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Camping with Dogs | Advice and Tips

June 10, 2021

Our Top Tips to enjoy Camping with your Dogs

Camping holidays offer the perfect getaway for dog owners to enjoy a break without having to leave your pet behind. Our dog-friendly campsite in Cheddar is ideally located for you and your fur-babies to enjoy endless walking trails whilst immersing yourselves in the beautiful Somerset countryside.

Our peaceful adults-only campsite can be found less than 3 miles from the magnificent Cheddar Gorge and Caves, which are steeped in 500,000 years of history! The 4-mile circular Gorge Walk offers stunning views, plus the opportunity to encounter some local wildlife, and there are plenty of lesser-known walking trails for you and your pup to tackle!

If you’re going camping with your dog for the first time, it’s good to be properly prepared, so here are a few tips to get you started;

Dog sleeping in a tent on the campsite in Cheddar

1. Make sure your dog is wearing a collar with tags, and that your contact details are up to date.

Should he or she wander off, you want to make it as easy as possible for the two of you to be reunited!

2. Have a practice run at home before you arrive at the campsite so your pet can familiarise themself with the smells and sounds of your new tent.

Set up a pet bed so your dog can get used to being in the tent, and give them plenty of praise and reassurance for their good behaviour!

3. Consider the distance.

Can your dog cope with the journey to your selected campsite? Travelling with your pet can sometimes be stressful, so we’ve prepared our top tips to make travelling with your dog that little bit easier.

4. Are there dog-friendly walks or activities nearby?

Check whether nearby parks and beaches allow pets. Our campsite is a just a short drive from the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare, and whilst restrictions apply to sections of the beach, our furry friends are welcome all year round in certain areas.

5. If you plan to eat out, check local pet friendly eateries.

The Rodney Stoke Inn is located in front of our campsite in Cheddar, with a large beer garden. And being a rural community, there are plenty of pet friendly venues to visit in and around Cheddar.

6. Check the park rules.

Do dogs need to stay on leads? Where can you dispose of your dog’s poo? Are there areas that your pet won’t be allowed? Pet friendly campsites are generally pretty reasonable about their expectations of pet owners, but make sure you understand the rules before your visit.

7. Just like cars, tents can heat up to dangerous temperatures in the warm weather.

Never leave your pet alone in the tent, and make sure that fresh drinking water is always available.

8. Make sure you have the details of a local vet.

Should your pet have an unexpected accident during your camping trip you won’t want to waste time getting your pet the treatment they require.

Camping with dogs – pack the essentials

Doggy first aid kit and any medication. As discussed, make sure you have the contact details for a local vet.
Pet food. If you don’t have space to bring bulky food packets, weigh enough food for the duration of your visit and pack it in an airtight container.
Poo bags. You will be responsible for clearing up after your pet during your camping trip.
Favourite toys. Your pet may need distracting whilst you’re setting up camp! Familiar items will help to keep them calm and relaxed.
Water proof pet bed. If you’re out and about on the campsite, it’s inevitable that your pet will get dirty or wet! Water proof pet beds are easy to keep dry and clean.
Towel. Your pet will get dirty or wet during your camping trip so make sure you pack a spare towel to keep them clean and dry!
Pet blanket. It can get cold at night if you’re sleeping in the great outdoors! Make sure you have a blanket to keep your pet warm.
Spare lead. Just in case!
Tether. Consider packing a tether if you know that your dog is prone to getting over excited. If you tether your pet he or she will have enough room to explore without disappearing to the other side of the campsite!
Water bowl. Your pet should always have access to fresh water during your travels.