Diy Doggy Pouch For Hiking And Walks

Make your own DIY doggy pouch for summer walks and hikes! Carry treats, water, first aid, and more with ease. Keep your pup safe, hydrated, and happy on every adventure.

Treats, check. Water, check. Insect repellent, check. A leash alone isn’t enough to keep your dog safe and stress-free on summer walks and hikes. A DIY doggy pouch helps you carry essentials hands-free, keeping your outings more comfortable.

Assembling your doggy pouch

Start by purchasing a miniature, lightweight backpack with long straps that rests comfortably on your back. Then fill it with the following items:

1. Treats: Pack a small bag or container of high-quality treats for training purposes and reinforcing good behavior. Treats also provide protein-rich snacks for long walks or hikes. 
2. Water: Clean fresh water is essential for keeping your dog (and you!) hydrated. “Water would be the most important thing [to take] on a hot day,” says veterinarian Dr. Mark Stair.
3. Collapsible bowl: Lightweight and easy to pack, a collapsible bowl is important for giving your dog water while on the trail.
4. Dog brush and comb: Pack a long-bristled slicker brush. It can detangle your dog’s hair if he runs into a patch of burrs or picks up twigs or leaves in his coat. A comb helps remove all the debris. 
5. Pop bags and disposable wipes: It’s important to always clean up after your dog, so Dr. Stair advises adding poop bags to your doggy pouch. “And, of course, you’ll need something to pick up the stools with,” he adds. Personal experience tells me to always double bag. Include disposable wipes to clean up messy dogs.
6. Tick remover: Since tick-borne diseases are an issue in many areas, remove these pests as soon as they attach to your dog. I carry a key-sized tick remover tool in my doggy pouch.
7. Insect repellent: Bring a natural insect repellent made for dogs to keep bugs (including ticks!) at bay.
8. Moisturizer: Add a gentle moisturizer made from natural ingredients for your dog’s paws or snout – this is a great item to have on hand for dry or windy days.
9. Sunscreen: Protect your dog’s nose from those UV rays by carrying a tube of natural pet sunscreen. 
10. EpiPen/first aid kit: Dr. Stair notes that dogs often eat random things off the ground. They also occasionally suffer bee stings, or accidentally get injured. It’s a good idea to have an EpiPen in your doggy pouch in case of allergic reactions. And include a basic first aid kit for scrapes, cuts or bites.
11. Pheromone oil: If your dog gets agitated or overexcited around other dogs or wildlife, pack pheromone oil to help him stay calm. “It mimics the pheromone the mother dog gives off when she has her puppies, and makes dogs feel secure,” says Dr. Stair. 
12.  Sentimental item: Some dogs form strong attachments to certain items and carry them as a “security blanket.” “My daughter’s dog likes to carry a hat around,” says Dr. Stair. Save a place in your doggy pouch for one of these items.
13. Number for poison control: Store a poison control phone number in your doggy pouch and on your cellphone (e.g. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435). “If you were told to make your dog vomit, you would usually use hydrogen peroxide,” adds Dr. Stair. So, carry a small bottle of the latter as well. 

Whether you’re visiting the local park or hitting a forest trail, a well-stocked DIY doggy pouch ensures your dog’s safety and comfort. It also gives you peace of mind so you can relax and enjoy your hikes and walks together. 

Advantages of a doggy pouch

A doggy pouch offers a couple of important benefits.

1. Gives you better control of your dog: My high-energy Husky/Akita mix, Luna, is too strong for me to manage without both hands. I needed something I could carry on my back so my hands were free if I needed them. 
2. Allows you to comfortably carry everything you need: A doggy pouch can accommodate items you might otherwise have to leave at home. For example, I take Luna’s tiny stuffed green Brontosaurus on walks because it helps her calm down. I also carry moisturizer for windy days.

Start by purchasing a miniature, lightweight backpack with long straps that rests comfortably on your back.

Pack a long-bristled slicker brush to detangle your dog’s hair if he runs into a patch of burrs.

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