Camping with Cats: Our Essential Gear List for All Levels
We just came back from our first camping trip of this year and I am so excited to go camping again soon! And of course our adventure kitty joined us. đÂ
I’ve noticed more and more traffic to my camping blog posts in the recent weeks / months which makes me really happy. It means that more and more people are looking into bringing their feline friends outdoors! I thought that creating a simple checklist of camping essentials might be helpful for many cat parents.
Everything is in one spot, and you can reference it whenever youâre getting ready for a trip!
What I pack when camping with my cat
I realize this might seem extensive⌠But I am an overthinker and I like to be prepared for every possible situation. You can treat this list as a guide or a definitive packing list.Â
Letâs go over the items on the list! I am sharing gear that I have thoroughly tested and would 100% purchase again.
For the leash, I like to pack 2 different ones – a short âeverydayâ leash, and a long lead. Our current long leash is 20ft biothane lead from Etsy. Those things are indestructible while being quite lightweight!
Food + Snacks
Pack your petâs usual food – cats like to stick to routines. I like to pack extra food, just in case… đ¸
This one is pretty straight forward. I like to pack at least 2 bowls for food and 1 for water đ
Bed
I like to pack our catâs bed – if we have enough space for it. It helps to make your pet feel at home, despite being away.Â
Pro Tip: Place one of your worn shirts on their bed. Your familiar scent will help your cat feel secure, making their new environment feel like home.
Backpack
The backpack we use is the Kurgo G-Train Carrier. It is a bit expensive and I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re just getting into cat adventuring. I have a great article discussing different carriers and backpacks – definitely check it out if you don’t have one yet. đ
This backpack allows you to pack all of your essentials for adventures, and your cat at the same time!
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Can support pets who weigh up to 25lbs/11 kg!
Kurgo G-Train – Carrier Backpack for Small Pets
The best pet backpack for hiking with your pet. It can be also used as a regular carrier when laid on its side.
I recommend getting a rechargeable collar since the batteries that âregularâ ones come with can be a pain to find and replace. And the rechargeable battery lasts forever!Â
I think that we (humans) use our pet’s cooling bed way more often than the cat, if I’m being 100% honest haha. I can guarantee you the ultimate summer afternoon nap, if you lay your head on this thing. This thing is *chef’s kiss*
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A Must Have for Summer Adventures!
Cooling Mat for Small/Medium Pets
durable, long-lasting and effective cooling solution for your pet!
This might seem not necessary if you’re going camping in the middle of the summer. It’s totally an optional item. I like to pack it because some early mornings can be just a little chilly.
This is a must have if you have an anxious cat, or if you’re just introducing your cat to adventuring, camping… you name it. This product mimics the natural pheromones cats release when they are feeling calm and safe, signaling to them that their environment is familiar and reassuring.
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A must have if you have an anxious kitty!
FELIWAYÂŽ Cat Calming Spray
FELIWAY Spray works by releasing calming pheromones to create a sense of comfort and security for cats
A snuffle mat is an interactive feeding toy for pets, primarily dogs and cats, that is designed to engage their natural foraging and sniffing instincts. I like to think of it as entertainment – I like to read a book or watch a show to relax, and the kitty gets to solve his treat puzzle or the snuffle mat.
This isn’t a crucial item to pack unless it’s something that is a part of your cat’s routine.
Lifejacket
This is a must have if you’re camping near a lake or a river; otherwise you can skip it đ
This is the lifejacket we use and 1000% recommend. It is soft, flexible, and minimal + I love how adjustable it is!
I used to bring a travel litterbox – now we just bring the same litterbox that our cat uses at home.
Don’t forget to pack the scoop and some poop bags đ
Tick Removal Tools
I hate ticks and I turn into an absolute mess of a person when I see one on me or my cat… We use a preventative tick medication on Chumka, but I still like to bring tick removal tools. So far we haven’t had a chance to use them (*knock on the wood*) on either the kitty or us.
Hope you found this post helpful đ Please give your pet some love from me đđ
Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made â at no additional cost to you. As always, all ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Thank you for your support!
Hello there! Some of the things Iâm obsessed with are cats, science and medicine - so this (blog) is a perfect mixture of those three things, isnât it?! Join me as I write about cool things Iâve learned and obsessed over.
