Summer is officially in full swing around here and that means longer hours exploring outdoors with your pup! I love taking my dogs, Axel and Sunnie, out on hikes and other adventures during the summer. To be fair, we go out all year round, but summer makes it easier to adventure after work. I thought I would take the time to share my top picks for summer dog gear with you guys and fill you in on our essentials!

The safety of my pups is first and foremost in my mind, especially when summer rolls around. Most dogs don’t always have an “off switch”, so it can be very easy for them to overheat when the temps start climbing. The number one tip I can give you is to keep your adventures to the morning or evening hours when temperatures are not at their peak. Secondly, educate yourself on the signs of heat exhaustion in dogs and what steps to take if you observe any of these signs. Summer is about fun and we want to keep it that way! Disclaimer-I know this list features a lot of Ruffwear brand items. This post isn’t sponsored by Ruffwear, but I do have several of their products and love the quality and customer service they provide.

1. Ruffwear Float Coat, $89-Did you know that not all dogs instinctually know how to swim? As a matter of fact, some will sink like a rock! Keep your pet safe around water, whether it be by a pool or out on a river or lake with Ruffwear’s life jacket. And even if your pup can swim, they can still get tired when out in a big body of water before making it back to a boat or the shoreline.
2. Dajo Sling Pack, $49-Looking for a good pack to carry your essentials? Look no further! I actually own two of these Dajo packs. The Sling and Sling Jr are perfect day packs. With plenty of pockets and loops to attach things to, these packs will give you more than enough space while minimizing bulk. I can fit two 40 oz. Hydroflask bottles in the Sling’s main compartment with room to spare.
3. Ruffwear SwampCooler Harness, $69-Dogs cool themselves by panting. But we can offer them a bit of help with a cooling coat or harness. Ruffwear makes several different types of cooling vests, and this harness is one of their newest models. Simply wet it down, wring it out, and let evaporation work it’s magic!
4. Zuke’s Mini Naturals, $17/pound-I’ve loved Zuke’s products for years! These bite-sized treats make the perfect snack to pack along for your pup while out and about. They’re just right for training, too!
5. Kurgo Collapsible Bowl, $11-I’m not a fan of drinking out of my water bottle after my dogs. So make sure they have their own bowl. Drinking from streams, puddles, or other water sources can lead to illness (or death!). It’s best to make sure that, just like you, your furry BFF has clean, potable water to drink on the go.
6. Ruffwear Hitch Hiker Leash, $64-Hands-free while still following leash laws! Made with belaying technology and sturdy climbing style rope. This leash setup is a dream! Everything stows in the zipper pouch, including the excess waist belt. Which can be clipped around your waist, shortened to hold in your hand comfortably, or clipped around a sturdy structure (like a tree).
7. Ruffwear Frontrange Harness, $49-We’ve tried several harness brands and the Frontrange is hands down our favorite. Style, fit, durability, you name it. This harness has it. Definitely worth the investment to keep your pet safe and comfy.

And that wraps up my top picks for summer dog gear! I’m going to link to a fun summer dog treat recipe I posted last summer here. I hope you and your pups have a great summer!