The 8 Best Dog Car Beds Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

Getting ready for a trip and you want your canine companion to be as comfy as possible? Then you need a proper dog car bed. This guide is here to help you find the best bed possible.

In our search for the comfiest dog car beds Australia has to offer, we teamed up with canine behaviourists, veterinarians, and dog parents to form an independent panel of experts. We then spent months testing out several dozen different dog car beds, all before creating this list of the finest. We'll also provide subsequent information about what to look for when choosing a dog car bed for your little fur baby. Let's check it out.

Australia's Best Car Dog Beds Reviewed

Ready to see some awesome dog beds for your car? After testing out all of the available options we could find, there are our top picks as chosen by our team of independent experts:

This fluffy dog bed by Fur King is perfect for all dogs that need a bit of extra comfort on long car rides. No matter what your furry friend’s riding style is, this bed can fit the purpose: it fits nicely inside a crate, you can place it directly in your car’s cargo area, or even on the back seat if your dog is on the smaller side.

The exterior lining is made of tough materials, withstanding light scratching and biting. The bed is also simple to clean. I was able to just chuck it in the wash on a gentle cycle and was good to go.

Related: Fur King Calming Dog Bed Review.

As for portability, the base is very lightweight, meaning you can transport and store this mat very easily. Every member of our panel of independent experts appreciated that it comes in several sizes: from 65 cm to 115 cm in diameter. That means there will be a correct size available for any dog.

Those who like to keep their cars looking nice will also be happy to find out that the bed is available in 5 different colours. This is a great basis for size so it will suit most dog breeds, unlike options like our number four and number five products ahead that come in one standard size.

The drawback of this option is the lack of a warranty or money-back guarantee. Despite being waterproof, leaving the bed exposed to the elements will affect the heat absorption technology. Keep it out of direct sunlight or excessive heat to ensure the longevity of the product.

The bed itself is a beautiful cuddly den for your dog. The base of the bed is a soft pillow with raised rims for extra comfort. This is covered by a lovely (Australian-made) vegan faux fur cover. Warm and breathable at the same time, the fluffy surface of the furry cover has a calming effect on dogs. 

The Snooza Travel Bed is about as convenient as dog beds for your car can get. It has solid walls but it’s soft inside, it fits easily into the back seat, and it comes with straps and anchors to hold it securely in place. All you need to do is get your pooch inside and let them snuggle up for the ride.

The walls of the bed are padded but firm. They are covered with a very dense polyester fabric which ensures durability. Our independent panel experts also noted that the material is resistant to scratches and regular wear and tear, and is water-resistant.

Inside the bed, you’ll find a reversible cushion. On one side, it’s covered with fluffy faux fur to keep your dog warm, while on the other side it’s the same water-resistant fabric that the walls are covered with. That meant I was able to choose what worked for my dog according to the situation!

The Dog Nation Soft Fleece Dog Bed is another cuddly soft bed that comes to about half the price of other similar beds.

Truth be told, the filling inside this bed is not as fluffy and supportive as more expensive beds filled with actual orthopedic foam. However, for an occasional car ride, this bed will work just fine! What’s more, the fact that this bed is quite lightweight and foldable makes it great for bringing everywhere with you.

The Dog Nation Soft Fleece Dog Bed fits perfectly inside a crate (which is the safest way to transport your dog in a car), but it can stand anywhere you’d like. The bed features raised bolsters on all sides which are fluffy but not too high. This is important for me as my dog has osteoarthritis and difficulty climbing over objects.

Like our number two choice by Snooza, the interior of the bed is lined with soft fleece, while the external part is lined with durable and water-resistant polyester fabric.

This set from PaWz features everything you need for your dog to travel in style. A soft plush bed, a luxurious blanket, and a cute toy - what more could Fido need?

The most important part of the set is, of course, the bed. This is a lofty bed with rich and soft cotton filling and raised sides. It’s exceptionally comfy, but not too bulky, so it can even fit into a large crate if needed. The bed features a removable (and washable) cover with a plush surface that makes the dog feel warm and cuddled at all times.

The only potential issue with this bed that our independent team of experts could find is the fact that it only comes in one size. The bed is 80 cm long and 65 cm wide. That should be enough for most small and medium dogs, but keep in mind that the sleeping area is slightly smaller than that due to the thick bolsters around the sides.

The matching blanket that comes with the bed is always a useful addition to have in your car. Use it to cover your car seat for extra protection from dog hair and dirt or to give your dog some extra warmth on cold days. The blanket is made of polyester, can be washed in the machine, and dries super quick.

This adorable bed from PaWz might just be the perfect bed to use in your car and while travelling, in general.

What makes this bed unique are the multiple sets of buttons that let you change the shape of the bed. You can have the bed flattened out, in which case it looks like a regular mate (but still really fluffy), or, you can button up the edges to create a calming bed with raised sides. This makes it more customisable than our number one and number four choices. Whatever works best for your pooch and the current situation!

The main downside of the PaWz Foldable Dog Bed is that it comes in one size only. Being 62 cm long and 50 cm wide when flattened out, and slightly smaller when turned into the cuddly version, this bed is perfect for smaller dogs, but not really for the large ones.

If you are looking for a versatile travel mat you can just throw in your car and pull out as needed, then this option from Snooza is worth looking into.

Probably the best thing about this dog mat is how small it is when you fold it down. The mat folds down like a harmonica, and it features two elastic straps to hold it in place plus carrying handles on top. As a plus, the same handles and straps can be used to hold the mat in place when you set it up on your car seat or inside your dog’s crate. This makes it a bit more convenient than our number five bed mat choice.

While foldable and super portable, I was happy to see that this mat is also surprisingly comfy. Thanks to the lush faux fur surface and the lofty filling on the inside, the mat seemed to feel very soft and comforting to my dog. This is not a bed but it’s as close as you can come to one with something so portable.

Most of the time we pick dog products based on functionality, but sometimes we can’t help but admire how cute they are. Such is the case with this bed from Fringe Studio. Aside from being amazingly comfortable and calming, this bed also features a pretty dog-stellation pattern.

Another thing that makes these beds from Fringe Studio stand out is the material they use. The cover of this bed is made from cotton canvas. We always love to see natural materials instead of polyester, so this is a plus.

The cotton is also very durable, although our team of independent experts did notice that it’s a bit rougher than polyester fleece or faux fur. This won't be a problem for all dogs, though, but just consider your pooch's comfort level first.

Do you want to give your pooch the ultimate luxury? Then choose the Fur King “Ortho” Bed. The Ortho, as the name suggests, is made of top-quality, thick memory foam to make sure your pup’s sleeping arrangements are at least as good as yours.

On top of that, the bed has nice bolsters around the sides (not too high) which so many dogs (like mine!) love. The cover is incredibly soft but durable at the same time, and you can remove it and wash it in the washing machine. In short - this bed is the whole package.

On top of that, you can have it personalised. Fur King will make a custom name tag or the bed to display your canine companion’s name (or title).

Every member of our team of independent experts loved how this bed comes in a variety of sizes. The largest one (XL) measures 155 x 110 cm which is massive. However, if you want to go all out, this large bed will fill the cargo space of most cars quite nicely and turn it into a premium doggy lounge.

A Note About Beds and Dog Safety in the Car

What is the proper way to drive a dog in a car? Just let the dog hop in and start driving? Think again! Even though the actual rules vary among different legislations (1), the general agreement is that having the dog restrained in some way can do a lot for both your and your dog’s safety.

Related: Best Dog Beds Australia.

While the research on the topic is seriously lacking, the safest way to transport a dog might just be inside a crate (2). Another option is using a harness that is tethered to the seat belt in your car.

Either way, having a comfy spot for your dog to settle into can help keep them calm during the drive. And how does one achieve that? Well, with a nice bed, of course.

Not only this, but a snuggly bed can also help keep the car anxiety some dogs have at bay:

We really can’t think of any downsides to having a nice bed or your dog in the car, and why not splurge on a bit of extra comfort for our furry friends?

Just remember that a bed is not the same as safety equipment. To stay on the safe side, always place the bed inside a crate or use a harness & seatbelt tether in combination with the bed to keep your dog restrained.

What I Look for in a Dog Car Bed

So what exactly makes one dog bed better than another when it comes to car rides? We're experts on the subject at this point and this is what our research has taught us to consider:

Functionality

First things first, how exactly do you plan to use this new bed? Will you place it in a crate inside your car, or will it simply chill on the back seat? Perhaps you will place it in the cargo space? It’s worth thinking about this as not every bed will be perfect for each of these situations.

Related How To Choose The Right Size Dog Bed?

For example, beds that are placed on the seat need to be stable enough and not too large so as to not end up falling into the space between the front seats and the back seats in your car.

Material

The material the dog bed is made from makes all the difference. In any case, the bed needs to be covered with a durable fabric. No matter how calm your dog is or isn’t, the car bed needs to be able to withstand the frequent contact with the doggy paws, which often can include lots of scratching and spinning around to find the perfect pose.

When it comes to the external cover of a dog car bed, there are two main options: polyester and cotton. Polyester covers come in many forms: for example, they could be soft fleece or fluffy faux fur. Both of these are exceptionally comfy, but they are also very warm. Many dogs will enjoy the extra warmth, but sometimes it can get a bit too much. If that’s the case, a bed with a cotton cover can be a great alternative. Cotton is usually not as soft, but it’s cooler and more durable.

Comfort

Getting the right size bed is always important, but there are other things to consider when it comes to getting a bed for the car. Some dogs like to stretch out, while others like to snuggle up, so your dog’s chilling style is something you should think about.

If your dog is the burrowing type, getting a nice snuggly bed with raised sides can help keep them calm. If, on the other hand, your dog likes to stretch out, then a simple rectangular bed might be a better option.

Cleaning

The final thing to consider is how easy the dog bed is to clean. Any dog bed for cars will inevitably get lots of hair and all sorts of dirt on it, so you’ll want something you can clean with ease.

Some beds are completely washable, which means you can throw the whole bed into the washing machine. But that also means it will take a longer time to dry the bed. On the other hand, many dog car beds will have removable covers which can be easily washed and dried. That’s probably the easiest option to handle.

My Final Say

The best dog bed for your car? Everyone on our team of independent experts could agree that the Fur King “Aussie” Calming Dog Bed is one of our overall favourites. This bed is simply so soft and snuggly that you’ll wish you could get in there with your pooch!

On the other hand, if a rectangular shape works better for your setup, we think that you should consider the Snooza Snuggler Chinchilla Dog Bed.

References

1. “Do I need to restrain my dog when travelling in my car?”. RSPCA. Retrieved June 27, 2022.  https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/do-i-need-to-restrain-my-dog-when-travelling-in-my-car/
2. PetMD Editorial. November 24, 2009. “A Guide for Traveling By Car With Your Pet”. PetMD. Retrieved June 27, 2022. https://www.petmd.com/dog/pet_lover/evr_multi_holiday_travel_car
3. Madison, C. March 20, 2022. “Preventing and Treating Travel Anxiety in Dogs”. Preventive Vet. Retrieved June 27, 2022. https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/preventing-travel-anxiety-and-carsickness-in-dogs