Essential Gear for Dogs, Fall Hiking in the Southwest

With its breathtaking deserts, rugged canyons, and unique landscapes, the Southwest region of the United States is a paradise for hikers and their canine companions. As the fall season approaches, it’s the perfect time to explore this stunning region with your furry friend. To ensure a safe and enjoyable hiking experience, we’ve compiled a list of essential gear for your fall dog hikes in the Southwest. And to make your shopping convenient, we’ve included Amazon affiliate links.

A Reliable Leash:

A reliable leash is the foundation of a safe hike when on new trails, or with a new pup. You may read that most adventure dogs are off leash a lot (mine included), but that’s not without experience, a lot of training, and typically we research the trail before heading out to it. To make sure it’s dog friendly, reviews often will include pictures of their dogs/say how many dogs they saw, which will help us decide how to start off the hike. At a minimum, though we always start the hike off on a leash, that’s why we opt for a sturdy and comfortable leash to keep your pup close and secure.

Even when we’re off-leash, they technically always have a leash on! What do I always say? Better safe, than sorry.

Poop Bags:

Always clean up after your dog to preserve the beauty of nature. We have a holder on every leash so we can grab and go without worry, these ones even have a holder attached so it’s one less thing for you to worry about!

Sun Protection

Protect your dog from the intense Southwest sun with a sun-protective dog shirt and if it’s a light colored dog some sunblock for their sensitive muzzle and other exposed areas.

Collapsible Water Bowl:

Hydration is crucial, especially during those long hikes. Collapsible water bowls are lightweight and easy to carry. With a collapsible water bowl you do have to carry the water separately though, and for some this is fine, they just share with their water with their pups. This is great if we’re just going on a walk, but if you’re going for a longer hike you might want to consider getting a water bottle for your pup. These include the water and the “bowl”, the ones I prefer also suck the water back in and are spill proof, so we aren’t wasting any water while we’re out.

Bonus if you like combining as much as possible!

Booties for Paw Protection

Protect your dog’s paws from hot sand and rough terrain with durable booties. We love Musher’s Secret for paw recovery, or for a quick hike out and about for protection as well!

Desert-Friendly First Aid Kit

Be prepared for desert-related injuries with a specialized first aid kit that will take care of yours and your pups needs.

GPS Tracker

In remote areas, a GPS tracker like the Whistle GO Explore Pet Tracker can provide peace of mind.

Tick and Flea Prevention:

Depending on where you are in the Southwest, there are still a lot of ticks and fleas out during the Fall months. There are a lot of products out there, so make sure and speak to your Veterinarian about what’s best for you and your pup. Our recommendation is Advantix II though, it is a topical that helps with fleas, ticks, and mosquitos.

Heartworm Medication:

Speaking of mosquitoes, they also are still out and the rate of heartworm in the Southwest is low-medium pending on where exactly you’re going. Like I always say though better safe than sorry!

Snake Bite Kit:

In the Southwest, encounters with venomous snakes are a possibility. There are snake bite kits that may help, but whether these are used or not please be sure to get to the closest Veterinarian as soon as possible! Veterinarians in the Southwest should always keep anti-venom in stock.

On that note, there if you are an avid explorer of the Southwest, look up rattlesnake training for your dog. It might just save you and your pups life one day.

Portable Dog Bed:

For the long backpacking trips give your pup a comfortable spot to rest during breaks with a portable dog bed, with the hot days we recommend something elevated, but at night if it’s starting to get chilly, then grab a sleeping bag to help your best friend stay warm!

Now that you’ve got all of your dog’s gear ready, don’t forget your own!

Fall is a fantastic time to explore the natural wonders of the Southwest with your adventurous canine companion. Equipping yourself with the essential gear listed above will ensure that your hiking experience is not only safe and comfortable but also memorable. So, grab your gear, hit the trails, and create lasting memories while discovering the beauty of the Southwest.

Remember, every day is a great day for an adventure!

*This blog contains affiliate links from Amazon, it does not cost you anymore by buying through these links than normal shopping on amazon. Amazon does pay us for your purchase though, so thank you so much for your support!