How to Cold Weather Camp With Your Dog

If you like to camp with your dog, you'll need to take a few extra precautions in very cold weather. Here's how to safely cold weather camp with your dog.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog blanket
• Hay (recommended if your dog sleeps outside)
• Tent
• High protein dog food and extra dog snacks
• Plenty of water

1. Make sure your dog is properly fed. In the cold, a dog needs extra calories. So be sure to feed it larger meals, and supplement those meals with high protein dog snacks.

2. Make sure your dog is properly hydrated. Water can be scarce in cold weather climates. And dry, cold weather will make your dog thirsty. Bring along extra water for your dog. If a substantial amount of snow is on the ground, you can melt snow over a campfire. Don't give your dog lake or pond water to drink - it's full of bacteria and giardia.

3. Let your dog sleep in your tent if it's an indoor dog. Bring a dog blanket and cushion into the tent for your dog. Your combined body heat will keep the tent warm.

4. If your dog sleeps outdoors, make a bed of hay. Hay is the insulating material that allows sled dogs to sleep outside in northern climates. Be generous with the hay and make a straw bed for your outdoor dog.

5. Play with your dog. In cold weather, exercise keeps a dog warm and limber. So play and explore together.

6. Don't use a short leash when you're out with your dog in cold weather. A really short leash may keep your dog from getting into trouble, but it also limits his or her mobility. Your dog needs to be able to move in order to stay warm, especially if your dog's leash is looped around a tree. Give your dog as long a leash as it won't become tangled in.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your dog can handle cold before you set out. Some large breeds, like huskies, are well suited for winter explorations. Many smaller and short haired dog breeds should not be taken out winter camping.