Wait, what… a dog sleeping bag? It may sound weird but many people love going camping, touring and hiking with their dogs. People are used to them but our four-legged friends also have their comfortable sleeping bags for dogs.
Now, you’ll wonder why can’t I just use a regular dog bed? Well, mainly because when you are camping or doing outdoor adventures, you need to pack, unpack and clean things fast. You don’t live in a forest-like you do at home. This opened a whole new market of our usual items but made for the outdoor lovers (and it includes the dog sleeping bed!)
The right sleeping bag for your dog must be the perfect nest he or she can burrow down under. So let’s see what makes a dog sleeping bag a place worth calling home for your pooch!
Buying The Best Sleeping Bag For Dogs
Once you set your mind to buying a dog sleeping bag, there are several features that should determine your final choice. Obviously, we all want a great-looking sleeping bag but the look of it shouldn’t be the top priority. After all, you don’t want your dog to freeze all night in a beautiful sleeping bag, do you?
Warmth — outdoor adventures usually come with random temperatures, usually leaning towards cold more than warm. Make sure the sleeping bag is offering great insulation and retention of your dog’s body temperature. Dog heat themselves up quite well, so you simply need materials that keep it inside the sleeping bag, not outside.
Waterproof — the outer layer has to be totally waterproof but this can be less important if you are camping in a dry area. Most dog sleeping bags offer a water-resistant polyester layer to repel water if it’s not too wet.
Durability — just like your own sleeping bag, your dog’s one should be placed on a protective mat to avoid wear and tear. Cheap sleeping bags will usually break sooner than pricier ones, with zips being the first breaking bits.
Comfort — dogs tend to sleep pretty well on most surfaces but when spending the night outside, you never know what type of surface you will sleep on. Make sure the sleeping bag your dog will snooze in is padded enough. Having a foam pad underneath is also a solution.
Cleaning — perhaps the most important point and often the most overlooked! Whether you are out overnight or for several days, you want to get rid of the ground, dirt, and dust easily and hassle-free. Some materials retain dirt way more than others. To wipe off dirt easily, you will prefer a quality polyester fabric.
Packing — last but not least, dog sleeping bags can be bulky so you want a lightweight construction along with a self-packing design if possible. Chances are you will compress it manually and stuff it in any random bag you have anyway.
Most of the above have to do with the materials used during the design and manufacturing process. Only top quality materials will remain light while offering warmth retention, waterproofing, and comfortable padding. This is why dog sleeping beds are not something you want to be stingy with.
3 Best Dog Sleeping Bags
For those who cannot afford the $99 for a Ruffwear sleeping bag, there are cheaper options available. They aren’t reaching the same level of quality, comfort, and durability, but they are great for the occasional hiker.
1. Ruffwear Highlands Dog Sleeping Bag
Ruffwear is the number #1 brand for dog hiking, camping, and outdoor gears. Their dog backpacks are also amazing (and they use similar materials, too.)
Ok, back to our Ruffwear dog sleeping bags!
The Ruffwear Highlands Dog Sleeping Bag is one of a kind because it is made of premium materials and conceived for frequent hikers. This is why the price is higher than the competition.
In short:
- The outer layer is water-resistant and quick-drying which, in turn, means easy-cleaning
- The synthetic insulation technology keeps your dog warm while it repels the cold from the ground
- The bottom padding makes it comfortable for a dog with a sensitive sleep
- There is a zip enclosure if you want to retain maximum heat within the sleeping bag
- Two pairs of safety loops if you want to attach the sleeping bag to the ground
- Included stuff sack for light and tidy traveling packing down to 12″x7″x7″
Dimensions are 2in x 2in x 31.5in x 25.98in, which is plenty of room for small to large dogs. A 75lb golden retriever should fit so you can compare against that.
The Ruffwear Highlands Dog Sleeping Bag is the best sleeping bag for dog currently available. It is made by a true dog-specialized manufacturer and is using premium materials. A no-brainer if you have the budget!
2. Chuckit! Travel Dog Bed
Chuckit, a brand well-regarded for its ball launchers, is producing a good cheap dog sleeping bag. Indeed, the Chuckit! Travel Dog Bed is made of polyester microfiber and offers a soft touch and feel. The ripstop nylon cover on the bottom keeps the dog bed tear-free even on tough surfaces. Chuckit! Travel Dog Bed is made for small dogs with dimensions of 30 inches by 39 inches. The item is delivered with a stuff sack for compact storage.
3. Snuggle Bed For Dogs
An alternative would be to buy a snuggle bed for your dog. These are not sleeping bags but they are warm, comfortable and cheaper. They can be used at home as a lounge dog bed or outdoor when camping. However, they are not insulated or water-resistant, nor they are repelling the cold from the ground. Snuggle dog beds are meant to be used at home but will work out overnight if you aren’t going too far in low temperatures. The P.L.A.Y. Pet Lifestyle and You Snuggle Pet Bed is a top choice in that snuggle bed category.
Unlike sleeping bags for people, dogs aren’t yet submerged by too many options right now. There is a clear winner with the Ruffwear Highlands Dog Sleeping Bag‘s feature-packed design. Yet, not everybody is ready to spend close to a hundred dollars on a dog sleeping bag, so you can opt for a cheaper option such as the Chuckit! Travel Dog Bed or a snuggle bed, especially if you camp occasionally.
Featured image credits to instagram.com/mallorydangerpaige.