Camping with Dogs

Australians love to travel. 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 the essentials that make camping fun, many people are taking their favourite furry four-legged friends along for the ride, too.

Taking your dog(s) 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.

Camp-friendly pets

Before even packing your dog into the car, consider if they are suited to joining you on an outdoor adventure or camping holiday in the first place. 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 fellow campers and potentially make your camping trip tense and stressful.

You might be welcome - but is your dog?

Pets of any kind are 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 home.

On the other hand, there's an increasing number of caravan and touring parks, and camping areas that welcome both human and animal guests but often under certain conditions.

Wherever your destination, check their policies, rules or guidelines for bringing dogs with you before you plan your getaway. If you're heading to the beach, also check with the local council about dogs and beach access, especially in the summer months.

Visit the vet before you go

Similar to how you need to ensure your camping gear is up-to-scratch and that the car is 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 gear.

Collars, leads and ID tags

You might have an obedient dog but it's still sensible to make sure your furry friend has been microchipped, 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.

Camping accessories for pets

Keeping warm at night is always important when you're camping or sleeping under the stars. Just as us humans get cold at night, so do 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 dogs' 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 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.

And one more tip to end this 'tail'

Got old thermals? Don't throw them away - if they're in relatively good condition and they still provide decent protection from the cold, recycling and reviving them for the dog is an excellent way to keep your furry friends warm and cozy, no matter what the weather.

Take note of these tips and you'll enjoy a holiday where no member of the family gets left out… even the ones with four legs!

Find your local Anaconda store and check out our extensive range of camping gear.