Going Camping With Your Dog? Here's What You Need to Take And What You Need to Do
All dog owners know this very well. There is absolutely no worse feeling than packing the car with all of your camping gear or getting your camper trailer all set up - only to see your beloved dog looking at you with sad eyes as you go on your way to a family holiday together. Imagine if you could take the dog with you? It is for sure a hassle, right?
Well, here at team Outbax we are definitely not convinced!
If you prepare, pack and find the best pet-friendly campsite, we bet you would not want to go camping again without your dog. And believe us, it is not as hard as you think and the reward of taking your favourite family pet with you is worth the effort and preparation. Do you want to know more?
First of all, Let us take a look at what you will need to do.
Before you go on your camping trip
Dogs can be a bit impatient, especially when you accidentally say the word starting ˜w' and ending in ˜alk'. The moment they know they are going off on an adventure it is first to the door, huffing and puffing while simultaneously pulling the lead and wanting you to catch up.
If it were up to the dog, all you would need was a bag of treats and some companionship. However, we being the responsible ones need to make sure our beloved family member with four paws is safe and ready to go camping.
Booking the campsite is likely the first step and we will go into detail about that later in this blog, but once you have done that, you will need to book a visit to the vet.
A check-up before any road trip is the smart and safe thing to do, even if they visited the vet within the last six months. It is always a good idea to get your flea and tick medication up to date as well as letting the vet know your plans and having them make an assessment on the spot.
Quite often our furry friends do not tell us about their hidden ailments or concerns. They might look healthy and fit but there might be something under that lush coat they are not telling you about.
Once you have left the vet all healthy and ready, it is time to start thinking about what to pack. Obviously, the snacks and food but there are some handy items that can be very useful on the road.
Prepare and pack more than just the essentials
Odds are, if you are taking your dog on a camping trip you have been in the wilderness before. If it is your first time with the furry companion though, you will need to pack more things than just dog food. No worries, we have listed all of these more than just the essentials right here for your convenience:
Doggy Documents
If you have a Border collie or Labrador they will not have a passport, but they will have dog licenses, ID tags and current vaccination papers. All of these can be processed and updated when you visit your vet before you go and will help you if your dog does find a bit of trouble on the road.
Pet First Aid
A human First Aid kit is mandatory and so should a dog one as well if they are coming along. You can purchase dog First Aid kits are your local pet store and supplies shop. Alternatively, you can make your own.
If you are thinking about your very own then you will need the following:
- Antiseptic wipes
- Bandages & gauze
- Disposable gloves
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Local emergency numbers
- Muzzle
- Pet First Aid book
- Rectal thermometer & lubricant
- Scissors
- Soap
- Tweezers
- Sleeping Arrangements
A very important aspect of camping is how and where you will sleep. Your dog's sleeping quarters or lack thereof should also be one of the priorities.
If your canine is an inside dog then perhaps sleeping with you in your camper trailer is the most suitable option, but if they are an outside dog it might be an option for them to sleep outside.
Regardless of whichever option you choose, it is always handy to have a backup. You never quite know how your dog will react to a new environment.
Bring a sleeping matt, leash, tether and stake to cover all bases for inside and outside sleeping.
Other Easy to Use Equipment
There are also some items that are not very expensive that can quickly some problems on the road should they arise.
A doggie light for when the sun dips below the horizon can be the difference between a noisy and a quiet dog at night.
A collapsible food or water bowl is a great idea if you want to take your dog for long walks. They get hungry and thirsty very quickly and we have all been there and tried to have a dog drink from a water bottle; it just does not work right?
While bring all of the necessary gear is important, it is what you do on your camping trip that matters.
Staying Safe
A location is a new adventure for any dog, regardless of how far away from home it is. While it is exciting to see them sniff to their heart's content, sometimes that heart can get them into a bit of trouble.
Most campsites and even walking trails will require your dog to be on a lead, but we all know that a lot of people like to walk their dogs off the lead. While we recommend following the signs if you must walk your dog off lead we suggest doing it on the second or third time visiting a location.
When the dog has visited a new campsite or walking trail a couple of times, they begin to understand the environment. It is still exciting but they are less likely to run off into the jungle chasing new sounds and smells.
A dog might be the most well-behaved boy or girl at home but if they have never seen a rabbit or a duck before they may just snap. Keeping them on a lead at all times where possible will keep your doggie safe.
No matter where you go these tips can help keep your dog safe. It is always a good idea to stay on the cautious side when camping. Always keep in mind that being in a new environment is an exciting experience for your pets. Making sure that they are comfortable and relaxed by being prepared for the trip can make every camping trip enjoyable for you and your whole family.
If you are still in the preparation and packing stages of your camping trip, it is always advisable to get your camping essentials from trusted companies, online or otherwise. At Outbax, we have been helping camping enthusiasts enjoy every outdoor adventure with their pets for years. Give us a call today and one of our camping experts will happily assist you. Happy travels and keep safe!
