Dog Camping Gear: 10 Items Every K9 Camper Needs

Enjoying the scenery, living off the land, and experiencing new things is always better with those you love. But camping with pets always involves some extra thought and preparation. You’ll also need special dog camping gear if you plan to bring your fur-babies along. From portable feeders to your pup’s very own tiny tent, read on for 10 items every canine camper needs!

Pitching a tent isn’t easy when you have an excitable retriever circling your legs. Plan ahead by bringing a dog hitching system like the Knot-a-Hitch by RUFFWEAR. This 36-foot tie-out system is great for potty breaks or to free up your hands while cooking, relaxing, or setting up camp.

Price: $75.99–$124.99  

Average consumer rating: 5/5 stars

Key features:   

• Swivel clip to prevent your pup from getting tangled up
• Crux clip for added security
• Compact travel pack
• Durability
  
• Extra long cable
  

Why we love it:    

• It comes in a convenient carrying pouch
• It works well with 1 or 2 posts (or trees!)
• The line is a bright orange and reflective for added visibility

Regular metal or plastic dog bowls take up a lot of space in your rucksack. Lighten your load and free up some space by bringing along a couple of Bonza Collapsible Portable Dog Feeders instead! 

Price: $17–$19        

Average consumer rating: 4.4/5 stars 

Key features:    

• Clips to attach to your backpack
• Pops out in a snap for feeding and folds flat when empty
• Comes with a water bottle holder keychain

Why we love it: 

• It frees up space in your pack
• It can even be clipped to your pet’s harness or backpack
  

Unless you want to forfeit your own sleeping bag, we’d highly recommend getting your woofer their own bed for camping trips. The Kurgo travel dog bed is an excellent option for pet parents who want a comfortable yet compact sleeping bag for dogs.

Price: $64–$75

Average consumer rating: 4.7/5 stars

Key features:     

• Unique design consisting of waterproof and tear-resistant ripstop
• Slip-resistant bottom
  
• Zip compartment to store comfort items from home

Why we love it: 

• The ripstop design is "pawfect" for pups with long nails who can easily claw through thin fabric
• Machine-washable (on gentle cycle)
• Rolls up easily and has a handle for easy travel
• Plush fleece interior for maximum warmth and comfort

This LED dog collar by Nite Ize is the "pawfect" way to keep tabs on your woofer during those inevitable late-night potty breaks. The Nite Ize Nite Dawg LED light-up dog collar comes in several sizes and colors, and you can even buy a light-up leash to match (sold separately). 

Price: $10–$14  

Average consumer rating: 4/5 stars

Key features:     

• Bright, LED light that's visible from all angles
• Battery-operated (and comes with extra batteries!)
• Water-resistant
• Several different light modes

Why we love it:       

• Keeps your dog safe on night-time adventures
• Cute and affordable  
  
• Water-resistant, perfect for rainy-day walks
  

Related: Are LED Dog Collars Safe?

If you’re planning to camp during the warmer months, you’ll need a way to keep Fido cool. The Chill Seeker Cooling Vest by Canada Pooch is a "furrific" way to help your dog beat the heat while still looking stylish. You simply strap it on your woofer and then wet it, either by taking them swimming or by pouring some water on them. The vest will absorb the water and continue to cool your pooch as the water evaporates. 

This vest comes in multiple patterns and sizes and even has water-reveal designs to really impress the other canine campers. Canada Pooch also sells cooling accessories like bandanas and doggy hats to complete the look!   

Price: $34–$50  

Average consumer rating: 4.5/5 stars

Key features:   

• Multiple lightweight layers of absorbent fabric to circulate air
• Adjustable buckles and straps

Why we love it: 

• Equal parts cute and functional
• Inclusive size range
• Comfortable fabric
• A variety of unique prints
• An easy return process if you buy the wrong size
  

Related: 11 Essentials to Keep Your Dog Cool [Under $50]

Campers who prefer to pitch their tents during the colder months will likely need to purchase some outerwear to keep their woofer warm. There are hundreds of different dog coats on the market, but the Carhartt Chore Coat for Dogs is the top dog according to many pet parents. 

Price: $40–$45  

Average consumer rating: 4.6/5 stars

Key features: 

• Durable, heavy-duty duck canvas exterior  
• Water-repelling
• Detachable insulated lining 
• 2 adjustable straps for a custom fit

Why we love it: 

• Features the same heavy-duty material and quality workmanship as Carhartt's items for humans
  
• Available in sizes S–XL
  
• Multiple color options
• Also available with a sherpa lining for $10 more

If you prefer your home on wheels to tent camping, you’ll definitely want to invest in folding pet stairs to help your pet get up and down off the furniture without hurting themselves. Petmaker Folding Pet Stairs are an affordable option for pet parents who are short on space and enjoy RV travel with their fur-babies.

When you aren’t traveling, these stairs are stylish and sturdy enough to be a permanent fixture in your home but are compact enough to stow in small spaces if you don’t want to leave them out. 

Be aware that you might have to train your dog to use pet stairs. Make sure to buy them a few weeks before your trip, and practice having your pet climb the stairs for rewards while you’re still home.

Price:  $39–$99 

Average consumer rating: 4.2/5 stars 

Key features:  

• Side rail for added stability 
• Tough plastic to support pets up to 120 pounds
  

• Compact
  
• Made of sturdy materials
• Capable of holding large and even some giant breeds

As any pet parent who shares a bed with their fur-babies know, pets can really hog the bed. But it doesn’t have to be like that during your vacay!

Give your pooch a space of their own to chillax with one of these adorable tiny tents by The California Beach Co! The Pop N’ Go Pet Tent is simple to put up and a great way for your pooch to get out of the elements without sacrificing your own space. 

Price: $65–$70   

Average consumer rating: 4.7/5 stars

Key features:

• Zippable door
• Viewing windows so you can keep an eye on your fur-baby without disturbing their slumber
• Removable mattress pad

Why we love it:      

• Easy to put together
• Blocks UV rays  
• Lightweight but roomy
  
• Have all the amenities of a human tent, just pet-sized!
• Machine-washable and easy to clean
  
• The tent fits compactly into a bag when you’re ready to go

Accidents have a tendency to happen at the worst times, so make sure you're prepared for emergencies while camping. Luckily, Adventure Medical Dog Medical Kits contain everything you need to render first aid to your two- and four-legged family members.

The Me & My Dog kit retails for around $53 and contains all the basics, including bandages, dog-safe human meds, irrigation syringes, emergency blankets, and more. The kit also comes with a booklet to walk you through first aid procedures for different scenarios you might encounter.

The Workin' Dog™ Medical Kit is twice the price ($115), but we think it's well worth the splurge. This kit contains everything that comes with the Me & My Dog Medical Kit with the addition of supplies like a disposable wound stapler and quick clot gauze to stop bleeding. The Workin' Dog kit also has eye wash, a spare leash, and so much more to prepare you for nearly any medical emergency you could run into while camping with your dog.

Price: $53–$115

Average consumer rating: 4.7/5 stars

Key features:   

• Lightweight, compact first aid kit with a durable bag
• Supplies to treat wounds, sprains, allergic reactions, and more

Why we love it: 

• Contains products for both pets and humans
• Comes with a physical first aid reference manual
• Small size saves space in your bag
  

Related: 20 Essentials for a Dog First Aid Kit

It's one thing for your pet to get lost in your neighborhood where the neighbors know them — getting lost in a far-away campground is another. Protect your pet from getting lost by equipping them with a quality, cellular-based pet tracker like Whistle Health & GPS, which allows pet parents to track their pet's location right from their phone!

We love the Whistle tracker so much that we actually featured it as our top pick in our best affordable GPS pet trackers article!

Price: $119–$150

Average consumer rating: 4.1/5 stars 

Key features: 

• Uses AT&T's 4G LTE-M network to track pets' live location
• Can alert to important health issues like excessive scratching and sleeping
• Lights up
• Water-resistant  
• The app will send you reminders about vet or grooming appointments
  

Why we love it: 

• Long battery life
• It can be used anywhere in the US or Canada with cellular reception
• Can alert you if your pet escapes    
• Lightweight
• Updates your pet's live location every 15 seconds
• Suitable for dogs over 25 pounds
  
• Water-resistant   

Additional resources for campers with dogs

• Find a dog-friendly campground near you
• The "ultimutt" packing list for a dog-friendly camping trip
• 10 tips for RV camping with your dog