What you need to know before going on a hike with your dog

The advantage of hiking with your dog is that it is an activity that is not limited to a single season, you can enjoy it all year round! If you’re preparing for your first hike with your dog, we’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know before hitting the trails.

Review course rules

If you are hiking with your dog on a new trail, it is a good idea to do some research beforehand so that you are familiar with the trail rules as they relate to dogs. If you are visiting a larger national or state park, they will have pet rules listed on their website. Smaller parks, or those without a website, will usually have signs at the trailhead stating rules for pets, such as:

• On what paths they can walk

• When they need to be leashed

• where they can run off leash

Not every park is guaranteed to have such detailed signage or a website, so when in doubt, it’s always best to keep your pet on a leash, especially if they’re still working on their recall skills.

Don’t forget snacks and water

When preparing snacks and water for yourself, don’t forget to bring a little extra for your dog! The amount of water your dog needs per day is calculated by multiplying 60 ml by the number of kilograms of body weight, but he may need more on days when he does strenuous activities, such as hiking. Depending on the length of the hike, you can also bring along some of their favorite Freshpet recipes for a mid-hike refueling snack.

Know how to keep them warm in the cold months

While some dogs were born to thrive in cold weather, others need a little extra help staying warm. If you’re hiking with your dog during the winter months, make sure your pup has the gear he needs to stay warm. This could include:

• Boots: Boots do a great job of protecting your pup’s sensitive paws from the elements. If you are going to invest in a pair of boots, you can save money by choosing a pair that will work for all seasons, such as the EXPAWLORER Waterproof Dog Shoes.

• Vest: If your dog just needs a little extra protection to stay warm, a vest is a great option. The Hurtta Summit Parka gives their torso an extra layer of warmth while keeping their legs free while navigating the hiking trails.

• Complete snowsuit: For some dogs, boots and a vest just won’t do – they need a full snowsuit to be truly comfortable outdoors. The Canada Pooch Snowsuit has a waterproof exterior and thermal foil lining to keep your pup warm on even the toughest days.

• Rain suit: If you live somewhere where the winter is more humid than snowy, you’ll want Canada Pooch’s Slush Suit. This full-body rainsuit will protect your pup from rain, slush and everything in between, meaning it can be used for hikes from fall through spring.

To see what else you can do to stay safe while hiking with your dog in the winter, check out our cold weather pet safety tips.

Check the humidity during warm months

If you’re hiking with your dog on a tree-covered trail rather than an open, concrete path, you don’t have to worry about direct sun or overheated ground. However, you should be aware of humidity. The level of humidity in the air plays an important role in your pet’s ability to regulate its body temperature. Dogs pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs and release heat, but if the humidity is too high, panting is not enough to cool them down. To avoid a life-threatening situation, make sure you are aware of the signs of heat stroke in dogs. This infographic from the Texas SPCA outlines everything you need to know about extreme heat and dogs, including the key signs of heat stroke.

Know which plants are dangerous for dogs

You might be surprised to learn that a number of common plants you see on hikes are poisonous to dogs. Some of them include:

• Daffodils: If your dog eats the bulb or flowers of a daffodil, it can cause stomach upset, vomiting, exhaustion, and uncoordinated movements.

• Ivy: Contact with your dog’s skin can cause irritation in the form of redness or even blistering and if consumed, your dog may experience stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting.

• Lilies: Several varieties of lilies are toxic to dogs, including amaryllis, lily of the valley, and autumn crocus. If consumed, they can cause vomiting, tremors and, in severe situations, organ failure.

The ASPCA has a large database of poisonous plants for dogs, but if you’re not an expert in plant identification, don’t worry. The easiest way to find out what plants are around you is to download a plant identification app, such as Google Lens.

Bring the correct pet waste bags

Even when hiking with your dog on pet-friendly trails, it’s important that you always clean up after he has pooped. Although some trails may have a station with free bags at the start, it’s a good idea to bring your own supplies just in case. A simple way to bring some eco-friendliness to this activity is to swap out your normal poop bags for a compostable option. When choosing an eco-friendly poo bag, look for one that says “fully compostable,” like those made by BioBagbecause biodegradable bags don’t always break down completely in landfills.

Now that you know what to bring, it’s time to decide where to go! If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our list of the best dog walking trails and the best national parks in the United States.