Camping Safety Tips for You and Your Pup

Do you long to see the great outdoors with your favorite four-legged friend? You can! But there are certain things that you need to know in order to keep you and your pup safe. Read on for some helpful tips to ensure you and your dog enjoy a safe and fun camping adventure together.

Checking Out the Campsite

You may be used to throwing your gear into your vehicle last minute and heading up to the perfect campground. But until you get used to camping with your canine, you’re going to need to do a little planning. Not all campgrounds are dog-friendly, and you’ll need some preparation to keep your pup safe.

• First, you’ll need to find out which camp and RV sites are dog friendly. There’s nothing more disappointing than taking a long drive and expecting to commune with nature only to discover that your pet can’t be there.

• Like human food, dog food can attract the wrong sorts of attention at your campsite. Learn how to feed Fido without attracting bears or other creatures.

• There are lots of interesting smells in the woods that can distract your pup. Make sure that you have both a tag and microchip so that if your dog wanders off, they’ll make it back to you safely.

• Make sure that you have trained your dog on some adventure-specific commands so that they’ll come, leave it, and settle down when instructed. For more helpful trail-specific commands, take a look at our article, 5 Less Common Commands for Hiking with your Dog.

Doggie Camping Gear

Yes, you read that right. Your dog does need some camping gear, just like you. Even with the best training and preparation, accidents happen. It’s best to be prepared and keep your pup safe.

• It’s important that you pack the essentials for your dog, which includes a lot of the same gear you may use.

• Get your dog outfitted with the DOGPAK K9 backpack.

• Accidents happen, so be prepared with a first aid kit prepared just for Fido.

• Even if you trust your pup, it’s good to have a few ways to keep them close. There are lots of options depending on your situation, so choose the right ones for you, your dog, and your destination.

Keeping You and Your Pet Healthy and Safe

Camping comes with lots of amazing things: views, adrenaline, nature, fun. But there are also things that can risk our pet’s health if we don’t prepare for them.

• Make sure you and your pup stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.

• Use your time outdoors to keep moving.

• Just like humans, your pet can get a cut or scrape during your adventures. Learn how to treat these minor injuries so your dog can keep pace with you.

• The woods are home to many incredible creatures, including parasites. It’s important to learn how to check and remove them if your dog picks up a few uninvited guests.

• If you’re camping during the summer or where it’s hot, it’s important to understand heatstroke and how to prevent it.

• On the other hand, if you’re planning to hike or camp in the winter, you’ll want to pack special gear to keep your dog warm and visible.

• It’s a good idea to wipe down your dog (and your gear) before entering and leaving the campsite to avoid the spread of bugs or invasive plant seeds.

Camping with your favorite canine can be an amazing experience for you both, but it’s important to know the basics before you hit the trails. Now that you know what you need to do, you’re ready to explore the great outdoors together. Enjoy!

*Article by Sheila Johnson: Now that self-care is a daily priority, Sheila spends time with friends, goes on weekly dates with her husband, takes yoga classes, practices meditation, and hits the gym.

DOGPAK is a family-run business dedicated to helping other people who enjoy the outdoors develop deeper bonds with their pups through adventure and travel. From tips and tricks for travel to swashbuckling stories of adventures past, we want more people to experience the kind of indescribable bond we share with our dogs.

For more information, please visit our website or contact us today!