Treat your adventurous pup to something nice this holiday season!
It's no secret that dog owners love to pamper their pets year-round, but the holiday season is the perfect time to get a little extra something for your adventurous four-legged companion. Hiking is not only a fun physical activity for you to incorporate into your personal routine, but it's a good way to keep your pup active and healthy too. The holidays are coming up fast and now's the time to start checking things off your gift list. Consider these 10 awesome hiking gifts for your outdoor-loving dog.
A comfortable and durable harness is a pivotal part of a successful day outdoors. Ruffwear's Front Range Harness is the optimal option for dogs of all sizes. The reinforced webbing in the chest area gives you additional control and deters your dog from pulling. The harness also features two leash attachments and an ID pocket just in case your dog wanders off while you're on the trails.
When it comes to hiking, not just any old leash will do. You'll need a leash that will hold up when your dog gets tangled up in branches and brush on the trails. You need a leash that will withstand the elements. Wilderdog's leashes are made of rock-climbing rope—it doesn't get much more heavy duty than that. The leashes come with a locking carabiner for extra security. Choose from lengths ranging from five to 10 feet and be sure check out their reflective leashes which are ideal if you find yourself outside in low light.
Quick tip: Clean up after your dog! Always bring along poop bags with you while hiking. If you need some, we recommend the biodegradable Pets N Bags waste bags. Regardless of their biodegradability, do not leave the plastic bag behind on the trail. Learn more about Leave No Trace here.
Dog owners swear by Musher's Secret Paw Protection Wax. Musher's helps protect your pup's paws from things like salt residue and ice melt, ice build-up, snowballing, sand and sunburn, hot pavement, rough terrain, and chemicals such as pesticides and lawn fertilizers. This product is also made entirely of pure natural waxes including white and yellow beeswax, carnauba, and candelilla wax so there are no harmful added ingredients that might irritate your dog's feet.
If it's a longer hike or backpacking trip you have planned, the Ruffwear Highlands Bed is a thoughtful thing to store in your pack for when your dog gets tired. Made of a polyester shell fabric, the Highlands Bed is water-resistant, easily packable, and quickly cleaned of dirt and debris after a good shake. If you've been hiking in brisk temperatures for a few hours and your dog is feeling a little sleepy, lay out the Highlands Bed so they can take a little break without having to rest on the cold hard ground.
Don't let your pup get dehydrated while you're trekking through the woods. The Kurgo Collaps-a-Bowl is a wonderfully portable water bowl to throw in your pack. The bowl holds 24 ounces and can collapse down to less than one inch in height for easy storing. When you get home, toss it in your dishwasher's top rack for a thorough cleaning.
In addition to the protection wax from Musher's, you're going to want to buy your dog a pair of sturdy boots for the more serious hikes. It doesn't matter what kind of terrain you're hiking on—cold, hot, slippery, rough—these boots will provide your pup's paws with just the protection and security they need. The outsole of the Grip Trex boots feature a Vibram design that gives your dog good traction regardless of the terrain. The upper part of the boots is made with a highly breathable mesh so your dog's feet won't get too hot or cramped.
If you bring along first aid gear for yourself, you better bring some for your pup as well. Adventure Medical's Trail Dog Kit is assembled for common injuries dogs might get while hiking with you. Items in the kit include: a variety of gauzes and bandages, irrigation syringe, saline wound and eye wash, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, alcohol swabs, splinter picker/tick remover forceps, and hydrogen peroxide.
Quick tip: If your dog hasn't gone on many hikes with you before, make sure they are ready for the experience. It's not recommended to bring a young pup out on a rigorous hike if they are still growing.
If you and your dog frequently hike in colder weather, you might want to buy them the Hurtta Summit Parka. This winter coat is particularly helpful for short-haired dogs or dogs with no undercoat, although even long-haired dogs will need the extra insultation under certain conditions. The Summit Parka will stabilize your dog's body temperature and protect some of the more vital muscle areas, the chest and abdomen. On top of it all, this parka is waterproof, comfortable for your dog, easily adjustable, and machine washable. You might also want to check out Hurtta's new Expedition Parka.
Instead of storing your Kurgo Collaps-a-Bowl or Musher's Secret Paw Protection Wax in your pack, store in your dog's Kurgo Baxter Backpack. This lightweight, durable, adjustable, and comfortable dog backpack features two saddlebags so your dog can carry some of your hiking essentials on the trails. The bag features eight adjustment points so you can guarantee a comfortable fit for dogs of all shapes and sizes. Order the Baxter if your dog is between 30-85 pounds or the Big Baxter is your dog is between 50-110 pounds.
Trail tested and always made with top-quality ingredients, Zuke's makes a variety of trail treats that are perfect for your dog to snack on while hiking. The Superfood Blend with Great Greens is a nutrient-rich formula crafted with ingredients such as ground oats, green beans, spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage, turmeric, and cinnamon. Give your dog one of these tasty and nutritious bites while you're burning off energy on the trails. The Superfood Blend comes in two other varieties: with Vibrant Veggies and Bold Berries.
