Dog camping gear perfect for ruffing it with Fido

With the May long weekend unofficially kicking off camping season, many Canadians are dusting off their outdoor gear to get ready.

Most Provincial Park campgrounds are dog-friendly, but each have different rules when it comes to when and where your pup can be off-leash.

If you’re taking your dog along for your next outdoor adventure, here are some great gear and gadgets paw-fect for camping and hiking.

Garmin harness and VIRB camera

Discover the great outdoors through your dog’s eyes with this Garmin Dog Harness that mounts a VIRB X camera (Both at MEC). This waterproof camera takes stunning HD video, has built in Wi-Fi and a sweet slow-mo option. Use the mount and camera to create pup action videos, or just to solve the age old dog riddle: What have you been rolling in?

Pup tent

This camo tent from Barking Babies gives dogs their own little hideaway protected from the elements, whether at the beach or a campsite. The liner includes a removable fleece-covered sleeping pad that’s machine washable.

Travel mat

These made-in-Vancouver Handsome Mountain mats are designed to combat the trifecta of “muddy, wet, sandy” that happens to all dogs that go camping. It rolls out like a yoga mat onto your car seat, or into your dog’s crate. It’s water-resistant and makes a nice comfy bed for your pooch at the campsite.

Portable dog shower

Dog get into the mud on the trails? No problem. Use this Rainburst Simple Shower (MEC) to hose down the dog. The shower works with any standard 2L soda/water bottle, or hydration bladder. Great for washing sand off your feet too!

Pup-pack

This adjustable Top Paw daypack from PetSmart lets your pup carry his own gear for your next outdoor adventure. It’s adjustable, washable, has a d-ring clip to attach the leash, and features reflective accents to increase visibility. Comes in three sizes, for dogs up to 90 pounds.

Poochy Pouch

This one admittedly looks a bit silly, but it would be great for someone with a small senior dog that they don’t want to leave behind when they hit the trails. The adjustable carrier from Barking Babies is made from a breathable mesh and zips into a small fanny-pack-type pouch that also has compartments for poop bags and treats. Machine washable, and comes in two sizes for dogs up to 16 pounds.

Carry and go tote bags

Perfect for overnight trips, day camping and hiking, these carry bags from Handsome Mountain zip apart easily. Use one side for your pup’s food, medication or toys, and leave the other side for water. Can easily carry a weekend’s worth of food.

Canine lifejacket

Keep your four-legged friend safe on boat trips with this Top Paw lifejacket (PetSmart). Comes in five sizes to fit dogs between five and 100 pounds, and has an emergency lift handle to help them out of the water if they fall in. The 3D fin element is pretty jaunty too.

Chuckit!® Max Glow Ball Dog Toy 

It’s tough to take a dog to the woods without playing a game of fetch. But this is no ordinary ball. The Max Glow (PetSmart) glows in the dark with no batteries required, and is compatible with Chuckit! Ball launchers. It charges quickly under any bright light, so leave it on the picnic table during the day so it’ll be charged up for evening play time.

Travel bowls

These non-toxic collapsible Messy Mutts bowls (Bones Pet Stores in Yaletown) collapse flat so they don’t take up a lot of space in your backpack, and have a clip so you can attach them to your backpack or belt. They’re durable, non-toxic and come in three sizes.  

H20 to go

Pups need to hydrate too!  This portable Gulpy pet water dispenser (Bones Pet Store in Yaletown) has a fully-attached tray and water bottle that nests when not in use. The leak-proof water dispenser also fits standard bicycle water cages.

Tick removal lasso

Protect you and your pooch from ticks — and the risk of getting Lyme disease — in the backcountry with this simple Trix Tick Lasso (MEC) that works for both people and pets. The long, narrow shape slides easily into thick fur — and still works well if you get hair in the loop.

Light-up harness  

Never lose your pup in the dark with this LED-powered Top Paw Glow Bone harness (PetSmart). The lightweight harness is adjustable, water resistant and has a sewn-in lighting tube, that is guaranteed to last 100,000 hours! Has two lighting settings: Constant and blinking.