Going camping does not have to be uncomfortable, you can read all the reasons why I love Coleman pack away cot here. To have a successful camping experience as a dog owner, you have to select an animal-friendly site and you have to make sure that your pet is prepared for the adventure by taking it to the vet and by familiarizing it with basic commands.
Nothing is more fun than being able to share the joys of exploring nature with one’s pet. Taking your dog camping is not very complicated, especially if you think ahead. Here is a list of tips that you can try next time you want to bring your buddy on an outdoor adventure.
Do your research
Because not all available camping sites are pet-friendly, you must do some basic research before you take your pet with when going camping. For instance, you cannot bring your dog with you on the trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. However, if you live next to Acadia National Park, there are more than 100 miles of trails that you can explore with your furry friend.
To find out which trails and camps allow dogs, you just have to go online, as there are numerous lists of locations that are classified as dog-friendly. As a rule of thumb, keep in mind that most national parks do not allow camping with pets such as dogs.
There are a couple of reasons why dogs are not welcomed in national parks. To start, there are many toxic baits used to target, for instance, foxes, baits that are poisonous to pets. Plus, these areas are packed with shrubbery and, consequently, paralysis ticks that can be fatal to dogs.
Also, because there are many slippery rocks on these paths, there is a high risk that your lovely companion will slip and get injured.
Apart from these dangers that have in mind to the well-being of pets, these rules are also in place in an attempt to protect the environment. Native animals that reside in these enclosures are vulnerable to diseases and bacteria that your pet might carry. Furthermore, dogs have an innate predatory instinct and they can hurt the wildlife.
Bring the ID of the pet with you
Once you find a place that is welcoming to both you and your pet, it is time to do the packing. The one thing that is essential that you bring with you is the ID of the dog. Additionally, it is recommended that you make sure that your fluffy friend has an up to date tag attached to its collar.
To find the pet easier in case it goes missing, fellow dog owners also advise in favor of adding your mobile number and the details of the camping location where you intend to stay to a temporary tag.
Protection
Because of their fluffy coats, dogs are vulnerable to parasites, especially in nature, where the unwanted fleas and ticks are everywhere. This is why you should make sure that your pet is well protected.
To do so, take the dog to the vet so that it can get a preventative treatment against these parasites. If you have done so, you can also administer oral or a topical treatment to it at home, right before you leave for the camping trip.
Before you leave home on your amazing adventure together, it is a great idea to brush up on basic commands such as “leave it”. This will come in handy if your pet encounters other dangerous animals such as bears or snakes.
Locate a vet nearby
Most camping trips are successful and most dogs that accompany their owners on trails do not get injured. However, because there are some risks associated with a trip of this type, it is highly recommended that you go online and that you locate a vet as close to the location where you plan on staying as possible.
Once again, this is only a preventative measure. More than likely, you will never have to take your loving companion to see a vet during your adventure.
Follow the rules
Most camping sites have clear regulations that all users have to follow, as well as some additional ones that refer to dog owners in particular. If you want your trip to go well, you should respect them.
For example, it might be required of you to keep your pet on a leash at all times. This is important as there might be numerous other pets on location and, they might not get along. Besides, you should clean up after your dog, you should never leave it unattended and you should not encourage it to bark uncontrollably, as this might cause discomfort to the other campers.
On top of that, you should never leave the dog out in the areas where small children play. Most importantly than anything, keep in mind that, even if your pet is friendly, it might still be mean to people that it does not know or that it regards as dangerous. So, keep it on a leash and close to you so that you can manage any situations that might occur.
Get to know the site
Before you set up camp, you should take your pet for a short walk. After hours upon hours of sitting in the car, it probably needs to relieve itself. Besides, most likely, it needs to stretch its legs a bit. Besides, it won’t hurt to get familiar with the camping area right from the beginning.
As a plus, taking a short walk is also a great way for you to get some fresh air and to relax before you have to start organizing the gear and to set up the tent. Once the stretching is complete, it is time to find a secure area where your pet can stay. To make sure that it won’t run away, use a long leash and tie it to a tree nearby.
First aid
If you are a seasoned camper, you probably already understand the importance of bringing a first aid kit with you on an adventure of this sort. As a pet owner, it goes without saying that you should also pack some specific first aid products that you can use with your pet. This is vital because dogs often get hurt when exploring new surroundings.
So, be sure to pack the medications that your pet has to take, if it has to take any, a tick key, as well as some adherent bandages that do not stick to hair or fur.
Food
When it comes to packing food, the best suggestion we have for you is to pack more than usual. When they get the opportunity to explore nature and to play around in clean, fresh air, dogs tend to build up quite an appetite. Consequently, you have to be ready to supply your beloved companion with plenty of food and water.
To make the feeding process as efficient as possible, we recommend that you bring with you a collapsible dog bowl. Some of these models are very space-efficient as you can clip them to your backpack or belt.
Nighttime security
If you have never gone camping with your pets, you are probably wondering where do dogs sleep during the night. Well, the simple answer is inside your tent. Even if this might go against the no sleeping in the bed rule that you impose at home, allowing your dog to cuddle next to you during the night is the best option there is.
Even more so, if you decide to let the pet inside the tent, you won’t have to worry that it will wander off during the night or that it will get injured in any way. To make the entire process as comfy as it gets, you can also purchase a dog sleeping bag for it or a dog sleeping bed. Most of these products are insulated, and they can be utilized no matter the weather.
Have fun!
Even if planning for a camping trip with a pet can be stressful, once you get there it is time to put all the stress behind and enjoy nature. So, take your pet on hiking expeditions, play catch, take runs together and do all of the things that you think will make you both happy and relaxed.
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