Dogs and camping seem like a natural match. After all, dogs love to go outside and explore new places with their owners.
But apart from food and water, do you have all the necessary camping gear to take your four-legged friend with you and do you know what to bring? If not, then this article is for you.
Whether it’s only a weekend camping trip with your canine or spending weeks away from civilization, this guide provides you with a list of items you need to bring on your trip so you can have an enjoyable experience with your furry camper!
1. Camping Tent
Let’s start with the obvious. You can’t go camping if you don’t have a shelter to sleep in, right? So you’ll need to get a tent for both you and your dog. And there are two different ways to go about this.
You can either purchase a dog tent and let your pup sleep in his own little space or get a regular camping tent that can fit both you and your pooch.
A dog tent is a specific type of small tent made just for pets. This means you don’t have to share the same tent with your dog if you don’t want to! These tents are easy to set up, come in various designs, and feature mesh door panels for better ventilation.
The issue with getting your dog a separate tent is that it can take up extra space and weight. Plus, you won’t be able to keep an eye on your pup at all times. Not to mention, some dogs will get anxious sleeping in their own little space, especially when odd noises and other strange things are happening around them at night.
So unless your canine is calm, independent, and conditioned to sleeping without you, and you are sure that they’ll be safe on their own, sharing a traditional dog-friendly camping tent with them is probably a better option. Just make sure to choose one that’s big enough for both you and your dog.
2. Dog Camping Bed
Just like you do, your pup will need a comfortable place to sleep inside the tent.
While your furkid could curl up on the hard ground, you don’t want them to be too uncomfortable while they are trying to rest after a long day of hiking and exploring.
A simple solution would be to bring or invest in a portable outdoor bed for camping like the popular Chuckit! Travel Dog Bed. These are great because they are lightweight, easy to bring along with you on your trip, and can be folded up into a small, compact size when you aren’t using them.
Not only that, but these beds can also provide your canine with some extra warmth in the colder months.
3. Food and Water Bowls
You’ll, of course, need bowls for feeding your fur friend food and water as well.
Make sure to choose a lightweight, collapsible set of plastic bowls for camping so you can easily pack and bring them along with you on your trip. But if you were to go camping with your dog in winter, using standard plastic bowls probably isn’t the best idea as the food or water inside will quickly get cold.
Instead, you would want to opt for heated dog bowls specifically designed to be kept outdoors in cold weather. Although they are more expensive, they will ensure your dog’s meal stays warm and palatable.
4. Cooling Vest or Winter Jacket
You wouldn’t want your dog to get too hot in summer or too cold in winter, so it’s important to dress them appropriately for the weather.
Fortunately, there are now cooling vests and dog winter jackets available that will provide your pup with extra protection from extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions.
Camping dog gear like these can be pricey. But if you’re planning on spending more time outdoors with your fido over the summer months or winter, it is worth investing in one of these to ensure your furry pal’s comfort and safety.
5. Dog Life Jacket
You sure will plan many different activities with your pup on your camping trip, such as hiking, trail running, and swimming.
If you and your fido will be out swimming in a lake or river, make sure to get your canine friend their very own personal doggy flotation device for safety purposes. These vests work like human life jackets. They will help your dog retain their natural balance of buoyancy in water, ensuring they stay afloat and keeping their head above water when tired.
These doggy life jackets are especially needed if your pup isn’t a strong or confident swimmer.
6. Harness and Hands-Free Dog Leash
A harness or collar and leash are must-haves regardless of what type of activity you plan to do with your dog on your trip.
I prefer using dog harnesses instead of collars because they spread out the pressure across my dog’s body, making it easier for them to walk or run without choking themselves. This also reduces the risk of neck injuries if my dog accidentally pulls back against the leash.
Additionally, I would highly recommend getting a hands-free leash for camping. The beauty about these types of leashes is that they are adjustable, lightweight, and fit around your waist like a belt. That allows you to maintain control over your dog while keeping both hands free at the same time, which you certainly will find helpful when setting up a tent or cooking.
Read More: Is a Dog Collar or Harness Better?
7. Dog Boots
What will you say about people who walk around the campground or hike barefoot? You’d probably think they’re crazy.
But for dogs, you may think it’s perfectly fine.
While it’s true that dog’s paw pads are tougher than humans’ feet, they still can get cut and injured by rough ground with sharp rocks, sticks, and thorns. You also have to remember that there’s a risk of snowballs or ice chunks getting stuck between their toes in wintertime and causing them a lot of pain.
And I’m sure you wouldn’t want that to happen to your furry best friend.
So before going on a camping trip, make sure to get them protective footwear. These shoes can help protect their pads from problems like this and make sure your pup is safe and comfortable!
Read More:
8. Pet Collar Tracking Device
I’m sure you already have updated information written on your dog’s identification card, but what if they get lost, and no one finds them?
Accidents happen. And you don’t want to risk taking unnecessary risks, hence why I also suggest bringing along a pet collar tracking device for your dog.
These gadgets work by either relying on radio frequency or GPS satellite technology to locate your dog.
Many of these devices now work with a corresponding smartphone app that allows you to track your dog’s location in real-time via GPS satellite signals. And if your pooch happens to wander off too far, alerts will automatically pop up on your phone, so it’ll be like having an extra set of eyes looking out for them!
9. Canine First Aid Kit
Accidents can happen out in the wild, even if you’re careful as you possibly can. It’s just a fact of life. And to prevent any mishaps from turning into a disaster, it’s always wise to have a first-aid kit for dogs.
Some of the must-haves in a canine first aid kit include gauze pads and bandages, cotton swabs or balls, scissors, tweezers or tick removers, saline eyewash, anti-inflammatory medicine, and gloves.
10. Dog Tie-Out and Trolley System or Portable Wireless Dog Fence
It’s common for dogs to wander off when they get excited during an adventure. Or maybe they just want to take a breather and be by themselves.
Either way, you don’t want your dog to run off too far and risk getting lost or putting themselves in danger.
That’s where the outdoor tie-out and trolley system come in handy. These devices come with a cable that attaches to your dog’s collar while the other end is attached to a tree, stake, or post. That gives your canine the freedom to play around while ensuring they are safe within a specific radius from where their cable is connected.
If you want something less traditional and are willing to spend a bit more, I suggest using a portable wireless dog fence instead. In fact, these fences are much better, in my opinion, because they are super convenient, easier to use, and there is no need to screw anything into the ground.
Here’s how it works.
A transmitter is placed in a central location within your camping site, which sends out radio signals to a receiver collar your dog wears. Whenever your furkid tries to get outside a designated safe-zone perimeter, the receiver will pick up on the signals and give them a warning beep sound before administering a mild, harmless static correction to keep them from leaving.
One thing, though, you’ll have to introduce that idea to your four-legged friend first. This way, they understand what the collar does and what it means when the receiver collar beeps.
11. Dog Waste Bags
Whether you’re in the city or camping overnight in the wilderness, I can’t stress enough how imperative it is to clean up after your dog.
Yes! Even out in nature. In fact, picking up your dog’s waste is what a responsible dog owner should do.
At the end of the day, no one wants to get caught in surprise doggy landmines while out seeing some of the most beautiful views this world has to offer! And if that wasn’t enough to get you to clean up after your pup, well, dog poops can carry parasites and diseases. And after all, the outdoors are natural habitats for wild animals too!
So please do yourself and everyone else a favor. Always bring some poop bags and pick up your dog’s waste.
12. Doggie Goggles
You may think I’m joking, but no, I’m serious!
Dog sunglasses are one of the most popular pet products to hit the market in recent years. And it’s certainly not just some silly pet product getting its fifteen minutes of fame because it’s ultra-cool, but rather this product has tons of practical uses when it comes to protecting your dog’s eyes.
You see, doggie goggles are designed to protect your dog’s eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sun, snow, wind, debris, allergens, bugs, and insects. And just about all dogs need some eye protection, and it is particularly crucial for outdoor dogs.
In fact, if your pooch spends a lot of time outdoors, whether be it as a working service dog, hunting dog, or just as a family pet who loves to go outside hiking, snowshoeing, running, canicrossing, biking, or motorcycling with you, you should consider getting them doggie eye protection.
13. Dog Pack
If your four-legged friend is an enthusiastic hiker, camper, or backpacker like you are, and loves to have something to do, then they’ll appreciate having their own doggie saddlebag.
These dog packs allow your canine to carry their own food, water, and other supplies, which not only gives them a sense of purpose but also eliminates the need for you to carry everything yourself.
Simply put, a doggie pack gives your pup a job, and it’s a job that they’ll love!
Read More: What to Put in Your Dog’s Backpack?
Wrapping Up
There you have it, the dog camping gear and supplies every dog owner needs to make their next outdoor adventure a safe and fun one for both them and their furry friend.
I hope this article has given you some valuable insights into what to bring along for your next camping trip with your dog. And if you find this helpful, please take a moment to share it with your friends and family.
Thanks for reading!
