Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Anyone who has a dog can attest to the fact that these furry little animals make a place deep in our hearts. More than mere pets, they take the form of our best friends and loyal companions. Logically then our trips and adventures are incomplete if they don’t come trotting along with us. However, just like we would do for our children, we also have to make carefully thought out preparations for them, especially for backpacking and hiking trips. There are so many options to consider when choosing dog food for backpacking, and multiple factors to assess. So, let’s get started!

So Many Options!

Thankfully, there is a wide range of options that exist today in the genre of dog foods. The amount of variety that exists also makes sure there is something for just about everyone! For instance, those who don’t like handling raw meat can opt for freeze-dried or dehydrated versions. There are also vegan versions available on the market!

Canned food is a great choice when at home since the moisture content in canned foods is particularly high. However, the factor to consider here is whether you want to be lugging about the weight on a hike or a backpacking trek. This factor becomes particularly more important on longer trips because even a little extra weight can be a cumbersome burden. Further, packing up any leftover food would also be an issue.

Traditional Kibble

Traditional kibble is wildly popular for two main reasons: it is available just about everywhere and is also one of the more cost-effective options. The good thing about kibble is that they are available in a wide range of calorie content options, meaning there is the perfect one out there for your little furry friend! One particularly helpful tip is to switch to the puppy version of the same brand for hikes. This is because the puppy version is often higher in nutritional content and is also formulated with a fat content that is suitable for a higher calorie to weight ratio.

Dog Energy Bars

Dog energy bars are a great way to boost up your canine friends’ energy levels on long backpacking trips. Let’s face it; everyone needs extra energy when going up those trails and our buddies are no different. One great advantage of dog energy bars is that they take up significantly less room than all other forms of dog food. However, while they are both convenient and nutritious, they are formulated with a lower calorie to weight ratio and therefore, should be used as a supplemental form of food only. Another issue with dog energy bars is that they aren’t very easily available as limited brands are in the business. You might just have to buy in bulk and stock up!

Freeze-Dried/Dehydrated

Freeze-dried or dehydrated dog food is a great option for backpacking trips. They combine the two most sought-after qualities when thinking about backpacking, or trekking trips by being both lightweight and highly nutritious. This is because the production process for the freeze-dried or dehydrated foods concentrates on keeping the nutrients intact while reducing moisture content. This makes them chock-full of proteins! In fact, out of all kinds of dog food available, these have the highest protein content. While highly suitable, they aren’t perfect. Freeze-dried and dehydrated food options can be quite expensive. They also take up more room than other forms of dog food.

Things to Look For When Choosing Food for Your Canine Friend

Animals require a balance of different nutrients, just like humans do. If we want to ensure that our furry friends stay in the prime of health, and of course we all do, it is important to take care of their food intake. For dogs, energy primarily comes from three sources. These are proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. So, whenever you’re considering which type of dog food to get, focus on those that list animal proteins at the very top of the ingredients list! Any dog food that contains protein content ranging from 18 to 25%, fats from 10 to 15% and carbohydrates from 30 to 50% would be considered balanced.

Remember that on backpacking trips, the dogs too, like us are burning a lot more energy due to higher activity levels. Therefore, on such trips you might need to sway from your regular dog food and look for those that incorporate protein and fat in greater percentages. This will help maximize energy levels.

Dog foods often incorporate fillers. These add little nutritional value but do take up space – in your dog’s stomach as well as your backpack! Dog foods that list higher percentages of soy, lentils, or other plant-based proteins, as well as corn and beet pulp are definitely those to steer clear of!

How Much Dog Food Is Enough?

During trekking or backpacking trips, the energy consumption of dogs increases because of higher activity levels. Therefore, it is also important to increase the amount of food that they are eating. So for instance, if it’s a shorter, less intense trip, increasing the food intake by about 25% could be sufficient. However, for trips that are longer or more intense, for instance, with higher heights to muster, the food ought to be increased by around 50% to 100%. Ideally, food being served to dogs should be calculated accurately using kcals. For particularly tiring trips, it is recommended that the vet be consulted. They can properly measure and guide you about the kind of food your dog needs as well as the quantity.

Bottom Line

Along with food, it is also very important to ensure the proper levels of hydration are being maintained at all times for your dog. When packing for your backpacking trip, keep all considerations in mind. For instance, if your dog isn’t inclined to drinking adequate amounts of water make sure you pack some food that is higher in moisture content. Therefore, for dogs that don’t drink a lot of water, kibble for instance wouldn’t be a good option. Rather, freeze-dried or dehydrated ones would be better suitable.

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.