Essential Gear for Dogs, Fall Hiking in the Midwest

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As the leaves begin to paint the landscape with warm hues of red, orange, and gold, there’s no better time to embark on a picturesque fall hike in the Midwest with your furry companion. The cool, crisp air and vibrant foliage make for an unforgettable adventure. To ensure you and your four-legged friend have a safe and enjoyable outing, we’ve compiled a list of essential gear for your fall dog hikes. And don’t worry – we’ve included Amazon links to make your shopping easier.

A Durable 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.

Technically my dogs always have a leash whether they appear to or not! What do I always say? Better safe, than sorry.

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.

All-Weather Harness:

Midwest weather can be unpredictable. Invest in an all-weather harness like the RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness to ensure your dog’s comfort and safety.

Reflective Gear:

If you don’t get a harness like the Ruffwear one mentioned above, you might want to look into some reflective gear (the ruffwear harness is already reflective). There are a lot of options from jackets, bandanas, and collars. Shorter daylight hours mean you might find yourself hiking in low light conditions, and like I always say – better safe than sorry.

First Aid Kit:

Though, we are better safe than sorry accidents still happen. Pack a first aid kit to be prepared for any unexpected situations. I like having the dog first aid kit with me, and I toss in some bandaids for myself since they don’t take up much room.

Booties for Paw Protection:

Protect your dog’s paws from the natural elements, and the beginning of the chilly weather with booties, and socks if it’ll be an exceptionally long go.
We love Musher’s Secret for paw recovery, or for a quick hike out and about for protection as well!

Tick and Flea Prevention:

Unfortunately 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:

Unfortunately, the mosquitoes are still out as well and the rate of heartworm in the Midwest is medium-high pending on where exactly you’re going, so don’t forget your monthly heartworm medication. Of course, talk to your Veterinarian about what is the best option for you and your pup. Like I always say better safe than sorry!

Portable Dog Bed:

For the long backpacking trips give your pup a comfortable spot to rest during breaks with a portable dog bed, if you know the ground will be wet you might want something elevated, or if it’s getting chillier where you are then grab a sleeping bag to help your best friend stay warm!

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!

Backpack for Supplies:

Where are you going to put all these supplies? In your backpack that already has too much in it? Nah, let your dog carry their own supplies. Make sure and start slow, don’t pack on the pounds right away and head out or else you may injure your pup. The Outward Hound backpack is a great backpack for your dog to start training with. Later (especially if you got the ruffwear harness), I’d get a more heavy duty backpack.

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

Hiking in the Midwest during the Fall is a fantastic way to bond with your furry friend and soak in the beauty of the season. By equipping yourself with the essential gear mentioned above, you’ll ensure that both you and your dog have a safe and enjoyable adventure. So, grab your gear, hit the trails, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

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