Camping with your Dog
Camping and RV BC Coalition
BC Campgrounds Experience Increased Bookings as Temperatures Continue to Soar
As the heat wave continues throughout British Columbia, campgrounds across the province are seeing occupancy rates soar. It pays to reserve ahead! Also, be sure to back-pocket some cooling tips for you and your dog while camping in this warm weather.
Anne Philley, spokesperson for the BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association, just returned from the Okanagan, reports "Many of the private sector campgrounds are already experiencing a great uptake in reservations this year. Business is significantly up, partly due to the returning American campers, as well as the superb weather. It should be a good year all round for tourism." She also recommends that "Campers reserve their campsite as early as possible to avoid disappointments, as popular campgrounds are full on weekends and can only put perspective campers on wait lists should a vacancy arise."
To assist in locating your next campground gem check out Camping RV BC's website it plots over 1,500 campgrounds (provincial, national, private and recreation sites) across the province. The CRVBCC interactive google map also plots freshwater fishing opportunities on numerous lakes stocked by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. As well, find hiking trail heads for BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails.
Tips to keep you, your family and your dog cool while camping:
- Find a campsite with shade, or make your own shady spot by setting up an umbrella or canopy. For your dog, you can build your own shady shelter by supporting a piece of cardboard, plywood over two logs of firewood, etc.
- Pack a small inflatable kid pool, shallow rubber tub or even a Tupperware box to set up in your campsite, keeping in mind the size of your dog. You only need to add a few inches of water to cool your dog's paws and belly. An added bonus to cool down yourself, is to use the container to soak your feet as well!
- Wet a towel and place behind your neck. Have an extra one for your dog to lie on to cool his underside.
- If your campsite is near a lake or river, consider frequent swims for you and your dog. If your dog has never swum, a doggy life jacket or a swimming floaty could be an aid to introduce your pet to water.
- Hydrate. Drink lots of water yourself. Ensure your dog has a container of accessible water in the campsite at all times, and adding ice cubes will keep the water cool. Also, chewing ice cubes helps reduce your pet's core body temperature.
- Protect yourself and your dog from getting a sunburn, especially their noses, by using sun screen. Dogs are susceptible to skin cancer and burn like us. Check with your vet about doggy-block.
- Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to overheating than others; dark coloured and/or long-haired dogs are at greater increase risk of overheating.
- Don't leave your dog in your parked RV or car in the sun and with windows rolled
Click here to find campgrounds for you and your dog. Click here for Camping & RV BC campground map.