10+ Dog Hiking And Trail Gear Essentials – Sparkles and Sunshine Blog

At the beginning of this year, my boyfriend and I started taking Diesel and Annie on some trails at our local State Parks! When we first got Diesel, one of the big dog parks we used to go to had this great trail area that he absolutely loved visiting. He could walk around, get in all the good smells and just completely enjoy himself!

Now that we’ve gone to multiple trails, I’ve started accumulating dog trail gear so that we’re fully prepared for the different types of trails, weather, and anything else that could be thrown our way!

In this post, I’ll be sharing 10+ dog trail essentials that we take with us to our dog-friendly trails and why we love using them! Plus, as I discover more favorites, I’ll be sure to update this post so it always has the latest and greatest outdoor dog gear!

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1. DGS Pet Products UnBugz It Dog Bandanas

To keep your dog as protected as possible from fleas, ticks, and other bugs, you should have your dog on a flea & tick prevention. In addition to this, one extra tool that I discovered is the DGS Pet Products UnBugz It Dog Bandanas!

If you’re wondering how to keep ticks and mosquitoes off dogs while hiking or on dog-friendly walking trails, these are a great product to try! These dog tick bandanas actually have a dog safe bug repellent bonded to the fabric that is designed to keep harmful pests away!

Check out my full blog post about How To Keep Ticks and Bugs Off Dogs While Hiking: DGS Pet UnBugz It Dog Bandanas to learn more.

2. Dog Hiking Boots

The next item on the list is hiking shoes for dogs! Now I will say, you don’t always need dog hiking boots for every dog-friendly walking trail or hike. To know if you’ll need a set of dog hiking boots, some important things to check are:

What is the terrain like on the trail? Is it just soft dirt or is it rough and rocky?
- If you answered yes to the latter, you should get a pair!
What is the temperature going to be like (i.e. are you walking in snow?).
- There are different kinds of dog hiking boots made for different weather, including colder temperatures!

My top brand for dog hiking boots is Ruffwear Dog Boots! The most well known dog hiking boots from Ruffwear are their Grip Trex Dog Boots. What’s cool about these is that they come in different sizes for both the front paws and back paws since many dogs are different sizes in the back. I can attest to this, especially with my boy Diesel! Ruffwear also has dog boots for snow called their Polar Trex Winter Dog Boots. Since I don’t get any snow here in Florida and I haven’t ventured out with the dogs in snow yet, I personally can’t say much about these, but I have seen many dogs with them that seem to love them!

*2024 Update* Ruffwear has also launched two new dog boot styles! Their new Hi & Light Trail Shoes look like a fantastic light weight option and they’ve updated their design of their Summit Trex Dog Boots which are designed to be another great options to protect against salt, slush and ice!

To learn more about the Ruffwear dog boots, you can check out their full collection of dog hiking boots here.

3. Dog Water Bottle

One of the most important things you can do while hiking with your dog or taking a stroll on a dog-friendly walking trail is to keep your pup hydrated! Just like us, dogs can easily get dehydrated which can lead to many health issues.

One of my favorite investments that you can take on any adventure (dog parks, beach days, sporting events, etc.) is a dog travel bottle! This company has since expanded and created a separate dog company, but my favorite water bottle, formally known as the Highwave AutoDogMug is now the Springer Pets Dog Water Bottle! This dog travel bottle makes the perfect hiking dog water bottle because of it’s main features:

Bowl attached to the dog water bottle for easy drinking
Lock design to prevent spills
Unlock design to allow excess water to flow back into the dog water bottle

I’ve had mine for years in the largest size (Growler) and it’s been amazing. I actually need to get a new one because I accidentally left it by the stove one night while I was cooking and it created a giant air bubble that will pop if anything comes near it, ha! Learn from me!

Even though the company name has changed, the product features are still the same in my original post about this water bottle for dogs. Check out my full post: Best Dog Water Bottle: Highwave Growler AutoDog Mug. *Links have been updated to Springer Pets!*

4. Dog First Aid Kit

While we all never want to have to use it, having a dog first aid kit for hiking and camping is extremely important. There are many K9 first aid kits out there that are filled with medical supplies for pets that can come in handy in case of an emergency.

My top two dog hiking first aid kits are:

ARCA Pet: Pet First Aid Kit
- I actually did a full review of the ARCA Pet First Aid Kit. I loved how their product comes with over 100 dog medical supplies including a tick remover, emergency collar, and so much more. Out of all the kits I researched, this one had the most medical supplies for pets compared to the rest!
Adventure Medical Kits
- This brand is super well-known and has tons of helpful dog medical supplies included! They even have a Me and My Dog Canine First Aid Kit that has supplies for both you and your dog.

5. Dog Waste Bags

When embarking with your dog on a dog-friendly walking trail or hike, the number one rule of trail etiquette is to pick up after your dog! When your dog’s poop isn’t picked up, it can affect the area’s entire ecosystem.

My favorite dog waste bags are the Earth Rated dog poop bags. You can find Earth Rated biodegradable poop bags and Earth Rated compostable poop bags, both are great options for the environment.

The reason I love this brand the most is because of how much they do to educate dog parents and give back to rescues and dogs all over. When a brand supports such incredible initiatives like that, they’re number one in my book!

6. Dog Poop Bag Holder

Piggybacking off of number five, another essential item for dog-friendly walking trails and hiking trails is a dog poop bag holder! Depending on the trail you’re on, there could be dog waste stations throughout. However, the majority of trails I’ve been on might have one at the start and end of the trail, but not throughout.

Since it’s important to clean up after your pet, one of the easiest ways that you can do so while keeping your hands free of carrying it, is to invest in a dog poop bag holder.

My absolute favorite brand for dog poop bag holders is Woof and Wonder! The owner Leda is the sweetest person in the world and makes the cutest product called the Poo Buddy! It comes in many fun designs and is made to attach to your dog’s leash and hold the poop bag so you can continue on your walk! 10/10 recommend!

7. Biothane Dog Leash/Collar

Something I recently discovered when attending my mom’s dock diving lessons with her lab Remi was a Biothane dog leash and collar! These are essentially waterproof and stink free dog collars and leashes that are designed for the outdoors.

Whether you’re going on a dog-friendly hiking trail or walking trail, a trip to a dog-friendly beach or even a dock diving lesson or competition like my mom, investing in a Biothane dog collar and leash or lead is a great idea! Plus, I also saw a Biothane slip lead at one of my mom’s dock diving competitions and I really liked that design!

8. DGS Pet Dirty Dog Shammy Microfiber Dog Towel

Now I have to share about one of my all-time favorite products, the DGS Pet Dirty Dog Shammy Microfiber Dog Towel! This super absorbent dog towel is great to bring along on dog-friendly hiking trails/walking trails if you know you’re going to encounter some water (our favorite local state park has an area that can get quite muddy and wet after a good rain storm!). Or, if you happen to live in Florida like me, we all know how easily it can rain here in the summer!

This dog drying towel has so many uses including:

Inside bathing as a bath towel for dogs
Dog drying towel for dog-friendly beach days
Dog drying towel for sporting competitions like dock diving

I’ve had two of the DGS Pet Dirty Dog Shammy towels for a few years now and I’m always so glad we have these microfiber dog towels for all of our indoor and outdoor adventures! Check out my full post about the DGS Pet Products Dirty Dog Shammy Microfiber Dog Towel to learn more!

9. Dog Energy Bars

If you’re planning on going on a longer hike with your dog, another good thing to have in addition to water is a healthy, energizing snack for your dog. Energy bars for dogs are also great for long days at sporting events or dog shows to keep your dog’s energy level up without doing a full meal.

Below are my favorite energy bars for dogs:

10. Dog Cooling Vest

This next item is very important if you live in a hot-weathered state or just for the summer in general. In addition to keeping your dog hydrated, sometimes the weather can just be so brutal that your dog needs some additional relief.

**Note: Always plan your trips at a reasonable time of day when experiencing hotter weather to avoid dehydration and heat stroke for both you and your dog.**

One product that is a great investment to have is a cooling jacket for dogs, also known as a dog cooling vest. One of my favorite brands for dog recovery products is Suitical!

I’ve actually reviewed two of their products, the Suitical Recovery Suit For Dogs and the Suitical Dry Cooling Vest For Dogs. The Suitical dry cooling vest for dogs has a very unique design that enables the water that is used to activate the cooling vest to evaporate without adding excess weight to your dog while wearing the vest. I was quite impressed with this product and have had it for years for my dog Annie!

Check out my full review of the Suitical Dry Cooling Vest.

11. DGS Pet Comet Collar: Light Up Dog Collar

One product that has come extremely handy during our dog-friendly camping trips and just walking my dog in the dark in general (we all know the fall time change struggle!) is the DGS Pet Comet Collar.

This waterproof LED dog collar has three different light modes that allow you to keep track of your pet in the dark while also staying visible for others. If you’re out at night on the trails with your dog or just need a little extra boost keeping an eye on your dog, this is one of the best light up dog collars. P.S. This is light up dog collar is also rechargeable!

Check out my full review of the Best LED Dog Collar: DGS Pet Products Comet Collar.

I hope after reading through all of these items and suggestions that you feel excited and ready to hit the trails with your dog! As mentioned in the beginning, as I discover more dog trial essentials and must-haves, I’ll be sure to update this post so that you always have the best product suggestions!

Want to learn more about dog-friendly state parks and trails, dog travel essentials and other dog-friendly travel destinations and tips? Check out more of my dog-friendly travel posts below and feel free to ask any questions in the comments below:

Plus, don’t forget to check out some of my most recent posts:

Photography: Kate Kelley Collection