How To Have Fun Hiking With Your Pet

Hiking with your dog is beneficial for you and your pet alike. You'll get to go out and enjoy nature together, not to mention cure boredom for you both. Spending time seeing and smelling new things keeps your pet from becoming bored, which can sometimes lead to destructive behaviors. Hiking with your dog can also build endurance for you both, keep you both at healthy weights, and requires minimal expenses once you purchase your gear for your first hike. Depending on your own tolerance for weather, as well as your pet's, hiking is something you can do in every season, too. Of course, there are things you can do or purchase to ensure the adventure is fun for you both.

Have a Strong Collar or Harness

You want your pet to be safe with you, which means ensuring he stays on the trail and avoiding anything that could hurt him. To do this, ensure he has a proper collar or harness, as well as a sturdy leash. Purchase a collar or harness that fits your dog well and has a ring to keep his tags on. His tags should include one with his name, your name, and a phone number on it, as well as his most recent license and rabies tags. Harnesses are the best idea if your dog tends to pull on leashes, as they ensure he can't easily slip out of it and run away.

The leash you choose should be sturdy enough to withstand any pulling your dog is likely to do on the trail. Leather or nylon are both good choices. Ideally, you'll use a 6- or 8-foot leash that you have good control over, especially if other animals and people will be sharing the trail. If you do have a retractable leash, keep it short enough that you don't lose control or get tangled up with other people or dogs. For added protection, it's a good idea to microchip your pet and ensure your phone number and address are current.

Take Plenty of Water and Snacks

You and your pet will both need to be nourished and have water while you're on your hike. You and your dog both need at least 8 ounces of water each per hour of hiking. This means a 4-hour hike requires a gallon of water at a minimum. If you're going during hot weather, fill plastic bottles 3/4 full and freeze them the night before. As they melt, they'll provide cooler water for you both. You'll also need a travel bowl for your pup so that he can drink comfortably. Never let him drink from standing water sources, as they can cause parasites.

Be sure to bring enough food for you both as well. Feed yourself and your dog small amounts of nutritious snacks throughout the trip to keep the energy up without creating the discomfort that often comes from exercising on a full stomach. Unless you are going on a very short hike that you already know well, bring extra food just in case something happens that causes you to be out longer than you expect.

Bring Stuff To Clean Up Pet Waste

The best kind of hike is one where you leave no trace of your pet. Depending on where you're hiking, cleaning up pet excrement is especially essential to protect yourself from the wild animals it could attract. You'll need dog waste bags or a small plastic spade. For short trips, the waste bags should be plenty. You can tie them to your backpack or to your dog's leash to throw away when you're done with the hike. If you're going on a longer hike, a spade allows you to bury excrement, which keeps it from attracting animals while you're hiking.

Pack a First Aid Kit

You and your dog both need a first aid kit when you go on a hike. After all, you'll be in nature, where unexpectedly sharp rocks, twigs, and other minor dangers await. The kit should include hydrogen peroxide for disinfecting, small, round-tipped scissors for trimming any fur as needed, tweezers to remove any debris, and bandages gauze pads. A small sock is also important in case your pet hurts his foot and needs to protect it.

Clothing and Other Supplies

Consider what you plan to do during your hike. You may need to pack clothing or other items to ensure your pet is safe and has a good time on your excursion. If you think you'll be out after dark, or if you are planning a new trip and may face something unexpected, pack reflective tape or jackets for you and your dog to ensure people can see you if needed. Booties can protect your pet's feet, a bandana helps to show people your dog is a pet and not just a stray if he gets loose, and jackets or sweaters will keep your dog warm if you're out after dark or during cooler months. If you plan to take your pet to a lake or another body of water, remember to pack canine flotation devices to keep him safe, even if he's a good swimmer.

Even with all the right gear, your trip can go amiss if you don't plan ahead. When deciding where to take your dog hiking, consider his fitness level, his overall size, and whether dogs are allowed on the trails. Small dogs or those who aren't used to endurance activities won't do well on long hikes, and if you try to take him to a trail that doesn't allow pets, you'll both be disappointed. Consider hiking the trail alone first as well, which can help to ensure it's safe for your pet. Soon enough, you'll be on a fun, safe adventure with man's best friend.