Hiking and camping with your dog
Plan your next hike with your dog — from gear to trail meals.
Compare gear, explore dog-friendly destinations, and estimate how much food to pack with our free trail-feeding calculator.
- Product comparisons
- 0 sponsored posts
- Our story: 900 AT miles with Toby
- We publish the downsides
How much food does your dog actually need on the trail?
Our free calculator uses your dog's weight, mileage, and terrain to estimate a daily calorie target for planning. Compare food options in our best dog food for active dogs guide ranks six performance formulas by calories per cup.
Free · no sign-up · takes 20 seconds
A sample readout
🍖 Feed per trail day
≈ 4.4 cups of dry food
Resting need
886
kcal
Trail-day boost
1.9×
activity
Sample only — your numbers come from your dog & route.
Free download
Get the free Dog Hiking Trail Pack
A printable pre-hike checklist, a trail feeding cheat-sheet, and our paw + heat safety guide.
Gear and food comparisons
The gear people buy first
Compare product features, sizing and food-label information before choosing what to pack.
Harnesses Most read 7 Dog Harnesses for Hiking: Features and Fit Compared
Compare seven hiking harnesses by published features, leash attachments, handle design and fit. Includes product photos, buying links and sizing guidance.
Read the review
Life jackets Best Dog Life Jacket: 5 Options Compared
Compare 5 dog life jackets for hiking, SUP, and stream crossings by fit, flotation design, handle, leash attachment, and price.
Read the review
Boots 7 Best Dog Boots for Hiking (2026): Terrain and Fit Guide
Compare 7 dog boots by construction, terrain, fit, and price. Includes a hazard-by-hazard matrix, paw measuring guide, and tips for keeping boots secure.
Read the review
Active dog food Reader favorite Best Dog Food for Active Dogs (2026): 6 Athletic Formulas
Compare six high-protein performance formulas by calories, protein-to-fat ratio, and price per pound.
Read the review
Trail food Best Dehydrated Dog Food for Backpacking: 6 Options
Compare dehydrated and freeze-dried trail foods by preparation, calories per ounce and resupply needs, with clear limits on weight and cost claims.
Read the review
Jackets 8 Best Dog Jackets for Hiking in 2026
Compare 8 dog hiking jackets by waterproofing, insulation, packability, harness compatibility, and layer type.
Read the reviewKnow exactly how many pounds of food to pack.
The free calculator gives you calories. Pro turns them into a full backpacking feeding plan — total food weight, daily bags, resupply legs, and a printable trail manual.
- ✓ Exact pounds to carry
- ✓ Day-by-day feeding schedule
- ✓ Resupply legs mapped out
- ✓ Printable field manual
🎒 Pack this much
Daily bags
4
Per bag
4.3 c
The whole trail library
Explore by topic
Dog Hiking Gear
Complete guide to essential gear for hiking and outdoor adventures with your dog
Dog Apparel & Weather Protection
Dog jackets, life jackets, and protective apparel for outdoor adventures in all weather conditions
Hiking with Dogs
Everything you need to know about hiking with your dog, from basics to advanced tips
Camping with Dogs
Guide to camping with dogs including gear, sleeping arrangements, and campground tips
Dog Water Activities
Swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and beach adventures with your dog
Dog Trail Safety & Health
Keep your dog safe on the trail with guides on hazards, weather, paw care, and health risks
Dog Training for Trails
Train your dog for hiking with obedience, leash skills, off-leash recall, and socialization
Dog-Friendly Destinations & Travel
Find the best dog-friendly trails, parks, cities, and travel destinations across the country