Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
see that his paws aren't torn or worn. You can protect your dog's paws from trail
hazards such as sharp gravel, foxtails, lava scree, and thorns by purchasing dog
boots.
Sunburn.
If your dog has light skin he is an easy target for sunburn on his nose
and other exposed skin areas. You can apply a nontoxic sunscreen to exposed skin
areas that will help protect him from overexposure to the sun.
Ticks and fleas.
Ticks can easily give your dog Lyme disease, as well as other
diseases. Before you hit the trail, treat your dog with a flea and tick spray or
powder. You can also ask your veterinarian about a once-a-month pour-on treat-
ment that repels fleas and ticks.
Mosquitoes and deer flies.
These little flying machines can do a job on your
dog's snout and ears. Best bet is to spray your dog with fly repellent for horses to
discourage both pests.
Giardia.
Dogs can get giardia, which results in diarrhea. It is usually not debil-
itating, but it's definitely messy. A vaccine against giardia is available.
Mushrooms.
Make sure your dog doesn't sample mushrooms along the trail.
They could be poisonous to him, but he doesn't know that.
When you are finally ready to hit the trail with your dog, keep in mind that na-
tional parks and many wilderness areas do not allow dogs on trails. Your best bet
is to hike in national forests, BLM lands, and state parks. Always call ahead to see
what the restrictions are.