Planning to go camping with your French Bulldog and wondering if it’s safe?
Well, the good news is that tagging your Frenchie in your camping adventure is perfectly safe.
This article gives some tips on camping with your French Bulldog for a great experience.
Find out here
Keeping Cool While Camping With Your French Bulldog
Frenchies are naturally prone to overheating due to their biological structure. You’ll therefore need to ensure you keep them cool during your camping. Ensure you have shade on your campsite by requesting a shaded area. You can also bring a cooling mat or something that can create shade, such as a tent or a tarp.
During the hottest part of the day, keep your Frenchie in a cool area and monitor its behavior while walking or playing to combat overheating. You should also ensure you can access cold water while on the camp.
Backpacking And Canoe Trips Vs. Drive Up
It’s essential to determine the mode of transport you will use for your camping adventure. You can opt to hike, use canoes, or drive up. Whatever means you use, ensure it’s comfortable for you and your French Bulldog. If you opt for backpacking or canoe trips, prepare your dog in advance by planning the hike and determining the distance before the trip. Be open to making changes if the distance is long. Remember that you’ll need fewer items if you are trekking or canoeing.
You can allow your Frenchie to carry some of its stuff, but you should ensure it is accustomed to this before the journey. For drive-up campsites, you can pack as many supplies as you want.
Packing Essentials
Camping provides a good opportunity for you and your Frenchie to bond while enjoying nature. It’s thus crucial to ensure you gather all the essential items you will need in the wild.
Ensure you have everything, including bedding, food bowls, a leash, a collar, and enough food and water.
Consider also the possible weather conditions plus the activities you will undertake and include the items your dog will need in these conditions. Don’t forget many treats and snacks, as they are a great way of showing affection while having fun.
Consider packing all dog-related items separately in a doggie bag to make it easy to access them whenever you need.
Nutrition while Camping
Ensure you bring enough food to last you and your Frenchie throughout your trip. It’s advisable to carry extra food because your dog may consume more food, especially if it’s active during the trip. This will also be useful if you must spend an extra day in nature.
Do not change your dog’s food during camping, as this may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Your Frenchie may have trouble adjusting the first time you take them camping. Consider using plastic trays rather than cans if your dog consumes wet food. This is helpful if you’re backpacking as it’s lighter.
Tips for Camping with Your Frenchie
- Research dog-friendly campsites: Not all campgrounds and campsites allow dogs. Therefore, you must find a pet-friendly site before hitting the road with your Frenchie. Check with the campground about their policies and rules.
- Practice camping in your backyard: If you have never camped with your Frenchie before, it’s important to do a trial campout before the real trip. This will help your dog to get used to sleeping outside and to the sound of the tent when being set up. It will also help you gauge your dog’s behavior in the campground. The following tips can help you prepare better for an amazing camping experience with your Frenchie.
- Ensure your dog is up-to-date on vaccines: Before you think of taking a trip with your Frenchie, you’ll need to ensure that it’s up-to-date on all the vaccines and medications. Take a visit to your vet and schedule a check-up to ensure your dog is fit to go for a trip.
- Pack more food and water than you’ll need: Camping is an energy-intensive exercise. Both you and your dog will burn many calories in daily activities. This means that you may end up consuming more food than normal. You’ll need to add 50% of food to the regular quantity to meet the additional energy needs. You’ll also need lots of water to keep your Frenchie hydrated.
- Watch out for allergies: Frenchies are sensitive and prone to allergies. Ensure you are well prepared for any potential allergic reactions. Look for any signs of adverse environmental reactions, including itching, sneezing, wheezing, or ear infections.
- Don’t leave your dog unattended: Never leave your French Bulldog alone in the car, tent, or campsite. Besides safety issues, leaving your dog alone outdoors can lead to anxiety. To ensure your dog’s safety and for a positive experience, constantly monitor it while at the campsite.
- Bring plenty of toys: While your Frenchie will enjoy outdoor activities much, it will still need more stimulation. Besides, the weather may change abruptly, and your dog may get bored. Bring many toys like tennis balls, rope chews, and plush toys.
- Prepare for cold weather: The nights can get chilly at the campsite. Carry warm clothing like dog hoodies, pajamas, and sweaters to keep your furry companion warm. Ensure you have a warm doggy bed and many blankets.
- Bring poop bags: Your dog may need to go to the washrooms unexpectedly. It’s thus important to carry enough poop bags to clean up after your Frenchie. This way, you won’t leave a mess for others to clean. It also helps keep your dog from consuming something it shouldn’t. You should bring poop bags to clean up after your French bulldog when you’re out in nature.
- Don’t forget a dog first aid kitty: Do not go on a camping trip without a pet-friendly first-aid kit and more if you will spend a lot of time outdoors. Having everything you need to take care of your dog while you are outdoors is crucial because your hiking and camping activities will often take you far from a veterinary facility.
What not to do with a French Bulldog while camping?
You shouldn’t do some things with a Frenchie while camping. Avoid these things if you want to have a great camping experience.
- Don’t leave your Frenchie alone: It’s never a good idea to leave it alone while camping. Just because your dog is friendly with other dogs or people doesn’t guarantee they won’t act expectedly. Watch it closely as it plays in any pet area or park to keep it safe.
- Don’t switch your dog’s food: Avoid switching your Frenchie’s food while camping to avoid giving it gastrointestinal disturbance. Stick to its regular food for a great experience.
- Don’t allow your dog to drink or swim in standing water: This may contain harmful bacteria, leading to gastrointestinal issues.
Are French Bulldogs good to travel with?
Yes, French Bulldogs make excellent travel companions with their friendly personalities. They also love spending time with their owners, so traveling with Frenchies will allow them to do so.
Can you fly internationally with a French Bulldog?
Yes, you can fly internationally with a French Bulldog in the cabin area but not in the cargo space. There are, however, restrictions on how Frenchies can fly.
Can Frenchies Go Camping? Final Thoughts
Camping with your French Bulldog is an exciting and rewarding adventure with a few handy tips. It will allow you and your dog to bond while enjoying nature outdoors. However, to enjoy your camping experience, prepare your Frenchie for the trip beforehand.
Ensure you research dog-friendly campsites before embarking on your trip. Most importantly, pack all the essentials you and your dog will need on your trip. Remember to always keep your Frenchie well-hydrated and cool to avoid overheating.
Enjoy your camping!
