Tips for Hiking With Your Dog

Going hiking with your dog is a fantastic way to get exercise, bond with your canine companion, and enjoy the beauty of nature. To ensure you have a fun and safe hike, you should know a few things before you hit the trails. In this blog, we’re sharing our top tips for hiking with your dog!

Research Trails Before You Go
Before you set out on your hike, it’s important to do some research before you go. Make sure that the trail you have chosen to hike is dog-friendly, and if so, know their leash laws. While most trails do allow dogs, many of them still require that dogs remain leashed at all times. We also recommend looking into any potential hazards that you may encounter on the trail, such as toxic or irritating plants like poison ivy or foxtails, as well as any wild animals that are known to inhabit the area.

Pre-Condition Your Dog
If you have a particular hike you want to tackle with your dog, make sure that they will be up for the challenge. Consider things like your dog’s age, breed, health and fitness level and use your best judgement to determine whether your dog is fit to go on a hike with you. If you have a goal in mind to complete a certain hike that your dog may not be ready for yet, pre-condition them by starting with shorter, easier hikes and slowly working your way up to longer, more challenging hikes with them.

Stay On-Trail and be Respectful
While hiking, it’s important to respect the wildlife and nature around you by staying on the marked trail. Keep your dog on a leash or 15-20″ long line to ensure that you are always in control of them when passing fellow hikers or in the event they encounter a wild animal. Allowing your dog to run free off the trail can disrupt fragile ecosystems and potentially damage endangered plants while also putting your dog at risk of encountering a predator. Always remember that the trail is a shared place, so be respectful and enjoy it!
*Expert Tip—Consider adding a bell to your dog’s collar or leash to signal your presence to fellow hikers and nearby wildlife, especially when hiking in the fall when bears and other predators are known to be more active.

Bring Lots of Water and Snacks
Hiking can be hard work, especially during the warmer months when heat stroke is a serious concern for active dogs outdoors. No matter the season, bringing fresh water on your hike is essential to keep you and your pet hydrated. Stop often on your hike to offer your dog some water and a snack to help them maintain their stamina and praise them for being a great hiking buddy! Collapsible dog bowls are perfect for taking on a hike, and many of them have a clip to attach to your hiking pack! Don’t allow your dog to drink from any puddles or streams along the hike, as they can be contaminated with things like giardia and blue-green algae, which can be harmful. Only allow them to drink the water you brought with you. Another important thing to remember is to not feed your dog a large meal right before or after hiking, as it can cause bloat. Feed them at least one hour before or 30 minutes after the hike to prevent stomach upset.

Leave No Trace
Being respectful of the environment also includes cleaning up after your dog. Make sure to pack lots of poop bags and properly dispose of waste in a garbage can. Canine waste can be harmful to ecosystems if not picked up, so it’s important to always clean up and leave the land as you found it.

First Aid Checks
Be on the safe side and prepare for every scenario by packing a first aid kit for your dog to take with you on the hike. Include things like gauze bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and a tick remover in your kit. If you’re travelling further away for your hike, research the local veterinarians in that area so that in case of an emergency, you’ll know where to go. While hiking, remember to regularly check in with your dog and ensure they’re still doing okay. When you finish your hike, take time to do a thorough look over your dog, checking for things like scratches, lacerations, paw injuries, ticks, etc.

Hiking Gear for Dogs
Last but not least, there are a few pieces of equipment you may want to consider bringing with you on your hike: Boots to protect your dog’s paws from hot pavement or rough terrain, a cooling vest or bandana to help keep them from overheating on the hike, and an up-to-date pet ID tag to put on their collar in the event they get separated from you on the trail.

Stop by your local Feeds’n Needs to get geared up for your hike with your trusty companion; we have everything you need, from dog boots and poop bags to water bottles and high protein treats to keep their energy up on the trail! Be safe and happy hiking!

More Expert Advice:
Tick Season Safety
Tips for Camping With Your Dog
Road Trip Safety for Your Dog

Sources:
6 Tips For Hiking with Your Dog | Canada Pooch
10 Tips for Hiking with Your Dog – Showit Blog (happyhoundsdogtraining.ca)
10 Trail Tips for Hiking With Dogs | Fear Free Happy Homes
10 Tips for Camping and Hiking with a Dog | Therm-a-Rest Blog (thermarest.com)
Hiking With Your Dog In Nova Scotia : The Do’s & Don’ts | EAST COAST DOG
5 Essential Tips for Hiking with Your Dog This Fall: A Guide to Safe & Scenic Trails – Em & Me Studio (emandmestudio.com)