Packing Wisely For Your Dog’s Next Camping Trip
Want to go Camping with Your Dog?
I’m sure your dog wants to get out of the house and go camping with you too. You just need to make sure that you pack wisely for your dog’s next camping trip as well. It’s very easy to forget all the essentials your dog needs when you go camping. They are just animals after all, right? Yes, but they are just as much a part of your family as your child is. Just like children, they will feel uncomfortable in new surroundings unless you make sure you pack things that are familiar to them.
To make sure you get everything on their list, I have made up a list of what I pack up for my dog and hopefully this will help you remember for yours. Of course, not all dogs are the same. They may require one item over another. It mostly depends on what your little (or big) fur baby cares about.
Packing Wisely For Your Dog's next Camping Trip
Be Sure You Bring:
( Click on Item to scroll to it )
- Food
- Food bowl
- Water
- Water bowl
- Bedding
- Walking Leash
- Camp Tether/Guideline
- Collar/Harness with Tags
- Waste Collection
- Poop bags
- Bucket & Pooper Scooper
- Dog Toys
- Dog Treats
- Medicines
- Doggy Toiletries
- Grooming Brush
- Doggy Towels
- Nail clippers
- Soap/Shampoo
- New Breath Water Additive
- Doggy First Aide Kit
- Vet Records & ID Card
Food:
Just like you wouldn’t forget food for yourself, don’t forget to pack up some of your dogs’ food. Like people, dogs will start to show signs of hunger by being annoyed and quickly agitated. However, last thing you want to do is switch up the food that they are accustomed to. They might eat everything they can get their grubby little paws on, but their stomachs may not always agree with what they eat. It takes dogs approximately 5 to 7 days to get accustomed to new food. Even when you add in pumpkin or some other stomach calming additives. When packing up their food for a camping trip, make sure you have the same brand of dog food they eat at home and maybe add enough for one or two more days. Just in case.
Food Bowl
You know your dog the best. Again, it is best to go ahead and either bring the bowl they eat from at home, or buy an extra one to take camping with you. Some dogs require one of those bowls that helps to slow them down when they eat. Some are grazers, while others will scarf down the food as soon as it is given to them. There are even some dogs that will not eat from anything else other than their food bowl they are accustomed to. That is why I mentioned that you know your dog the best. If you are not sure, either test them out with different things at home or just play it safe and bring the one from home.
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Water:
Even when you are sure that your campsite will have a source of clean water, it is always best practice to bring extra water with you. It’s great to have it handy as soon as you get to your campsite, and you can just grab a jug of water and fill your dog’s water bowl right away. They get thirsty too. Especially if your campsite is a long drive from home. Having extra water with you when you arrive gives you time to either scope out where the water supply is or get your recommended water filters hooked up. You don’t know the quality of water you will get at your campsite and even though your dog’s stomach may be able to handle it, it doesn’t mean that the water supply is necessarily good water.
Water Bowl
I have never met a dog that won’t drink out of anything but their own water bowl, but I’ve never seen the wind either. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Either way, it is best to bring something that your dog will be able to drink water from. Making sure that it will be able to hold enough water for them to drink from throughout the day. Especially when it is hot outside. Dogs will need even more water than usual. So even having a couple bowls of water around the campsite will entice them to drink and stay hydrated.
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Bedding:
Dogs are nesting creatures. When you see your dog turn circles a few times before they lay down is a clear sign of that. This is an instinctual habit meant to mat down and mark the area they are going to lay down in. This also helps them to calm down. Bringing their bedding from home will help them feel more comfortable and give them a piece of familiarity. Which helps to assure them that this is a safe place for them to rest for the night. Again, you know your dog the best, so if they are the type of dog that has a big fluffy sleeping pad they nest in at home, you may want to bring that one, or get them something similar to it, to nest on when they go camping. Most dog trainers will recommend that if you do have a separate one for camping that you get them used to it at home a few days before you go camping. This way, they will have their scent on it, be familiar with it, and feel more comfortable when you do go on your trip.
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Walking Leash:
You may have one of those dogs that don’t need a leash when going for walks, but most campgrounds will strictly enforce the leash rule while you’re there. You never know how your dog will act when they are in a new and exciting environment. It is just good etiquette having your dog on a leash when taking them for a walk around the campgrounds. Other campers will feel safer knowing that your dog is under some sort of control, even though your dog might be more obedient than the other campers’ children.
Because you are out in nature walking around, it is best to make sure that your dogs’ leash is made of something that will not get dirty too easily or soak up water like a sponge. Some sort of nylon blend rope will fair better in the outdoors than a cotton blend. Most dog owners who go camping, often have a few leashes handy, just in case one gets too wet, dirty or nasty after a long walk in the woods.
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Campsite Tether or Guideline:
When you’re not out walking around with your best friend, you still sometimes need to follow campground rules and keep them tethered to something around the campsite. Again, this is just a good camping etiquette to follow. It shows other campers that your dog is still secure to something allowing them to feel more comfortable walking around the campgrounds. Knowing your dog doesn’t have the ability to approach them unexpectedly.
Just like making sure your walking leash is made of some sort of durable material, you want to make sure that the campsite tether or guideline is as well. More than likely, it will be dragged all around your campsite, getting dirty, wet, and stepped on.
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Collar, Harness & Tags:
Collar
Your dog probably already has one of these already, but when was the last time you really took a look at it? Over time, even the best of dog collars will eventually start to fade and fray up. Think of all the rolling around on the ground and scratching your dog does. It may be time to get them a new one. If not, you may want to consider at least getting a new one for while you are camping. Why? Having a bright colored collar on your dog will help you spot them quicker if they do get loose or even make it easier for cars see them when you are taking them for a walk around the campgrounds. Dogs tend to blend into the environment pretty easily. Having something on them to easily identify them from a distance is a good idea. Not to mention you can really have some fun with picking out a new one to match your dog’s personality.
Harnesses
Harnesses are great as well, and will add that little bit of extra security around them if they are a wiggler and tend to slip out of their collar when they are hooked up to a leash or tether. A lot of harnesses now have sewn in reflectors to help make them be more visible to cars or even when you are trying to find them with a flashlight. Sense many service dogs wear harnesses while they are “On Duty”, many people associate any dog in a harness to be very well trained and tend to be less scared when they see a dog in one. This association may play in your favor if you have your dog in a harness around the campground. People will be less likely to be scared and you may make some new friends. Or they may be less timid when you take them for walks.
Tags
Having your dogs’ tags up to date is another great idea before you go camping. Just like collars or harnesses, dog tags can get faded and scratched up pretty quickly. If your dog does get loose, and someone is fortunate enough to get a hold of them, having an easy to read and up to date dog tag will only ensure that your little fur baby gets back to you quicker. Plus, whoever does find your dog will at least know its’ name which will only help keep your dog calmer while they are in their care until you are able to get back to them.
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Waste Collection:
You don’t want to leave piles of poop all around your campsite. These piles tend to attract flies and other little bugs and insects, which only means they will also be swarming around your food and drinks as well. Making sure you pick up after your dog will also mean that when the sun goes down and you are wandering around your campsite in the dark, you won’t step in one of these piles and track it into your tent or trailer. Most campgrounds frown upon you leaving messes for them to clean up after you, so if you ever want to be allowed to stay at the campground again you want to make sure that you pack up some ways to pick up these piles up.
Poop Bags
These are always handy to have around the campsite and when you are going for walks. Not only are they light, packable and great for picking up after your dog, but they can be repurposed into little trash bags or keep things dry if it happens to be rainy or if you are doing any water activities. These can be something as simple as a grocery store plastic bag or you can get bags especially made for the occasion. You know the ones. They look like a mitten with an extra layer built in to help flip the bag inside out and tie up easier without accidentally touching anything. Sure, you might have to buy these types of bags, but they are less likely to tear or break open in transport until you find a waste bin.
Bucket and Pooper Scooper
A personal favorite around the campsite is having a separate bucket with a screw top lid and a pooper scooper. After placing a regular kitchen trash bag in the bucket, you can easily pick up and store all your dog’s waste around the campsite during your camping trip. After each deposit into the bucket, you simply screw the lid back on and place it in a location where it won’t be in the way. The screw top lid will help keep any bugs and flies away. Then when it’s time to leave, you simply pull the bag out and throw it away with the rest of the trash. The pooper scooper makes sure that your hands don’t have to get anywhere near the mess your dog made. The only downside is that you must be sure to wrap up the pooper scooper in another trash bag while in transit to make sure nothing else gets contaminated. This also helps keep any smells trapped in the bag if you have to put it in the vehicle with you.
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Dog Toys:
Your dog can get bored. That means they will more than likely start bugging you to entertain them. Bringing along some of their favorite toys will help keep them occupied while you are doing things around the campsite. This also will give them something that is familiar to them. Helping them adjust to their new surroundings easier. Dogs form memories just like any little kid will, so if you make camping fun for them, they will be more excited each time you go and be better behaved when you get there.
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Dog Treats:
Camping is a great time to let loose and enjoy all the little treats you may not have when you are at home. Same goes for dogs. Most will enjoy anything you give them, but having treats made especially for dogs will make sure you are not giving them anything that might not agree with their stomachs. Having dog treats on hand will also help keep your dog behaving better and wanting to stick around the campsite. Especially if you are rewarding them with a treat every time they show good behavior. Don’t just give them a bone to keep them quiet or give them something to work on to stay out of your way.
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Medicines:
Not all dogs take medication regularly, but if they do, make sure that you are packing enough to last throughout your camping adventure. If some medication is not taken everyday at the same time, it can have adverse effects. That is not something you want to deal with while trying to enjoy your vacation.
Before you do go camping with your dog, it is a good idea to make sure they are all caught up on their vaccinations. You don’t know if your dog will be interacting with other dogs somewhere around the campgrounds. You want to make sure your dog is protected from contracting any canine diseases they may encounter. It is also a good idea to start your dog up on flea and tick medication before you go camping. It is very possible that your dog may wander into an area where ticks may be present and trying to get those things off your dog is not always the most fun. Ticks also can carry various diseases that can affect your dogs’ health long after your camping trip. Taking a little bit of time before hand to protect your dog from these will save you and your dog from a lot of pain and heart ache.
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Doggie Toiletries:
It’s very likely that your dog will get dirty and messy while you go camping. That’s part of the fun. Until they end up lying right next to you at night. That is why you want to make sure you are packing up things like grooming brushes, nail clippers, soap, drying towels, and breath fresheners. You may not necessarily give them a bath while you are camping, but having these things on hand will make sure that you are prepared for those “Just in case” scenarios that might happen when you’re there.
Brushing your dog while camping will help make sure there are no bugs, sticks or leaves caught in their fur which could irritate their skin, making them feel uncomfortable. Keeping their nails clipped ensures that they won’t accidentally snare some of your camping gear while they are walking around your tent or trailer. Having a couple of their own drying towels is great if the weather turns rainy or they end up walking through puddles or end up playing in a lake or pond. This way, you have a way of cleaning or drying them off without using your own towel. The last thing you want is a smelly, muddy dog walking all over your stuff and not having your own towel to use after you take a shower. There is not much you can do about doggie breath, but pet stores do sell additives that you can put in their water which helps keep their breath fresher.
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Doggie First Aid Kit:
Things happen! You don’t really know what your dog will get into, run through or encounter while you are camping. Having a first aid kit especially for your dog will make sure you have the right stuff that is made specifically for them.
The basic things your Doggie First Aid Kit should contain Are:
- Rubber Gloves: To keep blood off you and from spreading any infection.
- Alcohol Cleaning wipes: To clean any wounds off before you dress them.
- Oral Syringe: Great for cleaning wounds with saline solution or administering oral medicine.
- OTC Antibiotic cream or spray: To make protect any wound from infection.
- Styptic powder: It stings but it will help stop any bleeding if they break their toenail on something. Do not use on deep cuts or large wounds.
- Gauze Pads: To help soak up any blood and use when dressing any wound.
- Rolls of Gauze: To help secure gauze pads over wounds and to keep them from licking it.
- Adhesive Tape or Self Adhering Rolls of Gauze: To secure the dressing around the wound.
- Activated Charcoal tabs: Just in case they eat something they shouldn’t. The activated charcoal tabs will bond to many toxins, hopefully making them inert until you can get them to a vet.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: To help clean wounds or induce vomiting. Check with a vet or poison control before giving them this to induce vomiting.
- Scissors, Tweezers, Tick remover: To cut tape or matted hair around any wounds, pull out debris from any wounds, or remove any attached ticks.
- Aspirin or (NSAIDs) for Dogs: To administer if they are experiencing any minor pain. Be sure to check with Vet for dosage and if there are any complications with certain medications they may be taking.
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Vet Records and ID Card:
Again, things happen! When you are out camping and something happens to your dog, it is very helpful to have all their information handy. If you need to rush them to a vet that you are not familiar with, having all their up to date shot and vaccination information with you will help them rule out many things and diagnose them faster. Having an Identification Card for your dog, with their name, date of birth, breed, a recent picture and your contact information, will also be handy for the vet. Or if your dog goes missing, you then have something to show to authorities, other people or post online.
Final Thought
Dogs are great companions to have in any situation. If treated properly and taken care of with love, they will be sure to stick by your side always. Dogs love to go camping and explore the world around them. Why not take them with you? Just make sure that you bring all the things they need to have a great time as well.
I hope this list helps make sure you are… Packing Wisely for your Dog’s next Camping Trip.
Feel Free To Share This Information With Other Dog Owners As Well.
Thank You!!
And Remember…
Camp Happy And With A Purpose!!