7 Tips for Camping With Pets

Hey campers and welcome to my post where I will we will discuss my 7 tips for camping with pets this year.  One of the great things about camping is its capability to strengthen the bond with our loved ones – including pets.

However, as delightful as it can be to have our pets to tag along with us on our nature trips, it is vital to remember that there are inherent challenges that go along with it.  So to help you out, I have come up with some camping tips that guarantee everybody is having a good time  – even our furry little friends.

Let’s check them out.

This step aims to help you determine how your pets would handle camping environments. Sleeping inside a tent could mean an adjustment for them, so here are some guidelines for a camping trial run:

1. Choose a big tent: Since you will be sharing with your animal friends, sleeping inside a large family sized tent is a good choice. Each of you can sleep comfortably in this situation, especially if the temperature is hot and humid.
2. Secure your tent; This implies keeping the tent closed because your pets might linger outside without you knowing.
3. Provide white noise: If you have your dogs with you, they might be kept awake by the sounds within the campsites. Such a situation could make them bark loud as well so to address such issues, give them white noise as they rest to help them sleep deeply.
4. Keep everything similar as much as possible: Keep sleeping arrangements similar to those at home to help your pet relax. Bring your pet’s bed or crate, with you or if it happens at home, make sure your mattress is big enough for all – oh, and probably avoid the blow up options here.

This one is probably self-explanatory but examine your pets’ health when you decide to take them to the great outdoors.  Many campgrounds have a pet waiver you must sign which certifies that your pet is healthy and has received all vaccinations as well.

If your pet requires medication, bring enough medicines for your trip and a few extras if some are damaged or lost. If your pet suffers from chronic medical conditions, you should bring copies of medical records as this will allow any veterinarian to make more timely and appropriate decisions about your pet’s care should an emergency arise.

It again probably goes without saying but before you book anything you will need to ensure that the campgrounds you are looking at actually accepts pets in the first place.  From here, I recommend researching the campground’s pet policies and rules. The owners prepare these to ensure their customers have a good time while bringing their pets.

Here are some general camping rules for pet owners that you might encounter:

1. Many do not permit you to leave your pet unattended at the campsite or cabin. This policy is usually to protect both other campers and local wildlife as well. It is even recommended to bring a crate so your pet has a familiar home while camping with you or a fence so that they can walk around a little without leaving your site. It will be detrimental if they are new to exploring the great outdoors in an unfamiliar setting!
2. You may be required to keep your pets on a leash at all times unless in your campsite. Staff might encourage you to take walks around their campground with your pet, but they should be kept on a leash. You can keep an eye on your pet wherever you go this way.
3. Always clean up after your pet. Whether staying close to home in your cabin or campsite or exploring the campground, we must respect nature and our fellow campers by keeping the grounds clean.
4. Dogs must not bark – period.

So once you know that pets are indeed allowed, then look for campgrounds that have pet friendly options as well.  In fact, there are some that take ‘pet friendly’ to the next level with sites that include:

1. Pet playgrounds
2. Pet hiking trails
3. Pet-friendly tent sites
4. In-house vets
5. Accommodating staff

At the very least, you will want somewhere with fresh water and space for them to run.

Checklists are helpful in keeping everything organized, giving us assurance we have not missed any major or minor detail. As you prepare for camping trips with your pets, I advise you to produce a checklist of anything you might need to bring or do.

Below are some items that you should not leave home without:

1. I.D. tags or contact information: If your pet is not microchipped, a collar or harness with tags and a license may be required. An essential function of a tag or collar for your pet is to indicate that it has a home. That way, if your pet ever escapes unexpectedly, anyone who finds them will be able to help them get home.
2. First aid kit: In case of emergency, this item will help treat any type of wound or illness. Carry one for you and your pet. You can prepare a first aid kit tailor-fit to your needs by visiting some online stores.
3. Leash, collar, harness, and some extras, too: You never know when you’ll need an extra leash as you explore the backcountry. Furthermore, you can clip the two together to give your pet more freedom while still keeping them under control. Something bright or reflective is ideal, especially if your dogs are outside at night.
4. Poop bags or shovel: Poop bags help keep the environment clean for obvious reasons. I recommend that you use biodegradable dog poop bags. 
5. Food and water bowls: These items help your pet enjoy its meal even if you are enjoying mother nature. Collapsible bowls are preferable since they are portable and do not take much space.
6. Food treats and storage: Depending on your pet’s age, fitness, and level of activity, their nutrition is equally important as yours. Treats or toys, whatever your dog finds most rewarding, should be brought along. To avoid a mess, keep food in dependable, leak-proof containers.

Participate in a variety of pet-friendly activities to keep your pet active. Specific campgrounds allow pets to ride in their canoes, rafts, and kayaks as long as their nails are trimmed and they wear life jackets.

And as above, others provide a specific playground for your animal companions. Such amenities would be very appealing to your pets.  You can also bring your pets along on some fantastic hiking trails. There is no need to be concerned as long as they are leashed or under control- and you have a poop bag at the ready.

And finally, going out with our pets produces happy memories, and what better way to preserve them other than taking some pictures or shooting some videos. Your smartphone could do the trick here, so you will have to ensure your batteries are up to the task. For this reason, you could include your powerbanks as part of your camping gear.

And there they are, my 7 tips for memorable camping with our furry friends. I would be pleased to know how this article helped you, and as usual,  let me know of your experiences here.

Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, corrections, or would like me to check anything else out for you.

Until next time.

Have fun

Paul