Packing and Preparing to Camp with Your Dog

Do your vacation plans include the family pet? If your dog will join you at a cabin or campground, don't forget to pack an extra bag of supplies. You never know when you'll need to prove a vaccination record, remove a tick or slip a life vest on the pet so it can join you on a boating excursion.

Documentation
Visit the veterinarian before leaving for vacation. Request a copy of the pet's vaccination report, including the date of the last rabies shot. If the pet gets into an altercation with another camper, these documents will indicate responsible pet ownership to the local authorities and assure everyone of the dog's healthy status.

Vet Check-Up
If the pet has any health concerns, consider a quick check-up while visiting the vet's office to make sure the animal can safely handle extra physical exercise or the thin air of vacationing at a high altitude. Mention the vacation location to the vet and ask if he knows of any animal dangers--such as toxic vegetation, poisonous spiders or reports of lyme disease--in the area.

Identification
Make a new pet ID tag for the vacation. Include the pet's name, a cell phone number of one of the human campers and any emergency information, such as "pet is blind" if the animal gets loose and is found by another camper. If the duration of the vacation focuses on one campground or park, include the name of the facility and their main phone number on the identification tag.

First Aid Kit
During hikes or day excursions, pack a small first aid kit for both the humans and pets on the vacation. In addition to the standard supplies included in a pre-packaged first aid kit, pack a pair of pliers, tweezers, elasticized pet wrap (gauze that sticks to itself), a clean sock, antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide and a razor. These supplies prepare you to shave away pet fur to tend to a wound, remove a thorn or bandage a sore paw.

Protective Garments
If the camping trip includes boating, swimming or hiking along rough, rocky terrain the pet will need protective garments. Even dogs that swim well can be carried away by a strong current. A dog life jacket attached to a waterproof lead gives the pet owner control over a swimming dog. Before heading out for a hike that veers off groomed trails, slip protective dog booties on the pet. If the dog refuses to wear them, check its footpads frequently for cuts or soreness.

Additional items to pack for a camping vacation with a dog include bottled water, dry pet food, pet treats, an extra collar and leash, dog waste bags, portable food and water bowls, toys, pet safe insect repellent spray, tick remover tool, pet bed/towels/blanket, prescription medication the pet takes regularly, a muzzle (if the pet is injured, he can't bite the caretaker), tie out and stake and a dog crate or vehicle harness/seat belt attachment.

Sources and Suggested Further Reading:
Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, "Hiking and Camping with Your Canine Compadre", Pet Education
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2098&aid=3292

Wade Shaddy, "Going Camping With Your Dog", PetPlace.com
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/going-camping-with-your-dog/page1.aspx

Coyote Communications, "Camping with Your Dog", Coyote Communications
http://www.coyotecommunications.com/dogcamp.html#equipment

Pet Travel Inc., "Camping With Your Dog", Pet Travel Inc.
http://www.pettravel.com/news_camping_with_dog.cfm

Camping.com, "Preventing Frostbite - Keeping Pets Safe", Camping.com
http://www.camping.com/fur-kids-pet-camping/1421-preventing-frostbite-keeping-pets-safe

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