One of the best ways to bond with your dog and keep them happy and healthy, is to take them with you on adventures. Whether you decide to walk on an easy trail through a forest or up a mountain, your dog will need to outfitted with their own dog hiking gear.
In this post, I’m breaking down the gear we use when we take Kirby with us on trails, and other items that are on our wish list that are highly rated.
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Level of Adventure
Disclaimer: I am not a vet and do not know your dog personally. Please talk to your vet about safely using the dog hiking gear mentioned in this guide. As a rule of thumb, backpacks should not be heavier than 10% of your dog’s weight. So for example, a 50lb dog should not be carrying more than 5 lbs of weight in their backpack.
harness for leisure walks
We use this Pawaboo Harness for more than just securing Kirby in the car. When going on leisurely walks around town or on an easy nature walk. We just keep this harness on after the car trip and go. It doesn’t have any pockets or extra stuff to it, but we like that it doesn’t have a lot of extra material to it, so he doesn’t get overheated.
backpack for runs
We do not own this backpack, but I can definitely see it’s appeal. It’s a newer product from RuffWear, with slim pockets on either side. You’d have to carry your dog’s water, but this way they can carry a few smaller items and not be weighted down on a faster pace run.
backpack for Longer hikes
We recently purchased this backpack for longer hikes, so that Kirby can carry his own water, water bowl, poop, poop bags, and snacks. When using a backpack for your dog, in addition to the disclaimer above, make sure that the weight is distributed evenly. One great tip we read about was to alternate the water bottles on both sides so that when you are filling his water bottle, you are emptying both bottles at the same rate, keeping the weight even.
bike attachment for bike rides
We’ve used the Walky Dog bike leash a couple of time so far and we are very impressed with it. Kirby has been able to run along side my husband’s bike for about a mile so far. We are easing him into it.
The attachment itself is very well made and the safety features on it are really great. If you love biking, I would suggest reading the reviews and looking into this product if you have a bigger dog. It’s a great alternative to getting one of those bike trailers that seem to have issues with balance and fall over.
Check out the video of Kirby using the Walky Dog!
Must Have Accessories
Dog Shoes / booties
Dog shoes are great to have to protect your dog’s paws from trail conditions, snow, and hot pavement. They also keep your dog’s paws clean so when you are done hiking or walking, you won’t have to clean your dog’s paws afterward! We’ve had great success with these booties staying on our goldendoodle’s skinny legs.
Water bowls
Collapsible water bowls are the best for travel and can be clipped to your backpack or your dog’s backpack. We really like these silicone ones, and that you get more than one. We have these in various bags so we never forget them.
comfortable leash
We haven’t upgraded Kirby’s leash yet, but this is the one I’ve had my eye on. I like the look of the handle and the color options.
Poop Bag and Dispenser
You most likely already have one, so me recommending you one is a bit silly. If you get the leash above, it comes with a poop bag dispenser. I personally don’t like the scented poop bags and usually try and find biodegradable ones.
Snacks
Don’t forget snacks for your dog too! They will be burning calories just like you. We typically bring milk bones or this trail mix pack because Kirby loves the variety.
Safety Accessories
Light bulb collar attachment
If you happen to be on a trail at night, it’s a good idea to have a little light bulb attached to your dog’s collar, preferably on the flashing setting. You want to make sure that you and your dog can be seen, especially if you are crossing roads at night. These are also rechargeable.
first aid kit
While I hope you never have to use this. You’ll feel a lot better having a first aid kit on you in case your dog gets into something or gets hurt. You should probably have one for yourself as well!
Tick Remover
Very very important on certain trails where you will be in long grass or in a dense forest. Always check your dog for ticks after your hike! We like this little tool because it can be clipped to a backpack and is easy to use.
Orange Vest or Bandana
Very important if you are on state land during hunting season. You will want to be wearing an orange vest as well. Be aware of your surroundings and double check trail information before you hike. Usually there will be signs or more information regarding hunting areas. This bandana is nice because you can still have your harness or backpack on your dog with it.
Is there other dog hiking gear you take with you and your pup? Let me know in the comments below. Happy hiking!