Planning a camping trip with your dog is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a pet owner but it requires a bit more prep than heading out solo. Forget something important and you'll spend the whole trip making do. Pack smart and you'll both have the time of your lives.
This complete checklist covers everything your dog needs for a safe, comfortable, and fun camping adventure — organised by category so you can pack methodically and tick off as you go. We've also included the best products from Pets Accessories Online under each section, so you can grab anything you're missing before you hit the road.
"The difference between a great camping trip and a stressful one often comes down to what you packed — especially when you've got a dog in tow."
Before You Go: Quick Pre-Trip Checklist
Before we get into the gear, run through these essentials in the days leading up to your trip:
- Vet check-up done and flea/tick/heartworm prevention up to date
- Dog ID tag is current with your phone number
- Microchip details registered and up to date
- Vaccination records packed (some campgrounds require proof)
- Campsite confirmed as dog-friendly
- Any medications filled and packed with dosage notes
- Emergency vet clinic near your campsite identified
🚗 Getting There: Car Travel Essentials
The drive to camp is part of the trip. A safe, comfortable car setup makes a big difference — especially on long journeys. Dogs that travel well arrive calmer, which sets the tone for the whole trip.
- Car seat cover or hammock to protect your back seat
- Dog car seat or travel crate for smaller dogs
- Seatbelt harness or restraint for larger dogs
- Portable water bottle for rest stop drinks
- Travel bag or backpack to keep supplies organised
- Familiar blanket or toy to reduce car anxiety
- Poo bags — within easy reach for rest stops
🛏️ Sleeping & Comfort
Your dog needs a good night's sleep just as much as you do — maybe more, since they're processing a whole new environment full of sights, sounds, and smells. Familiar comfort items are key to helping them settle quickly.
- Dog sleeping mat, pad, or their regular bed
- A blanket from home (familiar scent helps enormously)
- Their favourite comfort toy or stuffed animal
- Dog-specific sleeping bag for cold nights
- Crate or tent tether if your dog needs a defined space
- Calming toy or heartbeat toy for anxious dogs
- Small Bluetooth speaker for white noise if needed
💡 Pro tip: Pack the blanket or bed your dog already sleeps on at home — don't wash it before the trip. The familiar scent is one of the most effective calming tools you have in a new environment.
🍽️ Food, Water & Feeding
Hydration and nutrition on a camping trip need a bit more thought than at home. Dogs burn more energy on outdoor adventures, and access to clean water isn't always guaranteed depending on where you're camping.
- Enough of your dog's regular food for the full trip plus one extra day
- Portable food and water bowls
- Portable water bottle for trails and hikes
- Treats — for training, rewards, and comfort
- Can opener if feeding wet food
- Food storage container to keep pests out
- Your dog's regular feeding schedule written down
🎾 Activities & Entertainment
A bored dog at a campsite is a loud, destructive, or escape-prone dog. Keep them mentally and physically engaged during downtime especially during the hours when you're relaxing at camp and they still have energy to burn.
- Their favourite outdoor toy (ball, frisbee, tug rope)
- An interactive or puzzle toy for mental stimulation
- A snuffle mat or foraging toy for quiet time at camp
- Long line lead for off-leash play in open areas
- Collapsible splash pad if camping near water in summer
🔒 Safety & Bark Control
The outdoors introduces a whole new set of safety considerations for your dog — wildlife, unfamiliar terrain, other campers' dogs, and the pitch-black of night. Being prepared here isn't optional.
- Collar with up-to-date ID tag
- Secure leash and a long line for open areas
- Bark control collar or ultrasonic device for nighttime
- Dog first aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, tweezers for ticks)
- LED or light-up collar for visibility after dark
- Tick removal tool
- Dog-safe insect repellent
- Emergency contact numbers including nearest vet
🏕️ Reminder: Always check your dog for ticks after every walk or trail hike, especially in grassy or wooded areas. Ticks can attach quickly and are easy to miss under fur.
🧴 Grooming & Hygiene
Camping is muddy, wet, and wild — which is exactly the point. But you'll want a few basics to keep your dog clean enough to sleep in the tent with you each night.
- Dog towel (microfibre dries fastest)
- Dog-safe wet wipes for quick paw and body cleanups
- Portable paw washer for muddy trail returns
- Dog shampoo for post-trip wash
- Brush or comb to remove burrs, seeds, and debris
- Poo bags — more than you think you'll need
- Small bin liner for waste storage until you find a bin
🩺 Health & Medications
This section is non-negotiable. Accidents happen outdoors — cuts from rocks, stings, overheating, or an encounter with local wildlife. Be ready for the unexpected.
- Any prescription medications your dog takes regularly
- Flea and tick prevention (applied before the trip)
- Dog-safe antiseptic cream or spray
- Bandage and wound dressing
- Tweezers for tick or thorn removal
- Saline solution for eye or wound irrigation
- Vet's phone number and after-hours emergency number
- A copy of your dog's vaccination records
💡 Pro tip: Pack your dog's first aid items in a separate, clearly labelled zip-lock bag inside your travel backpack. In an emergency you want to find it fast — not rummage through everything else.
☀️ Weather & Season Extras
What you pack depends heavily on when and where you're going. Here's what to add based on the season:
For summer / warm weather camping:
- Dog-safe sunscreen for exposed skin (nose, ears, belly)
- Cooling mat or cooling vest
- Extra water — dogs in heat need significantly more
- Collapsible splash pad or portable paddling pool
- Shade shelter or dog tent
- Dog goggles if hiking in bright, dusty conditions
For winter / cold weather camping:
- Dog coat or jacket rated for the overnight temperature
- Dog boots or paw balm for cold or rough terrain
- Extra blanket inside the sleeping area
- Self-heating pad or insulated mat
- A heartbeat or comfort toy for anxious cold-night settling
Everything Your Dog Needs for the Outdoors
Shop our full range of dog travel, bark control, toys, and feeding gear — all with free worldwide shipping.
Shop All Dog Products →Your Complete Camping Checklist — Quick Reference
Here's the full list in one place to print or screenshot before your trip:
Before you go
- Vet check, flea/tick prevention, vaccinations
- ID tag, microchip, vaccination records
- Dog-friendly campsite confirmed
- Emergency vet near campsite identified
Car travel
- Seat cover or hammock
- Car seat or crate for small dogs
- Travel backpack
- Portable water bottle for the drive
Sleeping & comfort
- Bed, mat, or sleeping pad
- Blanket from home
- Comfort or calming toy
- Crate or tether if needed
Food & water
- Dog food (trip length + 1 day extra)
- Portable bowls
- Trail water bottle
- Treats
Activities
- Outdoor toys (ball, frisbee, tug)
- Snuffle mat or puzzle toy
- Long line lead
- Splash pad (summer)
Safety & bark control
- Collar and ID tag
- Leash and long line
- Bark control collar or ultrasonic device
- LED collar for after dark
- Dog first aid kit
Grooming & hygiene
- Dog towel
- Wet wipes
- Brush or comb
- Poo bags (plenty)
Health
- Medications
- Antiseptic and bandages
- Tick remover
- Vet contact numbers
- Vaccination records
Frequently Asked Questions
How much food should I bring for my dog while camping?
Pack your dog's regular daily portion multiplied by the number of days you're camping, then add one extra day's worth as a buffer. Dogs often eat a little more when they're more active outdoors, and it's always better to have too much than too little.
Do I need to bring a first aid kit specifically for my dog?
Yes — a human first aid kit won't cut it for a dog. You'll want dog-safe antiseptic, bandaging material sized for paws and legs, a tick removal tool, saline solution, and tweezers at minimum. Pre-made dog first aid kits are available from most pet suppliers and are worth every cent.
Can my dog drink from streams or rivers while camping?
It's best to avoid it where possible. Natural water sources can contain parasites like giardia, harmful algae, or agricultural runoff. Carry enough clean water for your dog's needs and top up from the campsite's drinking water supply.
Should I bring my dog's crate camping?
If your dog is crate trained, yes — it can be one of the best things you pack. A familiar crate gives anxious dogs a defined, safe space in an unfamiliar environment. Collapsible travel crates are lightweight and easy to pack for car camping.
What do I do if my dog won't settle at night while camping?
Start with comfort — familiar bedding, a toy, and closeness to you. If they're still unsettled, a bark control collar or ultrasonic device can help interrupt the barking cycle. For more detail, read our full guide: How to Stop Your Dog Barking at Night While Camping.
Conclusion
A well-packed camping kit makes the difference between a trip you'll want to repeat and one you'd rather forget. Dogs thrive outdoors when they have what they need — familiar comforts, enough water and food, safe gear for the car journey, toys to burn energy, and the right tools to manage any barking or anxiety at night.
Use this checklist as your go-to reference every time you plan a camping trip with your dog. And if you're missing anything on the list, browse the full range at Pets Accessories Online — we've got you covered from the driveway to the campfire.
Ready to Pack? We've Got Everything You Need
From bark control to portable bowls, car covers to camping toys — free worldwide shipping on every order.
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