The Best Dog Sleeping Bags: Reviewed

Written by Judie Sigdel
Updated: December 3, 2022
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So you’re all set to go camping, and you want to take your dog on your trip. Where is he going to sleep? On the floor of your tent? In search of comfort, he’ll most likely end up sprawled across your legs to soak up some body heat and find a bit of cushioning. Fortunately, there are some wonderful dog sleeping bags on the market so that your dog can sleep like a first-class citizen right alongside you.

The best dog sleeping bags possess a combination of features designed to provide comfort to your dog. One must-have feature is durability. You want a dog sleeping bag you can put down on all types of terrain whether it’s grass in your backyard or muddy ground at a campsite.

Size is another important feature to research. Some sleeping bags are suitable for dogs of all sizes while others are designed for small or large dogs. It’s best to look for a sleeping bag that allows a little bit of wiggle room.

Warmth is a very important feature. Some sleeping bags are made with warm, comfortable fleece while others have synthetic down. Quilted material is another type of soft interior.

If you want a dog sleeping bag for backpacking, then finding a lightweight one is essential. Also, the best dog sleeping bag for backpacking is compressible. This feature makes it easy to roll up and carry.

A dog sleeping bag bed with a zipper is a good choice to keep your dog secure and dry while it’s resting. Some dog sleeping bags for camping can be unzipped most of the way in order to spread them out for more surface space.

The smartest way to approach a search for the best dog sleeping bag is to think about where you want to use it. If you go camping and fishing a lot, then you want a durable, waterproof bag with a warm interior. Alternatively, if you want to go backpacking with your dog, you need a dog sleeping bag for backpacking that’s lightweight and stored in a custom bag.

The type of activities you share with your furry friend can help you select the best dog sleeping bag. Check out our reviews highlighting the best dog sleeping bags and their unique qualities.

  1. Lifeunion Dog Sleeping Bag
    • Can be closed with a zipper that goes up the side and over the top
    • 48 x 28 inches
    • Good fit for large dogs as well as medium-sized and small canines
    • Orange or gray
    • Lightweight at just two pounds
    Check Amazon
  2. Wilderdog Dog Sleeping Bag
    • Extra soft interior
    • 36 x 28 inches
    • Suitable for large dogs as well as small ones
    • Two nylon fabric loops at the base of the bag used for hanging it up to dry
    • Lightweight at 29 ounces
    • Available in two colors: maroon and olive
    Check Amazon
  3. KUDES Dog Sleeping Bag
    • Outer layer made of polyester material made to withstand moisture
    • Inner portion of the sleeping bag is soft fleece.
    • Suitable to use as a dog sleeping bag for backpacking and for camping
    • 44 x 28 inches
    • Lightweight and compressible
    Check Amazon
  4. Dog Helios Trail Barker Multi-Surface, Water Resistant Travel Bed
    • Can be connected by zippers to make a larger sleeping surface
    • 26 x 20 inches
    • Best for small dogs and medium size canines up to 60 pounds.
    • Can be rolled up and secured with built-in straps made of nylon material
    Check Amazon

The Top Picks for Dog Sleeping Bag: Ranked

#1 Best Overall: Lifeunion Dog Sleeping Bag

The Lifeunion Dog Sleeping Bag topped our list as the #1 Best Overall. This dog sleeping bag keeps your pet warm with an interior layer of fleece and synthetic down while protecting it from the rain with a waterproof polyester shell. These features make it ideal for backpacking as well as camping.

Our choice for best overall can be closed with a zipper that goes up the side and over the top. Its dimensions are 48 x 28 inches. It’s a good fit for large dogs as well as medium-sized and small canines. This orange or gray sleeping bag is lightweight at just two pounds.

One disadvantage of this dog sleeping bag is it’s not easily compressible.

Pros and Cons of the Lifeunion Dog Sleeping Bag

ProsCons
This dog sleeping bag features an interior layer of fleece and synthetic down for warmth and a waterproof polyester shell.It’s not easily compressible.
Thanks to these features, and the fact that it weighs just two pounds, it’s ideal for backpacking as well as camping.
A zipper closure goes up the side and over the top.
It measures 48 x 28 inches, so it’s a good fit for small, medium, and large dogs.
It’s available in orange or gray.
Best Overall
Lifeunion Dog Sleeping Bag
  • Can be closed with a zipper that goes up the side and over the top
  • 48 x 28 inches
  • Good fit for large dogs as well as medium-sized and small canines
  • Orange or gray
  • Lightweight at just two pounds
Check Amazon

2. Best for Cold Weather: Wilderdog Dog Sleeping Bag

This durable Wilderdog Dog Sleeping Bag is ideal for use in cold weather. It’s made with rip-stop fabric and features an extra soft interior so your dog can stay warm both indoors and out.

It measures 36 x 28 inches and can unzip it almost all the way around giving a dog as much space as it wants. It’s suitable for large dogs as well as small ones.

We liked the two nylon fabric loops at the base of the bag used for hanging it up to dry. It’s lightweight at 29 ounces and available in two colors: maroon and olive.

A disadvantage of this sleeping bag is it’s not quite big enough for an extra-large breed.

Pros and Cons of the Wilderdog Dog Sleeping Bag

ProsCons
This durable dog sleeping bag is made from rip-stop fabric and features an extra-soft interior.It’s not quite large enough for extra-large breed dogs.
It’s suitable for large dogs as well as small/medium ones since it measures 36 x 28 inches and can unzip almost all the way around to provide extra room.
It features two nylon fabric loops at the base so you can hang it up to dry.
It weighs just 29 ounces and is available in your choice of maroon or olive.
Best for Cold Weather
Wilderdog Dog Sleeping Bag
  • Extra soft interior
  • 36 x 28 inches
  • Suitable for large dogs as well as small ones
  • Two nylon fabric loops at the base of the bag used for hanging it up to dry
  • Lightweight at 29 ounces
  • Available in two colors: maroon and olive
Check Amazon

3. Best Waterproof: KUDES Dog Sleeping Bag

Our choice for the best waterproof dog sleeping bag, the KUDES Dog Sleeping Bag, has an outer layer made of polyester material made to withstand rain, dew, and other moisture. The inner portion of the sleeping bag is soft fleece.

It has a durable double zipper and a Velcro closure. We liked the drawstring in the bag’s design that helps to keep a dog secure.

This KUDES product is suitable to use as a dog sleeping bag for backpacking and for camping. Its dimensions are 44 x 28 inches. At just under two pounds, it’s lightweight and compressible, easily fitting into its custom bag.

A drawback of this dog sleeping bag is the synthetic down may become bunched up and unevenly distributed over time.

Pros and Cons of the KUDES Dog Sleeping Bag

ProsCons
This dog sleeping bag is lined with soft fleece and has an outer layer made of polyester material that’s made to withstand moisture.Over time, the synthetic down may bunch up and become unevenly distributed.
It features a durable double zipper and a Velcro closure as well as a drawstring that can help keep you dog secure.
At 44 x 28 inches, this canine sleeping bag is ideal for backpacking and camping.
It weighs just under two pounds, is lightweight and compressible, and fits into its own custom bag.
Best Waterproof
KUDES Dog Sleeping Bag
  • Outer layer made of polyester material made to withstand moisture
  • Inner portion of the sleeping bag is soft fleece.
  • Suitable to use as a dog sleeping bag for backpacking and for camping
  • 44 x 28 inches
  • Lightweight and compressible
Check Amazon

4. Best Value: Dog Helios Trail Barker Multi-Surface, Water- Resistant Travel Bed

The Dog Helios Trail Barker Multi-Surface, Water-Resistant Travel Bed is our pick for best value because it offers a variety of impressive features at a reasonable price. For one, this item has a PU coating making it waterproof. It also retains heat with unique Black Shark technology in the form of lightweight quilting on the inside of the bag. This interior fabric keeps a dog warm and comfortable on a camping trip.

Reviewers liked the connectable zipper feature of this dog sleeping bag which will allow users to connect sleeping bags to make a larger sleeping surface.

This travel bed measures 26 x 20 inches. It’s best for small dogs and medium size canines up to 60 pounds. It can be rolled up and secured with built-in straps made of nylon material. It’s available in bright orange, gray, blue, and red.

One downside of this sleeping bag bed is it’s not compressible. So, it may not be good for backpacking.

Pros and Cons of the Dog Helios Trail Barker Multi-Surface, Water- Resistant Travel Bed

ProsCons
This travel bed features waterproof PU coating.It’s not compressible, so it’s probably not your best choice for backpacking.
The interior features Black Shark technology in the form of lightweight quilting to retain heat.
You can connect sleeping bags to make a larger sleeping surface using the connectable zipper.
This travel bed measures 26 x 20 inches, making it best for small and medium dogs weighing 60 pounds or less.
It’s available in bright orange, gray, blue, and red.
You can roll it up and secure it with built-in nylon straps.
Best Value
Dog Helios Trail Barker Multi-Surface, Water Resistant Travel Bed
  • Can be connected by zippers to make a larger sleeping surface
  • 26 x 20 inches
  • Best for small dogs and medium size canines up to 60 pounds.
  • Can be rolled up and secured with built-in straps made of nylon material
Check Amazon

How to Choose the Right Sleeping Bag for Your Dog

When shopping for a dog sleeping bag, you must take the following factors into consideration:

  • Dog size
  • Environment
  • Compressibility

Dog Size

The first factor to consider when selecting the right one for your dog is your pet’s size. Determine how much your dog weighs and how long it is from head to tail. Knowing its exact size helps you choose a sleeping bag that accommodates your dog with a little extra space to spare.

Environment

Do you intend to use the sleeping bag outdoors, indoors, or both? If you want to use it outdoors, then one that is waterproof and durable is essential. Look for a style with a zipper to keep the wind and moisture off your dog as you both sleep through the night. Alternatively, if you want a sleeping bag for your dog to use indoors, then waterproof fabric may not be as important to you. Instead, you may focus on a soft interior of synthetic down and thick fabric that keeps the dog warm.

Compressibility

If you envision yourself carrying the dog’s sleeping bag to a campsite, then a compressible version for backpacking would be ideal. This is a sleeping bag that rolls up tightly and fits into a custom pack without taking up too much room.

The Best Dog Sleeping Bag: Pros and Cons Compared

Compressible

ProsCons
These are ideal for carrying in a backpack.Sometimes, they’re made with thin fabric.
They takes up very little space in a car trunk.

Non-Compressible

ProsCons
They provide a thick surface for sleeping.They’re not convenient to carry in a backpack.
They’re great for indoor use.

Our Criteria and Experience: How We Chose the Best

In order to come up with a list of the best dog sleeping bags, we researched models that would adapt to a variety of occasions, whether it be tent camping under the stars, being in a situation of possible exposure to the elements, or sleeping indoors, either at home or in an unfamiliar location such as a hotel room. We also wanted to recommend options that were easy to fold or roll up and transport, were comfortable for your dog, and made of durable, safe materials. We also sought dog sleeping bags that are machine washable, since they can get dirty trekking outdoors.

We also consulted customer reviews in making our recommendations. There’s no better gauge to whether a product delivers on what it promises than the experience of those who have used it firsthand.

Up Next…

About the Author

My passion is writing about animals. I’ve published articles on pet parrots, birds, and small animal care and reviews about pet food and products. I have an ever-evolving aviary and menagerie that has included cockatiels, parakeets, conures, European starlings, a chukar partridge, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. I’m also the author of Faith without Labels: a Guide to Eclectic Spirituality.

The Best Dog Sleeping Bags: Reviewed FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Do dogs need a sleeping bag when camping?

A dog doesn’t absolutely need a sleeping bag when camping, but there are benefits to having one.

With a sleeping bag, a dog has its own place to rest, keep warm and stay dry. Also, your dog probably won’t try to crowd into your sleeping bag with you!

At what temperature does a dog need a sleeping bag?

The answer depends on the thickness of the dog’s coat. A short-haired dog with a relatively thin coat like a smooth-haired fox terrier would likely need a sleeping bag if the temperature dropped below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively, a husky with a thick coat of fur wouldn’t need a sleeping bag until the temperature dips below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

How do you train your dog to use a sleeping bag?

Rewarding a dog with a favorite treat when it goes into the sleeping bag (even for a few seconds) can be effective. The reward can encourage a dog to try again. Also, use a soothing voice and never try to force the dog into the sleeping bag.

Can all dogs use a sleeping bag?

Yes. Dog sleeping bags are available for large dogs, small dogs, and every size in-between.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.