Camping

 

Dog peeks out through tent flap. Image for dog camping tag page.
For successful car camping with your dog, be sure to bring his food, water, medicine, and toys.

Camping with your dog requires preparation and safety precautions to ensure that you and your dogs can enjoy a safe and fun outdoor adventure.

First, you’ll need to do some research to find pet-friendly camping options. Good news, most campgrounds allow dogs if you keep them on a leash.

Be sure to bring along food, water, and any medication your dog needs.

You also need to think about their sleeping area and other accessories they likely will need. If your dog usually sleeps in a crate at home, then bring it along and ensure your tent is large enough to accommodate it.

Don’t forget to bring along a fleece blanket, especially if you’re camping in winter. Dogs are domestic animals, not wild creatures. Your dog needs something to help keep them warm in cold weather.

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

Find a dog-friendly campground: It’s not enough to look for a dog-friendly campground. You also need to consider the surrounding trails and determine whether they’re suitable for your pooch. You also need to determine whether there are any restrictions based on size or breed, are there marked potty areas, and are there off-leash areas?

Getting there safely: Many experts agree that driving is the safest way to travel with your dog, but you must restrain your dog. Only about 16% of dog owners use proper safety restraints in the car.