7 Awesome Dog Hiking Tips

A dog is man’s best friend. This is common knowledge and because of that fact, an owner may want to spend a lot of time with their dog and do fun things together. One of the ways in which an owner and his or her dog can bond is by going on a hike together. If you choose to go that route with your pet, here are seven tips you should follow in order for your dog and you to have the time of your lives. If you’re interested, please read on to find out these great hiking tips!

1) Keep your dog on a leash.

You wouldn’t want your dog to get lost during the hike, now, would you? At all times, it is recommended to keep your dog on a leash to make sure they don’t run away when they go chasing after a bird or a squirrel. Safety with your dog in mind should be a top priority before you go hiking with them.

2) Bring fresh water and a collapsible bowl.

It’s likely that during your hike that your dog is going to get thirsty and exert themselves physically quite a bit. Rather than having them drink from your water bottle or container, I would recommend getting them a collapsible bowl that they can drink water out of when they get thirsty. The water should be potable, clean, and the bowl should be able to fit into your backpack to carry it around during the hike. Because of that bowl and water, your dog will be able to hike for a longer period of time.

3) Bring food for you and some treats for your dog.

Hiking is quite a physically challenging activity for both you and your dog so you’re going to want to make sure to bring some food. Your body needs food to function and to have energy and that is no different when it comes to your dog. Please make sure to bring some treats for your dog, which you should be able to store in your backpack without any issues. Especially if you’re going on a long hike, it’s necessary for you and your dog to have some food to eat.

4) Get a backpack for your dog.

If you want to give your dog something to do during the hike, I would recommend checking out this guide from ‘Live Once Live Wild’ about dog backpacks. There are a few options that you can check out at this website regarding these special backpacks: Liveoncelivewild.com/best-dog-backpacks. It will be cool for your dog to wear one, it will help lessen the load for your own backpack, and it would be fun for them to carry their own weight in terms of their snacks, bowls, and water. There are tons of different options to choose from on Amazon but I would recommend that you get your dog a lightweight backpack since they won’t have any stress or pressure on their backs from carrying some gear.

5) Carry a first aid kit with you.

Medical emergencies can happen, so it’s best to be prepared for one by taking a first aid kit with you just in case something bad occurs. You want to make sure that you’ll be able to take care of yourself and your dog in case either of you gets injured. Having basic items like bandages, antibiotic ointment, rubbing alcohol, etc. could make the difference between a safe hike or a potentially disastrous one. If you care about the well-being of your pet, you’ll bring a first aid kit with you.

6) Avoid poor weather conditions.

If you are to go hiking with your dog, make sure that you use common sense and choose a day when it’s not too hot out, the humidity isn’t too brutal, and the wind isn’t too blustery. In addition to those conditions, hiking when it’s extremely cold or when there’s a lot of snow and rain are to be avoided. Your dog is still sensitive to the outdoor elements so you want to check and see continuously if they are panting for air, have frostbite, or are drooling due to overexertion. Be sure that weather conditions are good for you and your dog before beginning the hike.

7) Stay away from wild animals.

It would be foolish to bring your dog into close contact with wild animals so stay clear of any situations where you would brush up against a bear, a snake, or even a scorpion. Dogs and humans are both vulnerable to wild animals so make sure you use common sense in terms of which hiking trails you are using.

Hiking is a great activity to do with your dog. For more information about hiking tips with dogs, go here or here. Happy trails!