There are few things dogs seem to understand quite as instinctively as a trail.
Open the car door at a trailhead and suddenly they’re an explorer: nose down, tail up and absolutely certain that whatever is around the next corner requires immediate investigation.
Hiking with a dog doesn’t require an enormous amount of gear, but there are a few things I won’t head into the mountains without anymore - and a few tricks I’ve learned that can make a surprisingly big difference once you’re out there.
Here are seven hiking essentials worth knowing before you grab the lead.
- More Water Than You Think You’ll Need
The first rule of hiking with a dog is simple: don’t rely on finding water along the trail.
Streams, lakes and puddles may look inviting, but they aren’t necessarily safe drinking water. I carry enough fresh water for both of us, plus a lightweight collapsible bowl, and offer it regularly rather than waiting for the dog to decide they’re thirsty.
On longer hikes, remember you’re effectively packing for two athletes. Your dog might not be carrying a backpack, but they’re probably covering considerably more ground than you are.
If you think you’ve packed just enough water, pack a little more.
- Learn the 7-Second Ground Test
This is one of those tricks every dog owner should know.
Put the back of your hand against the trail surface for around seven seconds. If you can’t comfortably keep it there, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
We tend to associate this problem with sidewalks, but exposed rock, asphalt trailheads, packed surfaces and sun-baked ground can all become surprisingly hot. And unlike us, dogs aren’t wearing hiking boots.
I do the test at the trailhead on hot days and repeat it if the terrain changes significantly.
Better still, hike earlier. Sunrise means cooler ground, cooler air and usually an emptier trail.
Hard to argue with that.
- Paw Balm Belongs in the Pack
Heat isn’t the only thing working against paws on a long hike.
Rock, gravel, sand and rough trails can all be surprisingly hard on paw pads, particularly if your dog normally spends most of their time walking on grass and sidewalks.
That’s why Bark + Barly Paw Balm has earned a permanent place in my hiking kit.
I like to check paws at rest stops and again when we finish: look between the toes for small stones, thorns or debris and check the pads for unusual dryness, cracking or irritation.
After the hike, clean and dry their paws and work a little paw balm into any dry or rough pads. Bark + Barly is lick-safe, fragrance-free and made without irritating essential oils — useful qualities when you’re applying something to the exact part of a dog they’re immediately going to inspect with their tongue.
Think of it as the dog’s version of what you already do for your own feet after a long day on the trail.
- Carry Bear Spray - Where You Can Actually Reach It
If you’re hiking in bear country, bear spray is one piece of equipment you don’t want buried underneath a sandwich at the bottom of your backpack.
The National Park Service recommends carrying EPA-approved bear spray where it is immediately accessible - ideally in a belt or thigh holster - and knowing how to use it before heading onto the trail. (National Park Service)
That’s particularly worth thinking about when hiking with a dog. Dogs can complicate wildlife encounters, especially if they’re off-leash, so check the rules and wildlife guidance for the area you’re hiking before setting out.
And an important distinction: bear spray is a deterrent for an aggressive bear. It isn’t an insect repellent. Don’t spray it on yourself, your dog or your equipment. (National Park Service)
Hopefully you’ll carry it for years and never use it.
That’s rather the point.
- Mosquito Repellent - But Know Whose Is Whose
Mosquitoes don’t particularly care whether the blood donor has two legs or four.
I always pack insect repellent for myself on summer hikes, but don’t assume whatever you’re spraying on your arms belongs on the dog too.
Human insect repellents can contain ingredients that aren’t appropriate for pets, particularly if they’re likely to lick the product from their coat. If your dog needs mosquito or tick protection, use a veterinary-recommended product specifically intended for dogs rather than sharing your own spray.
Also do a quick tick check when you get home. Ears, neck, between the toes and around the legs are easy places to start.
Your mosquito repellent is yours.
The dog has enough things to carry without borrowing your toiletries too.
- Bring a Tiny Dog First-Aid Kit
You don’t need to turn your backpack into a veterinary hospital.
But a few tiny additions can be incredibly useful: gauze, non-stick pads, self-adhering bandage, tweezers and a small amount of saline or clean water for flushing a minor wound.
I’d also add a spare lead.
It weighs almost nothing, and a snapped clip or damaged lead several miles from the car is exactly the sort of problem you only need to experience once before carrying a backup forever.
Before longer or more remote hikes, find the nearest veterinary clinic and save the details to your phone. You probably won’t have to use them.
Again, that’s the goal.
- Know When Your Dog Is Done - Before They Do
Possibly the most important thing you carry isn’t in your backpack at all.
It’s knowing when to turn around.
Dogs can be extraordinarily enthusiastic hiking partners, and enthusiasm isn’t necessarily the same thing as having plenty left in the tank. Heavy or unusual panting, repeatedly stopping, seeking shade, slowing down or seeming reluctant to continue are all reasons to stop and reassess.
Hot days deserve particular respect. Dogs rely heavily on panting to cool themselves, and strenuous exercise in warm conditions increases the risk of overheating.
Take breaks. Find shade. Offer water. Check the paws.
And remember that reaching the summit is only half the hike - your dog still has to get back to the car.
The Best Hiking Gear Is the Stuff You Never Think About
A good hiking kit doesn’t need to be complicated.
Water. Collapsible bowl. Bear spray where appropriate. Mosquito repellent. A tiny first-aid kit. Paw balm. A hat.
Most of it sits quietly in your pack.
But knowing how to check whether the ground is too hot, remembering to look between your dog’s toes, carrying enough water and recognizing when it’s time to turn around can make the difference between a brilliant day outside and one you wish you’d cut short.
So pack lightly. Start early. Check the trail. Check the paws.
And go see what’s around the next corner.
Your dog has probably been waiting all week.
