It is finally that time of year where you and your best friend want to get out and connect with nature!
Camping is one of the best things you can do with your dog! Especially if you both enjoy exploring the great outdoors and relaxing in nature.
If you have never camped with your dog before, or if you have but found you were not prepared… you may be wondering what should I bring to have the best camping experience with my pup?
I was in your same position when it came time for our first trip, but after hours and hours of research I was able to make a list of the most important items I would need.
Then I went camping with my dog and tried out these items ; some worked great and some not so much… and in a couple situations I found myself completely unprepared. So, I did even more research! I found a couple things that would make the experience even better, easier, and most importantly safer for my pup!
I don’t want you to have to go through the same trial and error process I did, because trust me it took a while, and came with quite a bit of frustration….
I am going to tell you what I pack when I go camping with my dog to make the trip worry free, and as convenient as possible, so that there is more time for you to relax and have fun with your best furry friend!
1. The most important item is my dogs travel bag, or as we call it our adventure bag 🙂 It makes it so much easier to be able to pack all of his items in one place, and you can even leave most of the items in there for your next trip. Plus, it comes with a lot of things that you will need anyway. It comes with 2 large food containers. (we usually use one for his kibble and one for his treats and chews) It also comes with 2 silicone pop up bowls that fold out from the front of the bag with a convienent easy to clean tray. It also has many pockets and dividers to organize all of your gear. It can also slide on the top of your suitcase handle, or be carried by its own handles or strap. It is so efficient and convenient I highly recommend this bag for anyone traveling with their dog!
2. When it comes to my dog, safety is the #1 priority. So, I do not go anywhere without my dog first aid kit. Deffinetly a must have when camping, you do not want to be out in the wilderness unprepared!
3. You may not have access to a bathtub or shower while camping. If your pup is anything like mine, they love to get dirty! If your dog is going to be getting in water, you are going to want to be able to rinse them off so they do not injest bacteria from the water when grooming their fur. The Kurgo portable shower tool attaches to any bottle, and allows you to give your dog a shower anytime anywhere! This is one of the most handy items I have found!
4. Another important thing to consider is keeping your dog hydrated. Whether you are walking the trails, or heading down to the beach, fresh water is a must! We use the Kurgo Canteen, it is lightweight, holds enough water for a large dog, keeps the water cool, and also has a seperate pocket for kibble if you are taking a long hike and need to keep your dogs energy up.
5. The one downside about camping…. all the bugs! You probably knew to bring bug spray for yourself, but human bug spray that contains deet is highly toxic to dogs!
Get human AND dog safe bug spray here!
6. Another item I always bring is a tick remover, just in case. My dog is on a tick preventative, but they can still sometimes attach and cause irritation.
You can get an inexpensive effective tick remover here!
7. Once you get to your campsite you are going to want to make sure you have a way to secure your dog. Especially in new places, dogs can be spooked by unfamiliar smells and sounds. If they run off they may not remember how to get back to you. If you are far from home, this can be especially tragic.
I recommend three items to make sure your dog is secure :
1. Either a fabric or metal crate depending on your dog. Fabric crates are more versatile and portable, but if your dog will try to escape a metal crate is the most secure.
Check out the Fabric Crate I use here!
Or the Metal Crate I use Here!
2. You will want a secure tie out for your dog when you are relaxing at the camp site. My dog is 80lbs and very very strong… it took me a long time to find a tie out that would securely hold my dog that I could really trust. Most of them would start to slide back and forth in the dirt and eventually pull out. Finally, I found two options that work without a hitch (pun intended)
Ruffwear Knot A Hitch System for Campsites
Saker Tie Out , can be used in ANY terrain even sand!
3. Lastly, because I wanted the extra piece of mind, I do not go anywhere without my dog wearing his Whistle GPS device. This is one of the best dog GPS systems on the market, with the longest battery life and most features. If your dog does happen to get away from you, you can ACCURATELY locate them within seconds. You can even set up safe zones and be alerted as soon as your dog leaves it without you. It even has additional health features to track your dogs activity and other health related stats.
8. Another important consideration when taking your dog camping is the heat. Dogs can overheat fairly quickly, and it is important to know the signs of heatstroke. If you are going to be camping with no AC, in higher temperatures I deffinetly recommend a cooling vest or bandana. It not only keeps your dog safe by lowering the likelihood of heat stroke, but they will be a lot more comfortable and active.
Get my favorite cooling vest here from Canada Pooch!
And/Or get their cooling bandana here!
9. If you are going to be hiking the trails with your dog, you are going to need a way to carry their items and supplies. Sometimes I carry the gear in my daypack, but other times Bentley carrys the gear in his canine backpack! Dog backpacks are extremely helpful if you need some help carrying all their stuff! You can also insert ice packs into their pockets to make your own dog cooling device!
My favorite daypack when hiking with my dog! This daypack has plenty of room, I can carry 3 water bottles, his long line, phone, keys, wallet, a tennis ball, wipes, bear spray, water dispenser, poo bags, and more! It even has an outer attachment to charge your phone or play media through headphones!
10. I also like to make sure my dog is comfortable when we are out and about. So, I normally bring his packable outdoor bed and a fun toy he only gets on trips!
Bentley’s favorite outdoor bed!
Bentley’s favorite outdoor water toy!
With these items you are sure to have an amazing, relaxing, fun, and safe time camping with your pup!
Don’t forget to tag photos of you and your dog camping @pawztopose! We would love to see all of your cute pups enjoying the great outdoors!
Do you have a favorite camping item to pack for your pooch? Please leave any comments or suggestions below!
