My husband and I have camped together since before we were married. We’ve camped in tents. We’ve camped in trailers. We’ve camped with newborns, toddlers, and big kids. We’ve been on overnight trips and three-week adventures. And we’ve also camped with dogs.
We had our sweet old girl for 13+ years, and she went with us on nearly every trip. Now we have two young pups, and we’ve already been out a few times. And I am definitely not one to invest in unnecessary gear. You don’t need a special leash or collapsible bowls to camp with your dogs. Your regular leash is totally sufficient, and you can just use plastic containers from your kitchen or pick up some bowls from Goodwill for your pup’s food and water. You don’t need a special container to store their food; a gallon-sized Ziploc will do.
In fact, most lists that outline the “essentials” for camping with dogs recommend a whole lot of items that you can totally live without. As an experienced #dogmom and someone who doesn’t believe in unnecessary extras, here are the things you actually need when camping with your furry best friend.
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1. Tether or Dog Run + Harness
Even if your dog has amazing recall, most campgrounds require that dogs be leashed at all times. You’ll want your pup to have more room to roam that its short leash, so you’ll need a longer, durable tether (but not too long). You can connect it to a tree, the picnic table, or your car – but if you don’t want to do that, you’ll need a stake you can put in the ground.
I’ll be honest, though. I hate tethers. It feels like the dog is always getting tangled and stuck, or wrapping the line around all your camp chairs and dragging them into the fire (true story). If your terrain allows, consider a cable runner like this instead. You tie the cable between two trees and the dog can run between them; their runner is shorter than a tether so they don’t get tangled up as much.
Whether you’re using a tether or dog run, you’ll want your dog to have a harness. A harness is more secure than a collar (so your dog is less likely to get out of it), and it’s safer. If they dart toward a squirrel or a passing pooch, a harness with a back clip will ensure they don’t sustain neck or trachea damage when they get to the end of their rope, whereas a collar can cause injury. I’ve found this one to fit GREAT on my little guy, and after trying several different options with my bigger dog, this one was the one that FINALLY worked and fit well!
2. Dog Pen
If you have a small dog, a pen is a GREAT leash-free alternative to the annoying tether. I personally prefer metal open-air pens that you can anchor to the ground, though there are close-topped canvas-type ones available as well. If you get a pen, just make sure your dog can’t jump out of it.
3. Camping Mat/Outdoor Dog Bed
Here’s the deal with a camping mat. You can use an old blanket and throw it on the ground and it will work – and we have totally done this. But honestly? A camping mat is a real game-changer. They’re easy to clean, dirt and pine needles don’t stick to them the way they stick to a plush bed or blanket, and they give your dog a place to lay down and keep their belly off the dirt or wet ground. They don’t necessarily give your dog a ton of cushioning, but they keep them clean, dry, and they give your dog a sense of “place” to calm down and rest when they’re hanging out around the campsite.
Happy campers, THAT’S IT. That’s all you need for a successful camping trip with dogs. Don’t get tricked into believing you need all sorts of other “essentials” to survive a camping trip with dogs. Sure, you need to bring other supplies, like a:
- leash
- toys/treats
- food
- food/water bowls
- waste bags
But the things you use at home are totally fine. You don’t need anything special. Now, that’s not to say there aren’t some fun “extras” you can buy. But I’m not going to try to convince you that you need them.
Speaking of “extras”, though, here are the ones I couldn’t resist:
- Small Dog Folding Chair: Yup, I bought this for my little guy. I just couldn’t resist. It is SO CUTE.
- Musher’s Secret Paw Protection: I’m in a bunch of online dog groups, and this is the product everyone swears by to heal, condition, and protect dog paws.
- Pet First Aid Kit: Can I be honest? This is basically the same as a human first aid kit, but with a “waterproof ID tag” and “emergency reflective lead.” I don’t get it.
- Rechargeable Lighted Collar: Where I live, it’s light pretty late. Plus my dogs pass out fairly early. But if you expect your dogs to be hanging around the campsite well past dark, I totally see the value of having lighted collars to know where they are.
- Dog Water Bottle: This isn’t totally necessary. If you plan to hike all you really need is a small collapsible bowl or a disposable cup. But I do see how this dog water bottle could come in handy on an outing.
- Paw Cleaning Mitt: Want to keep your trailer or tent clean? This might help if you wipe their paws with this before they come inside.
- Dog Sleeping Bag: Is this totally necessary? Not at all. Just tuck them in with a blanket and they’ll be totally comfy. (Or, if you’re like my baby, he’ll just burrow into my sleeping bag and snuggle with me all night.) But if you have a dog who likes to make their own den and you don’t mind spending a few extra bucks, you can spring for a dog sleeping bag. (TIP: Since most are waterproof, this can do double duty as your outdoor sleeping mat.)
- Flea & Tick Medication: If you’re in the woods, it’s a good idea to treat your pet for ticks before you go.
Are you ready to head out camping with your family and your pooch? Our packing checklist will make sure you don’t forget a thing. What’s your must-have item when camping with your pets?
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