Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

5 must-have items under $30 for hiking with your dog

If your four-legged friend is an athlete at heart, he’ll keep you on your toes — and keep your toes on the move! The least we can do for our beloved dogs is to take care of them as well as they take care of us, especially while out and about. With these essential dog hiking accessories, from travel-friendly water dishes to top-quality harnesses, you’ll have everything you need for a successful outing.

Your ultimate packing list depends on your pup, but these are some of the go-to items you should think about packing. Don’t forget to consider your destination, so you’ll know ahead of time if your dog needs any special weather accessories. For day trips and short hikes, though, check out some of our favorite dog hiking gear below. Happy trails!

Dexas Popware for Pets Collapsible Travel Non-Skid Silicone Dog & Cat Bowl

This portable dish will be a lifesaver on the trail, whether your pup is in need of a snack or a drink. It’s made of lightweight yet durable silicone, so you won’t need to worry about breaking it. It also won’t weigh you down if you decide to use the carabiner to clip it to your belt loop, backpack, or dog’s leash. Yep, it’s hands-free! It’s also dishwasher-safe and easily collapsible — about half an inch thick at its most compact.

Outward Hound DayPak for Dogs

If your dog can pull her own weight, she won’t mind carrying a few of her things as well. This doggie backpack is lightweight, durable, and fits just like a harness for safe leash walking — simply attach the leash to the D-clip on the back of the vest. Since this backpack was made with your dog’s safety in mind, it’s both waterproof and ultravisible with its neon and reflective qualities. With four expandable pockets on each side of your dog’s body the DayPak can hold everything you need for a hike.

H&H Pets Dog Treat Pouch with Shoulder Strap, Waste Bag Dispenser

With one small pouch, you can hold treats, poop bags, and more. The H&H Dog Treat Pouch makes rewarding your pooch easy as pie: Just loosen the drawstring and grab what you need! There’s an included side pocket for storing and dispensing your dog’s waste bags, making picking up after your pup more glamorous than ever.

This pouch comes with a clip, so you can keep it exactly where you need it. If you prefer holding onto it yourself, just use the included storage strap. With so many ways to use one bag, there’s no question why it has hundreds of positive reviews on Amazon.

SparklyPets Hands-Free Dog Leash

Some folks aren’t fans of holding onto their dog while they’re on a trek, but many places require pets to stay leashed at all times. Having a hands-free leash like this popular one by SparklyPets can make a world of difference for your comfort — and your arms! If your dog likes to pull, this will certainly give your upper body a break, though you can use it like a standard leash as well.

As Amazon’s choice for “dog leash for hiking,” one lightweight product lives up to some big hype. Reviews rave over this leash’s versatility — one dog mom loves having the comfy stretch of the bungee cord as well as multiple handles to pull her pup closer on hiking trails.

Vet’s Best Mosquito Repellent for Dogs and Cats

Don’t forget the bug spray! Mosquitoes can be just as pesky for our pets as they are for us, so make sure to find a bug repellent that’s totally safe for dogs, like this one. Vet’s Best Mosquito Repellent is DEET-free and made with plant-based oils, so you know you’re getting the best in natural ingredients.

All packed? Bringing your furry friend on an adventure can certainly require extra planning, but with a little forethought and research, you’ll both be ready to hit the road in no time. Don’t forget to pack the treats!

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
5 easy-to-make DIY dog treats that you can make for your pup this fall
Fall-inspired DIY dog treats you can whip up
A marble countertop with miniature pumpkins and fall-themed dog treats

There are so many festive fall foods, but finding the perfect homemade dog treat recipe for your autumn gathering can be trickier than you think. Luckily, many of this season’s freshest crops and ingredients are healthy, nutritious autumn additions to your dog’s diet. Pumpkin, apple, even cinnamon … these flavors practically scream "fall."
Even if you don’t have any big plans, baking up some cute and healthy homemade dog treats is a great way to bond with your dog when the weather gets cozy. Food-motivated pups will especially appreciate these DIY dog treats, and you’ll love the sweet, cozy vibes you’ll get from cooking for your fur baby. It’s the perfect night in!

How to prepare pumpkin spice for dogs -- because even dogs should get a taste of this autumn delicacy
While you're sipping on a pumpkin spice latte, there's no reason your furry friend should miss out. Luckily, there's a dog-safe recipe for pumpkin spice that you can make from home.
However you want to prepare these autumnal ingredients, you should know a few things about pumpkin spice for dogs. Pumpkin on its own is full of nutrients, such as vitamins and iron; plus, its high fiber content can regulate finicky digestive systems (via American Kennel Club). Just ensure your dog doesn’t get added sugars with her pumpkin, as this isn’t good for her.
When preparing your spice mix, remember to avoid nutmeg. This ingredient isn’t healthy for pups, and it can easily be substituted for a similar flavor. Instead, a mix of cinnamon, ginger, allspice, clove, and a dash of vanilla extract will do. Use these ingredients to spice up nearly any biscuit, yogurt, or pumpkin-flavored dog treat--for you or your pup!

Read more
9 frighteningly amazing large dog Halloween costume ideas to try this October
Spooky, adorable, and easy-to-make large dog Halloween costumes
Border Collie in a skeleton shirt sits in a pile of autumn leaves

The spookiest night of the year is almost upon us, which means it’s time to plan everyone’s festive outfits... including your pup's! With these large dog Halloween costumes, even your dog can be part of the frightening fun. And here’s the best part: You don’t have to spend a ton on these dog Halloween costume ideas, either.
Not only are they all reasonably priced (especially compared with Halloween costumes for people), but some are completely DIY-able, too. It's a crafter's dream! How you ultimately decide to dress up your dog is totally up to you — she's going to be the star of the show this Halloween, no matter what. Just don't make her look too spooky!

Beanie Baby DIY name tags are perfect Halloween accessories for any pet
If your childhood self would have loved the idea of a life-sized Beanie Baby, you can make that dream come true this Halloween. All you need for this adorable project is cardboard and some paint (or colored construction paper if you’d rather) to design your pet’s own Beanie Baby tag. Bonus points if you go the extra mile and write her a custom biography poem!
Once you've designed and glued this adorable tag together, all you need to do is attach it to your pup’s collar — and snap some pictures, of course. An oversized tag might be more eye-catching, so plan your size before you cut any materials!

Read more
8 easy and affordable small dog Halloween costume ideas that are perfect for both tricks and treats
Try one of these small dog Halloween costumes
French bulldog dog dressed up with funny cactus Halloween dog costume

With so much spooky cuteness rolled up into a four-legged package, it’s tough to top dogs in Halloween costumes. Everyone you meet is in for a treat, especially when you have a well-thought-out outfit for your pup. And maybe they'll see a trick, too, if your dog is up for it!
These small dog Halloween costumes pack an extra punch of cuteness with their miniature sizing, but many come (or can be made) in various sizes. From DIYs to store bestsellers, these outfits for petite pups will surely be winners come Halloween night.
These are our eight frighteningly fabulous favorites.

DIY your dog a pair of custom bat or dragon wings
Your pet may not breathe fire, but he can surely act like it! Unleash your doggo's inner dragon with a quick and fun DIY project you can spend as much time on as you like. All you need is cardboard or foam core, paint, a harness or jacket for your pup, and something like Velcro to attach the wings to the harness.
First, use your cardboard or foam core and scissors to cut out a pair of wings, then decorate them however you like. You can use paint, sequins, fabric, or anything else that won’t weigh down the cardboard/foam core. Once the wings are all prepared, use your Velcro (or whatever fastener you'd like) to attach them to the harness or jacket. Keeping the wings attached while your buddy moves around is the trickiest part, so give yourself plenty of time to experiment!

Read more