I’m planning on thru-hiking with my dog in August. In looking at the CT Trail Guide, I’m a little concerned about carrying enough water through some of the sections. Has anybody had to carry water for their dog(s), or is there just barely enough, even in late summer, to find some along or near the trail?
alex
Alex,
Ignore old&intheway,
He’s a miserable wretch who looks for any reason to hijack dog threads.
TwoCan
My dog started talking. He said he wanted to be fed, so I gave him a steak. Then I asked him if he wanted to hike with me, and he said heck yeah. He’s a dog for crying out loud, that’s what they do. Of course I want to be as safe about it as possible, and I realize it’s a lot of extra responsibility taking care of both of us, but that’s why I’m asking around to get some advice.
I’d love some constructive pointers about particularly dry or exposed areas where I’ll need to carry extra water. The more I know what to look out for the more fun we’ll have on the trail.
alex
Thank you for caring about your dog and thinking about his/her needs. If we had more decent dog owners like you, then people like Old&intheway wouldnt have anything to complain about.
Water can be sketchy in late Aug if it’s been hot and dry. Think ahead and always carry a little extra, just to be safe. I hope both of you have a wonderful journey.
:cheers
borah
If you show my dog a backpack she gets excited and tries to jump into the car. She loves packing; her body langauge and her smile are obvious.
My pooch carries dog packs for her food, leash, collapsible bowl, remadyl chewable pills (antiinflamatory), and platypus water bladder (2 liter). There are MANY dry sections along the CT all of which are obvious if you pay attention to your data book. Heat stress is very hard on a dog if they dont have water enough. When we reach a dry section, we fill our and her water bladders, then periodically give her water along the way. A dog should be able to cover a ten mile dry stretch on 2 liters. My dog 55lb eats about half a pound of puppy chow per day when we walk a fifteen mile day ( she usually eats weight control formula at home, but she burns alot of cals on the CT)and increasing caloric density ie puppy chow decreases the volume of food required. My dog is 6 years old and fit but if i walf 15 she walks/runs 25 and she gets sore at the end of the day just like me. I recommend remadyl chewables.
the cochatopa hills have several dry stretches so be prepared. Section two is hot and dry too.
chealey
I have taken my dogs on serveral week long hike on the CT. By the third or fourth day, their feet can become quite sore. I am not sure what to do about it, but sore dog feet can become an issue.
LJ