By Emily Henry.
Dogs love the great outdoors, so there is usually no better companion for your outdoor adventures. However, keeping them safe, as well as other dogs and people around, is necessary if you are planning on going on a long hiking, backpacking, or camping trip. Here are some things to consider about pet safety to ensure you hike, backpack, and camp safely with your dog.
Contents
Is your dog up for the physical challenge?
This seems like a no-brainer, yet a lot of dog owners fail to take this into consideration. It’s not just your physical endurance that matters when you go for a hike or are backpacking, it’s your pooch’s endurance as well.
If your dog is very young or very old, they might struggle with a long-distance trek. They may simply just lack the stamina needed to go the whole distance.
Breed can also impact stamina. Dogs with short muzzles, like boxers, pugs, and bulldogs often lack endurance and have issues regulating their body temperature.
Training is also super important. Only dogs who can follow commands should go on trips of this nature.
On top of this, ensure that your dog is up to date on their vaccines and flea and tick preventatives. This is especially important if you’re going somewhere your dog has never been before.
“Starting with a shorter hike and/or camping trip to see how your dog behaves is a great way to judge if they are up to a longer trip in the great outdoors,” says Alice Richardson, a writer at Revieweal and OXEssays.
Give your dog regular health checks
On your hikes, your dog may come across several health concerns, just as you would. You want them to be as comfortable as possible, so get into the habit of checking them over after every walk. Here’s what you should be looking for:
Ears: Look for any mites or foreign objects like grass seeds.
Eyes: Check for grass seeds.
Tail: Look for any objects like burrs that are caught in the fur.
Paws: Look for any cuts on the paw pad, as well as grass seeds and ticks.
Armpits: These are a good place for burrs and twigs to get caught as dogs explore. Remove them now as they can embed into your dog’s skin.
Mouth: Check for any abrasions around the mouth, or cuts on the gums. You can avoid these by only playing fetch with your dog toys, as twigs can create these cuts.
Location matters
Choosing the right place for a longer hike is essential. When looking for places where you can go with your dog, look for dog-friendly hotels and campsites. Not all of them will be, so it pays to be prepared. Also, be aware that some places will have a limit on how many dogs can be with you, so check this too. If you’re unsure, you can always call the potential site and ask.
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Many trails and campsites do not allow dogs, so making sure you find a dog-friendly trail and/or campsite is a must. Make sure you know your location well and know what rules are in place. Will you need to have your dog on a leash? Or can they run free? Make sure you know what plants and animals are in this area and know all the rules.
Take care of your dog’s paws
Just like you wear the appropriate footwear for hiking, the same thing goes for your pooch. There are practical hiking booties that will protect their paws but that is about all that’s needed. If you are going to go the bootie route, then it’s wise to train them to wear them ahead of the big hike, so they will wear them without a fuss.
If they won’t wear the booties, then the best thing you can do for your dog is choosing a soft leaf-covered trail that is free from sharp rocks, hot stones, and sudden, steep drops.
Keep your dog well-fed and watered
Dogs are a lot like people, needing extra energy and hydration when they go on long hiking trips. Opt for high protein and fat content. You can also increase your dog’s portion size or stop for more frequent feeding breaks. “A good rule is when you stop for a snack, then your pup will probably be ready for one too. Don’t forget about water either. Your own thirst can serve as a fairly accurate guide for measuring your dog’s thirst levels. Offer your furry friend a drink every 15 to 30 minutes, based on the temperature and difficulty of the trail,” explains Diane Oliver, a writer at Essay Services and Assignment Help.
Camping do’s and don’ts
When camping with your dog, remember to not let them roam free around the whole campsite. If they are sleeping in a tent, be sure to trim their claws, in order to prevent rips in the tent floor.
A piece of closed-cell foam and a crib-sized down comforter makes an excellent tent doggie bed for your dog.
Bring your dog’s essentials
There are several things that your dog will need while you’re on your trip. For example, you’ll need your leash and harness, as well as clean-up bags as you would on regular walks. A dog water bottle and bowl are a must-have too, as well as a dog first aid kit for any accidents.
Be aware of trail hazards that could harm your dog
There are many things that could be hazardous for your pup. One thing is overdoing it. Check on your dog’s breathing and heart rate and keep it within acceptable limits. Wildlife and wild plants can pose a major threat. A short leash is the best defense against big carnivores and animals like porcupines and skunks. Also, check your dog for ticks as well. Halting chewing immediately on the plant life is the best defense against poison. Burrs and thorns are irritating to your pooch, but foxtails are more serious. These are barbed seed pods and can get inside doggie noses and in between toes, so avoid grasses that have these.
These tips will help you enjoy an outdoor adventure with your dog.
Your thoughts on How To Hike, Backpack, and Camp Safely With Your Dog?
What are your thoughts on this guide? Do you have any additional points you would like to add? Do let us know in the comments below.
Emily Henry writes for Simple Grad and Custom paper writing services. She writes articles about traveling with your dog. She is also an editor at Bigassignments.
Great suggestions on what to do with your pets when camping…some of them I would have never thought of! ????????????????????
I don’t have a dog, but I consider your guide very important and necessary. Great and useful tips!. Many times during my trips, I met people with dogs who ignored some critical rules. People often take dogs on trails where is prohibited. I agree that before a camp or hiking with a dog is essential if it’s allowed in the area and if it’s safe for a pet. Taking care of the dog’s paws is crucial. I once saw a dog on the hot sand of dunes in the desert without any protection on paws.
It’s so nice to go out on vacations with your dog. I have never had the opportunity but it was wonderful to learn about the do’s and don’ts. It is so important for the dog to be healthy all the time. Loved the pictures.
This is such a handy post for dog parents. I LOVE hiking and camping. These are some really practical and useful tips.
I am loving this post and do enjoy backpacking with my family. I want to do this soon as we just bought a home in PA in the mountains and we should definitely take our dog 😉
Great guide for those hikers with dogs (or pets in general). I agree that you should really check on your pets’ health on or before the hike. It’s also important to make sure you have complete gear for them.
This is a great post! I love seeing owners bringing their dogs to camps and vacation, and you have great tips
We have considered camping and maybe hiking with our dogs in the future, but haven’t yet. I do love to run with our younger dog, so I think she would be up for the challenge. Not sure about our older dog.
I know how amazing and exciting it is to travel with a dog. This is such a really great guide.
I’ve tried hiking with my friends dog before and it so much fun! I was thinking of getting a lab but i dont think i can take the commitment to take care of it 🙁
Great post about the steps to take before going on hikes with dogs. I used to go for traveling with my dog many years ago and i wish I had known some of the things that I know now. Would have been so easy. Yes I think regular health checkups are important.
Great post about hiking with dogs. I do not own a dog myself, but I do go hiking a lot. I wish more dog owners would stick to your suggestions. I experienced it quite often, that people let dogs run around at campsites. But then, there are very well-behaved dogs too.
I go everywhere with my dog, and seek out things to do that I know he loves to do! Hiking and being on the trails is definitely one of them. But you’re right, you have to be careful for their health and activity level.
This is a really good post for pet parents. I have always wanted to keep a pet but could never do so. They need as much care as a baby. And it was interesting to know that there are dog booties as well. I would never have realised that the paws needed so much care.
Thanks for reading!
Hhhhmmmm….to be honest, I haven’t thought about it all this way. In my crazy mind, I assume all dogs can go all the way regardless of the prevailing conditions it faces ahead on the road. Thanks for sharing this very vital tool-kit.
You are welcome 🙂
This is such a great guide as I am planning to keep a dog and also was wondering if the dog can accompany me for travel. Now I know what to do and how to do it, thanks for this informative post.
I used to to do this with my rottweiler and it was the best experience. as of this moment, she’s 11 years old and have minor health issues. But I am glad I was able to go on adventure with her few years back. Unforgettable!
I love going camping so this is great. camping is something that I do by myself as a female but I do take my dog along with me as well.
It’s such a great and fun idea to take your dog camping! I’ve even seen people taking cats! Always better to have another soul there than to be there alone.
How wonderful are these tips to keep your dog safe! We are planning to get a dog soon and these tips will come in handy.
Hiking is so much fun to do. And I think it’s more fun if you hike with your pets. Thanks for sharing your ideas and it will be easy to hike with a pet.
I love travel locations that are pet-friendly. My family and I like to travel with our dog vs. leaving him at home.
Thank you for these reminders! We love hiking with our dogs. Since we have bigger dogs, we have one of the stronger dogs wear a pocket harness to help carry the water the dogs will need. Even on small hikes, we wear a backpack with supplies for our dogs on the trail. This includes waste bags, extra water, a water bowl, treats, an extra slip leash, and first aid supplies. People tease we must be serious hikers, but it’s really just a doggy bag (like we carry a diaper bag for the kids).
This is such a great guide to all dog parents. I will def share this with my friend. Thank you!
This is a great guide! I have two small dogs, and I believe they would not do well hiking with those short legs of theirs. I am sending this link to your article to my son’s best friend. He can take his black labrador, Xedo, on a hiking trip now that you have shared so much information.
I’m taking my dog camping for the first time. I’m glad I found your guide. Thanks for this!
I love taking my dogs camping and hiking. Such a good companion and bringing their essentials is a must.
Yes, choosing the right place for your dog is essential. I once took my dog hiking and it was not dog-friendly
So sorry but I do not have a pet. I take care of plants, which I cannot bring on trips. But I am sure if I had one, I would love to bring him or her on my trips. Sorry just leave them home.
It’s possible to travel with a cactus!
Wow, I know that traveling with a dog bring different benefits. I even have a post about that. Check the link added in my name.
So this is a really good guide for any traveler who want to do hiking, backpacking with the 4-leg friend.
I’m going to read the post now. Thanks for sharing!
Wow if a place said dog friendly I would have never thought to check if they limit the # of dogs. Such a fun activity to do together, but as you point out it’s important to plan ahead.