Camping is a great way to enjoy nature and bond with friends and family or sometimes even when you want to have some peace and quiet for yourself. Aside from giving you physical exercise, camping may also make you feel energized and relaxed.
But while camping with relatives and friends is fun, have you ever tried camping with your furry companions? If you haven’t yet, now might be the perfect time to get on with it. With a bit of preparation, planning, and some tricks up your sleeve, you can surely make your camping trip with your dogs a fun, smooth, and memorable one.
Outdoor Fun With Your Dogs
Outdoor fun could be beneficial for you and your dogs. While you’re excited to do a little hiking, grill hotdogs and marshmallows, and maybe go fishing, your dogs are just as thrilled to be out and about. They’d see the activity as a way to bond and spend time with you, which is what dogs always love. So to make sure your camping with dogs would be a fun and smooth trip, here are some tips and tricks you might want to take note of.
1. Prepare Your Dogs
Before your scheduled trip, ensure your dogs are healthy and ready for the outdoors. If it’s their first time going camping with you, take time to visit their vet and ask about their vaccinations and licenses. Inform the vet of the details of your getaway so they can give you reminders and tips on how you can keep your dogs safe and protected throughout the entire journey.
If you still have time, you can prepare your pets for the long hike or walk by taking them on short day trips. In doing so, you can test their endurance and how they might react when out in the wild. Take them to parks, rivers, or somewhere near but somehow mimics the ambiance of your camping site. Enrolling them in dog training where they can learn hiking is a good idea, especially if you plan on making the trip a regular outdoor activity for all of you moving forward.
2. Pack Enough Food And Water For Them
Dogs need to stay hydrated and energized, so they need to have food and water. This way, you can be sure they’d be comfortable and happy while on the road or until you reach your destination. Clean drinking water is a must, not just for you but also for your furry buddies. Don’t rely on water you think would be available at the campsite, especially if you’re not sure of its quality and cleanliness.
Bring extra food or meals for your dogs in case something goes wrong and you’d need to extend your stay. If your trip is scheduled for a night, bring dog food that could last for up to two days. Pack the food and water well, and make sure the containers are waterproof, sturdy, and critter-proof to avoid bears or other wild animals from smelling them.
3. Make Sure They’d Be Comfortable
Don’t forget to bring your dogs’ beddings. It could be an air mattress or a thick blanket, depending on the weather and where your campsite will be. Make sure they won’t be sleeping on cold ground as that could make them chilly all night long. If you’re only able to bring a cloth bed, you can put a piece of plastic or tarp underneath so your dogs would still be protected from the cold.
4. Plan Some Exciting Activities You Can Do With Your Dogs
Your dogs are surely looking forward to spending lots of time with you, so try your best to make the most out of your trip. You can plan some exciting but safe activities you can all enjoy together, such as canoeing (if your dogs can stay calm and obedient while on it). If you have smaller pets, you can bring a carrier backpack with you so you can carry them around as you enjoy the view and inhale fresh air.
When nighttime comes, you can start a bonfire and grill some hotdogs or sausages, depending on your dogs’ preference. If you have friends or family with you, you may enjoy a bottle of beer or two while listening to good music and laughing your hearts out on great jokes and stories.
Final Words
It’s different to plan a camping trip when you’re going with your beloved dogs. There are several things you’d need to pack, and you have to ensure they’d be comfortable and safe throughout the trip. Visiting your dogs’ veterinarian is the first thing you might want to do before going on outdoor fun with your furry friends. To find out the nearest vet in your locality, you can rely on an online vet directory like GreatVet. For instance, if you are searching for a local veterinarian in Chicago, the platform can quickly help you get the list of the top veterinarian clinics in that area. That way, you can be sure they’re healthy and protected with necessary vaccines.
Pack enough food and water for all of you. Don’t forget their beddings so they could sleep soundly when it’s time to snuggle up inside the tent. Lastly, plan some exciting and fun activities that’d make your dogs happy and keep them looking forward to your next camping trip.
