Whether your family members have two legs or four, you need to look after them when you go camping.
This isn’t quite as simple as just chucking some extra food in the car.
You want your furry friend to enjoy their camping experience and have as much fun as you.
Add these dog camping essentials to your packing list to make sure nothing is left behind when you go camping with your canine.
Top 10 Dog Camping Essentials
1. Collapsible Water Bowl
If you’ve ever tried to give your dog a drink from your water bottle, then a collapsible bowl is likely to be high up your priority list when you’re out and about with your dog.
As they’re pretty cheap, it’s worth buying a few bowls that you can keep permanently with your camping and hiking gear so you don’t risk leaving them behind.
Our favorite is the Bivy from Ruffwear that even has a hang loop to attach to a caribiner on your packs or to hang dry.
2. Food and Treats
Dogs love being able to run around outdoors, but if they’re getting more exercise than normal, you’ll need to pack some extra food.
Dried food (kibble) is preferable to wet and only put out what your dog will eat as leaving food lying around could attract unwanted wildlife.
If you’re backpacking and looking for a lighter alternative to your dog’s regular food, you can also buy freeze-dried dog food.
Doggy treats are great for rewarding good behavior around the campsite.
Stock up on your pooch’s favorites or make some homemade trail treats.
3. Dog Camping Bed
Some dogs will happily curl up on the ground (or your feet?) but if you want to protect them from cold or damp surfaces, you’ve got a few different options.
A cut-down foam sleeping pad is cheap, lightweight and easy to strap to the back of your pack if you’re backpacking.
Padded beds like Ruffwear’s Highlands Dog Bed are rather like oversized cushions.
They’re great for providing somewhere soft for your fur baby to lie, and they’re machine washable, but if the ground is cold, you may want another insulating layer underneath.
Alternatively, you could go for a raised bed like this HDP Elevated Napper which folds up like a camp chair.
This is a great option for older dogs or those who feel the cold, particularly when you use it in combination with a sleeping bag.
4. Dog Sleeping Bag
When the temperatures drop at night, you rely on your cozy sleeping bag to keep you warm.
And while your pooch might try and wriggle their way into your bag, you’ll both sleep more comfortably if they have their own sleeping bag.
The Highlands Dog Sleeping Bag is an ideal option for camping and backpacking since it’s light and compressible.
It comes in two sizes, is insulated and water resistant, not to mention that it’s designed to fit in Ruffwear’s dog packs such as the Palisades and Approach.
Why not have your pup carry their own sleeping bag!
On a tight budget?
Convert a kid’s sleeping bag or an old jacket like in this video…
5. Tie Out or Pet Pen
Letting your dog run around a campsite is not cool. In fact, most campgrounds will require you to keep your dog on a leash at all times.
But if you’re trying to cook or do other tasks, you don’t want to be juggling your four-legged friends at the same time.
A heavy-duty stake that you can secure your dog’s leash to is the simplest option, but if you’re camping on stony ground, you may struggle to get it deep enough into the ground.
Another option is to create a cable run between two trees like the Knot-a-Hitch from you probably guessed it – Ruffwear.
If you’re looking for a solution to secure multiple dogs so they don’t get tangled around trees or each other, Alpine Outfitters provide custom-made picket lines.
One alternative to tying your dog up is to use a portable pet pen.
This gives them a bit of space to move around and they can’t tangle themselves in their leash.
6. First Aid Kit
It’s always worth bringing a first aid kit when you’re camping, but don’t forget about your dog!
You can either buy a ready-made pet first aid kit or add a couple of dog-specific items, such as bandages and paw protectors, to your human kit.
7. Dog Backpack
A dog pack gives your pooch an extra workout and lightens your load if you’re backpacking.
Just make sure you build the weight up slowly and don’t overload them.
The Ruffwear Approach and Palisades that we mentioned above are both highly-rated packs that have plenty of capacity for bulkier items such as a towel or water bottle.
Read Our Review of the: Best Dog Backpacks
8. Dog Jacket and Cooling Vest
If you’re camping in cold or hot weather, your furry friend may need a bit of help regulating their body temperature.
There are lots of jackets out there for different breeds of dog, and you’ll probably have your own favorite brand.
If you’re looking for a lightweight layer, the Ruffwear Wind Sprinter jacket is a great option.
For full-on winter conditions, check out their Power Hound that features synthetic insulation and stretch fabric so your dog retains their full range of motion.
Hot weather poses a completely different problem.
Cooling vests are designed to keep your dog cool even when they’re exercising.
You soak the vest in cold water and as the water evaporates, it has a cooling effect, similar to how sweat cools our bodies.
And our friends at Ruffwear will keep your pup cool with either the Swamp Cooler (max coverage) or Jet Stream dog cooling vests.
9. Collar Light
Don’t lose sight of your dog in the dark.
A small LED light that can attach to your pup’s collar will make them visible to you and other people on the campground or trail.
10. Microfiber Towel
Microfiber camping towels have long been a part of every backpacker’s gear list.
They’re packable, lightweight and dry quickly – much more practical than lugging around your fluffy bath towel from home.
If your dog has a tendency to make a beeline for the nearest lake, river or muddy puddle, then a towel is essential for drying them off before they run into your tent.
Just make sure you choose different colors for doggy and human towels!
Wrapping It pUp
Although you’re likely to use many of these items on a day to day basis, it may be worth buying duplicate items so you can keep the dog camping essentials permanently with your camping kit.
Now get packing and head out to your favorite campground with the whole family in tow!
