There’s nothing better than hitting the road with your canine companion and going on an adventure. There’s just something so fulfilling about traveling with a dog. But you need to make sure you have everything you need before you hit the road.

1. Travel Bag

You pack your bags for a trip, right? They also sell tote kits for dogs that include everything from dog food containers, placemat, collapsible bowls, . . . the works. You can also add your dog’s leash, toys, medication, first aid kit . . . whatever you need for the trip. It’s very handy to have all your dog’s things all in one place and not spread throughout the car.

2. Doggy Backpack

A backpack can serve multiple purposes. It can carry your dog’s necessities for a hike (bowl, water, treats, poop bags, footwear etc). But it can also be beneficial for dogs with high energy needs. Carrying a backpack can help wear them out and give them a sense of accomplishment. Keep in mind that a healthy dog can carry about 25% of their body weight.

3. Protective Footwear

For the most part, your dog shouldn’t need foot protection. Times where these could come in handy include hiking in areas where you’ll experience extreme hot or cold temperatures. Or if you are hiking somewhere that has sharp jagged edges that could be damaging to your dog’s feet. And some dogs simply have sensitive feet that peel easily after certain exercises. They are also handy to have around if you dog does get an injured foot and can prevent them from licking them raw.

4. Outdoor Camping Mat

Most dogs enjoy a soft place to lay down. A doggy sleeping bag can be a much appreciated edition to your dog’s camping supplies. I prefer something that’s not going to collect a bunch of hair/dirt and rolls up easily.

5. Portable Trolley Style Dog Tether

If you have a dog that isn’t the greatest off leash, then a dog tether is a must have for your trip. A trolley style tether gives your dog up to 50ft of freedom without the hassle of wrapping themselves up around a tree.

6. USB Rechargeable Light Up Dog Collar

If your dog is good off leash, a light up collar makes it convenient to be able to see where they are running around at night. I like collars that can be charged again and again via USB and have a variety of fun color options.

7. Outdoor Toys

The outdoors should provide your dog with more than enough entertainment and metal stimulation. But there’s a couple of toys that may be worth bringing along. A durable chew toy is nice for when you’re sitting around and relaxing and your dog still wants something to do. And if you’re going to be around anywhere there is water to play in, a water toy is an excellent object to have your dog fetch and have a good time.

8. First Aid Kit

And of course, last but not least you need to have a first aid kit. Anything can happen when you’re hiking. And dogs are very good at finding silly ways to get hurt. A basic first aid kit can really come in handy for patching fido up until you get back home and can either continue treatment at home or seek medical attention.

I hope you enjoyed this post. It’s exciting getting your fur babies ready for an adventure. A trip just isn’t the same without them. Happy trails!