My Dog Goes Everywhere with Me: Camping Edition (and Halloween Greetings!)

Today's guest post is all about camping with our furry friend. 

Here's is last year's Halloween Wordless Wednesday picture

Before that, let me greet everyone a belated Halloween. We're currently busy with office stuffs and I hardly have the time to visit bloggies and check out your spookies.

According to DogFriendly.com, about 14 percent of Americans have traveled with their pet on a trip of more than 50 miles. At least 10 percent of those individuals travel by RV. Camping trips are among the friendliest ways to travel with dogs because more campgrounds accept pets. To ensure your camping trips are more successful, always call the campgrounds you will be using to make sure they allow pets.

Don't forget to travel safely with your dogs using award-winning dog travel products from Kurgo.

Before You Go

A trip to the veterinarian is essential before you take your dog on any trip. Make sure your dog is up-to-date on all his vaccinations and is in good health for the trip, as Dr. Foster Smith recommends. You will need to take along a copy of your dog's vaccination records. Your dog will spend a significant amount of time outside on a camping trip so be sure to ask about flea and tick prevention. It can often be difficult for pet owners to understand which flea and tick prevention treatments are best. Your vet can give you a solid recommendation. You should also purchase a dog tag that includes your cell phone number, name and address in case your pet is separated from you. Microchipping can also be ideal if it hasn't already been done.

What to Pack

As you pack your own luggage, equip your RV or prepare essentials for your tent, keep your dog in mind. Collapsible bowls can be the best option to save space. Bring plenty of food and fresh water, especially if you will really be roughing it. Thanks to helpful tips from Paw-Rescue.org, here some other essential items to pack:

• One or two leashes
• Poop disposal bags
• Brush
• Dog-friendly sunscreen
• Tweezers for removing any ticks
• Extra blanket or pet bed
• Favorite toys
• Lightweight crate
• Dog life jacket for swimming and boating

Depending on the type of camping you will do, you may want to invest in a dog backpack so he can help carry a few items to your campsite. If there is anything else that comforts your dog, take it along to help reduce the stress, especially for a first trip.

You & Your Four-Legged Friend

Sitting around the campfire is a lot of fun, but you don't have to restrict yourself to your campsite while Fido is with you. It's no surprise that your dog loves walking. You can have a great time hiking with your pet with the proper precautions. Make sure you take plenty of water for you and your dog and keep him on a short leash. You may want to equip your him with hiking boots if he isn't used to long walks or if there's rough terrain. Always follow the trails to ensure everyone's comfort. Don't forget to pick up any waste along the trail.

Water activities can be thrilling for many dog breeds. If you'll be boating, you will need to complete an online boating exam before you go, to ensure that you have the right licensing for countries like Canada. Keep your dog on a leash on the boat as well to keep him from jumping into the water. Swimming is another popular activity for dogs and their owners, so don't forget to pack a life jacket for each of you, to reduce the risk of accidents.

Author's Bio:

Carol Pash

Carol considers herself a free spirit who's passionate about animals, fashion, cupcakes, and traveling.