Adventure, relaxation, and many new things to sniff, what could be better? Here are some tips on how to make your next camping experience with your pup as stress-free as possible. 

First of all, there are a few things you’re going to want to make sure you’re up to date on before you go such as parasite protection, tags and microchips, and training: 

Protection:

Your dog should be on a preventative parasite protector all year round. Your pup is bound to encounter some nasty parasites such as ticks, fleas, and mites in the outdoors. Make sure your pup is up to date with their vaccinations before you head out!

Tags and microchips:

One of the easiest and most common ways to make sure your pet is identified if they stray is by putting your information on their collar or tag! Another way is by microchip- a tiny chip planted under your pup’s skin with a needle (similar to receiving a vaccination). These are both great options to make sure that in case of any separation, your dog can be found, identified, and brought home to you!

Training:

The outdoors is exciting for anyone, especially our four-legged friends. Before you head out, brush up on some key fundamental training so that you’re at ease when you hit the outdoors. Some good commands to brush up on would be stay, come, speak, quiet, drop it, and leave it. A pooch can get easily distracted when presented with so much free area to roam, so make sure yours has their best listening ears on!

Acclimate them to sleeping in a tent: 

If your pup has never slept in a tent before, they might find the idea strange. To ensure no confusion about the tent, try spending time in it before nightfall. You could feed your dog inside the tent or bring their bed and favorite toys in. 

 

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What To Bring:

• Water and portable water bowl: Make sure your campsite has access to clean drinking water. Letting your pup drink from still rivers, lakes, ponds, or streams is very risky since you don’t know what pathogens they could pick up. It’s best to keep a collapsible water bowl with you like our canvas water bowls!

• Dog food and snacks: Bring along their regular food and don’t forget their favorite treats! 

• Poop bags: Always leave the wilderness better than you found it. Bring along poop bags and make sure they’re properly disposed of!

• A leash: Most campsites are leash-only to benefit you, your pet, and everyone else who decided to bring along their pets. Always adhere to the rules of the campsite and make sure to look up rules beforehand. If your pet has to be leashed at all times that is non-negotiable.
  

• A Dog Brush: Dog brushes are super useful for getting out burrs, foxtails, and checking for ticks!

A note on bug repellent and sunscreen: Never use deet or human sunscreen on your pet, this could harm them. Epi-Pet sunscreen is approved for dogs, but not cats.


Some resources for finding pet-friendly camping sites:

Bring Fido
Go pet friendly
Glamping with pets