Hello people! If you are here to learn more about hiking in the desert with your dog, you are welcome.
On the weekend, I went on a desert hike, which was a very enthralling and astonishing experience because I could watch the vastness, meet interesting and cute animals, and, of course, spend time with a pet. However, deserts present their problems, particularly when you want to consider the safety and comfort of your dog. Here, you will discover seven crucial things to do to ensure your hike is a thrilling and safe adventure with your canine companion in the desert country.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Best Time of the Day for Hiking
Extreme climate is characteristic of the desert: hot sunny days and, especially, cold nights. However, if you want to avoid being out when the worst of these is likely to occur, you should hike during the day.
Best Time to Hike:
- Early morning or late afternoon: During a warm season of the year, the most suitable period of the day is in the morning till 10 in the morning or in the evening after four in the evening. It is slightly cool when compared to the summer months, and the intensity of light transmission is also much lower, which will eliminate some of the conditions, such as heat stroke.
- Avoid midday: In midday, the desert’s heat is extremely high, over 100°F (about 38°C), and many dog breeds and their owners get heat stroke.
According to the AKC, dogs with short muzzles or thick coats are harmed by heat when the temperature is 85°F (29°C).Tip: Check the temperature in your local area and try to find lower temperatures. Where possible, go hiking during the winter so that the desert climate is most likely mild.
Early Morning or Late Afternoon
During a warm season of the year, the most suitable period of the day is in the morning till 10 in the morning or in the evening after four in the evening. It is slightly cool when compared to the summer months, and the intensity of light transmission is also much lower, which will eliminate some of the conditions, such as heat stroke.
Avoid midday
In midday, the desert’s heat is extremely high, over 100°F (about 38°C), and many dog breeds and their owners get heat stroke.
According to the AKC, dogs with short muzzles or thick coats are harmed by heat when the temperature is 85°F (29°C).Tip: Check the temperature in your local area and try to find lower temperatures. Where possible, go hiking during the winter so that the desert climate is most likely mild.
Drink a Lot of Water While Staying There
It is therefore clear that dehydration is a major concern in the desert area, all this because of… Some of the risks you and your dog are likely to fall prey to include Fatigue, Dehydration, Heat stroke, and so on in regard to the fact that the climate is dry and hot. Make sure at least to take a bottle of water more than what you require.
How many cups of water should I give my dog?: essential information for dog owners
The recommended intake for a moderate activity level is one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. For instance, a 50-pound dog should be administered 50 ounces of water during a single hike.
There are water bottles for dogs to make it easier for them to drink water, especially on a trip. These packs normally have an in-built bladder, into which the hose that connects to the pack is normally incorporated, enabling you to access water.
Signs of Dehydration in Dogs
- Dry gums and nose
- Lethargy or excessive panting
- Sunken eyes
- Loss of appetite
Tip
Always carry water with you and pour it over your dog every half-hour during the hike. If your dog seems reluctant to drink, offer small amounts of water multiple times rather than all at once.
Save your Dog Paws from Hot sand and Rocky Terrains
The biggest danger of desert hiking together with your dog is the risk of the dog’s paw pads burning from the hot sand and the rocks. It can scorch the ground to the extent of causing serious burns to your dog during those sizzling summer months.
Tips to Protect Your Dog’s Paws
- Boots for dogs: Equate protection from the hot ground is one of the things that high-quality dog boots give to dogs. Search for some shoes that can provide good results in terms of breathing and enough toughness to cover rocky paths and hot sand.
- Paw wax: If you want to avoid wearing boots, paw wax is another security measure. It also cools the paw and gives it a grip on tough terrain.
- Take Frequent breaks: Let your dog take time in the shade and on rocks, which may not be hot due to the hot weather throughout the day.
- Important Stat: Paw burns are very common, and the AKC states that dogs with lightened or thin coats are at risk of skin allergies, so they develop paw burn.
Tip
Always check your dog for injuries when you are back from a hike on his paws. At first, signs of irritation or injuries are apparent; wash and apply the appropriate mix or ointment.
Do Not Touch Most Cactus and Other Desert Plants
Dangerous plants for dogs’ health Depending on the type of vegetation, cacti, succulents, and thorny shrubs pose a significant threat to dogs’ lives. A lot of the vegetation in the desert is armed with prickles that could injure your dog’s skin and cause soreness and the formation of sores that may become infected. Certain plants, like Oleander and sago palm, can be fatal if taken internally.
Precautions to Take
Stay on marked trails: This will also lower the chances of coming across other delineated hazardous plants.
Teach your Dog to Avoid Plants
It may be daunting for a dog to identify which plants are poisonous. You can ensure that they do not divert their attention to other attractive plants, leading them astray from the trail.
Check your dog for injuries
As a final check on your hiking experience, check your dog for things like thorns, stickers, or scratches in the coat. If you notice any, avoid pulling them out; instead, pluck them out and wash the area gently.
Tip
This is more so if you are in areas with lush vegetation; you can have your dog wear a backpack or some protective clothing to avoid rubbing on the risky vegetation.
Frog Calling and Courtship
Deer, coyotes, snakes, scorpions, lizards, and many other animals are also found in the desert region. However, most of these animals avoid human contact, though it is paramount to always expect an encounter with any of them.
Wildlife Safety Tips
- Stay Vigilant: Be aware of your surroundings, especially your dog. If your dog shows interest in something unusual or starts to sniff at something, be ready to call them back to you. This vigilance can help prevent unexpected wildlife encounters.
- Leash your dog: Similarly, when hiking in the desert, dogs are required to be on chains the entire time. This way, you have better control, and your dog doesn’t run into unsafe areas for it and the people around it.
Know the Venomous Animals
Wild animals characteristic of some parts of the world include vipers, rattlesnakes, and arterial animals such as scorpions. Learn how to identify them and ensure that your dog never has an opportunity to encounter those creatures.
First-aid kit
When traveling with your pets or in areas with pastoralist communities or wildlife, ensure you have a small first aid kit and that you know how to quickly get your pets to a vet in the event they are bitten or stung by a nasty creature.
Tip
You should ask your vet about the likelihood of your area having these snakes and then get your dog injected with a rattlesnake vaccine, which helps it avoid a positive reaction in the future.
Health Check In the Modern World
Things to Consider
- Consult your vet: Make sure that a veterinarian checks your dog before going hiking. This is very important since the dog can get very tired during such exercises as hiking, amongst others. This is especially so when the candidate is a senior or has other health challenges to contend with.
- Vaccinations: Make sure your dog regularly takes its shots and boosters for ticks, fleas, and worms such as coccidia and parvovirus. This type is quite common in areas considered to be close neighbors of the desert.
- Breed-specific needs: It’s normal to encounter certain breeds with flattened snouts or breeds that have what the layman may term as ‘squishes,’ and they easily get heat stroke. If you are an owner of any of these breeds, next time, you will be very cautious when you want to sunbathe with your pet.
Tip
Of even greater concern is how well your dog exercises during the hike. If it looks as though it has had enough or is drooling, then it would be best to stop for a time.
Business Facilities and Be Ready for Emergencies
Make sure you take some time to find out the type of ground that you will be covering while still hiking. It can be flat sand, plain, or steep rock country, depending on the different areas of the desert in question. Identifying the environment will assist one to plan for a constructive hiking experience without the dangers involved.
Key Planning Tips
Know the trail
Visit the department’s website to ascertain the trail’s technical rating, distance, and elevation. Exploring desert tracks is not easy for both people and dogs; thus, find a track at the ability level of the dog you are accompanying.
Prepare for emergencies
- However, situations presupposing the occurrence of AP occur at times regardless of the patient and the patient’s family’s planning for the future. To name a few, make sure you have taken along a first aid box, a charged phone, and a map of the area.
- It is also recommended that one inform a friend or a family member of the hiking area in case of an incident. Stay on established paths: Desert routes are often difficult to distinguish within a large territory; thus, always choose those that are indicated or at least well-traveled.
Tip
You should learn about the available veterinary doctors or emergency animal hospitals nearby in case your dog has health issues while hiking
Conclusion
Ending your day with some magic – prepare and protect for a great adventure
Exploring the desert with your dog is always a great trip. You and your pet can experience the natural environment to its fullest extent. This guide will help you while hiking in the desert by pointing out the necessary precautions for you and your pet to have a safe and fun walk. Just a reminder, deserts are stunning but also rough terrain, so safety first for your beloved puppy.
It is hoped that by adhering to the seven simple guidelines outlined above, both you and your dog will be ready for a great time exploring the desert. By reading this article effectively, you will be able to get a pet-friendly SUV and have fun in the desert without harming the pet in any way.
Do you know how to prepare yourself and your dog for a safe trek through the desert?
FAQS
1. In your opinion, when is the most suitable time to take my dog hiking in the desert?
One can also be keen not to hike between mid-morning and early evening to prevent the possibility of heat exhaustion.
2. When I give her water, do I give her x cups of water if I plan to take her for a walk in the desert in a hot summer?
If your dog falls under the medium breed, you require one ounce of water for every pound of the dog’s weight during the period of walking the dog.
3. How do I protect my dog’s paws when walking them in hot deserts?
You can protect your hands from hot surfaces by using the dog boots or applying for the paw wax.
4. Is it safe to worry about wildlife while hiking in the desert with my dog?
Yes, there are possibilities to meet snakes, scorpions, and other desert inhabitants on your way.
5. That being said, the signs that can help me note my dog is dehydrated on a hike may include?
Examples are dry and pale-colored gums, open-mouthed breathing or puffing through the mouth, and getting easily tired during exercise.
