Hiking with dogs and what to pack

Firstly a big thank you to my customer who requested that I cover this topic. I am always on the lookout for new topics or themes that would be of interest to you all. So please do not be shy and feel free to send over ideas.

I have approached this topic as a day hike without an overnight stay or camping. More just a reminder list of things which could be useful for your dog.

I’ve kept the list quite concise and simple, and I’m sure there are lots of other things that you could also take with you.

The first thing to consider is roughly how far and for how many hours you will walk. Once you know this you will know if you need to take normal dog food and a travel food bowl for your dog. Otherwise snacks and treats will suffice to keep your dog both motivated and topped up energy-wise throughout the hike.

Next up is a travel water bowl and at least 500 ml of clean water (reserved for your dog). Unless you are certain that you will be walking near a source of fast running and fresh water, it is always better to have a little extra for your dog. Dirty and contaminated water can easily make your dog sick and have an upset stomach.

If you know that animals are grazing in the pastures higher up, then do not let your dogs drink from slow moving streams lower down.

Now that we are sorted for food and drink, let’s look at equipment.

If you will be using a lead at any point during your hike then I would recommend using a harness instead of a collar. This will put much less strain on your dog’s neck.

Unfortunately accidents do happen so be sure to include a few extra things in your first aid kit.

If you have any surplus dog painkillers and you know what dose to give, take one dose with you. This could well mean cutting up a tablet to the correct dose and wrapping it in cling film. For example Minttu is ⁵/⁸ths of a tablet!

I would however recommend calling your vet if possible to seek their advice. The painkiller only to be used in an emergency.

Likewise I would recommend taking a snake bite tablet for your dog, especially during the drier and hotter summer months.

If your own first aid kit does not include a roll of bandages then again I would recommend adding this to your backpack along with a spare paw sock.

Paws can get damaged or cut on sharp rocks and if you are still a long way from the end of your hike this could be very uncomfortable for your dog.

A little extra tip here is to take off your own sock and put it over the injured paw, before applying the paw sock over the top. This will give extra cushioning and relieve some of the pain for your dog.

If you are planning on walking in wet or cold conditions, you might well want to take an old jumper or towel which your dog can lie on whenever you stop.

Dogs, and especially older dogs, feel the cold and it is advisable to put a layer between them and the cold ground if stopping for more than a few minutes.

I do hope that this simple list has been helpful. Now it is time to start planning a great hike.

Doggies: Banipal, Punky, Tesla, Poppy and Haraka