Dogs are the best companion of humans; This is a known truth. They are the innocent souls who convey sincere affection and love towards you. No matter which animal is your pet, the only thing you should do for them is care. You know that dogs are better at playing. So, what do you think if you had a chance to camp with your dog? I guess it would be amazing. Camping with dogs is fascinating as you can have a great time with your dog as well as with your family members and friends.
- Plan before leaving home
- Do not leave your dog unattended
- Modify your gear
- Bring enough food
- Provide extra water for hydration
- Bring plenty of toys
- Keep your dog safe
- Be aware of wildlife
- Plan activities for dogs
- Remember the first aid kit
- Take your dog for a trial run
- Pay attention to its health
- Bring an ID for your dog
The aforesaid tips will help you to make your dog content throughout your journey. Also, at the same time, you can spend your day without any obstacles when your dog is absolutely fine.
Plan before leaving home
The most significant factor you must consider while camping is to make everyone happy. When you intend to go camping with your dog, you have to plan accordingly. So, how will you plan ahead?
- First and foremost, you have to check whether the campground authority will allow you to bring your pet. Usually, they will have their own pet policy and rules.
- Try to reserve a campsite early especially during the peak season
- Most importantly, you have to schedule a vet appointment for your dog, before you leave
- You have to prepare your dog’s essentials and gear
- Try to train your dog to interact with people for further preparation
Do not leave your dog unattended
Maybe the place you are taking your dog can be familiar for you but not for your dog. The campground is not a safe place at all. So, do not leave your dog unattended while traveling, camping, or hiking. There may be other dogs and pets at the campground. So, there is a high possibility of a threat to your dog or from it to others. Things will happen unexpectedly. To ensure their safety you have to monitor them always while playing outdoors.
Modify your gear
When camping with dogs you have to use modified gear to keep them comfortable. There are so many gear types available in the market. You should choose the most convenient gear among them. There is some important gear for dogs which help mostly during camping.
- A leash
- Dog camping bed
- First aid kit
- Dog bowl
- Dog boots
- Dog backpack
What are the other things that you need for your dog?
- Googles
- I.D.Tags
- Poop bags
- Life jackets
- Toys
These are the essential gear that you need during camping to look after your dog. So, be sure to buy comfortable gear.
Bring enough food
For dogs during camping, it is better to bring dry food. However, there are 4 things that you should consider when selecting foods for your dog.
- Weight
- Calories
- Nutrition
- Cost
For a long trip, you need to bring food with high protein and fat to maximize your dog’s energy. Try to avoid food with high amounts of plant-based proteins such as soy and lentils. Avoid corn and beet pulp as they have consisted of less nutrition.
The food you should pack for your dog is based on the days that you camping. IF you are intended to change your dog’s food during camping it is better to mix them with the current food as the new food can cause them diarrhea.
You can bring a pack of frozen new meaty bone meals to give to your dog. Also, you can pack a couple of cans of canned fish like salmon or mackerel. If you are intending to go fishing while camping, you can catch some fish for your dog as they have consisted of high protein.
Provide extra water for hydration
Drinking water is most important for every living being. So, when you camp with your dog, you have to provide them with enough water. Being in an unfamiliar environment makes your dog tired. So, it needs more water by their weight, activity level, and by temperature level outside. Adult dogs need about one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. But, when it comes to the outdoors, it requires more. Bring a collapsible water bowl and try to monitor the bowl frequently whether there is any dirt or leaves in it.
Bring plenty of toys
When we take dogs camping outdoors, some of them can become anxious. Especially, on their first camping trip, they will behave abnormally. So, in order to control the situation, you can use their toys to make them calm. They can chew toys until they turn normal. At the same time, you can use toys to avoid dogs from being bored and to keep their control at the campsite to ensure their safety.
Keep your dog safe
Camping is an adventurous outdoor activity. When you take your dog with you to the campsite you must ensure the safety of your dog. You must bring the proper gear to make them comfortable. Also, you must pack enough food for your dog to keep them energetic throughout the journey. Also, you should bring proper medications for your dog in case it will fall in sick. Always, try to keep an eye on it.
Be aware of wildlife
You know there are numerous wild animals throughout the forest. Though they seem to be amazing when you capture them on your camera, they are actually dangerous. So, you have to pay attention to your surrounding to ensure your dog’s safety from wildlife. There may be poisonous plants that can cause harm to your dog. So, never let your dog escape from your eyesight. Do not let them drink from lakes, ponds, or rivers because they could be infected by blue-green algae. So, try to do some research about the wildlife near your campsite before engaging in other activities.
Plan activities for dogs
You have to keep your dog happy while making yourself happy too. Before you go plan to go on camping, you plan activities to engage in. But, you should pay attention to your dog as the activities you engage with will make your dog tiresome. So, to avoid these awkward situations, you can plan some activities for your dog to make it happy. Here are some activities which are liked by dogs while camping.
- Exploring outdoor games
- Playing outdoor games
- Hitting the trails
- Visiting the beach
But, before taking them to these places, try to be aware of the rules and regulations of the place because some places do not allow pets.
Remember the first aid kit
Bringing your pet’s first aid kit is a must when you are camping with your dogs. Just in case if your dog faces any unpleasant situation, you can use its first aid to treat it immediately. The things that should include in the first aid kit are mentioned below.
- A pet emergency pocket guide
- Gauze
- Non-stick bandages
- Adhesive tape
- Cotton balls
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Antibiotic spray/Ointment
- Milk of Magnesia
- Digital Thermometer
- Medicine Pillbox
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Magnifying Glass
- Syringes
- Flashlight
- Towel
- Soft Muzzle
These are the most wanted essentials that should be included in a first aid kit. If you already have a first aid kit for your dog, be sure if the medicines are out of date or not because using expired medicines can make your dog’s condition more critical.
Take your dog for a trial run
If you have not taken your dog camping, it is better to take it for a trial run for better preparation. It makes your dog familiarize with the outdoors. You can take your dog for longer walks as you can work on the dog’s leash behavior and practice giving leash commands.
Also, you can take your dog on several play dates with other pups as it is a good way to test your dog’s behavior around others. This is a good way to keep your dog under control if you camp on a pet-friendly campsite. In a pet-friendly campground, there will be more pets nearby. So, there is a high probability of threats. By taking your dog for playdates, it can be familiarized with other pets.
You can create a backyard campout if you are still unsure about your dog’s behavior. You can set up a camp in your backyard and you can try to arrange things that you are actually planning to do while camping in your planned destination. You can keep your dog leashed all the time, and you can create a fire ring and can keep your dog aside to see how it reacts. By arranging something like this you can know the exact behavior pattern of your dog.
Pay attention to its health
Camping on sunny days makes you more tired. This applies to the dog as well. They will be dehydrated due to the increase in temperature. So, be aware of overheating. Dark-colored dogs or dogs with an abundance of hair will get hotter. So, to avoid these situations try to keep your dog in a cool area during the hottest part of the day. Always keep cold water accessible.
The followings are the symptoms of overheating:
- Weakness
- Panting
- Heavy breathing
- Restlessness
- Disorientation
- Agitation
- Dry gums
- Bright red tongue
If you find any symptoms above mentioned in your dog, use a digital thermometer to check the temperature. If the temperature is higher than the normal temperature, move your dog into a cool location. Give them cold water. If the symptoms get worsen, immediately take them to a veterinarian nearby. Do you want to know more about overheating?
Bring an ID for your dog
Taking your dog for cam[ing is taking your dog into an unfamiliar or strange environment. Unlike the home it lived in, it completely differs. So, there is a higher probability of losing your dog. So, making an ID as a tag on your dog’s collar will be easy to find in case they get lost. The person who finds you can go through the information provided in the tag and can contact you easily.
What to put on a dog tag?
- Dog’s name
- Owner’s phone number
- Owner’s home address
- Owner’s email address
- Medical Needs
You can make a dog ID in different ways to look nice on your dog.
What are the other tips that help when camping with dogs?
- Take a picture of your dog before the journey
- Put a collar with lights to identify your dog in the dark
- Only take food out during the mealtime
- Bring a big tent if it sleeps with you inside the tent
- Keep the dogs clean
- Do not let them bark too much
- Pick up their poop
- Bring a paw protection
You can have a perfect and well-planned camping journey with your dog when you follow these tips accordingly. Always try to make your dog happy as it is your best companion.
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