, helping your dog stay cooler. It’s easy to assemble without tools and it’s lightweight at just a little over 5 pounds, so it’s easy to take with you anywhere.
The only problem we had while using the K&H bed was that it could be difficult to keep the fabric clean as the bed ages.
The Chuckit! Travel Pillow Dog Bed is our pick as the best outdoor dog bed for the money. This brand is perfect for travel and even comes with a travel bag to keep for storage. It’s a fantastic car bed, and the breathable material is machine washable, so it’s easy to keep clean. It comes in one large size that is 39” L x 30” W, so it should accommodate most small and medium-sized dogs.
We Liked reviewing the Chuckit! Travel Pillow Dog Bed, and we keep one in the car for traveling or emergencies. The only problem we have with it is that it lies on the ground and can collect moisture. It will also be less comfortable on some surfaces than a raised bed. The material is durable, and the stitching is great, but if your dog is a chewer, it can rip up one of these beds in a few minutes.
Pros
Travel bed
Comfortable material
Includes carrying bag
Large size
Machine washable
Durable material
Cons
Not for chewers
Lays on the ground
3. K&H Pet Products Outdoor Elevated Dog bed –Premium Choice
The K&H Pet Products Outdoor Elevated Dog bed is our premium choice. This bed is raised off the ground and features a tent-style covering that will help shelter your pet from rain, snow, sun, and more and will also keep dew off your pet if it stays out overnight. The 600-denier nylon fabric is not only water-resistant and durable, but it also resists the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. Assembly is easy and doesn’t require any tools, and two widows help increase ventilation in the bed so your bed can stay cooler.
Our dogs like to use the K&H Outdoor Elevated Dog bed, especially when we go camping because they feel special with their own tent. The only problem we had with this model is that the poles that hold the tent upright are very thin and warped easily, leading to a deformed tent or one that doesn’t go up.
The FurHaven Deluxe Orthopedic Outdoor Dog Bed is a mattress-style bed available in many different sizes from 20 to 53 inches long, so it should be suitable for most dog breeds. You can also get it in many colors to match your other accessories yard accessories. The orthopedic foam is similar to memory foam and is great for dogs with sore joints and older dogs with arthritis. There are no side bolsters, so the bed is easy to get into, and it’s lightweight at about 5 pounds, so it is easy to transport to any location. The water-resistant base helps keep the bed from sliding around and also prevents the foam from absorbing ground moisture.
The FurHaven Deluxe provides your pet with a nice firm mattress, but it sits on the ground, so you can only leave it outside for a few hours at a time, or it will absorb moisture despite the water-resistant base. You also need to wash it by hand as neither the foam nor cover is machine washable.
The Cheerhunting Outdoor Dog Bed features a unique foldable design, so you can take it with you anywhere. It fits neatly inside an included carry bag and weighs less than 2 pounds. The material is durable with tight stitching, and it’s machine washable, so it’s easy to keep clean. It’s 43 inches long and 26 inches wide, so it’s suitable for most pets.
The primary downside to the Cheerhunting bed is that it lays on the ground, so it will collect moisture. It’s also very lightweight, so it tends to move around quite a bit, especially if your pet is restless. We also caught our dogs trying to chew it a few times, which can quickly create a hole.
The Love’s cabin Outdoor Elevated Dog Bed is a simple style elevated bed that will raise your pet about 8 inches off the ground so it will be as comfortable as possible. The bed won’t absorb moisture from the soil, so it stays dry and is less likely to have mold or mildew growing on it. It’s available in several sizes, and the largest is 49 inches long, so it should be suitable for even larger dogs. We found it quite durable, and the skid-resistant feet keep it in place while your pet gets on and off.
The only real problem we had with the Love’s Cabin bed was that the mesh is extremely thin, and while we didn’t get any holes or tears, the material did start to sag almost immediately, so it may not be ideal for larger breeds. Smaller breeds may also have some difficulty getting in and out of this bed, especially at first.
The Bedsure Waterproof Dog Bed features a waterproof cover so the polyfoam will not absorb moisture, even on damp days. It’s available in multiple sizes from 30 to 44 inches long, so it’s suitable for all but the largest breeds. You can remove the cover and machine wash it, so it’s easy to keep clean, and the material is an extremely soft ultra-plush fleece.
While the Bedsure does a good job of keeping moisture out of the inner foam, you can feel the plastic covering that makes it possible through the fabric, and it makes a crinkling sound that our dogs didn’t like, so they wouldn’t use it much. The material collects a lot of dirt lying on the floor, and though moisture doesn’t get in, you’ll find yourself washing it frequently, which can be a problem due to the extremely lightweight and flimsy zipper.
The Pet Craft Supply Calming Outdoor Dog Bed features a unique UV-treated material that will not fade in the sunlight like many other brands. It’s also water-resistant, and the material wicks water away to help it stay dry. The stitching is tight, and the material seems durable. It’s machine washable and available in three colors.
We liked the way the Pet Craft Supply Calming Outdoor Dog Bed compartmentalized the stuffing into sections because it means that if the dog chews a corner, the rest of the bed will still have fill. However, our dogs did chew it, and each day there was more stuffing on the floor. It also collects a lot of dirt and moisture sitting on the floor and can develop an odor. It’s also a little small at only 40 inches long and may not be suitable for some medium and large breeds.
The Amazon Basics Water-Resistant Dog Bed is a smaller-sized bed that features an attractive yet durable oxford fabric. It’s soft to the touch and is waterproof even when left outdoors overnight. It’s lightweight and available in multiple sizes from 17 to 30 inches long. It has raised sides for extra support and security and a cushion insert that will help keep your pet comfortable and warm. A dip in the front makes it easier for smaller and older pets to get in.
The downsides to the Amazon Basics are that it is very small and only suitable for small dog breeds and cats. Our dogs also liked to chew on it, and even a small hole would allow moisture inside, but our biggest problem with it is there is no way to keep it clean. It collects dirt on the ground and is not machine washable.
The FOCUSPET Orthopedic Dog Bed is the last bed on our list to review for you, but it still has plenty of features that make it worth considering. It’s available in several sizes, from 25 to 40 inches long, and filled with a high-quality memory foam that will provide your pet with better sleep. It has an anti-slip bottom that will help keep it in place when your pet gets in and out. The cover is removable and machine washable.
Unfortunately, the FOCUSPET Orthopedic Dog Bed also has a few problems. It’s not waterproof and will collect moisture while sitting on the ground. This moisture can allow moisture to grow, and it enhances the dog smell, so the bed had an odor after about a week that persisted after washing. It’s also a little small, with the largest bed reaching only 40 inches. The material is thin, and the stitching is loose. Two of the beds we had started to come apart at the seams after only a short time.
Pros
Multiple sizes
High-quality memory foam
Removable cover
Anti-slip bottom
Cons
Loose stitching
Thin material
Not waterproof
Retains odor
Small
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Outdoor Dog Bed
Let’s look at some of the most important things to consider when choosing an outdoor dog bed.
Size
The first thing you will need to consider when purchasing your bed is the size of your pet. If the bed is too small, it won’t be comfortable, and your pet will be less likely to use it. If the dog is too heavy, it can crush the metal frame of some beds or tear the fabric. If the bed is too large, it will take up more space and cost more, so you’ll waste money. Since dogs sleep in many different positions, owners usually use weight to decide how big the bed should be.
Here is a guideline you can use as a starting point.
Besides the weight of your pet, you should also get to know your pet’s sleeping habits so you can get a bed that they are more likely to use. If your pet tends to sleep sprawled out or on its belly, a rectangle bed will be more inviting to your pet. However, if your dog tends to sleep in a curled-up position, it will be more likely to sleep in a round bed, avoiding beds that won’t allow this position.
Elevated Beds
We highly recommend elevated beds for outdoor use. Elevated beds use a thin material stretched tight over a metal frame. These beds are often inexpensive and easy to set up. They keep your pet off the ground, so there is no need to worry about sharp rocks or wet soil. The air circulation prevents mold and mildew from growing, and it keeps your pets cooler while they sleep. It’s usually lightweight and easy to transport, and it dries fast if left in the rain so your pet can use it again. It’s less likely to be chewed by your dog because it doesn’t resemble a stuffed toy, and they don’t collect fur.
The downsides associated with elevated beds are that the frame could be crushed or bent if your dog is too heavy for it or you store it incorrectly. It can also rust if it has steel construction, and the feet can scratch the floor if used indoors or on a painted porch. The material can sag and develop holes and tears from your dog’s claws, and some dogs are resistant to get on these beds, especially if they slide.
Pros
Inexpensive
Plenty of air circulation
No mold, mildew, or odor
Cons
Need to follow weight limits
Can rust
Might tear
Stuffed Beds
Image Credit: Pixabay
Stuffed beds are great for indoors, and they can also be suitable on the porch or in the garage. There is no set-up with this type of bed, so it’s easy to take with you, and many of them use high-quality memory foam, so they reduce pressure points and improve your dog’s sleep. These beds are also easier to get in and out of the raised beds, so they are more suitable for older dogs suffering from arthritis. You can usually find stuffed beds in a wide range of colors and shapes, and most of them are machine washable, so it’s not hard to keep them clean.
The downside to stuffed beds for outside is that they tend to collect moisture. Moisture inside the foam will allow mold, mildew, and bacteria to grow, and many beds don’t allow you to wash the foam, only the cover. The moisture will also cause the bed to get that dog smell we all try to avoid. Even waterproof beds will wear out, and it only takes a pinhole to let moisture in. These beds resemble your pet’s stuffed toys, so many dogs will chew these beds, and they can also get holes from their claws, rocks below the bed, and loose stitching. Outdoor stuffed beds that remain unmoved will also invite creepy crawlies to live underneath.
Pros
Attractive
Comfortable
Easy to get in and out
Machine washable
Cons
Mold and mildew
Bacteria
Can retain odor
Bugs
Final Thoughts
We recommend an elevated bed for most dog owners looking for an outdoor resting place for their pets. Elevated beds are inexpensive, durable, and easy to set up. Most dogs will enjoy it, and they will get a better sleep free of moisture and sharp rocks. Our pick as the best overall is a perfect example. The K&H Pet Products Elevated Dog Bed is extremely sturdy and available in many sizes. It can hold even the largest dogs and sets up in seconds without the need for tools. If you have your heart set on a stuffed bed for your deck or porch, we highly recommend our best value. The Chuckit! Travel Pillow Dog Bed is attractive, water-resistant, and machine washable. It even comes with a travel bag so you can take it with you to the beach or any other outing.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over these reviews and found a few brands you think your pet would like. If we have helped your pet enjoy the outdoors even more, please share this guide to the best outdoor dog beds on Facebook and Twitter.
Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured). Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types.
