Camping with your dog: The best tips for your trip!

Camping can be a fantastic way to bring your dog along on your travels. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when camping with a dog. We'll share how to prepare for a trip with your furry friend so your camping holiday goes smoothly.

Of course, it's easier to camp as a couple or a single person without a dog. But what dog owner wants to start a camping adventure without their dog? It's not necessary at all!

There are numerous campsites that are perfectly set up for the needs of both dogs and their owners, ensuring a completely relaxed trip. Plus, we've got the best tips for camping with your dog.

Camping with your dog: The checklist

For those in a hurry, here are the most important points summarized:

1. Check entry requirements
2. Get a health check
3. Pack a travel first-aid kit
4. Bring plenty of liquids
5. Avoid unnecessary food changes
6. Don't leave toys at home
7. Consider transport options
8. Bring a dog blanket or cushion

Camping with your dog: The right preparation

Never start your trip with your dog unprepared. Good preparation will save you, your four-legged friend, and your fellow travelers unnecessary stress. This includes planning your camping holiday well in advance.

Before you plan your road trip, consider what your dog can handle. Not every dog breed is suitable for a camping holiday in Sicily or an active holiday in Sweden. Some countries have strict entry requirements and sometimes even muzzle mandates.

Also, check with your vet early about dangerous diseases or vaccinations your dog needs for entry.

To avoid stress, it's best to start the first preparations one to two months before your planned departure.

Important questions to ask yourself:

• What are the legal entry requirements for dogs?
• What are the regional regulations?
• Can my dog handle the weather conditions at the holiday destination?
• Can my dog tolerate long journeys in the campervan?
• Is a health certificate required? What vaccinations does my dog need?
• Do I have a pet passport?
• Do I have pet liability insurance?
• Where can I find dog-friendly campsites and dog showers?

8 helpful tips for relaxed camping with your dog

1. Check entry requirements for dogs

Entry requirements and regulations can vary from country to country. For example, cropped dogs are not allowed to enter Switzerland, and breeds classified as dangerous are not allowed in France or Denmark.

Therefore, you should inform yourself early to avoid problems or having to buy a muzzle in the middle of your holiday.

When camping with your dog, you should always carry the EU pet passport. This applies whether your destination is within or outside the EU. The microchip allows for clear identification with the passport.

2. Are dogs allowed at the campsite?

Are you looking for a pitch for your campervan? Ask directly at the campsite if dogs are allowed, or check their website. Spontaneous and flexible camping with a dog is possible, but with a little preparation, your holiday will definitely be more relaxed.

There are campsites where dogs are allowed in caravans, for example, but not in tents.

But even if dogs are allowed, that doesn't necessarily say anything about how dog-friendly the campsite is. So, find out in advance what's offered for your four-legged friend.

Some campsites make holidays with dogs really easy. You might even find some that provide a free dog shower and a play area.

Here's a small selection of dog-friendly campsites in Austria:

• Camping Plörz with dog shower and dog exercise area.
• Sonnencamp am Gösseldorfersee with dog shower and dog play zone.
• Seecamping Laggner Dogs are welcome!
• Alpencamping Nenzing with dog shower, and dogs are allowed in the restaurant.
• Camping Hochoben with dog shower.

If you're planning an active holiday and heading to national parks, you should also check in advance whether dogs are allowed.

3. Health check & travel first-aid kit

Before your camping holiday can truly begin, you should have your dog's health and vitality checked by your vet. Are all vaccinations current and complete?

If you want to be extra safe, you should also get the rabies antibody test with a titer test.

Depending on where you're traveling with your dog, you should adapt your travel first-aid kit. Minor issues like injuries from broken glass, rubbish from the street, or ticks can lead to bigger problems. Better safe than sorry!

Camping with your dog: Travel first-aid kit checklist

• Tick remover and tweezers
• Sunscreen (for short-haired dogs)
• Disinfectant
• Wound spray or ointment
• Bandages and scissors
• Cool compresses
• Charcoal tablets or anti-diarrhea medication
• Parasite prophylaxis (for deworming)
• Motion sickness medication
• Emergency number for a local vet

4. Prepare everything for the journey

For the journey in the campervan, we recommend a transport box, a cargo net, or a seatbelt with a suitable dog harness. Every dog is used to something different.

If you plan to go camping with your dog in a few months, but your four-legged friend isn't familiar with a transport box, you could gradually get them used to it. After a few training sessions, your dog will jump into the box on their own and look forward to the ride.

During the journey, you should ensure regular breaks.

5. Dog food & snacks are a must when camping with your dog

Familiar dog food is best for a campervan holiday. Otherwise, your pet's stomach might get upset. Avoid changing food during your holiday.

Instead, you can bring tasty snacks on the trip and reward good behavior during the holiday. For sensitive dogs that require a special diet, you should especially avoid changing their food without good reason.

Our recommendation is to bring enough dog food from home for the entire trip. A little tip: seal the packaging tightly to avoid unpleasant odors in the campervan and to prevent food from flying out of the package during an emergency stop.

6. Toys & entertainment

Dogs need sensory stimulation and the ability to experience their environment. This primarily includes the opportunity to sniff and observe at their own pace and in peace. We recommend a slightly longer leash that can be attached to the campervan's tire, for example. This gives the dog a certain radius to explore while also guarding your campsite.

If you want to take your dog on a camping trip, remember that they need a lot of attention. Every dog has certain toys they particularly like and would miss on a longer trip.

We recommend bringing not only the simpler toys but also some trickier ones, so your furry friend doesn't get bored while traveling in the campervan!

However, the best dog toys aren't as much fun as running through the forest with their owner or digging for hidden toys on the beach. Even when camping, make sure your dog gets enough exercise and plan plenty of outdoor activities.

7. Dog blanket & sleeping place for camping with your dog

It's important to provide dogs with familiar items – like blankets or cushions that smell like home. Giving your dog these comforts eases the transition into unfamiliar environments like the campervan.

If your dog sleeps in a tent, placing their favorite blanket on the sleeping mat can help. A dog sleeping bag is also a good idea for camping. However, you should get your four-legged friend used to it at home.

If you're planning a campervan holiday, a dog bed or dog sofa is a good option. You can also place their favorite blanket there.

8. Be sure to bring water

If you're going on a camping holiday with your dog, you should not only have snacks handy but also plenty of water. Of course, at the campsite, you usually have a bottle of water available, but especially when you're on the go, you should have enough liquids with you.

Some dogs drink from your hand, while others need a bowl.

Caution: Be careful with public fountains and rivers. If you're unsure, don't let your four-legged friend drink from them to prevent stomach upsets.

Conclusion: Camping with your dog

Camping is great fun for both dog owners and their four-legged friends, as long as you take certain precautions, make some preparations, and your dog is fit for the holiday.

Not all campervans are big enough for your dog, and some campsites aren't always set up for animal visitors. Even with pitches like those from Schau aufs Land, you should check early whether dogs are allowed.

Are you ready for your camping adventure with your dog? We look forward to hearing about your experiences and hope our tips have helped you.