You might be able to tell from our blog’s name that we love to camp and explore off-road with our dogs. Taking dogs on extended outdoor adventures in a vehicle can pose a few special challenges though. Here are some of the ways that we manage things with our pups when overlanding and camping.
Each Dog is Different – Your dog’s needs may be very different from ours and we realize that not all our tips are going to be useful for everyone.
Over the years our pups have ranged anywhere from rough and tumble herding dogs to elderly ones with medical issues and lately, a couple of sweet but very nervous rescue dogs that are still recovering from abuse. All of the many dogs we’ve had over the years have been amazing and wonderful creatures, but each of them had their own unique needs when traveling.
Managing Food and Water When Overlanding With Dogs
Food – Try the best you can to estimate the amount of dog food you need to bring along based on trip length. Your dog’s appetite may be greater with more exertion, so bring a bit more than their regular ration.
The best thing to carry your dog’s food in is a sealed container that will prevent spoilage and not give off smells that might attract bears. We carry a Gamma2 Vittles Vault, which can hold 50 lbs of dry dog food and has a screw-on lid that seals in odors. We also carry a 15 lb-sized one for storing full poop bags for proper disposal when burying waste isn’t an option.
Water – Keeping your pet hydrated when camping and overlanding is crucial. Be sure to pack extra water when traveling with pets. One gallon per-day, per-dog of extra water is a good rule of thumb for large breeds. One good way to keep your dog hydrated and avoid spilling water all over the inside of your vehicle is to use a spill-proof bowl. Squeezable drinking cups, featuring a a small bowl on top, are handy for giving them a quick drink while on the road.
Keeping Your Dog Cool (and Warm) When Camping
We enjoy camping and overlanding in New Mexico, Utah and Arizona, three places where it can be very hot during much of the year. We try to plan our off-road exploring routes in advance, so that we end up camping at higher elevations where it’s cooler at night.
For times when we can drive with the windows down, or when we need to put the dogs in the truck for a few minutes when setting up camp, a set of BreezeGuard window screens (see our review) on the back windows keeps them secured inside while still allowing air to flow through.
- Shade – Set up a sun shelter or tarp when camping in hot, sunny places.
- Water – Dogs do sweat, but mostly cool themselves by panting, which causes them to need lots of water.
- Fans – Portable fans can help keep you and your pet cool in hot places, but often they’re not enough.
Keeping Them Warm – For sitting around the fire on cold nights we bring along a couple fleece-lined dog jackets, which are good for keeping older dogs and ones with short hair more comfortable.
Keeping Your Dog From Getting Lost When Overlanding
We realize there are many opinions out there on the subject of letting dogs run off-leash in the wild. We keep our own pets leashed when hiking and camping and that’s our choice. We respect others who “know” their own dogs, but we’ve also come across our share of lost dogs, whose owners had mistakenly trusted them off-leash in the wilderness.
If you have any doubts whatsoever about whether your dog will recall all of the time, especially when encountering new and exciting stimuli like a herd of elk, it’s best to keep them leashed and by your side.
- ID Tags and Microchips – Before heading out, make sure your dog’s tags are up to date with your latest contact info and have them micro-chipped.
- LED Collars – Glowing LED collars, like the NightHowl (seen above on Lizzy) can help you locate your pet in the dark if they wander off.
- GPS Dog Trackers – In areas with cellular coverage, GPS dog trackers like the Fi and Whistle Go may help locate a lost pet. Apple AirTags and Tile trackers may work off-grid, but their range is very limited. The Dogtra Pathfinder and SportDog trackers can work up to 7 miles off the grid, but do require frequent recharging.
Getting Your Dog Up in a Rooftop Tent
For overlanding pet owners who want their dogs to sleep with them at night, getting larger dogs up in a rooftop tent can be a challenge. Some very agile dogs can be trained to climb a ladder, and there are canvas sleeves that fit over it to make it easier for them to walk up. See our article Ways to Get a Big Dog Up in a Rooftop Tent for a few more ideas on how to do this.
A Few More Tips For Overlanding With Dogs
Taking our two rescue dogs camping for long periods of time is one of our greatest pleasures in life, yet at times if can be like traveling with a couple of rambunctious toddlers. We try to protect them as best we can, but unfortunately they’ve had to learn the hard way about some things, like prickly pear thorns and whether bees and wasps are good to eat!
Prepare for everything you can, but expect the unexpected to happen as well. The places you visit may have new and exciting stimuli and pose dangers that your pet may not be prepared for, so keeping a good eye on them is essential.
- Be sure your dog is vaccinated and on heartworm preventative.
- Consider rattlesnake vaccine for your dog if you travel in snake country.
- Don’t forget any medications they may take.
- Use flea and tick repellent where needed.
- Protect your dogs, especially small ones from predators. (One of our friends lost a small dog to an eagle while camping!)
- Avoid camping near cliffs and steep drop-offs.
- Use Snout Screen or similar doggie sunscreen on noses of breeds that are prone to sunburn.
- Carry a pet first aid kit.
- Know the rules. Dog’s may not be restricted or even prohibited on certain public lands.
- Leashes and collars can break. Bring a spare.
- Measure out and bring enough dog food to last the trip.
- Consider dog boots for rocky areas where heat, rocks and thorns can injure their paws.
- Please be respectful of other campers and keep your pets quiet at night.
- Please pick up and pack out your dog’s waste. Bury it only when it’s allowed and at the recommended depth.
- Always bring along some of their favorite toys.
- Try to maintain your normal feeding and walking times when camping and overlanding with your dogs.
- Just like us, dogs love exploring new places. Have fun and stay safe!
