There are many different ways to be active with your dog, one of which is hiking, which is becoming increasingly popular. There are many trails all over Sweden and it’s not necessary to go too far from home to find some beautiful routes.
TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN HIKING WITH A DOG
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when hiking with a dog.
BE PHYSICALLY PREPARED
The first thing to keep in mind when hiking with your dog is that both you and the dog are physically prepared for the trail you choose. Make sure to choose trails that are at your level and take into account your dog’s age and condition. This reduces the risk of injury to both you and your dog. Slowly increase the length and difficulty as your ability develops.
REPLENISH ENERGY AND WATER
Since your dog moves more during the hike than on its daily walks, you should adjust the amount of food according to the activity level. When taking a break, a good alternative for a simple snack is Bozita’s wet food. It is a good way to give your dog not only extra energy during the hike but also extra water. You can mix some of the wet food in the water bowl to “trick” the dog into drinking a little more. When you go out hiking with your dog, getting enough fluid is very important for both you and your dog, so preferably pack more water than you think you will need. To save space in the backpack, there are collapsible bowls that can be used for both water and food for your dog. If your dog has been trained to use a saddle bag, it can carry its own food and water.
HIKING WITH A DOG – CHECK DOG LEASH RULES
Another thing that can be good to do before you go out into the nature is to check what kind of dog leash rules there are where you are going. There are some places, such as nature reserves, where dogs should always be on a leash.
READ THE NATIONAL PARK RULES
If you are going for a hike with your dog in one of Sweden’s national parks, you need to read the rules that apply to dogs in that particular park. You can find more information at sverigesnationalparker.se/om-sveriges-nationalparker.
PACK A FIRST AID KIT FOR YOUR HIKE WITH YOUR DOG
Pack a first aid kit for your dog and remember paw protection. Should your dog injure its paws, it can be a long way to carry them to safety.
WRITE DOWN THE NUMBER OF AN EMERGENCY VET
Have the telephone number of the nearest emergency veterinarian close at hand in case of any accidents when you are out hiking with your dog.
