Summer Camping with Pets: Tips for a Great Adventure

This summer, don’t leave your pets behind! Plan your dream camping trip and make room to bring them along. Pet owners know best how hard it is to leave them at home even for a short time. So how much better would it be to have that special buddy alongside you? Besides– we already see how ecstatic they are just to go for a walk together! Give them the trip of a lifetime, and make lasting memories together.

Camping with your animal companion seriously enhances a trip. Your sense of security, ability to bond and train your pet, and so much more improve. In this blog, read our tips to support their comfort and needs while having the time of your lives!

Your Pet’s Comfort While Camping

A comfortable pet is key to a happy adventure buddy. And luckily, their comfort is easy to cater to! From a plush bed to staying cool– let’s make camping a great experience for our four-legged friends.

The Sleeping Situation

Give the ultimate treat to your pet– their very own camping pet bed! A heavy-duty, durable canvas bed is the perfect camping nap spot. A canvas bed is very easy to clean, too. That makes your life as a pet owner so much easier! Canvas is both insulating and breathable, ensuring your pet’s comfort day and night.

Consider a Thunder Jacket

Pet owners may have heard of this, or already own one. A thunder jacket is a weighted coat that your pet can wear when they’re feeling anxious. Sort of like how humans use a weighted blanket! First-time furry campers may be uneasy at the change of scenery at first. Heavy weather, new sights, smells, and sounds may make your pet edgy. Ensure their peace of mind with the comfort of a thunder jacket.

Dealing With the Heat: Sun Protection

Camping in the summer can be really hot. Especially for furry animals! Use a sunshade or tarp as a covering to block the sun. Make sure cool, clean water is readily available to them. Go the extra mile and even apply pet-safe SPF on their nose, or any other vulnerable area.

Not all pets are keen on this one– but try using protective booties. Not only does this prevent scrapes and injuries to the paws. But it also prevents burns on a hot trail, sand, or pavement. 

Health and Safety Checklist

Camping is not the time to take risks with your dog’s health and wellness (there’s really never a time to do that)! Being exposed to the wild outdoors means new risks, plants, other campers, and wildlife. In the same way, you prepare yourself for a healthy and safe trip, plan for your pet, too! Here are a few areas to keep in mind when planning your trip.

Flora and Fauna

Our campers love to look at, smell and sometimes pick flowers and leaves along the trail. But not all flora and fauna are friends to our domesticated animals. They may cause sensitivities, allergies, and sometimes very serious illnesses to pets. Find out what kinds of plants are safe for your pet to sniff or munch on, and what aren’t.

Ticks and Bugs

Do your research! Find out what types of bugs to be aware of– like ticks. Be prepared! Apply an anti-tick solution to your pet before getting to your camping destination. Check with your veterinarian to find the best solution for your pet. Similarly to plants, research what kinds of bugs to be extra aware of.

Wildlife Awareness & Precautions

When you camp with a pet, we advise you to kick your wildlife awareness up a notch. Wild animals– especially predators– will definitely pick up on other animals’ scents. If they pick up on an unfamiliar scent, like a dog or cat, that heightens the risk of encountering a curious or territorial animal. Keep all food, kibble, and heavily scented items like toys in an airtight bear box when you’re not at camp. Pack bear spray, and a horn for extra safety! This is not only to keep yourself safe but camping neighbors around you. It’d be a shame to attract unwanted animals to the campground and put others at risk, too.

First-aid

Up to date on shots? Anytime you travel with a pet, even if it’s locally or to a campsite, make sure they’re all set to go. Visit your veterinarian before a camping trip to ensure your pet is set to go.

Remember, you are all sharing the outdoor space with other wildlife. Rabies shots, among others, are crucial to your pet’s safety. Apply an anti-tick treatment if necessary. These are just a couple of things to note, among others. Your pet (and pocketbook) will thank you for taking precautions!

Hydration and Filtration

Your pet should be able to hydrate just as much and as often as you do! A great tip is to take water breaks together. After all, you’re both exerting energy on a hike or adventure. And if your pet is extra furry, they may get overheated faster.

There are lots of on-the-go water solutions for pets on the market. Find the one that works for you. These can be lightweight and easy to pack. At the campsite, have a bowl of fresh clean water available at all times. Bring it inside the camping tent at night!

As for water filtration, the rule is simple: if you wouldn’t drink it, neither should your pet! Ensure you and your pet are drinking the same, clean water. Pack some extra iodine, and if necessary, use your water filtration system for them, too!

Clean Up After Yourselves!

It is an absolute must if you don’t want other wildlife to pick up on your scent. This aligns with having generally heightened wildlife awareness.

You’re responsible for cleaning up your pet’s waste not just for cleanliness’ sake, but for safety, too. Bears, cougars, and other predators have keen senses that will pick up on a smaller animal. If they come across your pet’s waste or scent, they may become attracted to your campground and site. Do everyone a favor and clean up after your pet! Bring waste bags to dispose of promptly and properly. And don’t leave them along the trails!

Leash Laws: Get to Know ‘Em

This is kind of a given, already. Avid campers and hikers know that typically leash laws apply in popular areas. Please be respectful of what is expected of you as a camper and hiker. No matter how well-trained your pet is (and oftentimes they are so loyal and obedient). But it’s better never to assume that other people are as comfortable with your pet as you are! Not to mention possible allergies, triggers, or other issues that may not be obvious. Abide by leash laws where you’re camping and have a stress-free retreat together.

Why Our Furry Friends Make the Perfect Camping Companions

Camping with our pets is an unmatched experience. Including pets when camping enhances our own comfort and opens new ways to bond together. Their keen senses, simple joy, and endless curiosity are contagious!

Having a trusty pet with you also enhances your safety. Perhaps your pet is a good guard dog, or you want to train them to be. Get out of the mundane and into the natural elements together. It will heighten your pet’s natural instincts, and allow them to make new discoveries. You will learn to rely on each other in new ways, strengthening bonds.

It’s no secret that our pets improve our mental wellness, too. Sharing this journey with them will enhance your confidence in outdoor abilities. Not to mention, people– generally– love pets! It’s a great conversation piece and a way to make friends at a campground. 

Watching your pet enjoy the great outdoors will in turn help you find deeper joy in the outdoors, too. So, this summer, make memories together and plan the ultimate camping trip with your pet. Besides, everything’s more fun with a buddy!

Final Thoughts…

There is truly nothing better than sharing an adventure with your best friend. This summer, plan the ultimate camping getaway with your furry friends. Treat them to the best comfort, safety, and experience. This is such a stellar way to not only bond but to enhance your overall experience outdoors.

With the right gear and a positive attitude, you’ll never have to worry about leaving your pet behind on future camping trips. Pets live the life that we give to them. So give them something unforgettable. Share the things you love most, with the pets you love most! This summer, camp with your furry friends and you will never regret it!

Happy camping!