Boating on a hot summer’s day is something that the whole family can enjoy. But let’s not forget that other special family member, your dog. If like us, you are a dog owner, then you probably don’t want to leave him at home whilst everyone else is out having fun on the water.

And if you own a pontoon boat like we do, it’s really simple these days to take man’s best friend aboard with you. In fact, larger recreational boats can easily take a dog, but you will need to put some things in place to make it a positive experience, such as a bed.

Our dog loves to sleep, and even more so on a hot day. We keep him out of the sun, under the Bimini top, and take his own special boat dog bed with us.

It keeps him comfortable and happy and lets him rest up after an hour’s swimming or hearty meal from the grill (click here to view all recommended boat grills).

However, not all dog boat beds are made equal, and the one you bring along from home might not cut it once you’re on the water. You need something that is:

  • Comfortable and cool on a hot day.
  • Is big enough for your dog to stretch out on.
  • Water resistant to keep your dog dry and reduce fabric smells.
  • Flat design to better cope with waves and wakes.
  • Easy to clean and maintain with a quick wipe.
  • Light and easy to transport to and from your boat.
  • Chew resistant should your pup get nervous or playful.
  • Sturdy and won’t flip or slip.
  • Can be used on all occasions such as camping or at home.

Believe me, we speak from experience here. We went through a couple of beds before settling on our recommended product, which we genuinely believe is the best dog bed for a boat that money can buy. You can see the recommendation below.

The best dog bed for a boat is…

Based on that criteria, you now know what you should be looking for in a dog’s boat bed. I’m going to save you a whole load of time, as the one you see below is without doubt the best on the market today.

Top Recommendation: K9 Ballistics Chew-Resistant Raised Dog Bed

Why do we love this?

It’s because it’s virtually indestructible, it’s almost chew-proof, is simple to clean, and is raised off the floor on little legs. In all our time of ownership, it’s never flipped, and sticks like a magnet to our pontoon deck floor.

And it’s worth mentioning too that it also comes with a 120 days’ worth of guarantee. If your dog manages to chew through this, they give your money back. Essential, I am sure you would agree.

The only downside is the price. It’s not the cheapest on the market, but I believe it’s the best. Should you really be looking to save money when your dog’s comfort is a priority? I don’t believe so which is why it was money well spent for me and my family, not to mention our mutt.

You can get it on Amazon. Go look for yourself and view the latest K9 Ballistics dog bed price on this link.

It’s available in a range of sizes and colors depending on how large or small your dog is, and possibly even the interior design of your own boat! 

Cheaper Choice: Hero Dog Bed Mat

If you want to spend a little less money, then I’d go for a specialist mat that is also easy to clean and waterproof.

Mats will stick to the boat’s deck or carpet a little better than traditional dog beds and should reduce the risk of sliding around and slipping as you can imagine.

We actually use this mat in our kitchen at home, so it’s not just a random recommendation based on zero knowledge.

As with the previous recommendation, you can see the prices and reviews on Amazon. 

Like before, it comes in different sizes, and you should be able to find some color variations on the Amazon website. 

What is the best small dog boat bed?

I’ve never seen a boat bed that is specifically designed for smaller dogs, as the manufacturers I recommend above have different sizes available including:

  • 19 by 12 inches – perfect for very small dogs
  • 27 by 20 inches – small to medium dogs
  • 32 by 22 inches – medium sized dogs
  • 36 by 24 inches – larger dogs
  • 42 by 24 inches – very large dogs

What I would say, is that you should always try to give them more space than you think they might need. Dogs will stretch out and you don’t want them being uncomfortable with their head hanging off the side onto a hard deck floor. 

To summarise, select one of the two I recommend, and measure your own pup up to see which one you need. The smaller dog beds will be significantly cheaper so don’t forget to check for the correct size. 

Want a dog bed that won’t fly out of the boat?

Whilst putting this article together, I canvassed the opinion of people I know on social media who take their dogs out on the water a lot.

When I asked them what they would be looking for, one of the most common statements that came back was for a dog bed that won’t fly out of the boat.

Well, the recommendations I listed above will solve that issue, so you should have no concerns there. 

Why I don’t recommend pet cots

Pet cots are great. They are very comfortable and you can easily throw one in the back of your car before heading off to the marina or dock.

But the ones I have used on a boat in the past do have a tendency to get damp, smelly, and they don’t stick to well to the boat floor, meaning they can slide around and flip.

Not ideal.

You will have to secure it properly, and it’s not really suitable unlike the boat dog beds I recommend above.

But if you do want to save money, here are some tips on how to keep it safe and secure.

How to weigh down a dog bed in a boat in 3 steps

If you do decide to bring your normal dog bed onto your boat, then be prepared for some slippage, or even a gust of wind or wave flipping it around, possibly even throwing it overboard.

If you aren’t going to invest in a proper dog boat bed, then here are some ideas you can do if you want to weigh it down in your boat.

  1. Jam it between heaver accessories such as cooler boxes.
  2. Use cable ties or bungee cords to secure it to boat railings.
  3. Stick Velcro to the dog’s bed attached to Velcro on the boat carpet.

Comments from dog owners 

After I originally published this guide in April, I read a post by someone on a boating forum that I frequent. This is what the lady said, with my answer below:

“Hey guys, I am looking for recommendations for a good dog bed for the boat for large, senior dog. I don’t want anything on a raised frame or anything super plush. Just something with a little cushion, somewhat water resistant so it doesn’t get soaked on the floor, and that would be easy and durable to withstand multiple washings. I’ve looked online, but just didn’t know if anyone has had good success with a particular brand.”

My response: For boating, we recommend a pad meant to go in a dog crate. It’s thinner, and they are either water resistant or washable.

It was followed up by loads of comments from dog owners yet to take their mutts aboard. Here’s another question with an answer from myself which you might find handy!

“I am at the end of my tether. Does anybody have issues with their dog’s claws putting holes in their vinyl pontoon seats. I just can’t seem to get her to stop, and it’s cost me a fortune in repair, so much so that we are thinking about leaving her at home now!”

My response: It’s all down to training unfortunately. Our dog will not jump on a bare seat as he will wait for someone to put a towel on it. We taught him that with furniture in house, before we even considered taking him boating. At the very least, place bath sheets or towels onto your seats until the dog is properly trained.

And then there was this other question about dog leashes and how to keep your dog under control whilst at the beach:

“What kind of leash do you use for your dog while on your pontoon boat? We need to get a decent one for the public beach near us as it’s the law.” 

My response: As well as a life jacket on our dog, we use a 6-foot 1 inch nylon lead. Our dog is gets very wet and has a thing for jumping into the water if he thinks there is a fish in there to catch, he just jumps straight back in the water. 

Conclusion

If you are thinking about taking your dog on your boat trips, then it’s really important that you make sure he (or she) is comfortable, at ease, and has a familiar place in which he can rest and sleep out of the sun’s glare.

A boat dog bed is essential, and it’s not something that you should scrimp on.

After all, you’ve probably spent a load of money making your boat as comfortable as possible for you and your family, so don’t let your poor old pooch be the one to miss out.

You might also be interested in…

As well as this guide to beds, I’ve also published loads of previous content about boating with your dog. Explore the links below and I hope that you find it useful when boating with man’s best friend!