The Ultimate Guide for Dog Hiking Gear

With most people leading fast-paced lifestyles, it’s easy to see why many look forward to the weekend when they can finally get their gear out, grab their canine buddies and head out to the nearest trail. However, while it is undoubtedly fun and exciting to be able to share your love of the outdoors with your furry best friend, it is also important that you keep them safe and comfortable the whole time. This is where dog hiking gear comes in handy.

`

When it comes to hiking gear for your pup, it is always best to start with the basics. The last thing you want is to head out for a hike without one of these things:

• A dog leash and a spare, you’ll never know when you might need it
• Poop bags— you do want to leave trails clean
• A travel bowl or a dog water bottle
• A poop bag holder to have somewhere to pack out your loaded poop bags as not all trails may have trash bins for waste disposal
• A first aid kit for your pup in case an emergency comes up
• Food and snacks not just for your pups but for you too

Once you have all the basic gear laid out, your next step is to investigate the conditions of the trail you’re heading. There may be a need for you to add to the basics you’ve already laid out.

If the trail has some water sources and your pup loves taking a dip, then a dog life vest is always a good idea to bring along. Some people might tell you it’s silly considering how dogs can swim. However, accidents do happen, and you want to err on the safe side than feel sorry later. Even the most excellent dog swimmers can be taken by surprise by strong currents. In some cases, your pup might not anticipate how much colder the water is and having a life vest on him is going to make all the difference. With so many options to choose from in the market these days, finding a comfy and cozy fit should be easy enough to do.

Then there’s the matter of the weather. Your dog needs to stay cool when it’s hot out. Heatstroke is pretty common and can happen with little to no warning and with devastating consequences. So, it doesn’t hurt to know what are the telltale signs that your dog is overheating. It is also advised to steer clear from trails where temperatures can get higher than 85 degrees. If you think that the weather is safe enough but can get a bit hot for your pup, a dog cooling vest is a good idea. All you need to do is drop it in water, wring the excess water out, and put it on your pup to provide him with instant cooling relief.

If you like hiking in the winter, then your concern should be hot to keep your dog comfortably warm the whole time. While there are breeds that wouldn’t flinch a bit when hiking in the snow, some do need a bit of a helping hand. In this case, one dog hiking gear you might want to look into is a rain jacket or a coat to ensure insulation.

When hiking during tick or flea season, investing in preventive medication is always advised. There are typical or oral solutions that you can find out there and will save you so much unnecessary hassle down the road.

Here are some of our recommended basic dog hiking gear pieces that are worth looking into:

Odor-Proof Waste Bag

One piece of dog hiking gear you should never go without is a waste bag. But what’s even better than that? An odor-proof one! Many people often forget that most trails do not have trash bins, making it a challenge to dispose of rash and dog waste. Since carrying around a smelly poop bag isn’t exactly fun ad leaving it behind the trail is out of the question, a waste bag that prevents the unwanted smells from leaking out is the more ideal option.

Shareable Dog Water Bottle

Sharing your water bottle with your dog while on the trail is not always ideal. You either must put up with dog slobber getting into your water bottle or lots of water will go to waste. These days, you can get your dog his own water bottle to prevent all that. What’s even better is that these bottles are designed so you can share the same water container with your pup— hygienically, of course! The design allows your dog to drink from a snap-on bowl while you take gulps from the top. If more water is necessary for the hike but you want to pack light, a collapsible travel bowl for your pup is something to consider.

Advanced dog hiking gear

If you’ve got all the basics covered but want to look for dog hiking gear that will add more fun to your hike, there are a few pieces we’d love to recommend.

For instance, a hiking pack is always a good idea for the seasoned canine hiker. Not only will this help lighten how much load you’ll carry, but it is also one way of giving your pup a sense of purpose while on the hike. High-energy dogs will also benefit from such a hiking gear as this will help them burn some extra canine calories.

If your dog has never had any experience carrying a load before, take the time to ease him into it. Take him to short neighborhood outings with an empty pack in tow. You can then increase the weight gradually until he gets used to it. You can also ask your vet for advice, especially if you have a dog breed that is prone to spine and hip disorders.

Once cleared to carry a backpack, make sure to stick to what your pup can comfortably carry. In this case, never go beyond a quarter of his overall body weight.

When choosing a dog backpack, see if you can find one that has reflective strips. This ensures that even when hiking in low light, it is easy enough to spot your pup. Find a pack that is durable and lightweight, preferably with a saddlebag or harness design.

Dog tents are another thing you might want to consider investing in too. While it is certainly fun to share the space with your dog, it helps to set your expectations ahead of time. Sharing a tent can be a challenge, especially with a gassy, grimy dog and one who’s likely to let out some rather deafening snores. Other dogs are not just used to sleeping in such a confined space for an entire night. This is why providing them with their own tent may be the better idea.

In addition, tents aren’t just for those times when you intend to set up camp and stay a night or two outdoors. It is also handy even during regular day hikes. For instance, you might want to rest and chill for a bit while on the trail, and a tent would do the trick. It is also most useful for providing your pup with some much-needed shade, especially when hiking on a hot day.

Troubleshooting dog hiking gear on the trail

There are times when despite how much your dog wants to be on the trail, they may have a hard time tackling the challenge ahead. Luckily, there are tools out there that can lend your pup a hand. You can also refer to your vet to find out about what your pup is capable of and what can and cannot be expected to do when on a hike.

 

Doggie backpack

For smaller dogs who have the enthusiasm but with legs a few inches short to tackle a terrain, a dog backpack is a wonderful hiking gear to have. Not only will this let them walk the easier parts of the trail, but it also lets them get onto a satchel if they’re having a hard time keeping up or some obstacles are a bit too much for them to take on. 

Larger dogs do tend to need that occasional lift on the trail. In this case, a dog backpack aimed at medium to large dogs is something worth investing in. Make sure to check the maximum weight capacity of these backpacks. Be very particular about the design too and look for those that offer comfort for your pup via lumbar support straps as well as interior padding.

 

Boots for your dog

Dog boots are very useful hiking tools as well. While most dogs' paws should be calloused enough to handle strolls on the beach or the sidewalk, a rocky, jagged terrain is a whole different beast to conquer. Doggie boots are great for protecting your dog’s paws from cold snow, hot rocks, slippery mud, and sharp stream beds.  

Admittedly, it can take a bit of time for dogs to get used to wearing them. However, if this means that your pup can come with you on your adventures, then they would be more than willing to put up with it. The key is to give them enough time to ease into it.

If you’re worried about your pup’s paws but would prefer him not to wear boots, there are treatments for dry dog skin that you can look into. This comes in the form of oils, butter, and salves and is very helpful in restoring damaged, dry, and cracked paws in no time.

 

Not all dogs want to hike

Lastly, if after all the work and the preparations you’ve put in, your pup is just not buying into the idea of hiking and going on a trail, it is fine. Some dogs are made for the outdoors, others would just prefer curling up in their comfy spot at home. Just because they aren’t going on outdoor adventures on the regular doesn’t mean they are less happy. It also doesn’t mean you love them less if you leave them in their favorite spot at home while you go out and explore the great outdoors. At the end of the day whatever things both of you do, whether together or on your own, what matters is that these are healthy, fun, and most importantly, safe for both of you!