June is National Camping Month, and if you’re like us you want to bring your pets along. Just like us, pets enjoy the occasional trip to the great outdoors, and camping can be a rewarding experience as you bond and create memories. To ensure an enjoyable camping trip, it's important to plan ahead. Here are our tips for a successful adventure.

Think About Your Pet

Some pets are more anxious than others, and bringing them to an unfamiliar place might be too stressful for them. Neither of you will have fun if you need to ease their worries during the entire trip. Additionally, they may act out when they are nervous, which puts others at risk. If your dog barks too much, you may be asked to leave the campsite. If you have a backyard, you can do a test run to see how your pup reacts to spending a night outdoors.

Research Pet-Friendly Campgrounds

Before you head out on your trip, first make sure that your destination actually allows pets! There are some sites with restricted areas and those that don’t allow pets at all. Research any additional rules (such as leashing and pet relief) and ensure you can abide by them. Need help finding a place? BringFido.com has a list of campsites worldwide.

Visit The Veterinarian

Schedule a visit to the veterinarian prior to your camping trip. Ensure that your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and has a clean bill of health. Discuss any concerns or specific needs with your vet, and obtain the necessary medications or documentation for the trip. Also, consider getting your pet microchipped if they aren’t, and update your information if they are. 

Pack The Essentials

Remember to bring your pet’s essentials for the trip: food, treats, water bowl, and leash. You’ll also need a compostable Poopcase with degradable Poopy Packs to pick up after them. (Poopy Packs can also be used if you want to pick up any trash you come across on your hikes.) You can also bring Metro Wipes to clean their paws before they hop in the tent and wipe your hands if they get dirty too. Other essentials may include: their medicine, pet first aid kit, sunscreen, collar light, photograph of your pet, and dog boots/paw protection. It's also a good idea to bring familiar toys or blankets to provide a sense of comfort and security in the new environment.

Practice Tent or RV Familiarization

If you're camping in a tent or RV, it's essential to familiarize your pet with the temporary living space before the trip. Set up the tent or spend some time in the RV with your pet, allowing them to explore and become comfortable with the new surroundings. This can help reduce anxiety or stress during the actual camping trip.

Keep Your Pet Safe & Secure

While some campgrounds may have designated off-leash areas, keeping your pet on a leash during the camping trip is generally advisable. This ensures their safety and prevents them from wandering off, encountering wildlife, or getting lost. Remember to respect other campers' space and keep your pet under control at all times. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, both plants and animals, as they could be dangerous or toxic to pets. As always, provide your pet with plenty of water. They may need more due to the level of activity and temperature outside.

Plan for Exercise and Comfort

Pets need regular exercise and mental stimulation. Hit the trails, play fetch, and find other activities that you know they will enjoy. Remember to respect any rules of the campsites and parks. Additionally, pets need routine, so do your best to stick to their feeding times as this can help keep their stress levels low.

Camping with your pet can be a pawmazing time to bond with your pet. When we ensure that they are safe and comfortable, everyone can enjoy the outdoors. Planning ahead means that both pets and their pawrents have fun, so we hope these tips were extremely helpful. Let us know what other essentials you pack in the comments!