A dog is a man’s best friend and camping with your best friend is always a good idea!
But camping with dogs is slightly different than camping with humans, sometimes even better. If you are a dog owner, you know exactly what I am talking about!
Dogs are the friendliest pets. They are good-natured, love the outdoors, and make great camping companions. Not that cats aren’t as fun, but it is far riskier to take a cat outdoors than dogs.
Cats are more susceptible to becoming prey than dogs. Since they are tiny wild animals might easily sense their presence. Dogs are much easier to handle in the wild. They are bigger and tougher.
Dog owners know how much their fur babies love running around. And what better way to have fun than camping. They can fetch as many sticks as they like, dig holes, hide rocks and overall, have a blast!
Even though dogs are well equipped to handle the outdoors, they still need their own set of camping essentials. Just like you pack essential camping equipment for yourself, you have to pack a set for your four-legged friend.
If this is the first time you are taking your dog out on a camping trip, this article is for you! We will go through every vital dog camping gear you need to pack for a camping trip!
Contents
Dog Food
The most important item on the list is food. Your dog is going to be trekking up the entire way to the campsite.
Just like you, your pet will also require nutrition. Make sure to pack extra dog food for the trip. Dogs tend to get hungrier after a long trek. Since your dog is used to dog food, it is advisable to carry the same brand he eats at home.
If he gets hungry, he may want to try eating things in nature, which is not a good idea. If he were a wild dog, maybe it would be, but domestic dogs need to be given the right food. Ideally, the one they eat at home.
Carry a few of his treats. This way, if he gets tired of eating his regular food, he always has a treat. Treats are also helpful when you want your dog to do something they don’t want to do. They can be naughty little things!
Doggie First Aid Kit
The canine first aid kit is just for emergencies. Don’t worry; nothing bad will happen to your dog; nonetheless, you should be prepared.
Nature is unpredictable, and the slightest wound can turn deadly. An ideal doggie first aid kit must contain – tweezers, bandages, hydrogen peroxide, flea and tick repellent spray, saline wash, syringe, aspirin, and a clean pair of gloves.
You can add other medical supplies to this kit. Even a bug bite or a poison ivy rash might need tending. Ensure to check your dog for these, as they might become worse if left unchecked.
Clean Drinking Water
Ideally, people prefer camping near water. They allow their dogs to drink directly from a stream.
But if your dog is sensitive to outdoor water, this could be a problem. Many dogs contract diseases like leptospirosis or giardiasis by drinking water from a stream or a lake. You want your dog to be safe and healthy.
They should enjoy the camping trip as much as you would. Just like humans, dogs also need clean drinking water. So make sure you carry extra gallons of clean water for your little pup!
Collapsible Dog Bowl
You might think if we are out in nature, your dog can eat his food off the ground. Well, this is not a good idea.
Eating food off the floor can be harmful. Your dog might ingest a bug or some other kind of hazardous plant, which might adversely affect his health.
A collapsible dog bowl is lightweight and easy to carry. It hardly takes up any space and can be used to drink and eat. Your dog will be happy when he sees his bowl.
Change of ambiance also affects dogs. It is best to make them feel as comfortable as you can. Familiarity eases a dog’s anxiety and helps them deal well with change.
Canine Doggie Backpacks
Yes, you read that right! Brands have now come out with backpacks for dogs.
It is perfect because of all the extra camping gear you have to carry. These backpacks are lightweight and can be easily strapped onto your dog. You own a dog and not a mule, so make sure to pack it light, or else you will end up carrying your dog in your arms.
The best way to make sure your dog can trek with the backpack is to train him before your trip. Start with taking him for a short walk with just the backpack, then slowly add one piece of camping gear every day.
In a month, your dog will be used to carrying the back and will also be strong enough to do so.
Cooling Vest
Just like us, dogs also feel hot during a long trek in the sun. To fight this, you can purchase a cooling vest.
This vest retains water which helps maintain your dog’s body temperature. A cooling collar is also highly recommended for hot weather. You want to make sure your dog doesn’t get dehydrated.
Since they can’t sip water from a bottle every few hours, cooling vests work well for them. If you are going to a place where the temperatures might drop, carry a warm blanket for your doggo!
Booties
Long treks can cause your dog’s paws to wear out.
Since pets aren’t used to such long treacherous hikes, their pygmy paws need to be protected. Trekking on the hot ground can cause rashes and burns. Booties also protect dogs from other insects or ticks that might latch onto their paws.
Many brands make durable booties for dogs. Make sure you pick one which isn’t too tight or too loose. Buy a brand that is water-resistant and does not tear easily.
ID Tag & GPS tracker
Dogs get lost in the wild more often than you think. To avoid this, make sure to add an ID tag to your dog’s collar.
Add your name, number, and the campsite you will be staying at. A GPS tracker is also helpful in keeping track of your dog’s whereabouts. Doggies often tend to wander off in the forest.
To avoid losing your pooch, attach a GPS tracker to his collar. You don’t need to implant one surgically; purchase one online and take it with you. It is always better to be safe than sorry!
Leashes
Leashes are essential to keep your dog close to you.
Although you might have a leash you use to take your dog on a walk, this leash might not be the right one for a camping trip. Ideally, it would be best to carry a hands-free leash with a clipper.
This way, you can attach the clipper to your waist while you’re trekking. If you are bust setting camp or building a fire, you can attach this leash to your backpack.
This way, even if you get distracted, you know your dog is safe. A long leash is recommended. You may also purchase one which is adjustable and easy to clip.
Poop Bags
Dog owners should be mindful of their dog’s poop. Make sure to clean up after your pet.
If you are staying on a campsite, you should consider others and keep the place clean. You can also cover up the poop. Like humans, dogs also need to poop away from a stream of water.
Their poop is your responsibility, so make sure you wrap it in a bag or cover it up nicely! You can also train your dog to cover his poop. It will require a bit of extra training before the trip!
Vaccinations and a Vet
Before taking your dog on a camping trip:
- Make sure he is thoroughly vaccinated.
- Carry all the paperwork for his vaccination.
- Pick out a vet around the campsite.
In case of an emergency, you can always get your dog the proper medical attention. Not that anything will happen to him, but it is always better to be careful
Tent
You don’t need a separate tent for your dog.
Just make sure to carry a big one in which you and your dog can sleep comfortably. Tying your dog outside the tent is not a good idea. At night the temperatures drop drastically.
Wild animals can sense a pet in the open, which might be a problem. Keep your dog inside with you. You can keep each other warm and safe.
Pick a tent that is sturdy and water-resistant. Strong winds or rains can blow off a tent. Also, trying to manage your flying tent along with your dog is not a situation you want to get yourself in.
Dog Camping Bed
Camping dog beds come in different shapes and sizes. Make sure to pick one that is lightweight and water-resistant.
These bags can be easily rolled up and take very little space. You can pack it in your dog’s backpack, provided it isn’t already filled with his other stuff!
Since it is compact, you can fit it in your backpack too. Either way, it is advisable to carry one. The ground becomes cold at night and is also dirtier than you think. It is the outdoors; it is bound to be a bit messy.
But your dog isn’t used to sleeping outside. It would help if you carried a dog camping bag for your dog.
Towels
One thing your dog will love about the outdoors is the dirt.
Your doggo is going to splash in the water, roll in the mud and bring dirt into the tent. And why not, that is precisely why you would take him on a camping trip, to have fun!
To make sure he remains clean, pack his favorite towels. This way, he can have all the fun he wants, and you can make sure he stays clean.
Toys
Carrying your dog’s favorite toy isn’t an absolute necessity, but it will keep him busy.
When you need your downtime, his favorite toy will distract him for some time. It also makes the trip a tad bit homely. Dogs might experience anxiety in a new place.
Their favorite toy will help them relax and keep them from feeling homesick. Dogs are more like humans than you think. You can also carry a toy that dispenses treats.
It will keep your dog full and happy. Dogs have more energy than us. That is why his favorite toy is a perfect way to wear him down.
Doggie Sunglasses
Yup, you read that right! Some dog lovers came up with the brilliant idea of designing sunglasses just for dogs.
They obviously cannot wear human sunglasses. It will slip off in a minute. These unique dog sunglasses strap on to your dog’s face and remain intact.
No matter how much your dog jumps and plays around, these glasses will not fall off. Sunglasses aren’t essential, but carrying them will keep your eyes safe from extreme sunlight.
Conclusion
Pick a campsite that allows pets. Make sure to do thorough research on this before starting your trip.
Many campsites do not allow pets, in which case you will have to tie your dog outside the camp or lock him up in the car, neither of which are viable options. When you take your dog on a camping trip, you want him to enjoy nature, not be locked up in a car or tied to a tree.
It is not even safe to keep your dog outside. So, a good campsite accommodates dogs and is close to a stream. Make sure to pack all the dog camping gear mentioned above. You want to have fun with your dog and make sure he is safe and comfortable.
As long as dogs are with their owners, they will be super happy. They love running around in the open. And dogs, just like humans, love adventures!
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