Are you thinking of taking your pet camping with you?  First you should decide – does he or she make a good candidate to go?  Is he or she friendly, or do they bark at everything that moves?  Is it their first time camping? If so, teach them manners as you go.  Be aware of other camper’s happiness, and be prepared to leave early if they are having problems. Make a checklist of things you should have before you go, to make it easier on you.

  Is your pet up to date on vaccinations?  Rabies and distemper are obviously important to protect your pet.  You may also want to include Bordetella, which is an airborne virus contracted from other dogs, or a Lymes vaccination, which is carried by ticks.  Also, make sure your pet is on Flea and Tick prevention, and heartworm prevention to protect from those pesky mosquitoes. (Note: If you find a tick on your pet, use tweezers to pull it off the pet, but make sure you drown it in some alcohol or dish soap, so the mouth parts come off your pet easier.) Bring a first aid kit (for ideas visit www.outdoorsafety.net) for any small injuries.  You should also research for a vet close to your campground. Know their hours, and the quickest route to their office in case of an emergency.

   Bring some bottled water in case you are without. Tie outs or crates to keep them in your campsite are a must. Don’t rely on old friendly Jake not to roam to the neighbors and cause trouble. Make sure they are wearing their collars with tags, including contact information, in case of an escape. Brushes and skunk shampoo are a good grab, because you never know what they can get into at the edge of that leash.