As the weather gets cooler in fall, many Long Island dog owners love to go camping with their dogs. At Dan’s Pet Care, we think camping is a great way to spend quality time with your dog in the fresh air. But a successful camping trip with your furry friend requires a little extra planning. Before packing up your tent and heading to your local campsite, check out our guide to having a dog friendly camping trip, right here on Long Island!
Step 1: Choose the right campground to share with your dog
Not all Long Island campsites are ideal for sharing with your dog. Before you visit any campsite, check with the owners to ensure you understand all their guidelines and expectations for dog owners. Here are a couple of our favorite dog-friendly campgrounds here on Long Island:
Cedar Point County Park: At this campground, you and your dog can enjoy nature trails, fishing areas, boat rentals, and even scuba diving.
Blydenburg County Park: This sprawling park is open year-round, and you can enjoy camping, fishing, and hiking.
No matter which campground you choose, make sure the owners are aware you’re bringing a dog!
Step 2: Make sure your dog is ready for a camping trip
How do you prepare your dog for spending the night outdoors? It starts with a vet visit to ensure your dog is healthy, up to date on vaccinations, and properly protected from fleas and ticks. It’s also important to make sure your dog is properly trained before a camping trip. Commands like come, sit and stay can be valuable when your dog is outdoors in an unfamiliar area, especially if they become overstimulated.
Step 3: Pack all the right essentials in your bag
Your dog will need all their care essentials available on your camping trip. These include:
A sturdy leash and collar
Food, water and bowls
Clear, easy to read ID tags
Bags for poop
A first aid kit for pets
Something comfortable to sleep on
It’s better to overpack and have more than you need, than to end up wishing you’d brought something along once you’re already in the wilderness!
Step 4: Be aware of local safety concerns and prepare accordingly
Before heading out to your campsite, it’s important to understand the types of wild animals and plants you might encounter. Find out what flea and tick activity is like in the area you’ll be visiting, and consider packing an extra flea collar along with your dog’s normal flea and tick preventatives. Learn which wild mushrooms are common around your campsite, and be sure to keep your dog from consuming any mushroom (even if you think it’s safe). If there’s no water source that’s safe for human consumption at your campsite, you’ll need to prevent your dog from drinking from ponds and streams. This may involve packing bottles or jugs of water that you can share with your dog.
Step 5: Have an emergency plan in place in case anything unexpected happens
What happens if your dog becomes very sick while you’re out at your campsite? it might not be practical to get all the way home to your own vet if this happens. Keep a list of vets near your campsite handy, and have a plan in mind in case something goes wrong.
What about if you encounter severe weather or environmental hazards, and you have to be at your campsite longer than expected? It’s important to have extra supplies and a plan to keep your dog healthy and safe under these circumstances. Read the weather forecast carefully before heading out on your camping trip, so you can be prepared for whatever might happen.
Step 6: Plan some dog-friendly activities for your time at the campsite
As you plan your activities to enjoy on your camping trip, be sure to keep your dog in mind. Choose trails that your dog can handle for walks and hikes, and make sure to build in some time every day for relaxing and bonding with your dog. If you’ll be visiting the beach, make sure your dog has everything they need, like a flotation device, to enjoy the water with you.
Need high-quality pet care? Dan’s Pet Care can help!
Sometimes, it’s best to leave your dog behind when you’re planning a camping trip. Not all dogs enjoy the experience , and some will be safer and happier if you don’t take them camping with you. Dan’s Pet Care provides doggy daycare and pet sitting, along with a wide variety of other pet care services, so you can leave your dog in good hands. Contact us today to learn more!
