Tips & Gear For Camping With Dogs

Australians love to travel, especially with our favourite pets. But with a range of travel restrictions limiting our holiday options, an ever-growing number of people are discovering the joys of camping as a way to explore our own backyard. As well as all the essentials that make camping fun, many people are taking their favourite furry four-legged friends along for the ride too.

Taking your dog camping with you for the first time is all about exercising responsible pet ownership and doesn't require a great deal of work - as long as you bear a few simple, but important things in mind. Whether it's your first time camping with a dog or you're looking for some camping tips with your favourite furry friend, our complete guide to camping with dogs has you covered.

Quick Links

• Camping With Dogs FAQs
• Taking Dogs Camping: What To Consider First
• Different Types Of Campsites When Camping With Dogs
• Is Your Dog Allowed Camping?
• Visit The Vet Before You Go Camping With Pets
• How To Dog-Proof Your Tent
• Essentials To Take When Camping With Dogs
• Fun Accessories To Take When Camping With Pets
• Important Tips To Remember When Camping With Dogs

Camping With Dogs FAQs

Can you camp with a dog in a tent?

Because dogs are great at adapting to new environments, dogs are fine to sleep in your tent when camping - depending on your dog. During the summer, most dogs will prefer to sleep outside where it is cooler, but tents are great for offering them warmth, shelter and security in the colder months.

Will a dog rip a tent?

Even if your dog is very well-behaved, they can still accidentally rip your tent if they're not careful. This is why prevention is better than cure. There are many good ways to prevent this, such as trimming their nails before camping or laying down a protective layer of tarp or carpet on the tent floor.

How do I keep my dog calm when camping?

If your dog or pet becomes anxious while camping, there are a few steps you can take to help calm them down such as:

• Make sure they have plenty of exercise
• Ensure your campsite has privacy
• Don't leave them alone when they're anxious
• Use weighted blankets to help calm them down

Should you crate your dog while camping?

If you don't want your dog to be sharing a tent with you or if there's not enough room, bringing a dog camping crate is a great idea. It also gives your dog its own personal space at the campsite and is great for keeping them secure when you need to pop away from camp and want to make sure your pet is kept safe and secure.

Can dogs sleep in the car while camping?

No, you must never leave your pet in a car unattended for whatever reason, especially overnight. This is because of many health and safety reasons, with the main reasons being extreme hot and cold temperatures, your dog needing to go to the toilet and the risk of making them anxious.

Taking Dogs Camping: What To Consider First

Before you begin packing your dog into the car, you must first consider if they are even suited to joining you on an outdoor adventure or camping holiday. It can be a tough call to make, given how much we love our dogs and how important they are in our day-to-day lives, but take a moment to make an honest assessment of your pet's usual behaviour and personality.

Does your dog tend to be territorial? Do they bark often or tend to be yappy? Does your dog like to chase things or persistently jump up on people (even if it's with affection)? Of course, dogs will be dogs, but a constantly barking or growling camp companion is sure to get you off-side with your fellow campers and potentially make your camping trip tense and stressful.

Different Types Of Campsites When Camping With Dogs

When it comes to camping with dogs in Australia, there are plenty of options to explore. The most common types of campsites where dogs are allowed camping are:

State Parks & Forests

Offering some of the most stunning views you can find in Australia, state parks and forests are some of the most popular camping spots and are usually equipped with all the common facilities. However, the rules for camping with dogs and pets will vary depending on the state you are camping in, so check with the relevant authorities before heading out.

Caravan Parks & Campsites

There are plenty of powered and unpowered caravan parks and campsites across Australia that are perfect for camping with dogs and many other types of pets. They will offer all the facilities you'll need including flushing toilets, showers and BBQ areas. Even though most caravan parks will be pet-friendly, many of their cabin options won't be, so again, it's best to always check ahead before you pack your bags and set out.

Showgrounds

There are many country towns that allow people and their pets to camp on their local showgrounds throughout the year. For example, the EPIC Canberra Showgrounds is a showground that allows pet-friendly camping. The prices when camping with dogs at showgrounds are also usually cheaper than at campgrounds, however, the facilities are more limited.

Is Your Dog Allowed Camping?

Pets of any kind are mostly forbidden when camping or visiting national parks in Australia, so if you plan on heading to places like Great Sandy, Kosciuszko, Freycinet, Port Campbell or Daintree National Park, your dog will have to stay at home (but always confirm when planning your camping trip). On the other hand, there's an increasing number of caravan and touring parks and camping areas that welcome camping with pets - but often under certain conditions.

Wherever your destination, make sure you check their policies, rules or guidelines for camping with dogs with you before you plan your getaway. If you're planning on camping on the beach, also check with the local council regarding their rules on beach camping with dogs, especially in the summer months.

Visit The Vet Before You Go Camping With Pets

Similar to how you need to ensure your camping gear is up-to-scratch and that your car is fully serviced before heading off on a camping holiday, it's vital your dog gets a vet check-up and has all their vaccinations up-to-date. Bringing a copy of your dog's vaccination record with you while you're away is also a good idea, just in case things don't go to plan. If you haven't already got one, check with your vet about adding a first aid kit for your pet to your list of camping gear.

How To Dog-Proof Your Tent

No matter how well-behaved your dog may be, they can easily tear through the lining of your tent if you don't keep an eye on them. However, here are some simple ways to dog-proof your tent and make sure no little accidents happen:

• Trim your dog's nails: Trimming your dog's nails is half the battle as you won't have to worry about noticing a rip or tear in the flooring of your tent. A simple rule is that if your dog's nails are able to touch the ground - then they are too long.
• Wake up with them: If your dog wakes up before you, then they can become increasingly restless when having no one to play with. A simple step is to make sure that you wake up with them.
• Protect the tent flooring: As most tents are made out of nylon, they aren't designed to withstand sharp objects such as claws. A quick and easy option is to create a protective barrier with some carpet, tarp or even a blanket.
• Don't leave them alone: Another simple tip is to not leave them alone in the tent. When left alone, dogs can become mischievous or might accidentally make a hole in the tent without a cautious eye watching over them.

Essentials To Take When Camping With Dogs

You might have an obedient dog but it's still sensible to make sure your furry friend has been microchipped and is wearing a reliable collar with easy-to-read identification tags attached in case they happen to wander off and get lost. Likewise, don't forget to pack a lead. In some tourist parks or campsites, pets must constantly be on a leash. Even if they're allowed to roam free, having your dog's leash handy is imperative in terms of responsible pet ownership.

Some other important pet supplies to bring along with camping with dogs include:

• Food and water bowls to ensure they always have food and water close by.
• Their favourite toys for preventing boredom, adding something familiar to a new environment and keeping them calm.
• Make sure you bring along a first aid kit to ensure you can manage your pet's injury until you can see a vet. For more information on what you should bring, check out our first aid kit essentials list.
• Some extra towels, especially if your dogs become wet or muddy when coming with you on a hike.
• Extra blankets to keep them warm at night during the colder months. They can also double up as extra sleeping padding to make them more comfortable at night.
• Dog puffer jackets and warm gear are a good idea if you are going camping in winter or in chilly climates. The Cape Dog Puffer Jacket and Cape Zeus Dog Puffer Jacket are a popular choice. Jackets are water-repellent and can help protect your dog from the elements.
• Dog ear cleanser to safely and quickly remove any dirt from their ears when camping before it can start causing problems. This also includes paw balm for when they get cracked and sore paws, as well as some pet-friendly fly repellent to protect them from insects when in the great outdoors.

Fun Accessories To Take When Camping With Pets

Keeping warm at night is always important when you're camping or sleeping under the stars. Just as we humans get cold at night, so do our pets, which makes a pet sleeping bag the perfect solution for ensuring your canine companion is as snug as a bug in a rug and, consequently, everyone gets a good night's sleep. Most dogs enjoy watersports almost as much as their owners.

In fact, when it comes to kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, some furry family members insist on being part of the fun. If your dog insists on participating in your favourite summer water activities, give yourself some added peace of mind with a dog floatation device or pet buoyancy aid. Cleaning up after a dog's toilet break is far from fun at the best of times, so to make tidying up less onerous, a camping trowel can double as an easy and inexpensive tool for responsibly disposing of pet poo and protecting the environment.

Given how much fun a night beach walk or twilight wilderness hike can be, a walking light like a headlamp enables you to bring your dog with you. Bike rides are also a great part of camping and outdoor holidays and, for dogs on the smaller side, adapting a rear bike basket into a dog carrier makes exploring the outdoors and experiencing new adventures with your pet easy and fun.

Important Tips To Remember When Camping With Dogs

Taking your dog camping can make it a more enjoyable experience - but depending on where you decide to set up camp, there may be certain rules to follow. To avoid any issues that can ruin your outdoor adventure, here are some important tips to remember when camping with dogs:

Keeping control of your dog

Having your dog freely roaming a campground, apart from potentially upsetting other campers, can be a safety issue as well. If you are taking a tour of the campground, always make sure your dog is on a leash (unless otherwise stated) and ensure your pet is kept securely within your own campsite.

Pick up after them

Whether bush camping with dogs or going for a walk around your local park, always remember to pick up after your pet. No one enjoys stepping into dog mess. Some camping grounds will have poop bag dispensers, but it's a good idea to always bring your own just in case. If you can't find any bins nearby, then hold onto them until you locate a bin back at camp.

Make sure your tent can fit your dog as well

You don't want to unpack and set up your tent only to realise that there isn't enough room for you and your dog. When looking for a new camping tent, you must first have a general idea of how many people will be using it and how much room you will need. To ensure there is enough space for you and your dog, generally a 2-person or 3-person tent will provide enough space for both of you without any issues.

Get your dog used to the tent first

To ensure there are no hiccups along the way, it's a good idea to have your dog get used to the tent before you set out on your outdoor adventure. Here is a simple breakdown of how to acclimate your dog to the new camping tent:

• Pitch the tent in your backyard or open space.
• Play with your dog near the tent.
• Walk inside the tent and get your dog to follow you in.
• Spend some time in the tent with your dog so it can become used to the space and scents.

Bring enough water

Apart from remembering to bring enough water for yourself, remember that your dog will be exerting a large amount of energy constantly and will need a lot of water - and sometimes water isn't always available. This is why it's a good idea to bring a few extra litres of water with you for scenarios where your dog needs a drink in the middle of the night and you can simply grab a bottle of water instead of going on an expedition in search of nearby water.

Find The Best Camping With Dogs Gear At Anaconda Today

Camping outdoors is an amazing experience that we Australians can't get enough of - especially when it comes to camping with our beloved pets. If this is your first time camping with dogs and you want to make sure everything goes perfectly, consider the mentioned information and make sure your camping trip is one to remember! Make sure you check out our Adventure Centre for more helpful tips and exciting destinations that you can visit with your friends, loved ones and family. If you liked our Tips & Gear For Camping With Dogs article, then you might also like some of our other articles for awesome destinations and tips such as:

• Ultimate Guide To Easy Camping Food Ideas
• The Ultimate Camping Essentials Checklist
• The Ultimate Guide to Pre-Made Camping Meals
• Tips For Camping In The Rain

Find your local Anaconda store and check out our extensive camping range for your next outdoor adventure.

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