Things you need to know if you are going hiking with your dog;
If you enjoy hiking and have a dog there’s no doubt your canine partner provides you with good company as you navigate the highs and lows. In addition, your dog will love the liberty that comes with trekking, as it discovers a wide range of beautiful environments. Whether big or small hikes, it’s clever to prepare and take the right steps to ensuring your and your dog’s safety. Follow these easy steps mentioned below to make trekking along with your dog enjoyable and safe!
Choose the right trail for hiking:
It’s vital to do some thorough research for finding the right path. Moreover, it is essential to remember that every hiking region does not permit dogs, so you must find this out in advance.
Decide on the route difficulty according to your dog’s health and fitness levels as well as your own. If they’re a beginner in hiking, start with easy hikes. Dogs will regularly push themselves to their limits, which could cause some health troubles. So always start with easy walks to help your dog build up strength and endurance.
Few things to keep in mind while choosing a hiking path for your canine friend:
- Shady and green trails are one of the best places for hiking with dogs, as it helps protect their paws
- Avoid routes covered with sharp rocks for the same reason
- Avoid regions frequently visited by horses, mountain bikes and motorbikes, so there’s less of a risk of you and your dog getting hurt.
What to bring in your backpack?
How far you plan to hike and how many times you’ve taken that route before will help determine what you should carry into your backpack. Packing the right gear will make the hike more fun, along with your canine partner. It will also help you stay safe.
Below mentioned is the list of things you must carry in your backpack:
- Water – plenty of it
- A nice bowl to feed the pup
- Food and treats in sealed baggage
- Map (remember you may not get mobile reception where you’re going or you may break your phone)
- First-aid package
- Foil emergency blanket, in case you get stuck overnight
- Poop baggage
- Leash and harness
- Towel to dry your dog if it rains or they discover water.
Possible risks on the hike:
Being adequately prepared is one of the best ways to keep your pet safe. But there are some dangers that, regardless of how much you prepare, can’t always be avoided. Lots of these risks involve poisonous plants, snakes and kangaroos. These kinds of animals can hurt your dog seriously. That is why it’s always suggested to carry a first-aid kit and keep the dog on a leash.
Other things to look for are signs of heat exhaustion, cut paws, fleas and ticks. The rough terrain can be rugged for your pet’s feet and result in wounds that could get infected if not taken care of properly. If you are doing hikes in rocky areas, it may be sensible to invest in a few canine shoes to help keep your puppies’ paws safe. If they’re happy to wear them, that is.
Keeping your pup’s safety in mind is of utmost importance. So before hiking, take your dog for a vet check-up to ensure that he is perfectly fit for this upcoming task. Your dog is a valuable part of your life, and as a responsible dog parent you should consider the best pet insurance for regular health checks as well as accidents and illnesses. If your dog will be your constant hike buddy, pet insurance can help you out financially if your dog needs emergency treatments after their time traversing all kinds of terrain.
