The Ultimate Dog Adventure Packing Checklist
☀️ Summer Dog Safety Series
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☀️ Summer Dog Safety Series 〰️
Everything You Need for Safe Summer Adventures with Your Dog
Whether you're heading out for a day hike, a weekend camping trip, a beach day, or exploring in your RV, packing the right gear can make all the difference. Being prepared means you can focus on making memories while keeping your dog safe, comfortable, and ready for every adventure.
Before you hit the trail, use this checklist to make sure you haven't forgotten any essentials.
1. Water & Hydration
Keeping your dog hydrated is one of the most important parts of any outdoor adventure. Dogs can become dehydrated quickly, especially during warm weather or after exercise.
Pack:
Fresh drinking water
Portable water bowl or dog drinking bottles
Extra water for longer hikes
Electrolyte solution (only if recommended by your veterinarian)
Pro Tip: Offer water frequently instead of waiting until your dog seems thirsty.
Sandwich staying hydrated.
Collapsible water bottles and bowls
2. Food & Treats
Outdoor adventures can burn extra energy, so pack enough food and treats to keep your dog fueled throughout the trip.
Pack:
Enough food for the length of your trip
High-value treats
Training treats
Travel food container
Measuring scoop
Collapsible food bowl
Pro Tip: Try dehydrated or freeze-dried treats for lighter, easier packing. They are typically shelf-stable, take up less space, and are easy to portion for hikes, camping trips, and travel. Because they contain very little moisture, make sure your dog also has plenty of fresh water available.
3. Identification & Safety
If your dog becomes separated from you, proper identification greatly increases the chances of a safe reunion.
Pack:
Collar with ID tags
Updated microchip information
GPS tracker (like a Fi Collar)
Recent photo of your dog
Emergency contact information
Glow collar or tag
Pro Tip: Take a current photo of your dog before every trip in case you need to create a lost pet post.
Adventure Note: We never head out without our Fi collars. Whether we're camping, hiking, or exploring somewhere new, the added peace of mind is worth it. If one of the boys ever wandered off, we'd have GPS tracking to help us find them quickly. Hopefully we'll never need it—but we're glad it's there if we do.
4. Leashes & Walking Gear
Having the right gear makes exploring easier and safer.
Pack:
Standard leash
Long line for open areas
Harness or Dog Backpack
Backup leash
Poop bags
Waste bag holder
Adventure Note: If you're planning longer hikes, consider a harness with storage pockets, like a Ruffwear pack or harness. We love our Ruffwear gear ❤️! It allows your dog to comfortably carry lightweight essentials like poop bags, treats, or a collapsible water bowl, helping free up space in your own pack. Just be sure not to overload your pup—generally, healthy adult dogs should carry no more than about 10–20% of their body weight, depending on their size, fitness, and experience.
A well-fitted harness
Ambassador Autumn is wearing her Ruffwear harness, snug and secure for comfort. A well-fitted harness greatly reduces the chance of slipping free or escaping during walks and adventures.
5. Cooling Essentials
Summer adventures require extra planning to help your dog stay cool.
Pack:
Cooling towel
Cooling mat
Portable fan
Shade canopy or umbrella
Plenty of fresh water
Frozen treats (if camping or RVing)
6. First Aid Kit
Accidents happen—even on the best adventures.
Include:
Gauze pads
Self-adhering bandage wrap
Saline solution
Tweezers
Tick remover
Blunt-tip scissors
Styptic powder
Antiseptic wipes
Disposable gloves
Emergency veterinarian phone number
7. Paw Protection
Trails, sand, and pavement can all be tough on sensitive paw pads.
Pack:
Paw balm
Dog booties (if your dog tolerates them)
Paw wipes
Small towel for muddy paws
Adventure Note: Rocky trails may look harmless, but sharp rocks can easily cut or tear paw pads. A paw injury several miles into a hike can quickly turn into a situation where your dog can't continue. Always inspect your dog's paws during breaks, and remember—you may need to carry your pup back to the trailhead if they're unable to walk safely.
8. Comfort Items
A familiar item can help your dog relax after a busy day of exploring.
Pack:
Favorite toy
Blanket
Bed or sleeping mat
Chew toy
Treat puzzle for downtime
9. Camping & RV Extras
If you're camping or traveling in an RV, a few additional items can make your trip much more enjoyable.
Pack:
Tie-out or exercise pen (where permitted)
Outdoor blanket
Extra towels
LED collar or light for nighttime walks
Reflective gear
Brush for removing burrs and debris
Dog shampoo for muddy adventures
Water Wipes
Adventure Note: Water wipes are one of our favorite camping essentials. They're perfect for quickly wiping muddy paws, dusty coats, or dirty bellies before your dog hops back into the tent or RV. They're also great for a quick freshen-up between baths.
A rechargable Glow Collar
A rechargeable tag or glow collar is perfect for evenings, early mornings, or any time visibility is low, helping keep your pet easy to spot.
10. Important Documents
It's something many people forget until they need it.
Bring copies of:
Vaccination records
Rabies certificate
Microchip information
Pet insurance information
Medication list
Emergency veterinarian contacts for your destination
Adventure Note: Instead of carrying paper copies everywhere, take photos of your dog's important documents or save digital copies in your favorite pet app or cloud storage. Having quick access to vaccination records, medications, and emergency contacts can be incredibly helpful if you need veterinary care while traveling.
Quick Adventure Checklist
✅ Water & bowl
✅ Food & treats
✅ Leash & harness
✅ ID tags & GPS tracker
✅ Poop bags
✅ Cooling supplies
✅ First aid kit
✅ Paw protection
✅ Favorite toy
✅ Blanket or bed
✅ Vaccination records
✅ Emergency contacts
Ambassador Riley is set for her next adventure!
Final Thoughts
The best adventures are the ones where everyone gets home safely. Taking a few extra minutes to pack thoughtfully can help prevent unnecessary stress and ensure your dog stays happy, healthy, and ready for the next adventure.
At Bijoux & Sandwich, we've learned that every trip is a little smoother when we're prepared. Whether we're spending the day on a forest trail, relaxing at camp, or exploring somewhere new in the RV, this checklist helps make sure the boys have everything they need to enjoy the journey right alongside us.
