Brittney Sievers – The Adventurous Camper

Hiking is one of the many activities you can do when camping with your dog. When it comes to being outside there is nothing like taking a walk through trials and exploring nature. We can all probably list off the top of our heads what we need personally for a successful hike, but what do we need to pack for our dogs? Before The Trip Before you begin packing there are a couple of things to take into consideration before getting your dog excited by grabbing the leash and saying that 4 letter word (W-A-L-K). First you should always make sure that your dog is up to date on their medication. Flea and tick medicine is most important when taking them into the woods or on a trail. This will prevent them from bringing any of those pesky bugs back to your house. If you have a female dog who is currently in heat or should be in heat soon, you may want to take a look at the trail or area you are going to. Your dog in heat will want to spread her scent. Spreading her scent can lead to male dogs and even male wildlife to track her down while you are hiking. You can prevent this from happening by just keeping your dog at home until her cycle is over. Now that you have decided it is safe for you and your dog to go hiking, here are the 8 important things to bring for your dog. 1. Proper Collar and ID Tag To keep your dog safe you should have them wear a collar or harness that is not loose and not easily slipped off. This will keep them safe on a leash or easily identified as a pet and not a stray. If your dog happens to get loose and runs out of sight an Identification tag can get them returned to you easier. The tag should include your dog's name, your phone number and your name. You should also get your dog micro-chipped. The microchip has more information such as your address, your full name, and can even include information if the dog needs medication or special care. Almost all shelters and vets can scan these chips and pull up their information. 2. Leash Even if you have a well trained dog you should keep our dog on a leash when on a trail. Leashes should be no longer than 6 feet long and it is not recommended to use the ones that are retractable. Using the leashes that wraps around your waist lets you have your hands free but still gives you the control and safety of your dog being connected to you. 3. Water and Bowl Like humans, dogs are susceptible to parasites and bacteria found in dirty water. The bacteria and parasites can lead to illness or a very upset stomach. It's a good idea to pack extra bottles of water and a collapsible bowl for them. Many collapsible bowls can be attached by a carabiner making it easy to attach right to their harness or leash for easy accessibility. If you don't want to carry the extra weight of water bottles there are several portable water filtration tools that can be taken along with you. These are only useful if your trail has a river, lake, or another water source. 4. Waste Bags I know, you're thinking ‘why do i have to take waste bags if i'm in the woods?’ Dog waste is actually not natural to the environment so it should be removed. Your dog can spread unwanted bacteria to other dogs on the trail and even any wildlife that comes in contact with it. If your dog happens to use the bathroom in the middle of the trail, or a high traffic area it is not considerate to leave it there for other hikers to stumble upon. You should always follow the rule of thumb, if you brought it into the wood you should bring it out. Yes, that includes your dog's waste. 5. Treats or Snacks Exercise like hiking can make your dog hungry on their walk. Just like us, a snack or a treat can give us more energy and help us continue to walk further or longer. Bringing along their favorite treats or even bringing their food with you will keep your pet full of energy. If you are on a difficult hike you should pack more food than normal and take a break for them and yourself to eat a meal. 6. Blanket or Cooling Pad Depending on the weather, you should bring a blanket or cooling pad. If you are in cooler weather the blanket can be taken out when you are on a break. The blanket can warm up your dog and give them a dry spot to lay on. When it comes to the heat, cooling pads are similar to blankets and can be set on the ground allowing your pet to cool down rather than digging up dirt or going into unknown water. Both options can be rolled up and placed in a backpack for easy carrying. It is important to keep your dog comfortable in any weather situation. You want to make sure they are not too cold or overheating while on your adventure. 7. Appropriate Paw Protection Imagine walking through the woods with no shoes on. Without proper protection you will end up with cuts, scrapes, or worse. Dogs' paws are a lot stronger than our feet but it is still important to protect them. There are several different booties that your dog can wear depending on the weather. These booties do protect from cuts and scrapes but they also will protect their paws from possible frostbite in the winter or burning in the summer. You do not feel how hot or cold the ground is because you have shoes on. Placing your hand on the ground and feeling the heat or cold will give you an idea if they should be wearing their booties or not. 8. Pet First Aid Kit Your dog's safety comes first. When out on trails away from people you want to keep a first aid kit handy for any accidents that happen on the way. Pet first aid kits include items such as gauze, tweezers, gloves, and other items. You want to make sure that all items in the first aid kit can be used on dogs and are not harmful. Some veterinarians and pet stores have pre-made dog first aid kits for your convenience if you choose not to put together your own. Closing Thoughts Packing these items are bound to make your hiking trip a safe and fun time for both you and your dog. Always talk to a vet to make sure your dog is healthy enough and able to go on long walks in the woods.