12 Tips for Hiking with Your Dog (Like How to Avoid Ticks)
Written by: Only Natural Pet Team
Hiking with Your Dog
One of the best things about sharing your life with a dog is always having a buddy available for hiking! Not only is it great exercise for you and your dog, but evidence is showing being in nature can be therapeutic. Hiking can improve the bond between you and your dog, stimulate your dog's brain with plenty of sites and smells, and get you into the best backdrops for that social media post.
But getting started can seem daunting: what gear do I need? Will my pet be safe? What about biting insects like ticks? Let our 12 steps to hiking with your dog get you started.
1. Hike in You & Your Dog's Comfort Level
Make sure you’re both in shape for your planned hike. The first hike of the season probably shouldn’t be 10 miles, uphill both ways! Your dog will follow you anywhere, but they can’t tell you when they're getting tired or if their paws are sore. Start with shorter treks to help your pal prepare for more strenuous activities.
2. Follow the Rules & Regulations
Be aware of the rules and regulations in your hiking area. They are there to protect you, your dog, the wildlife, and other hikers. Some places are safe for off-leash hiking, but this is not the case everywhere, so please be considerate.
Most parks have informational Websites that can help you be prepared with park & trail rules before you leave home. You can use these helpful links to find information on National and State Parks in your area.
If you choose to take your dog off-leash in areas where it's allowed, it's good to follow some basic safety measures. Make sure your dog has a collar with an ID tag and is microchipped; make sure your dog follows some basic obedience commands; and have plenty of natural dog treats available for a reliable recall if some wildlife or another dog shows up.
3. Size & Fit the Right Gear
Make sure you have the right eco friendly dog harness, and a sturdy leash. Studies have shown that excessive pressure from a neck collar can damage a dog’s trachea (windpipe) and require a dog tracheal collapse home treatment, so a walking harness may be a better choice for dogs that pull. Small dogs do exceptionally well with supportive harnesses.
The most important items are your dog’s collar – with an up-to-date I.D. tag – and a sturdy leash. Some trails will require you to leash your dog while others will not. Encountering wildlife and other dogs is not uncommon, so even if you’re on a trail that doesn’t require your dog to be leashed, it’s always important to be ready to leash your dog at any time.
If you start to get really serious about hiking, including overnight backpacking trips, you can start considering backpacks and functional outdoor clothing. Remember, your dog will wear these all day, so just as you want comfortable clothes, make sure all of these fit your dog properly.
4. Clean-up After Your Dog
Make sure you bring some recycled plastic dog poop bags and always pick up after your dog. Not only is dog poop unhygienic and can build up quickly on high traffic trails, but it can be a source of disease and parasites for wildlife and water sources.
If you find yourself without a bag and your dog goes, make sure you bury it to aid decomposition and protect wildlife and water sources.
5. Remember Water & Hydration
Hydration is a very important part of your dog’s performance on the trail too. For short day hikes (1-4 hours), bring water and a travel bowl for your dog. For multiple day trips where the weight of items packed plays a role, use a lightweight bowl that can be used for both food and water. Stop often so your dog can drink (don't wait for them to tell you they're thirsty because they never will).
Some people let their dogs drink out of natural sources, but be aware of where you are and judge how clean the water is. Dogs can get waterborne pathogens from natural water sources, so make sure you're aware.
6. Protect from Ticks, Fleas & Mosquitoes
Biting insects can be annoying at best and carry disease at work, so ensure you're protecting your dog when you go for a hike.
- Ticks: Ticks are always an issue when hiking, so you have to be vigilant. Topical treatments can be helpful, but always check over your dog when you get back home (more on that later).
- Fleas: Dogs can get fleas from hiking, so use preventatives and repellents. A flea collar will add some extra protection while on the hike.
- Mosquitoes: Most human mosquito sprays can be used on your dog, but protect the nose and eyes while applying them. If you're out for a longer hike, you might need to reapply. Mosquitoes carry heartworm, so make sure you're paying attention to if your dog is getting bit. Dry landscapes will have less mosquitoes, but they can be an issue anywhere.
7. Use Sunscreen (for Your Dog, Too!)
Of course you should wear sunscreen, but dogs may need it in areas where the fur is thin and the skin is whitish or pink. These dogs can get easily sunburned, especially if you're in open spaces with a lot of sun, so be careful about excess sun exposure. Human sunscreen can be dangerous for dogs, especially if you apply it to their nose and they lick it off, so look for a dog specific sunscreen.
8. Know What to Do in an Emergency
Know what to do in an emergency, such as a cut paw pad (which is more common than you might think!). Consider carrying a pet first-aid kit. Keep in mind where the nearest ranger station or emergency veterinary hospitals are located. Program a poison-control hotline and your veterinarian’s contact info into your cell phone.
9. Be Aware of the Heat
Heat can be an issue for any dog, but if your dog has a short nose (such as Pugs, Boston terriers, bulldogs, and Pekingese), try to avoid hiking with dogs during the heat of the day. These dogs have less surface area for heat exchange through their nose and mouth, the primary cooling mechanism in dogs. The same goes for extra-furry breeds such as Malamutes, Old English sheepdogs, or Collies, who can get overheated. Consider a cooling vest to keep them comfortable.
10. Consider Paw Protection
For dogs who love to run, dig or go off-trail, paw protection is a must. Well-made booties can protect your dog from torn pads, broken nails, burrs and thorns, and even ice in the winter time.
If your dog doesn't tolerate booties well, make sure you take the time to condition their paws with a dog paw balm before and after a hike. This can help strengthen the skin on their pads and even CBD salves can have therapeutic benefits.
11. Check Your Dog Afterwards
When you get home, always check your dog over for burrs, foxtails, debris, and most especially ticks (even if you’ve used a repellent). Ticks can carry diseases, so remove a tick from your dog correctly. Foxtails in particular can work their way through the skin and cause abscesses and other serious injuries. Don’t neglect the paws: small stones and other debris can get caught between the toes.
Wiping your dog down with Only Natural Pet Flea and Tick Wipes can be a great way to repel biting insects and also keep your eyes peeled for any bugs or burrs.
12. Help Your Dog Recover & Stay Healthy
When you're feeding your dog after a long hike, remember they put in a lot of effort, so adjust their diet accordingly. Make sure to add some water to their bowl, too. No matter how much they drank on the hike, they can still use some extra hydration.
If your dog is getting older, or if it's been an especially tough day, consider a joint support supplement for dogs. Herbal formulas can help with a healthy inflammation response and joint building compounds, like glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM will help support joints daily.
Conclusion
Hiking is a great way for you to bond with your dog and allow them some much needed stimulation. It can seem daunting to get started, but remember to take your time and use these easy to follow steps. You'll get to the point where you and your dog will love getting out into nature and hitting the trail.
