Hiking is my favorite thing to do with my Siberian Husky, Gatsby. Aside from being our favorite activity, it’s also a must for such an active breed. Not only is your dog getting physical exercise, but allowing them to sniff on the trails will stimulate their mind. Did you know that just 20 minutes of sniffing is the same as walking your dog for an hour? Hiking is a great way to bond with your dog and to also reconnect with nature.
Whether you are planning to go hiking with your dog for the first time and not sure what you need to bring or just looking for some new accessories to add to your gear, I’ve got you covered! You never know what you’ll encounter on the trails so it’s important to be prepared for any mishaps or accidents along the way. Gatsby and I have tried and tested the best dog hiking gear accessories.
Here are the best dog hiking gear must-haves for any hiking trip
First Aid Kit
Any pro will know to bring a first aid kit. You never know what you’ll encounter on the trails. There was a time when Gatsby jumped off a rock and ended up cracking his toenail. Thank god we carried our first aid kit, which had styptic powder to stop the bleeding on his nail. Adventure Medical First Aid Kits is the best and also has a range of kits for you to choose from.
Backback to Hold Treats, Water and Supplies
Not only will a backpack make your dog look like a hiking pro, but there are actual benefits of your dog carrying one! It’s a great workout and can help them build lean muscles. Working dogs love having a job, and carrying a backpack gives them just that. Plus, it’s going to help lighten your load. Clip a water bowl onto the side of their pack, insert water pouches and let them carry their own treats. TIP: Never let your pup carry your first aid kit. What if your pup got loose and ran away with it?! And, try not to load up the backpack to more than 25 percent of the pup’s body weight. Ruffwear and the Wolf Republic make great-looking and durable backpacks with built-in harnesses.
GPS and Health Tracker
What if your dog accidentally got loose and took off? If you have a Siberian Husky, you know that having recall is not one of their strongest traits. Once they’re free, they may run far and not come back. That’s why I have Gatsby wear a GPS tracker from Whistle Labs (at all times, not just on the trails). It gives me peace of mind that I can always track him down with the app on my phone. Plus, the app tracks how many steps and miles your dog hiked. Don’t you want to screen capture your 10-mile hike with your pup and brag about it to your couch potato friends? You can learn more about Gatsby’s GPS tracker here. TIP: The Whistle Go Explore model has a built-in LED light which is going to be very helpful when it starts to get dark on the trails.
Tick Spray
The last thing you want is for your dog to get bitten by a tick. Protect your dog with tick spray, so you don’t risk the chance of getting Lyme disease. We’ve tried Wondercide and Kin + Kind tick sprays because they’re non-toxic. They both are great at keeping ticks and other bugs away. The Wondercide spray has a much stronger scent than the Kind + Kind brand. TIP: You can even use it for yourself to keep the bugs away. I use Gatsby’s bug spray all the time! ?
Hands-Free Bungee Leash
Most trails require you to leash up your dog and leashes can’t be longer than 6 feet. Ruffwear’s six-footer bungee leash is a must-have because it lets your dog roam a little, and you can wear it around your waist so you can hike hands-free. The bungee absorbs any shock and makes hiking more enjoyable for you and your dog.
Paw Protection Wax
Musher’s Secret is the safest, non-toxic and non-allergenic paw wax in the market. After applying it, you don’t have to worry about your dog licking their paws! The cool thing about this wax is that a semi-permeable shield is absorbed into your dog’s paws, allowing perspiration to escape through their toes. Using Musher’s paw wax protects your dog’s paws on rough trails such as hot pavement or ice build-up in the paw pads. Gatsby uses this all year round because it protects from the ice melt, pesticides, and hot sand.
Booties to Protect Scrapes and Cuts on Paws
Yes! Your dog needs booties for protection if they get any scrapes or cuts on their paw pads. When Gatsby broke his toenail during our hike, we were about two hours away from the parking lot! Although we stopped the bleeding with styptic powder, the bootie prevented Gatsby’s toenail from suffering even more damage. TIP: Ruffwear’s Grip Trex booties are sold in pairs because your dog’s front and back paws may be different sizes.
Rain Jacket
If you have a dog with double-coated fur, then you definitely need to get a rain jacket for them. One time, we drove two hours away from NYC to Mohonk Preserve in Upstate NY. When we got there, it started to pour! Ugh! We decided to hike anyway because we didn’t drive two hours only to drive back home. By the end of the hike, Gatsy was SOAKED. It was a very uncomfortable ride back home. Plus, it took us FOREVER to dry his double coat. Just keep it in the car if you don’t want to carry it. At least you’ll have it ready if Mother Nature decides to mess with your plans.
Rex Specs Goggles
Now, this is the ultimate dog hiking gear must-have! When everyone on the trails sees your dog with Rex Specs goggles, they’ll know your pup is a legit pro. I mean, these goggles are being worn by military dogs that jump out of planes! Use it to protect your dog’s eyes from debris, sunshine, and glare. Oh, and the haters too when they envy how cool your pup looks. TIP: Just like introducing anything new to your dog, start by letting them see and sniff it. Put the goggles on and take them off on short durations until they are used to it. Give them treats every time. Train them to wear it in your home first before taking it to the trails. SUPER TIP: Put the goggles on your dog when it’s a snowy day. Your pup will be so distracted playing in the snow that they forget they even have the goggles on.
Hiking with your dog should be a fun experience. Having all the dog hiking gear must-haves will prevent you from cutting your trip short in the event something unexpected happens.
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