What To Pack For Camping With Your Dog Checklist
If you’re thinking about bringing man’s best friend with you on your next camping trip, then look no further. This Camping With Your Dog Checklist is just what you need to prepare for spending time in the great outdoors with your pet. Make sure you have everything you need so you can both enjoy your trip.
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Camping With A Dog Checklist
When camping with your dog, you’ll want to cover the 5 basic areas when packing: food, comfort, hygiene, safety, & entertainment. Below you’ll find a detailed list for each area of the Camping With A Dog Checklist.
| Food Dog food Water Containers Treats | Comfort Sweater Sleeping bag Dog bed or crate Shaded area | Hygiene Poop bags or shovel Towel Brush Baby wipes |
| Safety Collar, Leash & ID Tags Prescription Medicine Flashlight or reflective gear Flea/tick medicine Vaccine records First aid kit Stake & tie-out Paw Balm Sun protection Winter protection Bell for collar Recent photo | Entertainment Life jacket Toys Dog booties Dog saddle backpack Dog carrier | Misc Car seat cover Seatbelt harness |
As dog owners, we consider our dogs as part of the family. Taking them on a camping trip is a great way to get them outdoors & to spend time with them.
Whether this is your first time or you’ve been bringing your dog with you for years, this Camping With Your Dog Checklist will be a great resource to help you prepare for your next camping trip together. (Check out this solo camping checklist to help you pack for yourself!)
Food
Packing the proper amount of food and water for your dog’s needs is very important when getting ready for your outdoor adventure. You should keep in mind that while camping your pet will be outside in the elements for long periods of time and might eat and drink more than normal.
Dog Food
You should make sure to bring enough servings of food for each day that you’re out camping for your canine companion. For easier planning, you might measure the servings out in small containers or a plastic bag to help keep track.
For good measure, I always pack at least one or two extra servings just in case. You never know if you’ll get rained in for an extra day while camping or if your dog will accidentally spill one of their servings, making it hard to eat.
Having a few extra servings of your dog’s food is always a good idea.
Dog Bowl
To give your dog a sense of normalcy, make sure to bring a dog bowl for them to eat out of. This could be their normal dog bowl from home, a tupperware container, or a collapsible bowl.
Collapsible dog bowls are great because they are easy to store & travel with. Tupperware containers also work well because they come with a lid and can be easily stored while not eating.
Water
Knowing how much water to bring camping for your dog is really important. Your dog should have at least 1 ounce of water per pound of weight each day.
For example, if your dog weighs 15 pounds, then they’ll drink around 15 ounces (about 2 cups) of water each day during your trip.
If you know there is clean water from a natural water source near your campsite, then you might be able to pack less water for your dog. Dogs will typically drink from lakes and rivers when nearby.
Water Container
Make sure to have a water container for your dog to drink from. It could just be a bowl or you might opt for a travel container for your pup.
Our top pick for a traveling dog water container is this portable water dispenser.
It is compact, which makes it super easy to travel or hike with. We actually keep it in the cup holder of our vehicle 24/7 so we always have a way to give our dog water while on the road.
Treats
Don’t forget to bring the dog treats! While you’re enjoying s’mores and other camp foods, let your dog enjoy their dog treats.
Treats are a great way to give them some extra calories while they’re exerting more energy. Plus, it’s a nice incentive to keep them obedient while you’re out in the elements together.
Comfort
Making sure your dog is comfortable could make or break your camping trip. You want to make sure they have a place to relax during the day and a warm, dry place to sleep at night.
Sleeping Bag Or Blanket
Giving your dog warmth and comfort with a doggy sleeping bag or blanket will help to give them a good night of rest.
If you’re camping in a colder climate, then it is a good idea to have a sleeping bag ready for your dog. If you’re sleeping in moderate or warmer temperatures, then just having a blanket can do the trick.
Regardless, make sure your dog has something to snuggle into during the night in case they do get cold or need a little extra comfort. (Read more about how to stay warm in a sleeping bag here).
Sweater
Something else to consider while you’re out camping is if your dog needs some extra warmth in cold weather. Bringing a dog sweater is a great idea regardless of whether you think they’ll need it or not.
Having the sweater on hand will be nice if it gets rainy or windy and your dog needs an extra layer on them.
Dog Bed Or Crate
Your pup should have a comfortable and familiar place to rest during the day. It’s a great idea to bring their dog bed or crate from home so they can feel a sense of security.
If they use a dog bed, then it might also be helpful to bring it into the tent at night for them to sleep on.
Regardless, make sure you have a comfortable place for your dog to rest during the day (and at night) while they’re in a new environment.
Shaded Area
Along with a comfortable place to rest during the day, your dog needs some protection from the elements.
If you’re car camping, try to find a campsite with a shaded area (or throw up a tarp) for your dog to rest in the shade during the day.
Just like humans, dogs need a break from the sun throughout the day so they don’t overheat.
Hygiene
Hygiene is another important category on the Camping With Your Dog Checklist.
Keeping your dog clean will make your camping trip more enjoyable for you and them. You won’t want to get your camping gear dirty, and they’ll probably want to feel somewhat clean while they’re out in nature with you.
Poop Bags Or Shovel
This doesn’t necessarily keep your dog clean, but having poop bags or a shovel will keep your campsite clean.
It’s a good idea to clean up immediately after your dog so you don’t accidentally track it around your campsite.
It’s also safer for the environment to clean up after your dog. Your dog’s poop can affect the ecosystem, especially if it’s near a water source.
Either pick the waste up with a poop bag or dig a 6 inch hole to bury it in.
Towel
Having a towel (or a few) is going to come in handy while you’re camping with your dog. Dog’s paws get dirty easily, so you’ll have a quick way to wipe them off.
You also might need to rinse them off if they get too dirty, so having a towel will allow you to dry them off quickly.
Plus, if you’re near water, your dog is bound to take a swim. You’ll be so glad you have a towel with you when that happens!
Brush
Packing a brush for your dog isn’t a necessity, but it might be a good idea if you have a long-haired pup.
Your dog’s fur can easily get tangled while out in nature, so it might make your trip more pleasant if you can brush their hair out during the day.
Baby Wipes Or Pet Wipes
A super easy way to keep your dog clean during your camping trip is with baby wipes or pet wipes.
These can be used to wipe their paws, clean their slobber, or anything else that they might get into.
Pet wipes are specifically designed for dogs, which are the less harsh option, but unscented baby wipes work just as well if needed.
Safety
There are a lot of precautions you can take to keep your dog safe while you’re on your camping trip together.
This list will give you a better idea of what to focus on to ensure your four-legged friend stays safe and healthy.
Collar, Leash & ID Tag
Bringing a collar, leash, & ID tag for your dog are one of the most important items on this Camping With Your Dog Checklist.
You want to make sure you can keep your dog close by to keep them safe from wild animals.
It’s also important to have an ID tag on your dog’s collar just in case they wander off. It should have their name, plus your contact information (like address and phone number).
You want to be able to keep your dog near you so they don’t get into any sticky situations with other campers or wild life.
Stake & Tie-Out
It’s not realistic to keep your dog on a short leash with you at all times during your camping trip. A good option is to stake a long leash or tie out into the ground for them so they can wander a little bit, but not too far.
A long line will give them a little more freedom to roam the campsite, but keep them within watching distance of you at all times.
Bell For Collar
Wildlife, like bears and other predators, might be attracted to your dog’s scent. Having a bell on your dog’s collar is the best way to ward off other animals without causing any harm.
The noise of the bell usually spooks other wildlife and prevents them from coming too close.
The bell is also helpful for you to hear where your dog is at all times. If they wander too far, you’ll be able to listen for the bell to find your furry friend.
Flashlight Or Reflective Gear
It is hard to see your pet at night, especially while you’re out camping. Having a flashlight to hang from their harness or reflective gear is going to be really helpful.
These rechargeable glow collars are a great item to add to your dog checklist. They give off a nice glow which makes it easy to spot your dog around the campsite at night.
Another option is to have reflective gear on their collars. This will make it easy to spot them when you shine a flashlight around your campsite.
Either way, you want to make sure you can easily spot your dog while the sun is down.
Prescription Medicine
If your dog takes any prescription medicine, make sure to bring enough for your trip. Just like with packing dog food, it is a smart idea to pack a few extra doses of the medicine just in case.
You don’t want to be without their medicine while you’re miles away from your house.
Flea/Tick Medicine
This isn’t necessarily something you’ll pack for your trip, but you might give them some flea & tick medicine before your trip.
Being out in nature is the easiest way for your dog to encounter fleas & ticks. We like to do an at-home flea, tick, & mosquito treatment (always check with your vet first!) before our camping trips to ensure our dog will be protected.
Vaccine Records
Just in case you’re asked by a park ranger or another camper, it’s a good idea to have your pup’s most recent vaccine records.
This could come in handy too if your dog bites another dog. It doesn’t hurt to keep a printed copy in your glove box or a screenshot on your phone of their vaccine records.
First Aid Kit
There is a small chance that your dog will become injured, no matter where you are. It’s extra important to have a first aid kit with you while you’re camping, since you’ll be further away from your vet.
Some items to consider in your first-aid kit are:
- Hydrogen peroxide or alcohol
- Allergy medicine (like benadryl)
- Wrap bandages
- Liquid bandage
- Thermometer
- Sting relief
- Eye wash
- Tweezers
Paw Balm
Keeping your dog’s paws protected during your camping trip is something to consider. They might be walking on too hot or too cold surfaces that could irritate their paws.
Paw balm is a great way to soothe and add a protective barrier to their paws while you’re out camping.
Sun Protection
Dog’s aren’t immune to the sun, although it might seem that way sometimes. You’ll want to make sure they’re protected from sunburn & heat stroke while you’re camping.
It’s important to provide a shady area for your dog throughout the day with plenty of water. If they are going to be in the sun, then you might want to use a doggy sunscreen on them for extra protection.
Winter Protection
If you’re winter camping, then you need to pay extra attention to how to care for your dog in the wintry conditions.
This might include a coat, dog booties, or even bringing an extra shelter for them.
Recent Photo
Just in case you get separated from your dog, it is a great idea to have a printed photo (and one on your phone) that you can show other people.
If it’s printed, it will also allow you to hang it up at the nearest ranger station.
Entertainment
Along with bringing the right camping gear for safety, you want to make sure you have the right gear to have fun!
Planning for your dog to have new experiences with you is one of the best parts of camping.
For example, you might want to take your dog swimming or hiking with you. There are items on this packing checklist that will help you do just that.
Life Jacket
Dog’s are notorious for loving to swim. They are fearless when they swim too!
For their safety & to ease your own worries, it’s a good option to bring a life jacket for them.
This will ensure that they are safe in the event that they fall off your boat or floating device in deep water.
Dog Booties
Depending on the type of rough terrains that you’re camping or hiking in, then dog booties might come in handy. Dog booties will protect your dog’s paws from hot sand, freezing snow, and anything in between.
Dog Saddle Bag/Backpack
If you’re planning to take long hikes while you’re camping, then giving your dog their own day bag backpack will be a huge help.
This will allow them to carry their own water container, food, & poop bags. It will lighten your load, while making sure you have all the necessary gear for them to come hike with you.
Dog Carrier
If you have a small dog that can’t walk long distances, then you might bring a dog carrier pack with you.
This comes in handy if you want to walk around or take a long hike but need to give your little pup a break.
Toys
Whether you’re out adventuring or just relaxing at the campsite, your dog can enjoy their dog toys for some easy entertainment.
Bring their usual toys or buy them something new to spark more excitement during your trip.
Miscellaneous
These miscellaneous items are just suggestions to help keep your pup safe & your car clean as you’re traveling to your campsite.
You might consider using:
- Car seat cover protector
- Dog seatbelt harness
The last thing you want is your pup to be injured or a super dirty car after your fun camping trip.
Both of these items will stay in your car during your camping trip and can also be used for any other trips that you take your furry friend on.
Tips For Camping With Your Dog
Camping with your dog can be so much fun. Here are some tips to help you plan ahead & ensure you have the best trip possible.
- Find a dog-friendly campsite ahead of time. Every campsite has different rules & regulations, so it’s a good idea to call ahead and make sure you can bring your pup with you. You’ll also want to check to see if there are any leash rules to follow.
- If you’re in a national park, call ahead to make sure you can bring your furry friend. Some national parks don’t allow dogs to help protect land conservation efforts.
- Practice training at home. Make sure your dog can listen to your basic call for them so they’ll come when needed at your campsite.
- Make a visit to the vet to ensure your dog is caught up on vaccinations and to make sure they’re in good health for your trip.
- Always keep your dog in sight so they don’t wander off or become prey to other wildlife. This includes at night – it is best practice to have your dog sleep near you inside your tent or RV.
- Take your dog out for day trips before your camping trip to see how they respond to being in the car and in nature for longer periods of time. This will get them ready for an overnight camping trip.
FAQ
Conclusion
Taking your dog on your camping trip is always a good idea. They will have so much fun and can also offer you an extra layer of protection. Use this Camping With Your Dog Checklist to help you pack and prepare for your next camping trip.
Our Favorite Must-Have Camping Gear
Gazelle T4
Hub Tent
Jackery Solar
Generator
Qomotop Self-Inflating Mattress
THERMACELL MOSQUITO REPELLER
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Basic Camping Packing List
If this is your first time camping, or you need a refresh, then here is a free download for our Basic Camping Packing List. It is a full list of the basic items you need to bring for a successful camping trip.
