Dogs love to be outdoors. If you also enjoy the outdoors, consider taking your pet along on your next excursion. Camping with dogs can be an enjoyable experience. You have a buddy to hike with who’s always close at hand! Before you leave home, there are items that you need to pack and things you need to remember once you get to your destination.
Prior to heading out, there are a few doggie essentials you need to take along. In addition to the obvious items (food, water, medications, a first aid kit, etc.), there are a few items that you may not have considered. Just because you’re going to be outdoors, doesn’t mean that your pet wants to sleep on the ground; so, make sure you pack appropriate bedding. If your pet sleeps on a bed with two blankets at home, then you need to pack a bed with two blankets. An unhappy pooch in the middle of the night is disturbing to everyone at the campground.
As mentioned, water is a no-brainer. However, some people assume that there will be water available at the site. In most cases, this is true. But, you still need to be prepared with extra water for yourself and your dog, so take along an extra gallon or two (depending on the length of your trip). If you go hiking, you’ll probably take along a small bottle of water for yourself. Don’t forget water for your dog! You can purchase a pet-friendly water bottle at your local pet store. Make sure you take it along on the long hikes. And, just to be safe, it’s not a bad idea to purchase a re-sealable tin can for the dog food. You don’t want to attract other animals!
Another thing you need to take from home is a towel. It’s highly unlikely that your dog is going to stay perfectly clean during the trip. At his first chance, he’ll probably go for a swim in a lake or pond or jump in the dirtiest mud hole. A towel can come in handy in many situations.
Once you get to the campsite, it’s important that you keep a close eye on your dog, especially in the beginning. Pay attention to his body language. His body language can let you know a lot about your surroundings and how your dog feels about them. It’s also a good idea to keep him on a leash for most of the trip, since there will probably be other animals around.
You should also routinely check your pet for fleas and ticks. Even if he is on a preventative flea and tick routine, the pests can still cling onto your dog. Depending on your region, a flea or tick bite could be deadly.
Camping with your pet can be a lot of fun if you’re prepared. When you’re packing, ask yourself if your pooch will need what you need (i.e. a blanket, water bottle, etc.). If the answer is yes, then make sure you get what you need before you embark on your journey.
Provided to you by Amanda Richardson.
