Whether you’re new to the world of outdoor travel, just starting to include your pets in your outdoor adventures, or looking for ways to improve your overall experience, we’ve got you covered!
From pet-specific gear designed to keep our furry pals safe and comfortable on the trails to general outdoor travel essentials that make our adventures a breeze, this curated list includes all our favourite tried-and-true items.
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Car Camping Tent: Coleman Skydome 8-Person
Of course, no camping trip is complete without a tent to keep you and your pet(s) comfortable and sheltered from the elements. When car camping, we take advantage of the ability to bring slightly bulkier gear by using a 8-person tent. This provides room for both of us and all five pets to relax comfortably. With proper maintenance at the start of each season, our tent has held up beautifully over the years, even in intense storms. Check it out HERE.
Dining/Bug Shelter: Kuma Outdoor Gear Bear Den Gazebo
Not only are bugs annoying for us, but they can also pose serious health risks for our pets. For example, mosquitoes can transmit the worm responsible for Heartworm Disease with a single bite! The Kuma Outdoor Gear Bear Den Gazebo gives us a safe, comfortable, sheltered, and bug-free area in all situations. Check it out HERE.
Dog-Specific Outdoor Travel Gear
MidWest Homes for Pets Foldable Metal Exercise Pen
With three dogs, we could spend all day untangling tie-outs. Instead, we love giving them freedom to play and hang out with us by creating a contained space with these foldable pens. Our current setup combines our Kuma Outdoor Gear Bear Den Gazebo mentioned above with three pens. Check them out HERE.
Outward Hound Granby Splash Dog Life Jacket
Our dogs love spending time on the water, but safety is always a top priority. Even the strongest swimmers could be in trouble in an emergency. Our rule is if we are expected to wear a life jacket, so are they. We love how adjustable these life jackets are, allowing us to comfortably outfit all three of our pups with a life jacket. They are a staple when we plan canoeing or kayaking adventures. Check it out HERE.
Carlson Pet Products Portable Pup Travel Pet Bed
This dog camping cot keeps our dogs off the ground at the campsite, which not only creates a comfortable place to relax but also helps relieve extreme temperatures. It keeps them off the cold ground in the winter and allows airflow to cool them down in the summer. Plus, it folds up like a traditional camping chair for easy travel. Check it out HERE.
- Nite Ize NiteHowl LED Safety Necklace: Keep an eye on your dog at night around the campsite or increase visibility on your night walks with these LED collars. They are a one-size-fits-all product that is easily cut to size, accommodating all our dogs, from little Lucifer to Dav’s larger neck size.
- Shedrow K9 Chinook Dog Coat: Our youngest pup Lucifer is more sensitive to cold temperatures than the other dogs but still wants to be out playing with them. This coat from Shedrow K9 fits him well, is adjustable, and stays put (no sliding around) despite his high-energy personality.
- QUMY Waterproof Dog Boots with Reflective Strips: In addition to a coat, Lucifer wears boots to stay warm and comfortable in the winter. These boots are one of the few brands that actually stay on his feet when he’s running and playing.
- Friendwolf Dog Car Seat Cover: Our dogs ride in the backseat, seatbelted in, but that means there’s nothing containing their mess. From muddy paws and beach sand to excessive fur during shedding season, this car hammock protects against it all while offering a comfortable surface for the pups to relax on during the ride.
Cat-Specific Outdoor Travel Gear
Churu Lickable Puree Natural Cat Treats for Skin and Coat
One of the challenges when adventuring with cats is to keep them properly hydrated, as cats don’t often drink water as reliably as dogs. This lickable-style treat is favourite of our two, as they come running the second we touch the package. Check it out HERE.
Another option we love is the Caru Daily Dish Smoothies, but they are harder to find in Canada.
The Kylo Leash from KittyCatGo
Just like our dogs, our cats (especially Pippen) can get dirty when they are out exploring outdoors. As a result, so too does their gear. This leash is waterproof, stink-proof, and easy to clean. Plus, we love all the colour options to suit each pet’s personality. Check it out HERE.
NOTE: Take 10% off your order with our discount code: THEKASPACK10.
PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness and Bungee Leash
We firmly believe that there is no “one-size-fits-all” harness solution for cats. This PetSafe harness is the best option we have found for Jinx. It easily adjusts to accommodate her “curvy” body (haha), and the martingale-like design helps to prevent her from escaping. We also find it easier to put ON Jinx, who is a little reluctant about wearing most harnesses. Check it out HERE.
- X-Zone Foldable Metal Pet Playpen with Top Cover: Like the dogs, we prefer to give our cats a little room to move about at the campsite. This secure pen offers plenty of room for two cats, and the top cover keeps them safely contained.
- PawHut Soft Pet Playpen: Another option for containing the cats, this playpen is smaller than the pen mentioned above but perfectly sized for inside the tent. It folds flat with a convenient carry bag, making it easier to travel with. You can also remove the bottom and peg it down to let your cat enjoy the feeling of their paws in the grass.
- HiCaptain Cat Travel Litter Box with Lid and Handle: This travel litter box is convenient for road trips and camping, zipping up to keep the litter (and smell) easily contained. We do use litter box liners with it to make it easier to clean.
- Nature’s Miracle Jump Disposable Litter Pan: If we plan a quick weekend trip, we love how easy these disposable litter pans are to change out and dispose of.
Other Travel & Camping Essentials
Erickson Cargo Carrier
Transporting 2 people, 3 dogs, 2 cats, and all our gear in an SUV can be challenging. This cargo carrier easily hooks up to the back of the vehicle like a trailer and can carry up to 500 lbs of gear. When we’re done, the sides fold flat so we can easily store it until next time. Check it out HERE.
Jackery Power Station & Solar Panel
Whether you need power to work from the campsite like we often do, run a necessary medical device, or simply enjoy some of the “creature comforts,” the Jackery line of products has proven to be a reliable solution. They are available in various sizes depending on your power needs, and the solar panel makes charging on longer trips a breeze. We currently use a Jackery Explorer 500 + 100W SolarSaga Solar Panel. Check it out HERE.
Everbeam H6 Pro LED Headlamp
Trying to walk or clean up after the dogs at night is challenging enough without fumbling with a flashlight. This headlamp is comfortable, waterproof, easy to adjust, and rechargeable. It offers us plenty of light and keeps our hands free. Check it out HERE.
- Coleman 2-Burner Propane Stove: John LOVES cooking directly on the fire, but we always pack a stove to ensure we have a cooking solution regardless of the weather. This is our go-to stove because it’s simple, with no unnecessary frills, easy to use, and reliable.
- Redcamp Heavy Duty Folding Camping Cots for Adults: For the 2023 season, we switched from an air mattress to camping cots, and we will never go back. They are bulky, but they offer a sleeping surface that is so comfortable that we bring them on every car camping trip.
- KingCamp Aluminum Portable Folding Camp Table: A great solution to offer added table space for cooking, dining, or playing cards. It’s tall enough to sit up to with a standard camp chair. We use this table on every car camping trip.
- Amacool Portable Batter Camping Fan with LED Lantern: If you have ever camped in a tent during the hottest days of summer, then you know a fan can significantly impact your comfort sleeping at night. We love this fan because it is rechargeable, hangs easily in our tent, and can be directed wherever needed to create airflow.
- Tenacious Tape Clear Repair Strip: Regardless of how well you treat your gear, accidents happen, and repairs are needed. We always reach for Tenacious Tape if we notice a small hole or tear. It’s easy to apply and holds up well over time.
- Ohuhu Portable Camping Hammock Stand: While this is bulky and only suitable for car camping, it’s a must-have for hammock lovers. By packing this when we head out, we no longer cross our fingers, hoping there is a suitable place to hang a hammock at each new campsite.
Blogging & Social Media Tools
Are you interested in starting a blog or levelling up your social media game but aren’t sure what you need to make that dream a reality? Here is a list of tools, subscriptions, and supplies that we use to make The Kas Pack happen!
- Website Hosting | Big Scoots: With a portfolio of websites, we have had the opportunity to test and experience several hosting companies. However, as of the start of The Kas Pack, we have been moving all our websites over to Big Scoots. Our experience with them has been great, including customer service, moving everything over, and overall site performance.
- WordPress Theme | Kadence WP: We are currently using a free version of the Kadence theme to build our website and highly recommend it for anyone using the WordPress content management system.
- Legal Page Templates | ASelfGuru.com: One aspect of running a blog or website that is often overlooked is the importance of proper legal pages. These are designed to protect you against potential legal action, which can become costly for people I have connected with in the blogging world. The templates are easy to use and written by Amira, who is both a lawyer and a blogger allowing her to understand both sides of the equation uniquely.