10 Tips for Camping With Your Dog In Hot Weather (infographic)

Dogs love camping, too! But only if you take the right steps to make it a good experience for you and for them. Camping with dogs in summer weather can be uncomfortable, even dangerous for your canine companion. You must think ahead about how you’ll take care of your dog away from home. Proper planning and the right gear will have both dog and master eagerly anticipating the next chance to hit the road together no matter how high Mother Nature turns up the heat

Camping With Your Dog in Hot Weather

1. Get a Checkup: Consider taking your dog to the vet before you make the trip to make sure they're up to date on vaccinations and in good traveling health.

2. Don't Leave Your Dog Unattended: Even if you consider your dog to be very well behaved, anything can happen when you're not watching. Plan to have them with you for every step.

3. Always Carry Water With You: Ensure your dog doesn't get dehydrated by offering plenty of water for it to drink. You can even add ice to make it a little more enticing.

4. Applya a Cold Compress: Use a water bladder, cooling body wrap, vest, or mat as a cold compress. You could also try a towel soaked in cold water if your dog dislikes other options.

Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest

5. Buy a Cooling Vest For Your Dog: There are various cooling dog vest options on the market. You can soak this Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest in cold water, wring it out, and fasten around your dog.

6. Don't Overdo It: Limit your dog's exercise. Even a highly active, healthy doc can get overly tired or experience heat exhaustion. Watch them carefully, paying close attention to heavy breathing and other signs of heatstroke.

7. Say No: Avoid letting your dog drink out of streams or natural pools of water to avoid bacteria and other things that could be in the water.

8. Brush the Beast: Depending on your dog's coat, it can be essential to groom out their undercoat each summer.

9. Practice Car Safety: Never leave your doc in a parked car during warm weather. Temperatures can rise so quickly inside a vehicle, making even mild days dangerous.

10. Provide Shade: Make sure your dog always has a way to get out of the sun. Tree shade and tarps are ideal for providing shade because they won't obstruct airflow.

Tip: Start scoping out what camping gear you already have vs. what you still need and shop the camping area of Basspro.com.