11 Best Dog Tents in 2023 (For Camping)

Summer is the best time to enjoy the great outdoors with our canine best friend. He may enjoy hiking with the family, joining us on our camping trips, or just chill in the backyard waiting for squirrels to chase. He may enjoy sharing our made-up tent, but why not surprise our pooch with a dog tent of his own?

Many people think buying pets with a dog tent is more of a luxury. But in reality, it’s like investing in our pooch’s comfort and safety. If this is the definition of luxury, then there is nothing with pampering our pooch with a multipurpose space he can use for both camping and chilling outdoors.

We can take a dog tent when out fishing, staying at a local campsite or when out backpacking with our friends. We get to keep an eye on our pooch and ensure he won’t have to suffer under the heat of the sun or cold breeze. We can even take his tent to the local park while we are out on a picnic.

Lucky for us, there are numerous dog tents available in the market. These come in numerous designs, sizes, and prices. To make our search for the best dog tent for our canine friend a lot easier, we can use this short list as a guide. 

Best Dog Tents in 2023

• Best Overall: Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Pet Pen
• Runner up: Petego Umbra Portable Pet House
• Best Budget: MyDeal Pop Up Pet House
• Best for Puppies: Alcott Pup Tent
• Best for Tiny Dog Breeds: Pickle & Polly Teepee
• Best for Small to Medium- Sized Dogs: SUPERJARE Outdoor Dog Canopy
• Best for Large Dogs: Pet Play Tent
• Most Weatherproof: Lightspeed Outdoors Mini Pop Up Tent
• Best for Indoor and Outdoor Use: Jespet Pet Playpen
• Most Orthopedic: Floppy Dawg Just Chillin’ Elevated Dog Tent
• Most Durable: Pettom Camping Tents

Best Overall: Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Pet Pen

Key Features:

• 8-Panel design
• With attached floor mat
• Removable zippered top
• Zippered door
• Durable, water-resistant, portable, and lightweight
• Comes with a collapsible 16 oz. food bowl and carry case 
• Comes in 3 sizes

When it comes to dog tents, Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Pet Pen wins our list. It has a cool 8-panel design, is extremely portable, and comes in 3 sizes perfect for large dogs or small to medium-sized dogs sharing the tent. Dog owners are always out worrying about our pooch’s comfort and safety, making this one dog tent we would not want to miss on our list.

This dog tent bed provides the necessary shade our dog needs in case they need to cool down after an eventful day of play. It is made from waterproof materials, giving us peace of mind if it rains. We also love that aside from its cool features and affordable price, it also comes with a carry case and a free collapsible food bowl that he can use on the trip.

If there is one notable con about this dog tent bed, it is the fact that dogs love it so much that dogs just love playing roughhousing with it. Since the tent bends and folds up easily, some dogs use it as entertainment. It may not hold well for a strong and sizable pooch, but it can serve as a good containment/entertainment for playful dogs.

Runner up: Petego Umbra Portable Pet House

Key Features:

• Durable mesh vents
• Umbrella mechanism for easy assembly and breakdown
• Made with lightweight and waterproof materials
• Includes a messenger bag for storage and a rain cover
• Comes in 3 sizes

We love how easy it is to set up, close, and store the Petego Umbra Portable Pet House is. Its umbrella mechanism is definitely one feature that every other pet tent manufacturer should consider. Even when it is popped up, it can easily fit our car’s trunk, giving our pooch a nice place of his own to chill while on the road.

The tent is made from waterproof materials and comes with a rain cover, guarding our canine buddy against the rain. The mesh window allows enough ventilation while our pooch rests through the night. One con is that some pet parents claim the tent is not durable enough since the strings can easily break.

Best Budget: MyDeal Pop Up Pet House

Key Features:

• Net ventilation
• Steel frame
• Zippered door
• With tie-down stakes and seat attachment ropes
• Durable nylon materials
• 24W x 24L x 26H inches when popped up

All pet owners would love a great deal, which makes the MyDeal Pop Up Pet House a steal. It is one of the cheapest but worthy dog tents out there thanks to its portable, no-tool-assembly and cute design. When shopping for a dog tent that won’t break the budget, this is one pet tent to watch out for.

This dog tent can be attached between car seats thanks to its sewed-in tie loops and seat attachment ropes. It is weather-resistant, requires no tools to assemble, and pops open in seconds allowing a hands-free assembly. We just wish that this tent is a bit easier to fold, made a little bit thicker and would be available in more sizes.

Best for Puppies: Alcott Pup Tent

Key Features:

• With 5 mesh windows
• Waterproof base
• Zippered door
• Comes with 4 ground stakes 
• Comes with a travel bag
• 2″ Wide x 42″ Deep x 30″ Tall

Affordable, portable, and perfect for puppies. This is how pet owners describe the Alcott Pup Tent. Although the tent is not that waterproof, its base is indeed water-resistant, making it an ideal dog tent for dogs who are still being house trained.

When popped up, the tent measures 2″ Wide x 42″ Deep x 30″ Tall. It comes with a convenient travel bag, making it easy to store and ready for a day of outdoor adventure. It does come with 4 stakes to secure the tent in place and mesh windows for optimal air circulation.

Best for Tiny Dog Breeds: Pickle & Polly Teepee

Key Features:

• Stylish tee-pee design
• Machine-washable cotton canvas
• Pinewood poles
• With a thick plush pad
• Comes in 2 colors
• 35.3 x 8.3 x 6 inches

We all want a cute and chic teepee tent for our tiny pooch, which makes the Pickle & Polly Teepee our go-to choice. It is durable, machine-washable, soft, and cozy. This tent will make us want to spend the entire day snapping photos of our pooch and share their cuteness on Instagram.

This can be a comfy hideout for a small dog that wants a place of his own. The only downside is that this is more of an indoor tent for small dogs. But if we intend to keep our pooch inside our own tent, then this can be a great alternative to a portable dog bed.

Best for Small to Medium- Sized Dogs: SUPERJARE Outdoor Dog Canopy

Key Features:

• Elevated cot design
• 1680D Oxford fabric and sturdy steel frame
• Canopy for sunshade
• No tool needed for assembly
• Comes in 3 sizes

The SUPERJARE Outdoor Dog Canopy is very easy to assembly, disassemble and store. It can withstand a lot of tossing, roughhousing, and rinsing off, making it a great canopy tent for dogs at the beach. The bed itself is sturdy and the canopy can easily be detached if we intend to keep the tent indoors.

The dog is sturdy and big enough to hold a 90 pounds dog but works best for small to medium-sized dogs according to pet owners. The canopy offers sun protection but is not mean to be used for rainy days. But the good thing is, the plastic hooks help keep the canopy sturdy even during windy days.

Best for Large Dogs: Pet Play Tent

Key Features:

• Pop up design for easy setup and storage
• With an adjustable waterproof weather cover and carry bag
• Adjustable roll-up nylon siding
• 2 zippered doors
• 76” Long x 62” Wide x 40”

What better way for our pooch to enjoy the outdoors than by giving him a mesh play tent? Pet Play Tent offers a great view from the sides and top, giving him the ability to watch his surroundings while inside the tent. It comes with a carry on bag and a weather cover to give him some shade and protection from the rain as needed.

The tent is weather-resistant and easy to set up and pack away. Its roomy design is perfect for large dogs and dogs who like to share their tent. We just wish it was as easy to get the tent up as advertised.

Most Weatherproof: Lightspeed Outdoors Mini Pop Up Tent

Key Features:

• UPF +50
• Instant canopy open
• 2 mesh windows
• Durable Polyethylene floor
• With oversized carry bag, guylines, stakes, and sand packets
• 6.5′ L x 3.63′ D x 3.7′ H

For large pets or dogs sharing the tent, consider the Lightspeed Outdoors Mini Pop Up Tent. It offers excellent shade from the sun thanks to its UPF +50. It offers the same kind of protection against the rain thanks to its water-proof materials.

If you are looking for a pop-up model that is easy to assemble and pack up, then add this to your list. The tent itself is very sturdy, super lightweight, and dog-friendly. The only con pet some pet owners claim this tent has seemed like a manufacturing defect where the tent sometimes gets stuck when trying to set it up.

Best for Indoor and Outdoor Use: Jespet Pet Playpen

Key Features:

• 2 zippered doors
• Zippered mesh cover
• 8 mesh windows
• 8-panel design
• durable 600D Oxford fabric
• water-resistant and easy to clean
• Comes in 3 sizes and 4 colors

When out camping, the Jespet Pet Playpen is a good way to give our pooch a quiet space of his own. The tent offers lots of ventilation thanks to its multiple mesh windows. This makes an excellent outdoor and indoor tent for pooches.

While the tent is made from water-resistant materials, it does have a mesh roof. This is not meant to offer protection to pets when it is raining or to be used under the extreme heat of the sun. Although we can use a blanket to cover the top part of the playpen, it would be better if it comes with a waterproof cover.

Most Orthopedic: Floppy Dawg Just Chillin’ Elevated Dog Tent

Key Features:

• 1680D Oxford Fabric and durable steel frame
• Breathable mesh bottom and canopy shade
• Elevated cot
• Lightweight, easy assembly and portable
• Comes in 3 sizes and 3 colors

If we want our pooch to look fancy but still comfortable when out camping, then Floppy Dawg Just Chillin’ Elevated Dog Tent is a great choice. Its elevated cot design and mesh bottom offer good ventilation, warmth during the cold weather, and excellent support to dogs who need more support on aging and achy bones. The cute canopy offers enough sunshade to our outdoor pooch.

It is made from high-quality materials and durable steel frames, making it a highly durable dog tent. It sets up easily and can be stored easily, making it an excellent tent for pooches on the go. one downside is that some pet owners report the dog tent is a bit hard to assemble during the first few usages.

Most Durable: Pettom Camping Tents

Key Features:

• Zippered doors
• Mesh windows
• Water-resistant tarp bottom, polyester, and metal stakes
• Durable flex fiberglass rod
• Quick assembly 
• With a carry bag
• 45.3″L x 34.6″W x 28.3″H

We want our pooch to enjoy every outdoor trip. This makes the Pettom Camping Tents a great alternative if we don’t have the Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Pet Pen on hand. It is very easy to assemble, extremely portable, durable, and water-resistant.

Our pooch will feel extremely comfortable when out camping thanks to its mesh windows and door that offer enough ventilation. It is also fairly easy to clean since it is made from water-resistant polyester. The only downside is that some pet owners claim the poles break easily if we are not careful when putting it up.

Benefits of Buying a Dog Tent

Dog tents offer tons of perks to both our pooch and us, their humans. Here’s a quick breakdown of why we need to buy a dog tent for our pooch (even if we rarely go camping).

Portability

We want our canine buddy to always have a space he can call his own. Luckily, dog tents are portable, making it easier to take down the tent they often use in the yard or balcony, store it in its carry on bag, and take it on our next camping trip.

Comfort and Protection

Our pooch requires a comfortable place to rest after a couple of outdoor activities. When out camping, fishing, or picnicking, a dog tent can offer enough protection from the heat of the sun and rain. 

Containment

We want to keep our dog where we know he is safe and comfortable. With a durable dog tent, we can be sure he is where he is supposed to be especially when out in the wilderness.

Things To Consider When Buying a Dog Tent

When it comes to making a dog tent purchase, we should not only buy one that looks good, durable, and can fit our pooch inside. There are other important things to consider to ensure we get the best bang for our buck while providing for their needs. Here are a few pointers worth considering when buying a dog tent.

Durability

A dog tent needs to be durable especially if we intend to keep a dog who loves to play roughhousing and tends to be a chewer. It needs to be able to withstand the harsh elements, be it the wind, sun, and rain.

Your Needs

Are we looking forward to having some fun on the beach or maybe we want something we can take on a camping trip? Do we need one that offers more sun and rain protection or a dog tent that offers enough support and ventilation to our pooch? Considering our needs will give us an idea of what kind of dog tent will best suit our pooch.

It is also a good idea to consider our pooch’s special needs, like if they require orthopedic support or if they have anxiety issues when looking for a suitable dog tent.

Features

Dog tents offer different features that make them standout. One can be more weather-proof than the other, more durable, has an elevated style, or comes with washable padding perfect for dogs yet to be house-trained. Consider his needs and see which additional feature he might need in a dog tent.

Size

Of course, we don’t want a dog tent where our pooch will feel cramped up. Since dogs come in multiple shapes and sizes, from small breeds to giant dogs. Dog tents are also made available in different sizes. Pick one that allows enough room for our dog to stand up, move around, and sleep soundly.

Airflow

Ventilation is extremely important when choosing a dog tent for our pooch. Thankfully, most dog tents come with mesh windows that allow our pooch to breathe easily and reduce that lingering smell our pooch managed to pick up for playing outdoors.

Assembly

We want a tent that is very easy to assemble and disassemble. This is crucial if we have no one else to rely on an outdoor adventure with just our pooch keeping us company.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a dog tent?

A dog tent is a portable shelter designed to offer comfort, privacy, and support to dogs who love to chill in the outdoors. These are made from strong frames to ensure durability that can easily be set up, taken down, stored until our dog needs it for camping, hiking, or a trip to the beach.

Dog tents can be used indoors and outdoors. Some are made completely weather-proof to offer maximum protection no matter the weather. Dog tents also offer adequate ventilation to keep dogs safe and to reduce any smell they may pick up outdoors.

How do I keep a dog tent clean?

Dog tent manufacturers provide instructions on how to clean a dog tent. For best results, follow the given instructions to remove dirt, fur, and debris away before storing it. Avoid packing a dog tent while it is wet to avoid mold growth, staining, and damage.

How can I fold a dog tent?

Some dog tents can be easily folded and popped up. Others are designed to be set up and closed down like an umbrella. Most dog tents require no tools during assembly while others will require you a few tools to ensure stability.

Conclusion

Dog tents are an excellent investment for dogs who just love the outdoors. Our pooch may be of a backyard buddy, a regular camper, or a beach lover. Either way, they need a dog tent we can bring almost everywhere.

The best dog tent will fit our dog’s needs and our budget. look for one that is durable, comfortable, has the features our dog needs, and fits our budget.