Backpacking with Pets

Backpacking with pets can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience for the whole party! As with the many safety measures we take for our safety and comfort when braving the elements, we must take special consideration for our pets as well. Here are some tips and things to consider when hitting the trail with your furry friend.

Paw Protection

Photo: @ruffwear & @tylerroemer

Our pets’ paws are their lifelines. Keeping their paws safe is vital for a successful trip. It is all fun and games until your dog doesn’t want to continue on the trail because of an abrasion. There are many factors to consider when thinking about paw protection, such asThe temperatures of the trail, trail substrate, and whether our pets are going to be carrying weight. Boots serve as fantastic protective equipment for any trail type, given they are fitted and adjusted properly. Ruffwear’s collection of boots has something for every surface type. Keeping a handy pair of boots doesn’t hurt, even if you think you may not need them. Unexpected injuries can arise, and boots are great for keeping injured paws protected. Also, using something like Max Wax periodically through the trail can also keep our pet’s paws safe while not requiring significant additional equipment. This wax-based balm can protect against the hot pavement, rough terrain, ice melt, ice buildup, snowballing, salt residue, and sand burns.

Sun & Heat

One of the most important factors in keeping our pets safe on the trail during summer excursions is protection from the heat and sun. Believe it or not, some dogs can get sunburnt! Trimming your pet’s coat very short can put them at higher risk of sunburn, by removing that sun barrier. Keep their fur longer with regular brushing may be better for heath regulation and sun protection. Some pets with pink or white noses can get sunburns, so applying doggy-safe sunblock is key. Preventing overheating on hot trails is a major concern. Ruffwear’s Swamp Cooler Vest can provide evaporative cooling throughout your dog’s core, keeping their body temperature down. Just get it wet, wring it out, and throw it on!

Wind, Rain, and Snow

On the opposite side of the spectrum, these elements can be dangerous while out on the trail. Keeping our pets dry and warm is important. Ruffwear has a slough of cold weather jackets that work perfectly at home as they do on the trail. We tend to pack light for our pets on the trail, opting for a simple light-weight warmth layer in the Ruffwear Fernie for cooler nights.

Shelter

Shelter is as important to us as it is to our pets. Keeping them dry and warm overnight is super crucial. Increased body stress during backpacking can make what would otherwise be a perfectly warm night properly freezing for us and our pets. Sharing a tent with them is an easy solution for this, but insulating them can go miles too. I’ve simply cut up an old sleeping pad to size. It now serves perfectly as a butt pad for me and a sleeping mat for my dog. If your dog is like mine, she loves to sleep under the covers at home. Funnily enough, that didn’t change when we were backpacking. Sharing a sleeping bag can be a little tough though, so bringing their own quilt or sleeping bag can add additional protection even if it’s just for creature comforts.

Hydration

Hydration is important for us and our pets while on the trail. Not only are our dogs working harder and likely traveling 2x the distance we would on the trail, but they are also closer to the hot radiating ground. Making sure they have regular water breaks to keep them cool and hydrated throughout the trek. A point of contention is whether they should be drinking out of natural water sources directly. Of course, drinking directly from natural water sources poses a risk of contamination and sickness. Playing it safe and only serving them filtered water can certainly keep them safer.

Leave no Trace

Bagging your pet’s waste and carrying it out is a key component of practicing Leave No Trace. It can be unsafe for wildlife, waterways, and fellow hikers to leave waste behind. We covered the issues with pet waste for Earth Day 2022 here! Another consideration of Leave No Trace with your pet is to not allow them negatively impact wildlife. Wild animals are often disturbed during peak backpacking seasons, so making sure your dog is polite to its fellow animals can help take away some of that stress.

Calorie Load

As expected, backpacking is hard work for our furry companions. Keeping them properly topped up is always a good idea when on the trail. I personally always bring two extra meals for my pets’ when backpacking in case of emergency as well as planning meals with 20-50% more than they would normally eat while at home. Calorie rich treats can be great trail snacks to keep them going too! Check out our recipe for Doggie Trail Bar.

Pack mule

Photo: @Ruffwear & @tylerroemer

Whether or not to use a pack on your pet is a common question we get. It can be super helpful to load some vital gear off, but there are some considerations we need to make. Pack size is an important thing to consider. Depending on how long you plan on being out and how much you plan on your pet carrying will be the deciding factors. The Ruffwear Switchback Harness is perfect for carrying the essentials (my go-to pack nowadays), Ruffwear’s Approach Pack is great for a slightly larger load, and Ruffwear’s Palisades Pack is the go-to for ultra adjustability and multiday treks. Make sure our dogs are prepared to carry weight, training ahead of time. I always tend to train with water bottles in the saddlebags, so I can make sure the weight is evenly distributed and increase the load from day to day. When carrying a load, their paws tend to take more abuse. As with getting ready to carry a pack endurance-wise, getting their feet use to carrying weight can be good. Making sure to stop on trail often and check their pads regularly can help keep their paws safe. As for what to pack and how much it always seems like a good idea to pack as much in, including food and gear. Overloading our dogs is suuuuuper easy, so weigh their packs before departure. We recommend that your dog carry no more than 25% of their body weight, including pack weight and its contents. If your dog is new to dog packs, start with a light load and work up to a heavier load as your dog gets used to wearing the pack. I always limit the pack to essentials - food, first aid, poop bags, and boots. This is so if our pets were to be seperated from us, they can be easily cared for by whomever they may find.

Trail Hazards

Backpacking trails can be a host to a myriad of trail hazards for our pets. Keeping your dog on a leash can keep them safe from carnivores and herbivores alike that may be sharing the trail with us. Treating your pets with flea and tick treatment, whether that be herbal or pesticidal, can keep any unwanted pests at bay. Check your pets regularly and remove any hitchhikers after the hike. The wilds can be habitat for many poisonous or toxic plants. Keeping our pets from chewing on any unidentified plants can keep them from getting sick. It’s worth keeping an eye out for poison oak, ivy, or sumac that may be carried on their coats for miles and cause discomfort for you and your dog. Thorns burrs, and foxtails can cause irritation and can even be fatal. Found on a variety of grasses in the spring and summer, these barbed seedpods can snag and move to other more sensitive areas like ears, eyes, genitalia, or nasal passages. Avoid foxtails at all cost and remove any found. Excessive sneezing, head shaking, eye discharge or an abscess are a sign that it’s time to cut things short, because foxtails can work their way into a vital organ and be fatal.