Dog Camping Equipment Checklist: Everything You Need

Camping with the dogs is one of our favorite things to do. It’s great to be in the outdoors, go on hikes, and spend time together. 

Other than necessary camping bits, like a tent and torch, there are some essentials to take when with your pooch. These are our recommendations:

Travel Bag – Our recommendation

You can transport your dogs’ things in anything. We have a dog-specific bag that we keep all of the travel items in and ready to go.

Leashes (including long leash, short leash, extendable)

Keeping your dog under control is essential when camping. There are many distractions, including wildlife and other people’s food! Taking a variety of leashes suitable for each scenario. We like to take a long line, shorter leash, and extendable leash.

Long leash – Our recommendation: This is perfect for attaching to a tie our or tether. It gives your dog the ability to roam, but it means you have control over where and how far they go.

Short leash – Our recommendation: If you’re on a busy campsite or a hike in a busy or area, you need more control over your dog (high drops, wildlife, etc.) then a short leash is ideal.

Extendable – Our recommendation: Whether or not you take an extendable leash is up to you. If you’re hiking and your dog does not have a 100% recall, they can be useful for allowing your dog to explore, without you getting tangled in a long line.

Tie Out or Tether – Our recommendation

Have you ever tried to put a tent up with a leash in your hand? A tether is essential if your dog can’t be off-leash all the time. There are a few options.

Stake – This option screws into the ground, and you can attach the leash to it. It is excellent if you have 1 dog as the likelihood is they won’t get tangled.

Tree Attachment – This is an alternative option to the stake. You can buy a tie out wire which attaches between 2 trees. Your dog is then clipped onto the wire and means they can move along smoothly. If you are traveling with more than one dog, it means there is less of a chance your dogs will become tangled.

Collar and ID Tag

In most places, it is illegal to have your dog without a collar in a public space. It is also essential for keeping your leash and dogs’ ID tag attached. The ID tag should have your contact information on. If possible, you might even be able to purchase a tag with the campsite details. This is vital in case your dog gets lost.

First Aid Kit

Although we always hope no accidents will happen, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

A dog can suffer an injury, a sting, or ingest a poison at any time. It is essential to know how to deal with the situation quickly. We recommend having some supplies available at home, with you, and in the car.

They can be incredibly useful in helping your dog feel more comfortable before reaching a medical professional as well as having a positive impact on their long term recovery.

Most people have the main supplies already in their own first aid kit or medicine cabinet, but it is always a good to keep an extra supply specifically for your dog.

A personal first aid kit does not replace the need for veterinary care. If you are not sure what you are doing, contact the vet, and they can advise you over the phone or recommend you bring the dog in for further care. Make sure to keep the kit restocked and that all medication is in date.

We recommend carrying the following:

– First aid manual

– Written information (download our PDF card here): 

• Contact information (including your regular and emergency veterinarian information, pet poison hotline, emergency contact details)
• Insurance details
• Allergies
• Regular medication taken
• Health conditions
• Current weight
• Microchip number

– Soft Muzzle

– Inflatable e-collar

– Tweezers

– Disposable gloves

– Foil blanket

– Tick remover

– Instant cool pack

– Cotton wool

– Antiseptic wash or wipes

– Gauze pads

– Conforming/open-weave bandage

– Micropore tape

– Vet wrap

– Hydrogen peroxide

– Antihistamines

If you’re interested in learning more about what should be in your dogs’ first aid kit, check out our post How To Build A Dog First Aid Kit At Home here. 

Portable Bowls – Our recommendation

Large, quick-drying, and foldable bowls are essential when traveling. We like canvas ones as they stand up better than silicone ones. They also compress down, are easy to pack, and can attach to the outside of your bag with a clip.

Adequate Food – Our recommendation

Measuring out your dog’s food for your duration of the trip minimizes the weight you have to carry. We recommend adding 1-2 days extra of food in case of emergencies.

Water

As well as being needed for hydration, water is also useful for cleaning wounds, diluting medication, and washing grit and dirt from your dog’s eyes.

Towels – Our recommendation

Dogs get wet and dirty, and we get through towels like nothing else. As well as being used to keep your dog clean, towels are useful as a blanket, sling in an emergency, and to wash wounds. Microfiber is our favorite option as they are quick to dry and easy to transport.

Tarp

A small piece of tarpaulin is great for creating a barrier between the ground and your dog’s sleeping area. It will keep them dry and stop the heat from escaping.

Bedding 

Depending on the breed you have, their preference, and the environment you will be camping in will depend on the bed you choose. There are several options to choose from:

Sleeping bag – Our recommendation: Ideal for colder climates and dogs that like to snuggle or bury into a blanket.

Raised camp bed – Our recommendation: This is great if your dog usually likes to lay on the ground. It keeps them cool but also protects their joints from the cold ground.

Ground mat – Our recommendation: This is soft, warm, and easy to carry with you if you’re hiking and camping.

Jacket, Coat, and Booties

Booties – Our recommendation: Depending on the ground, your dog may need extra protection for their feet. Make sure to practice with the booties before using them on hikes as they can take your dog a while to get used to it.

Coats – If your dog only has a single coat or feels the cold, then it might be a good idea to take a jacket to keep them warm. If you have rain predicted during your trip, you might want to take a raincoat to keep your dog dry and slightly cleaner.

Toys, Balls, Chews, and Boredom Busters

Taking chews, enrichment, or interactive toys can be useful for keeping your dog busy while you’re setting up camp, eating, etc. Toys from home can also be comforting for your dog. 

Bug, Tick, and Flea Repellent

If you’re camping in an area with mosquitoes or midges, you may need to get a dog-safe bug spray to keep them from biting your dog. 

Backpack – Our recommendation

If you’re taking your dog on long hikes, it can be helpful to share the load. The amount they can carry will depend on your breed. It tends to be anywhere from 10-25% of their body weight. 

Wipes

Wipes are useful for so many things!

Bottle Cap Dog Shower – Our Cap

Perfect Size For Most Water Bottles: The nozzle fits most standard 500ml/16oz, 600ml/20oz, and 2 liter/70oz water and soda bottles. The portable shower head is made of food-grade silicone. It is both BPA and PVC free. The silicone means it can adapt to a variety of different threads, heights, and sized caps.

Designed For All Occasions: Whether it’s mud, sand, or something else, the travel shower cap makes washing it off easy. It is the perfect hiking shower, camping shower, and beach shower. The lid is also dishwasher safe (without the keyring), so no need to worry if it gets dirty on your adventure.

Handy Keyring: The design is the smallest and most compact. The dog shower is portable and travel friendly. It includes a convenient keyring, so you never forget or lose it. This bathing tool is one of the must-have dog camping accessories.

Slows The Flow Of Water: By slowing water flow, you can make it last longer. The sprayer takes three times as long to empty a bottle of water, compared to using no cap. This also produces far less mess and allows you to evenly distribute the water over your dogs’ paws, making bath time stress-free.

Versatile: The dog shower lid is not just for cleaning paws; the attachment can also be used to rinse humans, cool down pets and humans, water plants, and pour into your hands for drinking.

Poop Bags

It’s a given, clean up after your dogs.

Download our printable checklist here.

Happy camping!

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Disclaimer: Each dog is different, and every circumstance is different. All efforts have been made to provide accurate information. However, it is not provided by a qualified Veterinarian, Veterinarian Surgeon, or Behaviorist. The information provided is purely educational. The information should not be used as an alternative or substitute for medical care. If you have any health or medical concerns, contact a qualified Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinarian immediately.