Our dogs love nothing more than spending time with us; whether that’s watching a movie on the sofa, heading out and about to run errands or following us around whilst we tick off household chores. Or perhaps you and your dog enjoy each other’s company on a Saturday morning hike, a weekend camping trip to the middle of nowhere or whilst hopping into a kayak.
Whatever escapade you choose to bring your four-legged friend along on, be sure to pack all their adventure dog essentials!
Water
Just like us humans, our dogs get thirsty whilst being active so never leave home without water and something for your dog to drink it from. Collapsible or folding travel dog bowls are super lightweight and designed for maximum portability, so are an essential on your tick list. Most will come with a clasp to fasten onto your backpack or dog lead, so they won’t take up any room. The Bottle Bowl Combo is the ideal hydration station for any adventures - or for pretty much any trip out of the house.
If you wanted to pack a few snacks for the road or if you’re anticipating being out and about during a mealtime, consider an all-in-one solution such as the Popware Snack-Duo - a portable water and snack carrier.
Paw protection
Imagine climbing over rough terrain in bare feet… not pleasant, right? Although our dogs' paws are naturally pretty hardy and resilient, there’s some things that day-to-day walks just can’t prepare them for. You might want to consider investing in some dog shoes. It sounds ridiculous, but hear us out.
Dog shoes serve many purposes. They protect the pads in both hot weather and cold weather and they act as a barrier between the pads and anything that could injure them. You’re never sure what your dog might be at risk of stepping on; be that broken glass, sharp rocks or thorns. Keeping their paws protected out in the wilderness should be paramount. Just be sure to let your dog acclimatize to wearing their dog shoes first before heading up that hill!
And if you’re thinking that there’s no way your dog is going to accept wearing dog shoes, be sure to pack a good paw wax to keep their paws moisturised instead. This is particularly good for any dog exploring dry, icy weather. Paw wax forms a protective barrier on your pup’s feed to eliminate the sting and irritation caused by walking on abrasive surfaces.
Floatation jacket
Heading out to the water? A floatation device for both you and your dog is of course a must-have. Even if your dog is an agile swimmer, don’t take any risks. If anything should happen to you and/or your dog, you’ll need to be safe and above water.
If you don’t already own a doggy life jacket, add it to your shopping list. It should be strong, a comfortable fit (not too tight, but not loose enough to wriggle out of) and ideally reflective. It’s a good idea to search for one with a handle on - just in case your dog falls overboard and needs retrieving. When it comes to our dogs safety, no step is too far.
Dog coat
Whether your dog usually wears a coat or not, having an extra layer is beneficial for a few reasons. Firstly, the weather is never guaranteed in the UK. You never know when the heavens may open and put a pause on your adventure, or when the temperatures might dip and leave you shivering. A thick, warm and possibly waterproof coat will keep your dog warm, dry and comfortable in colder conditions.
Not only this, but a brightly coloured coat means your dog will be visible to you and anyone else should it run off and become lost. But bright colours and practicality certainly doesn’t have to mean compromising on fashion; we love this Trailfinder Windbreaker coat that comes in green, yellow, red and orange. It’s lightweight and waterproof and can be easily tucked away when not being used.
First aid necessities
Our dogs are certainly not invincible - don’t forget that they can hurt themselves on our adventures too. Pack yourself a simple first aid kit so that you can deal with any minor scrapes or scratches. This is of course not a substitute for veterinary attention when necessary, but can help tend to little wounds or tide any issues over until you are able to visit a vet.
In your dog’s first aid kit should be some bandage wrap to protect any nasties and a first aid antiseptic lotion or spray for cleaning as a minimum. You could also pack some dressings, adhesive tape, tweezers and cotton wool. Make sure you know what you’re doing before you tend to any cuts. There’s some great advice on pet first aid over on the PDSA.
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