Keep Your Dog Safe While Hiking With These 5 Tips

Enjoying the Texas outdoors is a terrific way to spend time with family, even our four-legged members. While most pets might not be well-suited for hikes, there is one kind often found on trails enjoying themselves—you guessed it, dogs. Dogs can be great hiking partners, but it is important to consider their needs when preparing for hikes or other outdoor activities. Here are five tips to ensure a fun and safe hiking trip for you and your canine companions:

Tip #1: Review rules of the park you plan to visit

Most state parks in Texas allow dogs, but it’s always important to check the Texas Parks & Wildlife website to review any rules for the park you will be visiting. The most important rule is this one: keep your dog on a leash. This is important for both your dog’s safety and the safety of any wildlife you might encounter during your hike. Trails are often home to snakes, armadillos, and other animals, so keeping your dog on a leash keeps those animals and their homes safe. On the flip side, no one wants to endure a vet visit due to a snake bite on the paw or porcupine needles in the snout. Another key rule to remember is that dogs are not allowed in park buildings—and not just gift shops and museums. This rule also includes restrooms and cabins, so it is best to plan where your dog will be staying and whether you will need to bring a dog cage or extra tent for your pup to stay in.  

Tip #2: Bring a backpack with supplies

With a furry friend in tow, it is important to bring supplies that will cater to their needs as well as your own. Bringing an extra water bottle specifically for your pet is one of the most important supplies, considering Texas days often begin cool but temperatures rise quickly. You’ll also want to bring some snacks and dog food depending on how long you will be hiking. There are collapsible bowls that you can buy so you aren’t hauling around large, heavy ones, and bringing extra waste bags could be crucial during any adventure with your dog because there is no guarantee the park will have any available. While most state parks provide bags at dog-waste spots, sometimes they run out. Bringing your own is always a good idea. 

Tip #3: Practice with equipment prior to going on a hike

Some equipment you might consider bringing may require practice before your dog uses it on the hike. Texas trails can be rough and tumble, and many have rocky paths or sharp inclines that could harm your pet’s paw pads. An easy solution is to purchase booties for your pet to wear during rough parts of the hike. This is when practice beforehand comes into play. Many won’t want to use something if they aren't familiar with it—they’re like children that way. Allowing your pet to smell the booties and become familiar with them at the house or during their daily walks will lessen their anxiety when they are out on the trails. Backpacks for dogs are like booties, so if you want your pet to wear one then practice putting it on, walking with it empty, then walking with it full of supplies. This will help your dog become comfortable with the backpack and make it easier to use on the trail. 

Tip #4: Know signs of heat exhaustion in dogs

One of the biggest hazards you will face when hiking Texas trails with your pet is one you won’t see coming unless you know the signs—heat exhaustion. Dogs are much more susceptible to heat-related dangers than we are but will continue walking as long as you do, so it is important to know and recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion in dogs. Excessive panting and a tongue hanging very low are two symptoms you should keep an eye out for during hikes. Most dogs pant in an almost rhythmic pattern like heh-heh-heh, while overheating dogs tend to pant louder and more chaotic like heh-ark, heh-ark, heh-ark.  Their tongues will extend down lower with excess saliva to help them cool down. If you see these symptoms, it is important to get them to some shade as quickly as possible and wet their head and paws to help cool. 

Tip #5: Before heading into the park, talk to a park ranger

It is always great to chat with a park ranger when entering a park, and that’s especially important if it is your first trip there with your pet. Park rangers know their parks and enjoy talking about them to visitors. Asking them questions about the best trails to take with your dog or about any recent wildlife encounters will help ensure that you and your four-legged friend will have a safe and fun hike. Park rangers are also an asset when it comes to the weather and knowing what may be coming and how long you should hike. They may be aware of an incoming storm and will let you know a shorter hike would be ideal. The last thing you would want is to be stuck in a storm with your pet and limited supplies.   

Enjoying the outdoors of Texas with our pets is a great way to spend quality time with the family, so follow these 5 tips to help keep that time enjoyable and safe.