A Practical First Aid Kit for Hiking With Dogs
- J Werner
- Jan 23
- 3 min read
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When you hike with your dog — especially in the backcountry — a basic first aid kit isn’t optional. It doesn’t need to be bulky or overcomplicated, but it does need to cover the most common injuries you’re likely to encounter on the trail.
Over the years, we’ve refined what we carry for Rio based on real situations, not worst-case hypotheticals. This is our practical, lightweight dog first aid setup for hiking — what we bring on longer trips, what we sometimes leave behind on day hikes, and why.
Our First Aid Philosophy
We aim to be:
Prepared, not overpacked
Lightweight in the backcountry
Flexible depending on hike length and terrain
On longer or more remote hikes, we carry more. On short, familiar day hikes, we scale it back. The goal is to handle common injuries well enough to get safely back to the trailhead — not to replace a vet.
The Core Dog First Aid Items We Always Carry
Dry, cracked paws are more prone to injury. We use paw balm regularly, especially before long hikes or when conditions are hot, cold, or abrasive. It helps prevent damage and speeds up recovery if pads are already worn.
Dog booties are one of the most important pieces of “first aid” gear we carry. We use them:
After a paw injury
On sharp rock or scree
In hot conditions
To protect weakened pads after a cut
We’ve dealt with cut paws before from sharp rocks. We cleaned the wound with water, a small amount of biodegradable soap, and antiseptic wipes, then put Rio in booties for the rest of the hike. Booties allowed us to keep moving safely without making the injury worse.
It’s also worth noting that once a dog injures a pad, it can become easier to injure again — sometimes even leading to torn pads. Booties help prevent that cycle.
Antiseptic Wipes
Simple, lightweight, and essential. We use antiseptic wipes to clean small cuts, scrapes, or punctures before protecting the area with booties or bandaging if needed.
Ticks are a reality on many trails. A proper tick remover lets you remove them cleanly and quickly without squeezing or twisting improperly.
Items We Carry on Longer or More Remote Hikes
For longer hikes, especially in mountainous or remote areas, we carry a lightweight dog rescue sling. This is not something we bring on every outing — but it’s invaluable if your dog:
Injures a paw badly
Is unable to walk out
Needs assistance over longer distances
It’s packable, lightweight, and something you hope you never need — but are very glad to have if you do.
Shared First Aid Supplies
We don’t carry a fully separate dog kit. Instead, we use our regular human first aid kit and include dog-safe items such as:
Gauze
Bandages
Tweezers
Diphenhydramine (as advised by our vet)
Scissors
This keeps weight down while still covering most scenarios.
What We Don’t Carry (and Why)
We don’t usually bring a full, all-inclusive dog first aid kit into the backcountry because:
They’re bulky
Many items overlap with what we already carry
Not everything is necessary for hiking scenarios
That said, for car camping, road trips, or as a base kit, a comprehensive dog first aid kit can be a great option.
👉 This is the full dog first aid kit we recommend as a complete solution.It’s too big for our packs, but it contains almost everything you could need (other than dog booties) and is a solid choice for vehicles or home use.
Day Hikes vs Backcountry: How We Adjust
On short, familiar day hikes we may leave behind:
The rescue sling
Extra bandaging supplies
But we always bring:
Antiseptic wipes
Those few items cover the vast majority of trail injuries we’ve encountered.
Final Thoughts
A dog first aid kit doesn’t need to be complicated — it needs to be realistic. The best kit is one you actually carry, know how to use, and can adapt based on the hike.
For us, this setup has allowed us to handle cut paws, scrapes, and minor injuries calmly and confidently, without turning a fun adventure into an emergency.
Prepared dogs are safer dogs — and that means more miles, more confidence, and better days on the trail.
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