Camping With Pets: Essentials for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

How to Make the Most of Pet-Friendly Camping

As pet owners, we love our pets and often want to take them everywhere we go. So it’s no surprise if you’ve ever considered camping with dogs—or even cats, adventure-seeking hedgehogs or whatever your best pet friend might happen to be.

But before you hit the road and start traveling with pets to the nearest pet-friendly campsites, there’s a few camping tips for pet owners that can make the adventure a lot safer and more enjoyable for everyone (and every set of paws) involved!

Must-Know Camping Safety for Pets

Tip #1: Know Yourself—and Your Pet

Some pets, like people, are more outdoorsy than others. So first consider if camping is an enjoyable thing to do with your dog or other pet. Does your pet like being outside in nature? Do they sleep well in the dark and in new places? If you have a backyard, pitch a tent and do a trial run before you travel all the way to a pet-friendly campsite with all your pet camping gear in tow!

Tip #2: Check the Weather—and the Rules

Before you hit the road, it’s worth making sure your experience of camping with pets is set up for success. Keep an eye on the weather to see that it won’t be too hot, cold or rainy. Find a dog-friendly campsite and know their leash laws and other ground rules. If you’re planning to bring any pet other than a dog, you’ll want to check on the rules around that, too.

Tip #3: Be Prepared for Anything—and Everything

It never hurts to put safety first! Make sure your pet is up-to-date on their vaccinations and flea, tick and heartworm medications. It’s also a good idea to double-check that your contact information is correct on their collar ID tag and microchip. Better yet, get a GPS collar (like the Fi Smart Dog Collar) for extra peace of mind while camping and hiking with dogs in the great outdoors. And don’t forget the first aid kit with the rest of your dog camping gear!

Tip #4: Respect Other Campers—and Mother Nature

You may be outside, but try to keep your pet’s outside voice (AKA barking) to a minimum if camping near others, especially during the evening hours. Know the leash law when embarking on outdoor adventures with pets and only have your pet off leash if they reliably respond to your commands. And remember to leave no trace when nature calls—pick up any of your pet’s poop and dispose of it properly, on or off the campsite.

Tip #5: Plan Ahead—and for Fun!

There’s a lot to plan when it comes to traveling with pets, but there’s one thing you definitely shouldn’t skip on your pet camping checklist: dog friendly activities! From hiking with dogs and swimming at a local lake or beach, to outdoor dining and places to play, you’ll want to research a few fun things to do with your dog in the area that everyone can enjoy together for the ultimate pet-friendly camping experience.

Must-Have Camping Gear for Pets

Aside from the gear you’d need with or without pets—a durable tent (in this case, one that’s big enough for you and your pet!), sleeping pad and bag, pillow, lantern or headlamp, cooking and dining gear, plus a foldable chair if your campsite doesn’t have picnic tables—there are a few extra camping essentials for pets that you don’t want to leave home without:

Food, Water and Treats – Pack enough food and water (plus extra, just in case) for the length of your trip in a sealed container so as not to attract other hungry wildlife. Plus, plenty of treats—because what’s dog-friendly camping without treats? (We recommend WHIMZEES^® by Wellness^® Dental Treats, Wellness^® Puppy Bites, Old Mother Hubbard^® by Wellness^® P-Nuttier crunchy biscuits and/or Old Mother Hubbard^® by Wellness^® Wholesome Indulgences!)

Collapsible Bowl – Make mealtimes and water breaks on the go more convenient than ever, whether on the road, at the campsite or on the trail.

Poop Bags – Have plenty of poop bags handy to leave no trace on any outdoor adventures with pets.

Leashes, ID Collar and/or Harness – Bring your pet’s usual leash, ID collar and harness (especially if they’re a puller), along with a 6-foot leash or tether and stake for dog-friendly campsites, an LED collar light for after dark and a GPS collar (like the Fi Smart Dog Collar) for extra peace of mind while camping and hiking with dogs.

Pet First Aid Kit – Buy a pet-specific kit or just add a few extra items to your usual one for safe camping with pets—think: gauze, non-stick bandages, adhesive tape, 3% hydrogen peroxide, saline rinse, disposable gloves, a pet thermometer, tweezers and dog flea and tick spray (like Skout’s Honor Flea + Tick Dog & Home Spray).

Outdoor-Friendly Toys – Take some entertainment on the road! Travel with a few favorite comforts of home that can withstand the great outdoors, like tennis balls or rope chews.

Pet Wipes and/or Towel – An often-overlooked dog camping gear item, you’ll want to be prepared to wipe those paws clean before your pet enters the tent and snuggles up for the night.

Comfy Bed – Last but certainly not least, make tent camping with dogs and other pets as comfortable as a snooze would be at home with a cozy bed and/or blanket (like the West Paw Big Sky Nap^® or Big Sky Blanket^®).

Get Out There and Enjoy More Outdoor Adventures With Pets!

It may take some extra packing and preparation, but camping with dogs or any outdoor-loving pet can make for some memories you (and your pet!) will never forget. So make your pet camping checklist with the camping tips for pet owners above, gather all your pet camping gear and get excited about a night under the stars with your best furry friend.