If you’ve been yearning for a taste of the great outdoors but are hesitant to leave your beloved pet alone at home, it’s high time to consider simply taking them along to a pet-friendly campsite. Camping with your dog isn’t only a fresh way for you and your fur baby to get much-needed exercise and mental stimulation, but also a potential deep bonding opportunity.
Of course, taking your pet along on a
camping trip also comes with its fair share of risks and challenges. You’ll
want to pack and prepare carefully to avoid any setbacks that might put a
damper on your time together. While planning a campout with your pet might feel
overwhelming at first, familiarizing yourself with mistakes that first-time
campers frequently make is a good place to start. That way, you’ll have some
idea of what you need to avoid and what’s better to do instead.
Here are five of the most common mistakes
you’ll want to steer clear of when camping with pets:
Neglecting Their Vaccines
Pups that aren’t fully vaccinated lack
protection from all sorts of diseases that they might catch outdoors, so
camping trips are generally risky for them. Hence, before you even begin
considering camping with your dog, it’s best to ensure that they’re completely
up-to-date on all their medications and vaccines. This might mean waiting until
your new puppy is old enough to get fully vaccinated before taking them along
on their first campout. If you’ve adopted a new dog from a shelter, meanwhile,
you definitely should check if they’ve been given their second round of
vaccines before heading out.
Your veterinarian may also recommend
getting a flea and tick treatment for dogs that spend extended amounts of time
outdoors. This is because these parasites can cause a wide variety of diseases
in dogs, some of which lead to lifelong health complications and even death if
left untreated. Be sure to consult your vet for the best possible options for
your dog instead of settling for just any medication you can buy over the
counter.
Packing Too Little Food and Water
Hiking and camping require lots of energy
from both you and your dog, so it only makes sense that you’d both be much
hungrier than normal after a full day out and about. Thus, it’s a good idea to
pack more food and water than you think you need. Though the specific amount
will vary depending on your dog’s size and energy levels, one good rule of
thumb is to assume your dog will need about 50 percent more food per day you
spend outdoors.
Naturally, it’s also a good idea to pack
extra dog treats to
help encourage good behavior while camping. You’ll generally want your dog to
stick close by your side on hiking trails, stay quiet and calm in the presence
of other animals, and respond immediately to your voice commands. Reinforcing
these positive behaviors with a treat will make your pup more likely to repeat
them on future camping trips.
Not Taking a Dog First Aid Kit
It’s highly unlikely that the campsite you
choose will have a veterinary clinic or animal hospital nearby, so preparing a
first aid kit specifically for your pet is a must. To ensure your peace of
mind, it’s best to purchase a dedicated pet first aid kit online or at your
local pet supplies store. These contain special tools, bandages, and medications
expressly made for use on animals. In case of an emergency, you’ll have all the
equipment you need to take care of minor injuries or keep your pet in stable
condition while you transport them to the nearest vet.
Bringing a Small Tent
Any pet parent will be familiar with dogs’
tendency to take up way too much space in bed. With this in mind, consider
taking a larger tent on your camping trip than you feel you’d usually need,
even if you only have a small dog. This ensures that both you and your pet can
rest comfortably without jostling each other for precious floor space.
Leaving Your Pet Alone on the Campsite
You might be able to leave your dog alone
at home safely for a few hours every day, but leaving them alone in your
campsite for any length of time is generally regarded as a huge no-no. No
matter how well-behaved your pup can be, the risk that they’ll run into trouble
outdoors is still too great to ignore. They might get excited and chase after
squirrels and other critters, for example, or cross paths with larger predators
passing through your campsite.
Hence, it’s best to resist the temptation
to leave your dog tied to a tree or inside your tent, even if it’s just for a
few minutes. Camping with your pet means being prepared to keep them with you
at all times, from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. You’ll also
want to brush up on your chosen campsite’s leash rules, as most won’t let you
take your dog off-leash unless you’re inside your tent.
While camping with pets undoubtedly
requires care and preparation, the rewards of the experience are well worth it.
You and your favorite companion will surely both enjoy the opportunity to get
away from the hustle and bustle of your normal lives and take in the great
outdoors.
