What a dog tent is
A dog tent is a small tent of the dog's own. On a campsite or in the garden it gives a shaded, sheltered spot to lie in, pegged down beside your own tent or chair. At home it is a den or bed with a cushion inside. Most fold flat and go in a bag, so the same tent can come camping, to a picnic or on a long drive. Many are made for cats and small dogs alike.
Camping, insulated, teepee or travel: which dog tent
- Camping shelters are light, foldable tents in silver-coated or waterproof fabric that shade from the sun. One comes with four ground pegs and a loop at the top to hang a toy from, in three sizes. See camping tents.
- Large insulated tents are 98 by 98cm and 100cm tall, with a reflective foil lining and a mesh window with a cover you open or close. Their maker says a medium-sized dog can turn round and stand in them.
- Teepee beds have pine poles, a thick cushion and a washable cover, sized for dogs under 5kg, 10kg and 15kg.
- A travel cage tent folds flat, is made for car journeys and outdoor trips, carries like a backpack, and comes in two sizes for small to medium dogs.
- Nest tents and pop-up beds are enclosed tents in sizes from S to XL, the largest for pets up to 25kg. See cat tents.
Getting the size right
Size is the thing that goes wrong. Where a product gives a weight, go by your dog's weight. Where it gives measurements, measure your dog lying stretched out and standing, and compare: the sizes here run from about 40cm long and 43cm tall for the smallest camping shelter to 98cm square and 100cm tall for the largest. A dog that lies flat on its side needs the longer measurement. For a car, measure the boot or the seat as well as the dog.
On the campsite and in the garden
An outdoor dog tent should have a waterproof or silver-coated outer and something to peg it down with, because a light tent with nobody in it blows away. A mesh window lets air through on a warm day; on the insulated tents a cover closes over it when it turns cold. Put a dog tent on flat ground, clear of guy lines. A footprint or a mat underneath keeps the base clean. See groundsheets and footprints.
Questions people ask about dog tents
Will a dog tent fold small enough for the car?
Most fold flat. One pop-up tent folds to 16 by 56cm, and each product gives its folded size where the maker states it.
Can a dog tent be washed?
Many have a removable, washable cover or cushion. The care is on each product page.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when that tent usually arrives, so check it before ordering for a set date.
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