Dog camping gear quick picks
Whether you’re simply renting a kick-ass van for a long weekend outdoors with a furry friend or you plan on hitting up a multiday backpacking route in the rugged Sierra Nevada with your pet, it’s crucial to have the best dog camping gear for your pup’s safety and comfort.
It’s typically safe to take your dog camping, but just like any other outdoor adventure, planning and research are key. If you’re in an area with bears or other predators, there are certain precautions you’ll want to take before letting your dog roam free at the campsite.
You’ll also want to be wary of the other inherent risks of camping, such as pokes and scrapes from branches and rocks, poison ivy and temperature exposure. But all these can be mitigated with proper preparation and oversight of your pup.
Camping gives you the perfect excuse to let your dog sleep right next to you in your tent. Even if they’re not allowed in the bed at home, most people let their dogs snuggle up when sleeping under the stars. This not only allows you to get some good cuddle time but you can keep an eye on them throughout the night to ensure they’re warm and comfortable.
Nothing ruins a camping trip faster than finding old dog poop. It’s incredibly important to be a responsible dog owner when you’re out in nature and to pick up after your pet. Bring plenty of poop bags and keep them on you at all times, because when dogs are free to frolic around, you never know when nature will call. And no, dog poop won’t simply decompose into the dirt. Your dog’s waste can add harmful bacteria to the soil and water systems. After you pick it up, find a proper trash can or dumpster to dispose of it.
It doesn’t matter if they’re in a car, tent or leashed up, you should never leave your dog alone at a campsite. Dogs require oversight when they’re in a new environment, and if you’re away, they could get too cold, too hot, thirsty, attacked by a predator or even stolen. Make sure to research the rules and regulations of your destination; oftentimes you can find dog-friendly hikes and activities so you can bring Fido along.
No one wants to hear a dog barking deep into the night when they’re trying to fall asleep at camp, so it’s important to know if your dog is prone to barking. If they are, consider doing some training to improve the behavior before you go camping and become familiar with your pup’s triggers. Doing lots of activities during the day like going on a hike can help tire out your dog so they’re not barking when it’s time to go to sleep, but if you’re still worried about them making too much noise, consider finding a more remote campsite — like one on BLM land — so you don’t bother other campers.
There isn’t one temperature that’s too hot or too cold to take dogs camping since different breeds do better in various temperatures, and there are ways you can help keep them warm or cool. However, there are several things to know before you take your dog into the wilderness.
In cold weather, keep a close eye on your pup as night starts to fall and watch for signs that your dog is cold, such as curling up, shivering or having a cold belly. There are plenty of dog winter jackets that can help thin- and thick-coated breeds alike stay warm. Bringing along an extra blanket or sleeping bag is also important to keep your dog comfortable through the night.
When temperatures get too hot, watch out for warning signs such as frantic panting, labored breathing and extreme salivation. Help them stay cool by offering them plenty of water, limiting physical activity and finding shaded areas where they can rest. For a quick cool down, finding a lake or river they can swim in or using a dog cooling vest can help keep your pup from overheating in the summer.
Pitching a tent with Fido in tow doesn’t have to mean snuggling in muddy bedding or adding a dozen pounds to your backpack. That’s why we interviewed several of our favorite pet experts on what they always pack when camping with their dogs. The result? A bevy of pup-centric life hacks for those of us who occasionally like to sleep in the dirt.
This is hands down the most packable bed for car camping or backpacking with your dog that I’ve found. Made with closed-cell foam and synthetic insulation, it sports a nonslip waterproof base and a super-soft top so your four-legged friend can catch some zzz’s. “You can also use it to have your dog go into a ‘place’ position while you’re cooking dinner or doing something where you need them to go relax and stay put,” says Molly Avrin, founder and head trainer of Pete’s Adventure Pack and the Adventure Dog Channel.
Dr. Paola Cuevas, veterinary consultant at Petkeen, prefers packing an elevated dog cot with her on far-flung car-camping trips. “It is very easy to transport since it collapses and comes with a carrying bag, similar to a camping umbrella or chair. The fact that it is elevated helps to keep your dog fresh during the hot summer months, and it also keeps them higher up so they’re more protected from crawling insects,” Cuevas says.
Inflatable, packable and lightweight, this car-friendly travel kennel is crash-tested and virtually bulletproof, helping you keep your furry friend safe on long car rides to and from the campground or trailhead. Best of all? It packs flat when not in use.
“If I’m going for a road trip or long camping adventure, this is the crate I pick,” says Kai Burkhardt, editor at CNN Underscored. “I love how easy it is to deflate and reinflate, so you can easily set it up at the campsite or in your hotel room in mere minutes. Plus, it’s crash-tested so you can have extra peace of mind on those long drives.”
“Unless you want to share your limited mattress and sleeping bag space with your dog, grab a short-length foam pad for them like this one from Nemo,” says outdoor author and dog expert, Stacy Gold. A larger, human-sized pad helps protect your delicate tent’s flooring and insulates your dog when nighttime temperatures take a steep drop.
Need a machine-washable bed for the next time you go camping with your pupper? Look no further than Ruffwear’s Mt. Bachelor Pad, which is the top pick for Sarah Smith, founder of The Dyrt. Made of water-repellent polyester suede and recycled polyfill insulation, this bed will help to warm your dog on the coldest nights. “It’s rubbery and water-resistant on one side and soft and cuddly on the other, and my dog Brandy loves it,” Smith says.
If you’re going car camping and have extra space, this memory foam bed from Hest is pure luxury for your pup. Like the brand’s human-oriented sleeping pads, the dog bed is made of temperature-resilient memory foam, meaning it will stay soft and comfortable no matter the temperature. And of course, the bed is waterproof and machine-washable.
More affordable than other dog sleeping bags on our list, this 29-ounce bag is machine-washable on the gentle cycle and stuffed with synthetic insulation. Plus, it can pack down to a surprisingly small 16 by 10 inches when not in use and comes with an adorable matching stuff sack.
A good dog camping bed needs to be durable, comfortable, packable, water-resistant, quick drying and easy to clean, says Charlotte Reed, producer and host of The Pet Buzz. That’s a lot of boxes to check, but the Ruffwear Highlands Sleeping Bag passes her high bar with ease. “It has [a] zippered opening allowing the dog to vent but can also be zipped up to help retain your dog’s body heat on those colder nights or in inclement weather,” Reed says.
If you’re investing in a bevy of camping gear for you and your furry friend, why not splurge on a blanket that can serve you both on those chilly nights? “The Rumpl Down Puffy Blanket is a favorite for its dual functionality,” says Joseph Tito, creator of The Dad Diaries. “It’s not only a comfort item for your pet but also a practical piece of gear for you. Plus, its stain [resistant] and water-resistant features are invaluable, particularly when dealing with the unpredictability of nature.”
Not so into down but want a pet-friendly blanket for camping with your dog? Wilderdog’s Sherpa Fleece Blanket is constructed with super-soft, dual-sided fleece and a waterproof barrier at its center. It comes in two sizes for puppers large and small, and is available in three different Southwest-inspired prints that even the most stylish hounds will approve of.
“Every time I go backpacking with the dogs, I always make sure to bring the Ruffwear Palisades Dog Backpack so that the dogs can help haul food, poop bags and leashes,” says Kelly Sosa, head trainer and founder of The Service Dog Connection. This sturdy dog backpack is designed with multiday trekking in mind, featuring included water pouches and adjustable straps so you can dial in the perfect fit, even when loaded with kibble. Its large pockets can also house a sleeping system, like the Ruffwear Highlands Dog Pad.
For shorter overnight treks and day hikes, Ruffwear’s more wallet-friendly Approach Dog Backpack might be sufficient, but remember to load it up properly, says Reed. “Dogs should carry less than 20% of their body weight and have a design that is appropriate, safe and comfortable,” she says.
“A collapsible water bowl for bringing water on any hike, no matter the time of year, is a must,” Avrin says. Her favorite is the popular Quencher Packable Dog Bowl, which can smash down small enough to fit into an ordinary pants pocket, yet still holds enough water for the biggest gulpers in your pack.
Whenever I take my dog, Marla, on an overnight trip, I stash her food in a reusable, water-resistant stash pouch, like Wilderdog’s Doggie Bag. This roll-top bag is designed to hold up to 5 pounds of kibble and comes with a stainless steel measuring mug.
Avrin and Sosa also recommend packing a dog-specific first aid kit whenever you take your pup camping. This Trail Dog First Aid Kit has loads of essentials, like a wound irrigation tool, tick and splinter remover, medicine for allergic reactions and an antibiotic ointment.
Going on a longer road trip or bringing multiple dogs on your camping excursion? This Fire Hose Food Storage bag can safely hold up to 14.5 pounds of doggy kibble. Plus, it’s made with a treated cotton canvas that wipes off easily (for those with drooly dogs) and repels grease and grime.
Sure, it’s pricey, but Ruffwear’s The Beacon Safety Light offers multiple color options, is rechargeable and is fully waterproof when submerged one meter deep for up to 30 minutes. It’s also one of the longest-lasting dog collar lights on the market, with a run time of up to 20 hours. “I like the Ruffwear The Beacon, a high-performance and rechargeable safety dog light to help keep dogs visible in low-light conditions or inclement weather,” Reed says.
Two words: game changer. I have one of those active dogs who loathes being tied to a tree when I’m pitching my tent or cooking dinner, and since most public lands require your dog to be on a six-foot leash, I’ve dealt with my fair share of grumpy puppy blues. Thankfully, I recently found Ruffwear’s Knot-a-Hitch, which allows me to run a rope line between two trees so that my Lab mix can stroll around camp with the freedom to roam up to 28 feet.
Who says your dog has to smell like hot garbage just because you’re off the grid for a few days? Buddy Wash is Gold’s favorite solution for when her pup, Holly, starts to stink. “Freshen them up a bit with a damp cloth wipe-down, a good brushing and a few spritzes of Buddy Wash’s awesome-smelling Buddy Wash Splash spray,” she says.
Coming in three sizes and geared toward woofers with a big appetite on the trail, the Great Basin Dog Bowl is packable, lightweight and perfectly matches Ruffwear’s Kibble Kaddie, should you need a place to store all that dog food. “They are easy to clean and have a waterproof lining and a waterproof shell,” Reed says.
When I’m sharing a small space with my dog, Marla, I’m a huge fan of non-squeaky toys so that she has something to keep her busy while I calmly read a book or fix dinner. This Shea Plush Noodle Toy by Furb has become a staple in our house and on car-camping trips because it’s small, machine-washable and serves the dual purpose of plush chewing and tug-of-war play.
“In a situation where your dog suffers a serious injury and is unable to walk, you need a way to carry them easily, which is why I always bring the Airlift dog emergency sling from Fido Pro,” Avrin says. This rescue device is lightweight (only 8 to 9.5 ounces, depending on the size) and easy to deploy in an emergency.
Another one of my favorite no-squeak toys for dogs who like to chew is Bark’s Rock Creek Eagle. It’s plush on the outside with an ultra-durable rubber chew inside, where treats can be hidden for extra playtime after the eagle has been skinned.
Best dog camping food and treats
A key part of keeping your pup’s pack weight low on long camping and backpacking trips is getting them hearty freeze-dried food, much like you would for the humans in your crew. Get Joy is made with USDA-sourced meats, ancient grains and flaxseed, to improve dogs’ digestive health. Get your pup used to it by mixing it with their daily kibble, then rehydrate with warm water in camp.
Though my dog goes nuts for bully sticks when we’re home, I have a hard time dealing with their stench when the two of us need to share a tent. So we’ve transitioned her nighttime chew treats to these fabulous beef cheek rolls so that she can keep herself busy and I can snuggle up and read my Kindle in bed.
Active dogs need active dog supplements that help keep their mobility high. That’s why I adore these glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and turmeric treats by Fera Pets. Fera Pets is a women-owned company, and every one of its products is manufactured in the US, helping to ensure quality pet treats.
When I first started backpacking with my dog, I was at a loss for how to stuff high-nutrition, low-weight food in her pack, so I asked Sosa for advice. She recommended Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried Dinner Patties. They come in several flavors, like beef and lamb, but my pup is currently chowing down on the Chewy’s Chicken and Duck Duck Goose blends. Just be sure to properly transition your dog to this new meal before heading out into the wilderness.
If you’d rather keep your dog away from the beef cheek rolls above in favor of a cheesy chomp, check out Native Pet’s long-lasting Yak Chews. They boast a much more pleasant odor than your average bully stick, and these last so long that my 60-pound dog can only down half a stick in one sitting. This makes them an excellent value compared to other ultra-hard chews.
