Experienced campers know dogs make excellent companions in the woods. However, as much as you rely on your canine for safety and companionship, they also depend on you. Domesticated animals need humans to keep them in good health and increase their survival rates in the great outdoors. Keep your pawed friend out of harm’s way when you take it camping with these seven tips on dog protection.
1. Stay Up to Date With Pet Medications
Give your dog preventive medication and supplements to boost its resistance to parasite infection. Ticks live in wild vegetation, animal burrows and places adjacent to bird nests — all present in forested areas.
If your camping trip is ahead of your pet’s scheduled vet visit, bring extra doses and apply the medication yourself in the middle of nature.
2. Note the Nearest Animal Hospital
Some campgrounds are too remote to access modern amenities. Still, you should know where to take your beloved four-legged friend in case of emergency. Identify the nearest animal hospitals or clinics you can visit if your pet gets severely sick or injured.
3. Stock Up on Appropriate Supplies
Pack adequate dog food to nourish your friend until the camping trip ends. You don’t want to run out of pet supplies and be forced to share yours, which may contain ingredients toxic to canines.
Although some hazardous human foods have mild negative effects on pets, others can be deadly. For example, salty snacks can cause sodium ion poisoning to Rover. This condition may result in seizures and death.
Furthermore, your dog essentials kit must include organic protein treats, collapsible bowls, meal containers, poop bags, high-absorbency towels, a dog bed or sleeping bag and a spare leash. Most importantly, bring lots of water.
4. Put Your Canine on a Leash
National forests permit dogs but require them to be on a leash up to 6 feet long in campsites and other developed recreational areas. The authorities put this rule in place to keep canines from chasing wildlife that needs to conserve energy to hunt or forage.
Also, it’s best to keep your pet under your control and be close to you for its safety. Wild animals can become violent when feeling threatened. Aside from minimizing unpredictable forest encounters, keeping your mutt on a tight leash prevents it from doing anything that may worsen the situation when you cross paths with cougars and other elusive predators, like turning and running away.
5. Render Rover Easily Retrievable
Canines naturally act on instinct. Your pet can run off when it senses something and go to untrailed areas. Catching a running pooch trying to chase something unknown in the forest would be an arduous game of hide and seek.
Equip your camping buddy with an ID tag or a microchip to help others identify it and locate you if it gets lost. Microchipping is effective only with accurate information. Update your details, especially if you got your pet from another owner, so Fido’s finder can successfully contact you. This way, you won’t worry about your pet’s welfare when it’s safely in someone’s custody.
Moreover, attach a bell and a safety light to your canine’s collar. The former can help you locate your pet when it runs away, while the latter can help make it visible in low-light conditions.
6. Screen for Parasites Regularly
Make it a habit to check your canine for ticks before entering the tent. Dogs like to rub their bodies and roll in vegetation to clean themselves. Unfortunately, this behavior allows ticks to attach themselves to potential hosts.
These blood-sucking parasites transmit various pathogens to their hosts. For example, your dog can get Lyme disease 36 to 48 hours after getting bitten by deer ticks. These black-legged nuisances can also spread other illnesses more quickly.
When you return to your campsite, screen for parasites and painstakingly remove them. Check yourself, too, for deer ticks can be just as harmful.
7. Keep Fido Hydrated and Cool
Dogs are at risk of overheating when hiking. They have few sweat glands, and most are on their paw pads. They over-rely on breathing to regulate their body temperature, which becomes more challenging when dehydrated. Loud panting indicates your mutt is severely thirsty and heat stroke may be imminent.
Walk outside when the sun is less intense because it can heat the ground quickly and burn your pet’s paws. Pay attention to your little camper when heading to your site or exploring. You sweat more efficiently than your pawed companion — frequently take a break in a shady spot to avoid exhausting and endangering its health, even if you’re not tired. Provide fresh, cool drinking water to keep your dog adequately hydrated.
Prioritize Your Dog’s Safety When Camping
The great outdoors is a terrible place to sustain an ailment or injury. Take these measures to keep your camping companion safe throughout your adventure and return home with precious memories.
The post Ruffing It Safely: 7 Measures to Protect Your Dog in the Great Outdoors appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.
