Essential Hiking Gear for Exploring the Trails With Your Dog

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, your dog is most likely your favorite sidekick. Spending time together is an excellent way to bond with them, and hiking is a great hobby to do together. Your dog may or may not enjoy time on the trails as much as you do, but they usually just love being with you. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just starting out, follow along to learn more about some essential hiking gear for exploring the trails with your dog.

Travel Water Bottle

You probably already know that you should bring a few extra snacks for you and your pup, but you should also bring water. Although a regular water bottle may work, you can get bottles with a bowl attachment to make it much easier to share with your pup. Spending too much time on the trails is a surefire way to increase your dog’s chances of dehydration—they need a water break, too, especially for longer hikes.

Leash and Collar or Harness

Even if your pup doesn’t need to be on a leash in other locations, many national, state, and county parks require owners to restrain them on the trails. Putting your pup on a leash also keeps them safe, prevents them from getting lost, and maintains everyone’s comfort. With that said, you’ll need a leash and collar or harness to ensure your dog stays close to you. Consider a belt for a dog leash if you want to keep your hands free while hiking together.

Dog Booties

You never know what you’ll come across on the trails; therefore, you should take safety precautions to ensure your dog’s paw pads receive protection. Otherwise, you may find out the hard way that your pup’s paws aren’t indestructible. Consider getting your furry friend a set of dog hiking booties to protect their feet from the heat, cold, sharp objects, and more.

Pro Tip

They may not love having something on their paws right away, let your dog get used to wearing these booties at home for some time before attempting a long hike.

Pup First Aid Kit

Even if you do everything to prevent injuries, accidents still happen. With that said, you should always be ready for anything with a pup first aid kit. This kit should include a blanket or towel, hydrogen peroxide, gauze and bandages, antibiotic spray or ointment, tweezers, and milk of magnesia. Most likely, nothing will happen to your dog, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially on the trails.

The above hiking gear is essential for exploring the trails with your dog. These tools will help you make the most of your nature hike together. Being a dog owner can be stressful, but connecting with nature together is an incredible experience you won’t forget.