If you’re a dog owner and a camping junkie, you’ll likely want to bring your pup along on your next nature adventure. Even if your dog is low maintenance, you’ll need special dog camping gear to ensure your outdoor excursion is fun and safe for both of you.
Not sure where to start? Keep reading to learn all about the must-have dog camping gear for your next trip.
Basic Dog Camping Gear
Before getting all fancy with expensive dog camping gear, let’s think about your four-legged friend’s basic needs. That means food, water, and shelter–plus ways to make sure he or she doesn’t run off into the wilderness and get lost or hurt!
Food and Water Bowls
Though the need to bring food and water bowls might seem obvious, it’s easy to forget that dogs can’t drink out of water bottles like humans. You probably also don’t want to have to bring your expensive raised dog bowls from home, either.
So we suggest bringing along travel food and water bowls, which usually means collapsible silicone ones. They pack really small and ensure your pup is well-fed and hydrated!
Bed or Blanket
Though your pooch is probably capable of curling up and falling asleep on the grass, they’ll definitely be much more comfortable in a bed or under a blanket, especially if it’s cold outside.
Check out our best dog bed for camping to find the most comfortable option for them. Knowing they’re happy and warm will give you peace of mind!
Collar/Harness/Leash
Though the outdoors is beloved for the sense of freedom it gives you, sometimes too much freedom for your pup isn’t good, and other times it’s downright illegal. Whether or not dogs are allowed off-leash wherever your nature excursion destination is, a collar, leash, and/or harness are essential dog camping gear.
Even the most well-behaved pets can sometimes get spooked and run off! To make sure that doesn’t happen, pack a retractable leash appropriate for your dog’s size and weight.
Plus, some harnesses like dog packs even come with pockets so that your pup can help carry some of the camping load!
Waste Bags
Camping complicates the toilet situation for humans, but don’t forget that it does for pets, too! Just like your neighbors don’t like to find dog poop on the sidewalk, neither will fellow campers want to find dog poop on trails.
Plus, practicing the “leave no trace” policy is always a good idea, no matter how many four-legged friends you take with you. So remember to bring some poop bags to make sure your pooch follows it, too!
Towels
Towels are another element of dog camping gear that might have you rolling your eyes. You’ll always have some tissues on you anyways, right? But sometimes tissues aren’t enough: what if it starts raining? You’ll want some serious material to wipe the mud off your dog’s paws before you let them into the tent.
In our experience, the best tool for this is a big, thick dog towel that you don’t mind getting filthy!
Dog Camping Gear for Comfort
There’s basic dog camping gear, and then there’s the not-absolutely-necessary-but-still-nice dog camping gear! If you don’t mind spending a little more for your and your pooch’s comfort, then the next items on this list are for you.
Cooling and Heating Pads
Though it’s easiest to camp in mild weather, the more adventurous campers out there need to watch out for extreme temperatures for themselves and their dogs. If you’re going to be camping in very hot or very cold places, we suggest you bring a cooling or heating pad to ensure your pup doesn’t freeze or overheat.
Make sure to get self-heating pads or self-cooling pads. You won’t have a microwave or refrigerator to heat or cool the pads outdoors!
Dog Sleeping Bag
If you thought sleeping bags were only for humans, think again! A dog sleeping back can be a great addition to your dog camping gear, especially if you’re camping in cold weather conditions. If you’re considering buying one, look at our suggestions for the best dog sleeping bags on the market.
And if you want to be really extra, how about a dog hammock or a dog camping chair?
Accessories
Now that we’ve covered basic and comfortable dog camping gear, it’s time to get into the accessories. They won’t be needed on every camping trip, but might just come in handy for yours.
Lifejacket
If your camping trip takes you close to significant bodies of water, we recommend investing in a dog life jacket. Though most dogs are natural swimmers, it’s simply the safer option! Plus, you’ll enjoy your water activities even more when you know your pup is also secure.
Glow in the Dark Collar
One of the best parts about camping is when the sun goes down, everyone gathers by the campfire, and the stars light up the night sky. But it’s also true that this is the moment when it becomes easiest to lose things and hardest to find them—including dogs!
To make it easier to spot your dog in the dark, consider buying an LED collar.
Dog Booties
Though some pups can’t stand them, dog booties can be an important item on your dog camping gear list. They will protect your dog’s paws from getting wet and/or cold, and the best kinds even provide solid grips to avoid slipping while you’re hiking!
Tip: if you choose to get dog booties, let your dog try them out at home so that they can get used to them before the big trip.
Medical Needs
Though a first aid kit for humans is better than nothing if your pup gets into a pickle, you should make sure to have the appropriate pet-friendly medical equipment in your dog camping gear in case your dog gets hurt.
Dog First Aid Kit
Luckily for you, there are dog-specific first-aid kits out there. That means you don’t have to buy each product individually! Just take your time in researching the best dog first aid kit for your camping needs, and start your nature adventure with a lighter heart.
Bug Spray
As you may have started to realize, most things you need to go camping, your dog will also need. That includes products to deal with bugs!
Bug Repellant
Nasty mosquitos are just as annoying for your pup as they are to you. To help avoid annoying or painful bug bites, bring a bug repellant for dogs. You can choose anything from a natural bug spray to an insect shield bandana!
Remember that dogs are particularly vulnerable to fleas and ticks, so you might also want to add a flea and tick-specific spray to your dog camping gear list.
Flea and Tick Treatment
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, you might find ticks or fleas on your dog. Not to panic! Your dog’s first-aid kit will probably have a tick remover. But you should also bring along flea and tick treatment medicine to kill the nasty buggers and help your pup feel better faster.
Containment
We probably don’t have to tell you that holding on to your dog’s leash all day long gets old fast. Plus, on a camping trip, you have loads of things to do that are easier to get done if one hand isn’t occupied with your dog.
So how do you stay in control of your four-legged friend if they have to stay on a leash? The answer is crates, containment pens, or tie-out cables.
Crates or Containment Pens
Travel crates or containment pens are a great addition to your dog’s camping gear because they keep your dog safe while you might be busy with other things. The easiest crates to take camping are soft foldable travel crates. The best travel containment pens can also be set up and taken down quickly.
Though it might already be evident, it’s worth emphasizing that crates and containment pens are best for car camping or RV trips, no matter how lightweight and small. It would be hard to take them along on a backpacking trip!
If you end up including a dog pen in your dog camping gear, check out our guide on how to set up a dog pen.
Tie Out Cable
A tie-out cable is an ideal outdoor leash for your dog that keeps your pet restricted to a particular area while still giving them the freedom to move around. It’s essentially a long cable tied between two trees (at least a couple of feet above the ground) that you secure another rope to with a trolly system.
This way, your dog can run around in the space between the trees without getting tangled in an excessively long leash or getting in people’s or harm’s way.
Camp With Your Canine!
We hope this post has inspired a cohesive and complete dog camping gear list to kickstart your next nature adventure with your pooch. Remember that dogs have most of your same needs!
Purchased all of your dog camping gear but still looking for a tent? Then discover the best tents for camping with dogs!
