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Camping with a dog can be a great experience or a very hectic one. When camping with a dog it’s best to plan out your trip and pack essentials based on what you have planned to do and the weather. Here is a list of items to pack for camping with a dog!

Bedding: While camping it’s very important to keep your dog nice and cozy, because they may miss being home in their “safe place”. The best type of bedding depends on where you plan to be camping and the temperature. There are different types of beds for different occasions, but sometimes a regular bed will work too.

• Elevated Bed: Elevated dog beds are lifted above the floor and keeps the air circulation flowing. This guarantees that your dog/dogs don’t get too hot or too cold.
• Cooling Pad/Mat: Cooling pads/mats will help relax and cool down your dog. They are lightweight and compact, which is benefical for backpacking or hiking. They are better for warmer temperatures. Cooling pads/mats are filled with either a water base or a gel base. A lot of cooling mats/pads are even super easy to clean, by just wiping off the surface!
• Sleeping Bag: Almost everyone considers buying a sleeping bag for when they are out camping in cooler weather, but rarely people think about buying a sleeping bag for their dog. When buying a sleeping bag for your dog it’s best to consider these features: warmth, easy to clean, durability, weatherproof, and portable to take on the go.

Toys: Everyone loves toys, but your pet probably loves them more. While camping if you have a hyper, playful, and/or bored dog its best to carry a couple of toys along the way to keep them occupied when needed.

• Floating Toy:  I bought this toy for Cleo when she was a tiny puppy and learning how to swim. I would throw the toy out into the water, and it’s bright reflective material would catch Cleo’s eyes and she would go in after it.
• Soft Glow Frisbee: If your dog loves playing frisbee then getting a soft glow frisbee is a must. If you are at a campsite or public land then what better of an opportunity to play frisbee with your dog. Frisbees are a great way to tire out your dog by them focusing on catching the frisbee and from them running back and forth. I recommend getting a soft glow frisbee. A soft glow frisbee will come in handy during the day and at night if you want to get your dog to let out some steam before bedtime.
• Rubber Balls: Rubber balls are truly one of the best toys to play with your dog. They are easy to keep clean due to being rubber vs being like a regular tennis ball that gets dirty the one time they are used. Rubber balls typically come in bright fluorescent colors that make it easier to spot out the ball when playing.

Treats: Almost every dog loves treats. Some dogs are trained by treats. Treats are a good way to encourage your dog to stay by your side while hiking, to stay calm while on a car ride, and are an enjoyable snack.

• Bully Sticks:  Bully sticks are chewing treats. They are high in protein and are easily digestible. They are also a good source of amino acids to support your dogs brain, body, and coat. Bully sticks come in different sizes and are recommended to not give the whole stick in one sitting. The only downside to bully sticks is that your dog will need plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Bully sticks are great for dogs teeth, because they clean them.
• Trail/Training Treats: Trail/training treats are small trainer treats used for on the go. They are small, which make it easy and accessible to give to your dog. Trail/training treats come in different shapes and flavors.

Harness/Collar: Good harnesses and collars are very important for camping with a dog. Harnesses restrict your dog from pulling, jumping, and or slipping out of their collar. Harnesses come in different styles that work best for your dog. If your dog doesn’t pull, isn’t jumping around, and is well behaved then you may not need a harness!

• Harness: Harnesses come in different styles that may work better or best for your dog. For Cleo, Eric and I bought a harness that goes over her head, under her belly, and latches on the side. This harness has brought us a lot of comfort knowing she won’t pull as much. This was a very good training harness too.
• Hiking Backpack:  For hiking you may also buy a hiking backpack that is a harness. Your dog wears it like a harness and it comes with pouches to put your dogs hiking gear in. This comes in handy so you don’t have to carry even more gear in your backpack.
• Light Up Collar Tag:  Whenever we take our first van trip with Cleo I plan on buying a light up collar tag or fluorescent/neon dog collar. Light up collar tags and/or bright fluorescent dog collars are very important when camping with your dog. It can help you keep up with your dog and/or help others by spotting out your dog.
• GPS Collar: GPS collars are ideal for camping with your dog. If your dog jumps out of the vehicle or escapes from your place of stay the collar will track your dogs location and help you find your pup. There are many different types of gps collars, so I am sure you will find one that fits best for your dog. You can find different gps collars for many different prices.

Leashes: Leashes are very important for camping with a dog. If your dog listens to your commands you may feel like your dog doesn’t need a leash, but a lot of places require dogs to be on a specific type of leash. There are different types of leashes, but it is up to your preference on which type of leash to buy.

• Bungee Waist Leash: The bungee dog leash comes in handy when taking long walks, runs, or hikes with your dog. The leash connects around the owners waist and works like a regular leash, except it is hands free.
• Short Leash: When walking with your dog there will be times when you need a short leash. For example, if you are walking near a busy highway you would want your dog to be as close as possible to you, and out of danger.
• Long Leash: A long leash will come in handy when you are walking on a beach or staying put at your campsite.

Food/Water

• Food/Water Bowl: You really don’t need a specific food or water bowl when traveling only if you plan to be outside doing activities. For Cleo we have a slow feeder food bowl that she has used since she was a puppy. We have a water bowl for Cleo that holds 106 ounces of water.
• Collapsible Bowl: Collapsible bowls are great for on the go. If you and your dog plan to go on a hike, this bowl will fit perfectly in your bag. The bowl is compact and collapses to use the least amount of space.
• Water Bottle: I also recommend a dog water bottle. There are many different types, but the one I plan to get for Cleo is one that I could use but has a lid that holds water for your dog to drink out of.

Grooming: Keeping up with your dogs hygiene is very important, but specifically important for when camping. If it rains your dog may get dirty which would lead to him/her needing a bath. You want to make sure your dog stays clean so they don’t dirty up your space.

• Wipes: Wipes are very easy and compact. You can use them to wipe up your dog’s face, paws, or arms/legs. They aren’t as great as giving a bath, but they definitely do the job.
• Dog Towel: Just like for people, there are towels made for dogs. Unlike people towels, dog towels are microfiber, which means they can absorb much more water than people towels do.
• Waterless Shampoo: Waterless shampoo typically comes in a spray bottle. We have used a waterless shampoo on Cleo multiple times, so i believe that it is very handy. You just have to spray the shampoo on your dog and rub it in. It leaves your dog feeling and smelling clean.

Medications: Just like us humans, we need to make sure our dogs are healthy and protected for camping. Not all of these items are essential, but a lot of them are highly recommended. 

• Shots: You need to make sure your dog is updated on all of his/her shots before traveling. If you plan to board your dog make sure it has had its bordetella vaccine to prevent kennel cough. I also recommend your dog getting its leptospirosis vaccine. Leptospirosis can be caused by your dog swimming in stagnant water or drinking contaminated water. Cleo is always running through sitting water, and I have noticed her trying to drink it. It is very important to make sure your pet is up to date on shots.
• Paw Protector: Paw protector is a wax that helps protect your dogs feet from heat or cold. You no longer have to worry about your dog’s paws being burnt from hot sidewalks and getting hurt from icy cold walkways. Paw protector also soothes cracked pads and paws.
• Flea, Tick Medicine
• Heartworm Medicine
• Flea, Tick Spray: Sprays like this kill fleas, flea eggs, and ticks on contact. They also help repel mosquitoes.
• Canine First Aid Manual: It is very important to have a first aid manual nearby in case of an emergency.  This can be very important if you are in a situation where you need to look up something without service or a phone nearby.
• Canine First Aid Kit:  You can either buy an already made kit or make your own with your desired products. I would include gauze, non-stick bandages, adhesive tape, cotton balls, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic spray/ointment, scissors, tweezers, magnifying glass, syringes, flashlight, soft muzzle, and/or benadryl.

Other Necessities

• Life Jacket: If you plan to travel near or on water it is important to have a life jacket. Even if your dog is the “best” swimmer, it doesn’t hurt having a life jacket to prevent your dog from any accidents. Eric and I plan to buy Cleo a lifejacket some point soon.
• Poop Baggies
• Fan: This can be useful in warmer climates.
• Bear Bells: If you plan to be out in the mountains or where bears are known to be it is recommended to have bear bells. Bear bells can go onto your dog’s collar, which helps alert not only bears but other animals that you are there.