For outdoorsy dog lovers, hiking with a canine companion is the perfect way to spend a weekend. Getting some exercise while experiencing the majestic natural world is fun on its own, but doing it with your best furry friend at your side elevates the experience to awesome. Hiking is a great way to bond with your pup, but there are plenty of hidden dangers to consider before venturing into the backcountry together.


Dehydration
When hitting the trails with your furry hiking buddy, make sure to take frequent water breaks, even if your pup doesn’t seem that thirsty. Sometimes, dogs don’t want to press pause on the tree sniffing fun long enough to get a proper drink, but skipping the water bowl puts them at risk for dehydration, which can be life threatening.

If your dog begins to seem tired during a hike, get that water bowl out right away as slowing down is one of the first signs of dehydration in dogs.
More :Hiking or Backpacking with Your Dog

Too Much Sun
Dehydration, heat stroke, and sunburns can be a trio of trouble during hot hikes. Keep the weather in mind before bringing your dog to the trail — if it’s too hot, don’t take the risk. If the heat is not extreme enough to stop you from hiking, remember to protect your dog as you would protect yourself. Ask your vet which sunscreen they would recommend for your pal, and keep an eye out for the symptoms of overheating. Excessive panting and difficulty breathing are a sign your dog needs to find some shade and a drink, stat.

Contaminated Water
While you do want your dog to drink plenty of water while hiking, it should be water you’ve brought to the trail — not water he’s found. Pond, creeks, rivers and lakes can be home to diarrhea-inducing parasites, from common Giardia to the more dangerous Leptospirosis, which can cause kidney and liver damage.

Proper hiking preparation is the best way to prevent your dog from picking up a waterborne parasite on the trail. Make sure your dog is up to date on their vaccinations, and train for reliable recall so you can call him back from any nasty water sources


open water
Pre-hike recall training isn’t just important for preventing your pup from drinking pond scum — it could also prevent him from drowning. Lakes and rivers require a higher level of swimming proficiency than the backyard pool, and can be hazardous to a dog who is already tired out from the trail.

Waterfalls and hots springs are beautiful and popular hiking destinations, but dogs — and their people — don’t always realize how dangerous they are. Many canine companions have tragically died after going over waterfalls, and in some cases people have plunged to their deaths while trying to save their pets. Lives have also been lost to hot springs. Multiple incidents have seen dogs unaware of the boiling temperatures dive in, and would-be rescuers killed or burned trying to save them. Cases like these are why some hiking trails, like those in Yellowstone National Park, ban dogs altogether.


Wildlife
Yellowstone is far from the only national park to ban dogs from the trails for safety’s sake. Wildlife poses as big a threat as water, and hiking through areas populated by other animals often means your dog will have to hike on leash, if they’re allowed at all.

A study of North American bear attacks suggests that although some hikers feel safer having an off-leash dog along in the backcountry, our canine companions may actually be attracting the bears they are so often credited with chasing off. To bears and other predators — including mountain lions and coyotes — your beloved pet is just prey, so it’s best to avoid taking dogs into their habitats.

Be Prepared and Pay Attention
The recipe for a safe, dog-friendly hike is one part preparation, one part avoidance. Do your research before picking a trail to make sure it’s a good fit for you and your dog. Once you’re packed and on the trail, you may still come across hazards you hadn’t heard about. Often times signs will be posted along the trail advising hikers of potential dangers. They can be a bummer, but signs are usually posted for a reason, and it’s better to turn back than take a risk with your pup. If a trail is marked “no dogs allowed”, there’s probably a very good reason.
More: Look : How to Hike With an Older Dog !

Are you an avid hiker? Do you have any helpful tips for others who hike with their dogs? Let us know in the comments below!
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source: dogtime.com