A picnic is not only a pastime for people but a way to entertain your dog and spend time together! A dog picnic is one of the best ideas on how to enjoy autumn and spend time with your dog outdoors! To help you make your event safe and fun, we will share 10 safe tips and tell you how to find stunning dog-friendly picnic areas!
1. Find a dog-friendly location
The first thing you will need to do is to find a suitable location. In this case, look for dog-friendly picnic areas: these can be parks, beaches, fields, mountain valleys, etc. But how to find dog-friendly picnic areas near me? The best decision is to Google such places or to ask other dog owners who may know the best spots.
IMPORTANT: do not visit the off-leash dog park, especially if you bring food with you. Other dogs may try to take away your pet’s treats and cause a fight. Don’t forget to take poop bags with you to clean the surrounding environment!
2. Take a dog bandana with you for the awesome pictures
To make a pet picnic even more memorable, grab cute clothes and items for your dog and take some snaps to capture moments! For example, you can choose a dog bandana — it’s easy to put on and take off, as well as to fit in your pocket!
Just take a look at the marvelous Fall Vibes Dog Bandana that will be perfect for an autumn picnic with your dog! Go viral and get lots of likes on social media on your dog’s snaps!
3. Walk the dog before the picnic
Our beloved four-legged friends are often full of energy and might be real fidgets that can make the picnic a disaster. To avoid this, walk your dog before the picnic to get rid of excess energy. Go for a run together, visit thematic dog parks with tunnels and barriers, or just walk — this all will help. A calm dog = an enjoyable picnic!
4. Take your dog’s favorite toys with you
A puppy picnic won’t be so fun and adorable without dog toys. Grab a frisbee, tennis balls, chew toys, and other playthings that your dog admires. Joint games will entertain your buddy and help you to exercise a bit!
5. Find a place in the shade
Direct sunlight can be harmful to both you and your pet. It's especially important to find a place in the shade during the hot summer season or warm fall month to make sure your dog doesn't overheat. You can still spend some time in the sun but chill and enjoy snacks in the shade.
6. Make sure you have drinking water
To plan a dog-friendly picnic, make sure you’ve taken enough potable water for you and your pup. Lack of water to drink can cause dehydration in dogs which is dangerous for the pet. During hot weather, you can also grab some ice cubes for your dog to chew or for adding them to the water.
7. Grab some treats for your furry friend
A picnic with dogs can't do without dog treats: put in the dog picnic basket their favorite meals and snacks, such as jerky, chews, beef treats, bully sticks, and so on. Don’t share with your buddy too much table food — it can cause stomachache and diarrhea and ruin a picnic, especially if your pup isn’t used to eating it. Reward your dog for good behavior or command execution using only healthy snacks. Whether you’re looking for the best healthy treats to keep your pup happy and energized, we can offer you organic one, made from real meat, without artificial flavors, colors, and NO preservatives - only organic ingredients, Sourced & Made in the USA! - BARKLOOM Bites Dog Treats.
Salmon treats for dogs - Made with certified sustainable seafood salmon, these treats are perfect for all ages and sizes. Grab some of the best salmon dog treats: grain-free and rich in omega-3 fatty acids - a perfect snack for your dog!
Lamb and Flaxseed dog treats - The lamb dog treats are a favorite with our pups. We use real lamb meat that is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The flaxseed oil helps to keep their coat shiny and healthy.
Turkey & Sweet Potato dog treats - Made with all-natural ingredients, they're healthy and delicious. These treats are USDA certified, with organic turkey, we don't add wheat, soy, or corn.
Chicken Jerky treats - chicken Breast Jerky Dog Treats are a perfect snack for a pup. Made with only 4 ingredients and no artificial preservatives or flavors, these protein-rich and natural treats will win over even the pickiest eaters!
IMPORTANT: some kinds of human food can be dangerous for dogs, such as nuts, avocados, chocolate, and others. Do not give them to the pup if your pet does really want to try them.
8. Bring along a blanket or your pup's "place"
While you and your friends will be sitting on a blanket, make sure your four-legged companion has a comfy place to chill and take a nap. Some dogs love to rest on the grass, some of them adore sharing the space with their owner, and some can only stay in their fav bed. Take the dog’s bed with you and put it in the shade near your blanket.
9. Keep your pet on a leash and ID tags
As we have mentioned earlier, off-the-leash parks will not be the best idea for a dog picnic. Instead of them, visit other dog-friendly places but keep your pup on a leash: this will prevent wandering off and getting lost, frightening other people, and fighting with other animals or dogs.
To make a picnic safe, put some ID tags or GPS trackers on your pet to quickly find him if he’s lost. Always check the info on the ID tags — they should contain up-to-date data — and carry a picture of your dog with you to show it to other people in case your pet is lost.
10. Avoid dangerous foods
As you know, some kinds of human food can be harmful and dangerous for dogs, but lots of dog owners continue giving them to their pets having no clue about their riskiness. To make a pet picnic safe and fun, do not share with your buddy these foods:
- Alcohol and caffeine. Even small doses can cause sickness, diarrhea, and central nervous system damage.
- Onion, garlic, and chives. Cooked, dry, and raw onion-family veggies can lead to gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage.
- Chocolate. Although many canines love it so much, it still is toxic and can cause kidney disease.
- Grapes and raisins. May cause severe liver damage and kidney collapse.
- Certain kinds of nuts. The most dangerous are macadamia, black or moldy walnuts, raw cashews, and pistachios. The safe nuts are peanuts, hazelnuts, roasted cashews, and plain pine nuts, but only in small doses.
Hope that our tips will help you to organize an engaging, fun, and safe dog picnic!
