Hiking is a workout that benefits you by improving the joints and cardiovascular system while enhancing your mental health. Bringing your dog on an adventure will prove equal benefits for the both of you. It is stated that dogs show improvements in joint health, weight management, and mental nourishment after completing a hike. Hiking introduces new smells and views for your pet, and allows you to enjoy some quality time with your dog. When you set out on your first hike with a dog, there are specific essentials and practices to follow no matter how long your hike is. Follow this hiking with dogs packing list to hit the trail prepared.
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Preparation
One of the most important things to do before you set out on your adventure is to make sure your dog is fit to hike. Dogs with preexisting health issues or conditions can still hike, but I recommend if you have any questions about whether your dog can handle a hike, refer to your vet to get an expert opinion. Your vet will suggest certain difficulty levels and limits that will keep your dog safe.
Choose a Trail
Once you have verified that your dog is suitable to hike, it is important to choose a trail appropriate for a dog. AllTrails is an app that provides trail maps and information about almost any hike. This app usually specifies whether a trail allows pets, and for good reason. Most trails that prohibit pets are marked that way to keep animals safe in terms of terrain, wildlife, etc. Choose a trail that allows dogs to ensure a good hike for you and your pet.
Research
Research the trail and area you’ll be hiking for specific rules that must be followed on the trip. For example, at the summit of a majority of the Adirondack high peaks, there are arctic plants that are endangered, fragile, and grow only at high altitudes. If they are stepped on or touched, they are likely to die. If you bring a dog, they absolutely must be leashed at the summit to prevent them from accidentally stepping on the endangered wildlife. AllTrails is a great source of information for trails, but don’t be afraid to search for specific dog related questions yourself if you’re not sure.
Prevention
Another essential prerequisite to the hike is flea and tick prevention. Pests can come from anywhere and can cause serious issues for your dog. Especially in warmer weather, ticks are extremely likely to attach to your dog if they can. Ticks commonly carry illnesses such as lyme, babesiosis, and other harmful diseases. Appropriate flea and tick prevention is necessary to keep your dog as healthy as possible. To choose the best prevention method, a vet will provide the most valuable advice specific to your pet.
If your pet swims often, a vet will usually recommend an edible option that protects your dog from the inside out. If you don’t plan on your dog swimming much, a flea and tick collar or drops might be more suitable. Whatever works best for your dog, exercise flea and tick prevention regardless of region or climate. Vaccinations are another way to prevent unwanted illnesses that can be contracted through the wilderness. Rabies and distemper vaccines prevent your dog from contracting disease on your trip. If you have any questions about vaccinations for your pup, consult your vet.
If your dog is not friendly, consider waiting until their behavior is safe for others on the trail. When hiking, you encounter people, rangers, other dogs, etc. at close ranges and narrow paths. An unfriendly dog can cause injury to others or yourself, and could ruin someone elses hike.
What to Pack
Harness
Harnesses allow for a more comfortable hike for you and your dog. Harnesses are the most secure and safe option when choosing dog hiking equipment. When compared to collars, harnesses reduce pulling, give the owner more control, and reduce stress on your dogs neck. When choosing a harness, pick a model that gives your dog room to breathe, without being too loose. Usually, a harness has multiple hooks to place your leash wherever is most suitable. They also are likely to feature a handle that sits on the back of the vest, which makes it easy to assist your dog in tough terrain.
Leash
A leash is essential to pack when you bring your dog. Most trails require dogs to be on a leash at all times. This can be for the purpose of preserving wildlife, or protecting other hikers and dogs. Even if your dog is friendly, you can’t guarantee the friendliness of other dogs. Usually hiking regions have dangerous wild animals that can harm your dog, so a leash can be required to keep your dog on the trail. Luna is completely trained off of a leash and listens to commands very well. When we hike, we still bring a leash and secure it if we encounter other hikers. Some law enforcement fines you for having your dog off of a leash, so use your own judgement but bring the leash regardless.
Paw Wax/Boots
Dog paw pads can experience damage from sharp rocks, cracking, etc. on a hike. There are multiple sources of paw damage on a hike, and there are prevention methods to follow in order to minimize the chances of injury. Pack paw protection on every hike, no matter the distance.
Paw Wax
Paw wax is my personal favorite protection method because it works better than booties in my experience. Luna is about 100 pounds even, and her paws are usually too big for dog boot sizes. She also still has her dew claws. Booties are not usually made for dogs with dew claws and can cause significant damage to them. For these reasons, paw wax works best for her. Paw wax is an oil that protects the paw pads from rough terrain, hot and cold weather, and cracking. It acts as a barrier between the paw and the ground, and keeps the skin moisturized. Paw wax should be reapplied throughout the hike to replace any wax that rubs off.
Booties
Booties are another great option if they work for your pet. Shoes for your dog feature traction on the bottom and are designed to protect the entire foot and claws. This option usually works best for small to medium dogs that do not have dew claws. If you do choose booties as your paw protection, frequently check for any redness or irritation. If there is any sign of damage caused from the boot, discontinue use to prevent further damage.
Food
Hiking burns calories faster than any other type of workout. This is true for humans and dogs, so you both need to eat more than usual to keep your energy up. On a typical hike, it is recommended to feed your dog 25% more food per meal. When packing your dogs food, add 1/4 cup to every cup they usually consume. Feeding your dog 25% more before or after a hike will keep their energy high. When feeding meals, give your dog time to rest before hiking again. If you’re camping, feed your dog at least 30 minutes before you plan to hike so they have time to digest it which reduces their chances of getting sick. For larger dogs this is especially important because their stomach can flip if it is full of food during physical activity which can be very dangerous.
Treats
Treats are a great item to pack when hiking with dogs. Packing treats keeps their attention on you, and reduces the likelihood of them wandering away and ignoring commands. They also provide extra calories which boosts your pets energy throughout the journey. If your dog listens to a command or behaves well, reward them with a treat so they register a positive association with good behavior.
Dog Bowl
Bring a collapsible silicone dog bowl on your hike to provide your dogs meals and water. A collapsible bowl compresses to a small size that fits great in your pack. Keeping your dog hydrated is essential on a hike to keep them healthy and energized. It can be hard to tell when a dog is dehydrated so I just offer Luna water whenever we stop for a drink. Dogs can be affected by water borne illness and diseases, so it is recommended to filter their water too. However, every time Luna finds a stream or body of water the first thing she does is drink it. It would be impossible for me to strictly give her only filtered water, so use your own discretion on this topic.
Doggie Bags
If your dog goes to the bathroom, the leave no trace policy states you must pick it up and pack it out. Some people don’t think its necessary to pick up dog poop on a hike. The reason it is recommended is because dog feces contains a large amount of bacteria and parasites that can run off into drinking water and cause humans to get sick. If you do this, use thick, scented bags to conceal the smell so it doesn’t bother you throughout the rest of your hike.
First Aid Kit
First aid is essential for any hike. If there is an accident, you might not be able to get medical attention right away. First aid kits treat minor to moderate injury and provide necessary items for wilderness related accidents. However, dogs require different essentials than what’s available in the average human first aid kit. Pack a dog specific first aid kit for any accidents or injuries your dog might have. It is better to have it and not use it, than need it and not have it.
Post-Hike
After a hike, always check your dog for any cuts, scrapes, ticks, etc. It is essential to do this even if you used all preventative steps. Ticks can sometimes still find their way onto your dog even with every prevention method, so check under their fur in case they picked up any hitchhikers. Ticks are commonly found on a dogs neck area. Check this region well. Minor cuts and scrapes are also important to assess after a hike. Especially on their paws, cuts clot slower and tend to bleed more. If you find any cuts or scrapes, clean them well and assess the damage. Small scrapes usually heal on their own, but keep an eye on them to monitor infection.
If there are any signs of infection, contact your vet. If there are larger cuts from sharp rocks or dry, cracked paws, it may be more difficult to stop them from bleeding. In the case you aren’t able to stop a cut from bleeding, contact your vet immediately.
Hiking is beneficial for your mind, body, and soul. Your dog experiences benefits from hiking that improves their body function, mental state, and weight. Bring your dog on your next hike! Use this list to ensure a comfortable, fun hike for you and your dog.
