Dog camping safety guide: Get ready for your next trip

At Dog’s Best Life, our goal is to help you give your furry companion the best life possible. As we enjoy the peak of summer, we want to make sure your pup does too. So with the help of Redfin, we’ve created the ultimate dog camping safety guide!

Camping with your dog requires a bit of preparation and safety precautions to ensure that you and your dogs can enjoy a safe and fun outdoor adventure – and we’re here to help with this handy dog camping safety guide!

Before you go: Health checkups and safety supplies

1. Schedule a visit to the veterinarian for a health checkup. If your dog’s health isn’t optimal, ordinary camping hazards can quickly become serious dangers, so you should discuss your camping plans with your veterinarian.
2. Check your dog’s records or double-check with your regular veterinarian to ensure that you’re on top of all preventative care, such as core vaccinations for Rabies, Lyme disease, and heartworm.
3. Pack a first-aid kit with essentials. A few must-have supplies for dogs include:

• Coated aspirin for pain. Use with caution and give only the recommended dosage (between 5mg and 10mg per pound of body weight). Your best bet is to discuss it with your veterinarian before your trip for specific advice.
• Tweezers or tick removal tools and scissors
• Butterfly bandages, gauze, and/or bandages designed for pets to close wounds.
• Rubbing alcohol or antiseptic to clean wounds.
• First-aid gel or spray designed for pets.
• If your pet takes medication regularly for a chronic health condition, take enough medication for the duration of your trip, plus enough to last at least a few extra days.
• Take copies of your dog’s health records, including vaccination history, and locate the veterinary clinic closest to your campsite before you leave.
• Finally, make sure that your dog’s microchip registration is up to date and that his or her pet has a tag with complete and accurate information.

Packing for your dog

You’ll need more than first-aid supplies for a camping trip with your furry friend, of course. Here’s a packing list

• Your dog’s food and water dishes, as well as enough fresh water to last the duration of your trip plus a few extra days, unless you’re camping at a site with a readily-available supply of fresh water.
• A portable water dish you can easily store in your backpack to keep your dog hydrated throughout the day
• An ample supply of your dog’s regular food and treats
• A good supply of dog waste bags to keep your campsite free of waste and avoid disgruntled fellow campers
• A leash or two, as well as whatever supplies you’ll need to tether your dog while outdoors
• Your dog’s bed or crate so that he or she can get a comfortable night’s rest. If the weather will be cooler in the evenings, pack blankets or a dog jacket
• If you’re heading to a destination near water, a dog life preserver is a good idea, as well as plenty of extra towels to dry your dog off after a swim
• Toys such as balls, Frisbees, and squeaky toys to keep your dog entertained

Dog-safe best practices at the campsite

Make sure you know and understand the rules if you’re heading for a managed campground; some even specify the maximum lead length permitted. Many campgrounds require that dogs be leashed at all times and sometimes, dog are not allowed at all.

Keep an eye on your dog’s well-being throughout your trip. Watch for signs of heat stroke, such as excessive panting, excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or seizures.

Ideally, you’ve already spent time training your dog, but if your dog isn’t the most well-trained pup in the pack, it’s a good idea to start slowly, taking a few short trips to see how your dog fares when exposed to the many new experiences he’ll have during a camping trip. At minimum, your dog should obey a few essential commands, such as “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it.”

Above all, have fun! A camping trip is a great opportunity to kick back and relax. When you use our dog camping safety guide to ensure you take the proper precautions and keep safety top-of-mind, a camping trip is an enjoyable bonding experience for humans and dogs alike.

Read the original article on Redfin’s blog

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