Hiking Gear for Dogs: 16 Essentials to Pack

Is there anything better than hitting the trails with your favorite canine companion? Spending a beautiful day together and getting lots of exercise is a fantastic way to bond with your dog. However, it does require that you pack a bit of extra gear for your pet.

You might think your dog does not need much else other than food and water while you are out on an adventure, but they actually need more than that. There are a few dog hiking gear essentials you should be packing whenever you and your pup head out. What are these essentials? Here are the top 16 items your dog will need to guarantee a safe and fun experience exploring the world with their favorite person!

The 16 Hiking Supplies

Food and Feeding Supplies

1. Food and Water

• Our Pick: The Honest Kitchen’s Whole Grain Chicken Clusters

Hiking burns a lot of calories, especially if you are out and about for hours or even an entire day. So, your pup will need to replenish their energy at some point. That’s why it’s important to bring a bit of food with you on the trail.

We recommend The Honest Kitchen’s Whole Grain Chicken Clusters because it is a food that’s easy to carry with you, as you can just throw some in a baggie and go. It’s also human-grade and made with whole foods, so you know your pet is getting the most nutrients possible. Plus, the whole grains and protein from the chicken in this food will enable your pup to keep their energy up and keep going.

Remember to bring a bottle of clean water for your dog, too! Your pup needs to stay hydrated, and there’s no guarantee you will be able to find clean water on the trail.

2. Collapsible Bowl

• Our Pick: Frisco Silicone Collapsible Travel Bowl with Carabiner

Bringing food and water for your pup means you need something to put them in, so bringing at least one bowl is advisable. But who wants to cart around a bowl in their backpack while hiking? No one, that’s who.

That’s why we recommend this collapsible bowl by Frisco. Collapsible bowls are lightweight and easy to fit with all your other hiking gear, so they’re immensely better than bringing along your dog’s regular food or water bowl. This bowl by Frisco comes with a carabiner, so you can simplify things even more by clipping it onto your backpack or elsewhere!

Walking Supplies

3. Collar

• Our Pick: Frisco Patterned Nylon Dog Collar

If the worst happens and your dog runs off, you want to help others identify them so you can get your pet back sooner rather than later. As such, you’ll need a collar to help with that. Having a uniquely patterned collar can improve the chances of being able to identify your pup in this worst-case scenario.

That’s why we like this Frisco collar. It comes in pink polka dot or lime polka dot, so the colors are bright and certainly memorable. Plus, because it’s nylon, it’s durable and should hold up well outdoors.

4. ID Tag

• Our Pick: Frisco Personalized Dog ID Tag, Bone

A microchip is probably the easiest and best way to aid your pup in getting back to you if they get lost and found, but an ID tag will also do the trick. Plus, ID tags offer extra insurance for getting a dog safely home, even if they’re microchipped. All you need to put on the ID tag is your pet’s name and your phone number. Once you have that, make sure it’s attached very well to your pet’s collar or harness.

We like this ID tag by Frisco because it’s simple yet cute. Its bone design offers a bit of whimsy while also leaving plenty of space to engrave the info you need. It comes in two sizes, so it should work for any canine regardless of their size, and it’s designed to be durable.

5. Harness

• Our Pick: Chai's Choice Premium Quick Release Outdoor Adventure 3M Polyester Reflective Front Clip Dog Harness

Wearing a harness can make hiking much more comfortable for your canine pal, especially when the harness is padded. A brightly colored harness can also be another way for others to identify your pup if your pet gets lost. Plus, harnesses give you more control over your dog, which can come in handy if you come across a wild animal on the trail your dog wants to go after.

This harness by Chai’s Choice offers eight color options and five sizes, so you should be able to find a harness that fits your pup. We particularly like the fact it’s quick-release, as this will ensure you can get your dog out quickly if they get stuck on something while on the trail. The leash attachments on this also give you better control over your pup while hiking, which further keeps them safe.

6. Leash

• Our Pick: PetSafe Nylon Dog Leash

Remember to bring a leash! Even if your pup is the most obedient dog in the world, always staying next to you and obeying voice commands, having a leash with you is essential. You might end up on a trail that requires all canines to be on leashes, or you might wind up in a situation where it’s simply safer for your dog to be on their leash.

Leashes should be durable, especially when you’re outdoors, and this Petsafe leash meets that criterion. Between the nylon and the heavy-duty stitching, this leash should hold up to almost anything. Plus, it has several color options, two length options, and three width options, so you can find exactly what you need.

Comfort Supplies

7. Boots

• Our Pick: Ultra Paws Durable Dog Boots

You want to keep your dog as comfy as possible out in the wild, and protecting their paws is an excellent way to do that. Rough terrain could cause all sorts of injuries to your pup’s paws, but a durable pair of doggie boots can help. With these boots by Ultra Paws, you can ensure your pet’s feet are safe from scratches, scrapes, thorns, and more. They’ll also come in handy if your pup suffers an injury when not wearing boots, as these can help keep bandages secure when walking.

The Ultra Paws boots are suitable for all sorts of weather conditions—dry, wet, cold, or hot—and are made from nylon, which is water-resistant. So, these should hold up even if your pup runs through a creek or puddles! Not all dogs are fans of having stuff on their feet, so try to get your dog used to their boots before you go on a hike.

8. Doggie Backpack

• Our Pick: Outward Hound DayPak for Dogs

A doggie backpack can provide you with more comfort on the hike. Going on long hikes with your pup means you’re carrying more, so why not let them help relieve your load? Let your dog carry some of their gear in a doggie backpack but remember to keep it light so you don’t overload your pup. Also, don’t let dogs under the age of one wear backpacks.

This Daypak by Outward Hound is perfect for hikes. It has four pockets that expand to fit everything from food to collapsible bowls. Breathable mesh keeps your dog comfy, and the fabric of this backpack is water-resistant, so if you find yourself caught in a little rain, the pack won’t be harmed. Working dogs, in particular, are sure to love having this!

9. Jacket

• Our Pick: PetRageous Designs Juneau Insulated Dog Jacket

You won’t always need to pack a jacket for your dog, but you'll want to have one on those days that are chilly or look like they may get a little wet. A jacket will help protect your pet from weather conditions, keeping them warm and dry so they avoid becoming ill.

This jacket by PetRageous not only comes in some lovely colors but is also incredibly sturdy and insulated. It’s wind and waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about your dog getting too cold or wet, and it has a fuzzy fastener that ensures your pup gets a snug fit. It’s also a breeze to put on or take off, so you don’t have to fight your dog to dress them warmly!

Cleaning Supplies

10. Waste Bags

• Our Pick: Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags

Being in the woods doesn’t mean you can let your pup go to the bathroom wherever they want without any clean-up. That means ensuring you’ve packed some waste bags for picking up poop. (Alternatively, you could bring a spade to bury your dog’s waste, but waste bags are easier to pack.)

Earth Rated waste bags are designed to be durable, so no leakage occurs, and are made from recycled materials, so they’re better for the environment. These bags are easy to tear off the roll, so grabbing a few to stow with the rest of your hiking gear will take seconds. Or just take the whole box with you; it's designed so you can grab bags like you would tissue, and it’s fairly small!

11. Pet Wipes

• Our Pick: Hepper Wash Wipes

Your dog is going to get dirty on the trail. They’ll come out of your hiking trip with dusty paws, mud on their snout, or twigs in their fur. It’s all part of the fun! However, you may want to wipe them down before letting them back in the car for the ride home.

Hepper Wash Wipes contain moisturizing ingredients that are excellent for coat and skin and are hypoallergenic. They’re designed to handle the toughest grime and dirt, so using them for a quick wipe down of paws or anywhere else your dog has gotten dirty will clean them up fast. You can safely use them on any part of your pet, too, so even if you need to clean your pup up from head to toe, these thick cleaning wipes will help.

At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!

Safety Supplies

12. Canine Sunscreen

• Our Pick: Petkin SPF 15 Doggy Sun Mist

You might not think it, considering all their fur, but our canine pals can get sunburned. This is especially true if they have no hair, short hair, white hair, or light-colored noses. So, if you’re headed out for a while, be sure to put some canine-friendly sunscreen on your dog in places like the bridge of their nose and tips of the ears.

This sunscreen by Petkin is dog-friendly, non-greasy, and non-sticky, so it won’t leave your pup feeling icky. Putting it on your dog will be easy enough as this sunscreen is a spray and comes out white when you first spray it, so you can see exactly where you’ve put it (it will disappear eventually, though). Just be careful if you’re spraying anywhere near the eyes!

13. Insect Repellent

• Our Pick: Flys-Off Insect Repellent Spray

Bugs will go after your dog, too, so dab them with a bit of insect repellent before you go hiking. Be careful with insect repellent, though; some canines can have adverse reactions to repellents (even dog-friendly ones). Do a spot test on your pup before hiking to see how they react. If you see nausea or lethargy, switch to a different repellent!

Flys-Off repellent helps protect your pup from mosquitoes, gnats, flies, lice, ticks, and fleas, so they’ll be well-protected while wearing it. Give your dog a few quick spritzes before heading into the woods, and they should be good to go.

14. Reflective Items

• Our Pick: Blazin LED USB Rechargeable Nylon Dog Collar

If you think you’ll be outside with your dog after dark, you should not only wear something reflective yourself but also make sure your dog has something reflective on them. There are plenty of reflective options for canines, including small lights you can attach to them, reflective leashes, and reflective collars.

We like this light-up collar by Blazin, in particular, because there’s no way your dog won’t be spotted while wearing it! This LED collar allows your pup to be seen from 350 yards away and has different modes, such as blink and strobe. It claims to work in any sort of weather and lasts up to 8 hours. Wearing this means your dog has an extra layer of security in the dark!

15. Doggie First Aid Kit

• Our Pick: Kurgo First Aid Kit

You never know what’s going to happen on the trail. Unfortunately, injuries and accidents can occur while you’re adventuring. Don’t only bring first aid for yourself, though! Bring a first aid kit designed for your pup, too.

The Kurgo first aid kit comes with 50 essential items, like antiseptic, sting relief wipes, materials to make a splint, and more. With it, you can ensure your dog receives immediate relief in case of injury before you get them to the vet for proper care. Even with all those items, this kit is still fairly small, so it should be easy to pack.

16. Emergency Carrying Harness

• Our Pick: Laika Dog Harness

Don’t just rely on a first aid kit for your canine pal. If your pup gets a more serious injury like a torn ligament, cut up paws, or injuries due to a fight with another animal, they might not be able to walk back to the car. Depending on how big your pet is, you might not be able to carry them back, either. That’s where an emergency carrying harness comes in.

With the Laika harness, you can carry a larger dog back to the car with no trouble. This harness allows you to help keep your pup immobile so they don’t injure themself further and gives you two handles to hoist them up with. You can save yourself a back injury and ensure your dog can safely get back to the car with this item. Best of all? You can fold it up to be incredibly small and it’s lightweight, so you can throw it in your backpack and go.

Conclusion

Dogs love to go adventuring with their people, but if you’re adventuring in the great outdoors, you need to ensure you’re prepared. Our canines need a few essential hiking supplies to help keep them safe, hydrated and having a blast. Sure, it means some extra gear for you to carry, but it’s well worth it to have peace of mind that your pup will be as safe as can be while you’re together!

See also:

• 13–18-Month-Old Puppy: What to Expect (Vet Reviewed Care Guide)

• What Is “Wag!”? A Guide to the Uber for Dogs

Featured Image By: Leo_Visions, Unsplash