One of the great perks of camping trips is that you don’t need to leave your furry friends behind! As you’re planning your camping vacation, remember to consider the essentials for traveling with a pet, like what to pack, to where to stay and how you’ll get there.
Following are some helpful tips arranged by Thousand Trails for making your next getaway with your four-legged friends easier than ever
Food and Water
Just like at home, your pup needs all the regular essentials to keep them safe and healthy when traveling. According to PetFinder, “Do not allow your dog to drink out of standing bodies of water. Your dog should continue to eat its regular diet during the trip; pack enough food and treats to last for your entire stay. Pack a food dish and water bowl.” With collapsible functionality for easy storage and mobility, Nomad Travel Bowls are perfect traveling bowls for your dog’s food and water. You can take them anywhere and they’re a breeze to pack.
Vet Check
It’s important to ensure your dog is healthy and up to date on vaccinations prior to traveling. Ask about preventive medications for fleas, ticks, and heartworm, and keep a copy of your dog’s vaccination record as part of your travel itinerary. Also, be ready for emergencies. Make sure your dog’s microchip information is up to date, bring a pet first aid kit, and look up the AAHA-accredited animal hospital nearest to your destination. Be sure your mobile number is listed on your dog’s ID tag.
Sleeping Quarters
Depending on the type of camping you are preparing for, the folks at REI suggest making sure your sleeping arrangements are “one-person larger” to accommodate your dog. Whether in an RV, tent or cabin, your pup should have enough space to be fully comfortable in the sleep system you choose. Foam beds and soft blankets make for a comfortable camping experience with your dog. Another handy tip, dog paws can wreak havoc on tent fabric, so it’s important to keep those nails neat and trim.
Toys/Distractions
Make sure your dog has plenty to do and doesn’t get distracted while you’re camping. There could be people, creatures and new fun things all around this open-air environment so you want to make sure they are comfortable in their new surroundings. Keep the fun going after dark with the Nite Ize Huck ‘N Tuck GlowStreak Collapsible Thrower + LED Ball. The Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball can keep your dog busy and entertained throughout your camping trip. The ball is tough enough for the outdoors and easy to locate if your pup wanders a bit. Playtime is a key when camping with your dog because a well-exercised dog is less likely to be distracted by the unusual sights, scents and sounds that one may find while camping.
Ideal Location
Make sure you’re booking a trip to a dog-friendly campground. Even dog-friendly campgrounds will likely have certain rules, such as specific areas in which dogs are allowed, so do some research before you head out. Some top dog-friendly campgrounds use their surroundings as their main attraction for their dog-loving campers. At the pet-friendly Leavenworth RV Resort near the beautiful Cascade Mountains in central Washington, there are 300 acres of beautiful forests and meadows with nearly 200 miles of groomed trails for you and your dog to explore. Also at the resort is their pet-friendly “Otto,” one of the five tiny houses that make up their Tiny House Village.
Not looking to hike the trails? Find a campground with a dog park! Florida’s Thousand Trails Orlando has a dog park and is surrounded by a 60-acre spring-fed lake with white sandy beaches for your pup to run through. Lake Conroe RV Resort outside Houston features resort-style amenities for you and a dog park with agility course for your furry friend. In upstate New York, Lake George Escape, a 178-acre resort full of lush woods, meadows and direct access to the Schroon River, has its own dog park and is surrounded by the six million acre Adirondack Park, making it an ideal camping getaway for both you and your pup.
