Dog beds are typically found inside the house, but what happens when your puppy wants to enjoy the fresh outdoors on a sunny day? They have to sit on the grass or pavement, which is considerably less comfortable than their dog beds inside the house.
Dogs don’t seem to mind laying on harder surfaces too much, but when they lay in mud or the grass and bring it indoors, getting it all over your lovely furniture, you will certainly start to mind.
Dogs can also get covered in bugs and undesirable odors before returning back indoors to spread these all throughout the house. Even worse, your dog might lay on something dangerous such as broken glass, sharp stones, or dirt.
To avoid these things from happening, it might be worth investing in an outdoor dog bed for them to lounge upon. This will keep them away from the ground itself, giving them a comfortable place to perch while keeping them safe – not to mention keep your house safe, too!
We have found the 5 best outdoor dog beds on the market for you to choose from, giving you peace of mind that your dog has the best while relaxing outside.
- Pros
- Three sizes: choose the right size for your dog so that you’re not wasting space while they remain comfortable.
- Strong and durable: the materials used are long-lasting and reliable, ensuring the bed lasts you a long time.
- Warranty period: the manufacturer protects your purchase with a one-year warranty.
- Cons
- Difficult assembly: some customers found it tricky to put this bed together.
First up is not just an elevated dog bed, but the original elevated dog bed! It keeps your dog safely off the ground away from mud, bugs, and unpleasant odors. Plus, the elevated position will keep your dog cool thanks to the constant airflow underneath the bed. This is helpful for the warmer summer months.
The platform is flexible enough to support your dog’s joints and muscles, while still being taut enough to keep them high off of the ground. This is excellent for dogs with aching joints or who are just a little older.
The fabric platform is breathable and prevents any hot spots from forming, ensuring that your dog remains cool throughout the summer months while lounging outside.
This elevated dog bed is easy to clean and the fabric won’t trap fleas, mites, or mold. You can keep on using this bed for longer without its quality deteriorating. We ranked this as our best outdoor dog bed because it is durable and designed for being outside the house.
- Pros
- Non-skid feet: your dog won’t go flying when they try to jump on or off of this bed.
- Durable material: the best is anti-rip to protect itself from claws.
- Environmentally friendly: the mesh has been made from recycled materials.
- Cons
- Missing pieces: A couple of customers received their bed without all of the necessary pieces.
Next up is another elevated outdoor dog bed with a well-built frame to keep your dog stable and happy while lounging outside. The durable material ensures that the bed won’t sag over time and your puppy will be protected from joint pain for longer.
The bed lifts your dog eight inches off of the ground to keep them cool in summer and away from the cold floor in winter. It also stops them from getting sodden if they were to lay out in the rain.
The tight mesh material could not be easier to clean with a hose and mild detergent. Let the material air dry in the sun and your dog will be able to use it in no time!
The bed is easy to put together and won’t require a lot of tools either, perfect for quick assembly. It also comes in three different sizes: small, medium, and large to fit most dog breeds!
- Pros
- Durable: the seams are sturdy thanks to refined stitching, allowing this bed to be used for years.
- Very portable: roll the bed up and fit it into a small pouch that will hardly make a dent in your luggage allowance.
- Two sizes: comes in either large or extra-large sizes.
- Cons
- Water-resistant: not waterproof, which means you’ll need to bring the bed indoors before it gets caught in heavy rainfall.
A more traditional dog bed this time, the CHEERHUNTING Outdoor Dog Bed is great for dog owners always on the go to their new adventure. The dog bed rolls up and fits into a tiny little bag that can be thrown in the back of a car before heading to a new destination.
The material is durable and easy to wash, resistant to scratches and claw marks. It can also withstand some chewing, although isn’t foolproof against the most relentless chewers! The oxford materials can be quickly wiped down within seconds.
This bed is water-resistant making it ideal to use outdoors on damp grass or concrete. The filling is made from PP cotton which will provide your dog with a nice lightly cushioned bed for lounging outdoors. This is a great outdoor dog bed if you’re looking for durable materials that will last outside.
- Pros
- Included overhead canopy: the only bed on our list to provide a shaded spot for your pooch.
- Reliable frame: the steel will keep your dog comfortable and elevated off the ground for years to come.
- Quick assembly: great for traveling thanks to the easy-to-build frame and travel bag.
- Cons
- Sun damage: the canopy might get bleached by the sun after prolonged use outdoors.
Back with another raised outdoor dog bed, Best Choice goes one step further and offers this one with an overhead canopy to provide your dog with some shade.
This is great for use in the summer as they will enjoy the cool air beneath them as well as all around them, as well as a shaded area away from the relentless sun.
The outdoor bed is weather-resistant with a tempered steel frame which supports your dog’s weight effortlessly.
The rubber foot caps allow you to use this bed both indoors and outdoors, protecting your hardwood flooring or grass from any damage.
Best Choice claims that you’ll have this bed set up within 20 minutes. They also include a free travel bag, making it easier for you to take this bed all over the country with you. The outdoor dog canopy comes in three sizes for dogs up to 100 pounds. If you’re looking for the best outdoor dog bed to protect your dog from the sun, you’ve found the right one.
- Pros
- Three sizes: suitable for small, medium, and large dogs.
- Orthopedic design: alleviates joint and bone pain.
- Easy to clean: machine washable for your convenience.
- Cons
- Not portable: you can fold this bed up, but it will still be quite large.
Our final product today is another traditional dog bed made from foam. This is an orthopedic dog bed that’s specialized foam evenly distributes your dog’s weight to alleviate pressure on both joints and bones. This is a great outdoor dog bed for dogs with arthritis, or they just want something extra comfortable.
The foam and cover are both waterproof and therefore can be used outdoors without hesitation. The cover is also machine washable so that you don’t have to waste time hand washing the entire cover.
The foam can be flexed in any which way to fit it in any position. The manufacturer offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for either a return or a replacement. This is one of the best large outdoor dog beds if you don’t want something that is elevated.
How to Choose an Outdoor Dog Bed
There are a few features to consider before jumping into purchasing an outdoor dog bed. We’ll look at these below so that you have a clear idea of what you should be looking for when choosing your outdoor dog bed off of the market.
Elevated Dog Bed or Not?
First thing’s first, you might have seen that we have included a few elevated dog beds on our list. Elevated dog beds do exactly what they say on the tin – they elevate your dogs up off of the ground.
These were initially designed for older dogs with joint conditions such as arthritis. The bed has more give than the hard floor, reducing inflammation in the joints. If you have an older dog, an elevated dog bed could be a good idea.
Elevated dog beds are also good for use in the summer as cool air can pass underneath the elevated dog bed and cool them down from all directions. Finally, elevated dog beds can also keep your pooch away from muddy or wet ground.
Elevated dog beds are also lightweight and waterproof so that you can leave them outside no matter the weather.
We have included both elevated dog beds and traditional dog beds on our list so that you can make up your own mind as to which you want to invest in.
Materials
As we have just mentioned, elevated dog beds are made from waterproof materials which are ideal for use outside. They are also sturdy and flexible to provide enough support to remain comfortable for dogs with joint issues.
Traditional dog beds need to be made from waterproof material as well to be used outside unless you’re happy to bring the bed in and out every time the sky starts to turn.
Waterproof or water-resistant materials should be used for any outdoor dog bed. The stuffing material should also be suitable for the outdoors, being made from foam rather than polyester filling.
This will prevent the filling from rotting or deteriorating should it start to rain. A dog bed full of water will likely be ruined so that you can’t use it again.
Comfort
Of course, the dog bed you choose needs to be comfortable – otherwise, your dog won’t choose to lay on it. If it’s an elevated dog bed, it needs to be the correct height so that they can easily get on and off of the platform.
Traditional dog beds are going to be more comfortable than elevated dog beds as they’re made of softer materials and have more padding to cushion your dog. So, traditional dog beds are more comfortable.
However, the benefits of elevated dog beds might outweigh this fact for you. Plus, the majority of dogs do still find elevated beds comfortable enough to use.
Durability
When dog beds are to be used outside, they should be much more durable than indoor dog beds. The most durable outdoor dog beds will be waterproof and weatherproof to be able to stay outside indefinitely.
They should use rust-proof metals that won’t bend in strong winds or rain. The beds should be able to withstand summer temperatures as well as snow and hail as well. The more durable the bed is, the longer you and your dog will be able to enjoy it.
Size
One thing that shouldn’t be overlooked is the size of the dog bed you’re looking for. Smaller dogs will be able to use any size bed, but larger dogs will require large beds that give them enough room to lounge and enjoy their time outside.
While smaller dogs will be able to use a large bed, you might not necessarily want to purchase the biggest bed. This will take up more room outside, be less portable in case you want to take it on holiday, and simply be a waste of your space.
Small dogs should use a small to medium-sized bed, while large dogs should be using a large to an extra-large bed.
Portability
Speaking of size, you might be looking for an outdoor dog bed that can be taken on holiday to give your dog somewhere to rest while away from home.
If this is the case, you’ll want a bed that is easily rolled up or stored in a small bag so that half your luggage isn’t completely taken up by the dog bed.
Elevated dog beds are not often easily portable because they are made from metal rods. If you wanted to transport this around, you’d have to take the poles apart and put it back up whenever you get to your destination. This can be annoying and time-consuming when you’re trying to enjoy some downtime.
Conclusion for the Best Outdoor Dog Bed
Choosing an outdoor dog bed is difficult because there are tons of options and you want something that will withstand being outside.
Luckily, we’ve done all the research for you and narrowed down the 5 best outdoor dog beds.
Choose from either a raised dog bed or a traditional-looking dog bed!
All of our options are highly durable and your dog will love laying on them!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep an outdoor dog bed warm?
You can use an electric heater near the bed, or use a hot water bottle underneath the bed as well. This allows the heat to rise and heat your dog while keeping them safely away from the hot water.
Heating pads are also a good option, whether that be an electric model or disposable heating pads. Disposables are better to use with dogs to keep them safe. Just make sure that the heating pad doesn’t get too warm.
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
Why Trust We Love Doodles?
At We Love Doodles, we’re a team of writers, veterinarians, and puppy trainers that love dogs. Our team of qualified experts researches and provides reliable information on a wide range of dog topics. Our reviews are based on customer feedback, hands-on testing, and in-depth analysis. We are fully transparent and honest to our community of dog owners and future owners.