You’re not the only one who could use a little getaway up into the mountains or to the lake. Your furry friends definitely need some R&R from their “busy” lives, too! When it comes time for your next camping adventure, don’t leave your pets behind; bring them with you!
We always love to bring our dog camping. She has a good time, and it’s always nice to grab a handful of fluff whenever we come back from a long hike or canoe trip. Of course, she’s not always the cleanest… To make your camping trip a bit easier with your faithful companions, here are some of our top picks for the best pet products for camping.
Foldable pet bed
Dogs love to lay in the dirt. While it’s always cute to see your little pup with dirt all over their face, it’s not so good to see them roll around in your camper’s bed with it. To keep our dog off the ground and away from all the grime and bugs, we use a foldable pet bed.
A foldable pet bed is like a hammock for your dog. It keeps them elevated off the ground, keeps them comfy, and (most importantly) keeps your trailer, RV, or tent nice and clean at the end of the day. Plus, you don’t have to worry about bathing your best buddy at the end of every day.
Our favorite is the Carlson Pet Products Portable Pup Travel Pet Bed. We never leave home without it! Not only is it durable and easy to clean (so it doesn’t smell too bad), but it also folds up just like a standard folding camping chair for easy storage.
Portable paw washer
As great as foldable pet beds are, they won’t prevent all the dirt and grime from making their way to your puppy’s paws. After a muddy hike or a romp to the lake, a portable paw washer can be a life saver to keep your living space clean.
Instead of pulling out towels and doing a quick Google search for a laundromat (or dog wash), put a little water into the portable paw washer, dip your dog’s paws in a few times, and watch them come out sparkling clean.
Paw washers are about the size of a can of “soda,” so they’re easy to store in even the smallest spaces. We keep ours in the little pocket behind the seat of the car, so it’s always ready for adventure.
Folding pet steps
Camping rigs aren’t always the smallest vehicles, and dogs aren’t always the best climbers or jumpers. To help our dog get into the back seat of our tow vehicle, we carry a set of foldable pet steps.
There are tons of foldable pet step options available. We have the PetSafe CozyUp Folding Dog Stairs. They’re sturdy enough to support our dog (who may or may not reeeeally love food) and they fold flat enough to fit in the back seat of our truck. We even use the steps at home to help the pups get up on the bed at night.
There are other types of pet steps that fold up like an accordion to fit in even smaller spaces, but we haven’t had a chance to try them out yet. Whichever type you choose, they’re a great addition to any camping setup to help your dog get in and out of your rig.
Cooling pad
It can get hot in the campsite, and your poor fuzzy friend can’t take their coat off. To help them chill out in the heat of the summer, we use the Coleman Pressure Activated Comfort Cooling Gel Pet Pad Mat. It might be quite a mouthful, but it’s great for keeping our dog cool in the trailer.
The mat comes pre-filled with a cooling gel, so you don’t have to worry about filling it with water all the time like some other types of cooling mats. Better yet, it works! We’ve been known to stand on it every now and then in the trailer when it gets hot outside.
Just plop the mat down in your trailer, RV, or tent, and your dog will happily lay there and stay cool all day long. Plus, you can sleep soundly without panting in your ear all night.
Collapsible dog bowl
Did you know that nearly 50% of pet parents take their dogs hiking? Well, just like you, your dog also needs to stay hydrated on the trail. And since backpack space isn’t always readily available, you need something that’s compact and lightweight.
On our camping adventures, we pack a collapsible dog bowl or two. They’re small silicon dishes that collapse into a disk for easy storage. They’re small, compact, and easy to carry no matter how long the hike. We like to attach the included carabiner to the straps on the outside of my backpack, so no matter how wet or sloppy the dish gets, it won’t mess up our gear inside the backpack. We even use them in the car!
Dog treat training pouch
Owning a dog is a bit like having a child. From poop bags to treats, there’s always something you need to carry to keep them happy. To avoid having to reload your pockets every time you leave the campsite, get yourself a dog treat training pouch.
A dog treat training pouch is like a fanny pack that’s filled with all you dog’s essential goodies. Pack it with treats, dishes, flashlights, or whatever else you need to take care of your pup on the trail. Even better, it has a dedicated poop bag pouch with a dispenser for quick campsite cleanups!
We keep ours fully loaded and hang it on a hook near the door of the trailer. Whenever we’re going for a walk or hike, it’s easy to grab and go.
No poochie left behind!
You know who else likes hotdogs, swimming in the lake, and enjoying the smells of the great outdoors? Your dog! So don’t leave them behind on your next camping trip. Let them tag along.
However, to make things a bit easier on yourself and your dog, be sure to stock up on these pet camping essentials. They’ve been lifesavers for us, so hopefully they can do the same to you. Now, get out there and explore — your pet included!