Cats camping! Sounds wild, right? It’s not as far-fetched as you might think – just check out the Instagram account @campingwithcats and you’ll find hundreds of posts documenting hundreds of kitties’ adventures with their hiking and camping humans. Why should so-called man’s best friend have all the fun, anyway?

Interested in taking your cat camping with you? Dive into our guide below!

MAKE SURE YOUR CAT’S A CAMPER

Before you hit the road with your kitty, jazzed for a weekend of roughing it, you need to make sure that your cat is just as jazzed as you are. For everyone’s enjoyment and safety, don’t force a feline out into a world they’re not interested in exploring. Ask yourself these questions:

• Does my cat love to explore? Are they confident while they do?
• Is my kitty best described as curious?
• Is my cat friendly and outgoing?
• Is my kitty relaxed with riding in the car and going new places?
• Is my cat comfortable on a harness and lead?
• Is my cat’s health good enough for the activities of camping and hiking?

If the answer to most of those questions is yes, it sounds like you have a qualified camping cat! You’re the best judge of your cat’s personality, after all, so you probably already have a mental image of how camping with your feline friend will go. Check out the story of Chris Brinlee Jr and his cat Finch who went camping in Big Sur on the spur of the moment one weekend – he knew she loved roadtrips and he bet she’d love hanging out in camp with him as well. He was right!

If you’re still worried about how your cat will respond, you can test them at home before taking tem camping – go on walks around the neighborhood and rides in the car (while appropriately secured). See how they respond, and move on to camping if they do well. If they don’t, just leave your kitty home with a pet-sitter when you hit the road.

CAT CAMPING ESSENTIALS

When going camping with your cat, there are a few necessities you need to pack for Ms. Kitty, for her safety, comfort, and upkeep:

• Cat Harness & Lead: select a harness that is meant for cats, and that fits your cat snugly but comfortably.
• Food and Water: bring enough wet and dry food for the number of days you’re camping, along with plenty of extra bottled water.
• Food and Water Dishes: you can find collapsible, durable travel bowls that pack well.
• Litter Box: choose biodegradable litter pans or get a waterproof travel litter box.
• Cat Carrier: you should safely secure your kitty for the ride to your campsite, and may wish to bed them down in the carrier at night, too.
• Medical Care: make sure your cat is up-to-date on their shots (including their rabies vaccination) and get any necessary medication to guard them against fleas and ticks.

CAMPING DO’S AND DON’TS

DO make sure your campsite is safe.

When you’re checking your campsite for poison ivy or trash left behind by an previous camper, make sure you check that there are no dangers for your kitty as well (such as other poisonous plants or loose pets belonging to other campers).

DON’T let your cat off their harness and lead while camping.

By keeping your cat on a leash while you’re in camp, you can rest assured that you’re keeping their camping experience safe – and you won’t have to worry about them running up a tree if they’re spooked by something. Bonus: you’ll get to enjoy the look on the face of anyone else you meet when they see you’re walking your cat.

DO secure your cat’s lead when you need your hands free.

While camping, you won’t be able to hold your kitty’s lead all the time – like when you’re setting up camp or figuring out how a bear poops in the woods (spoiler: by pooping in the woods) – secure them by using a picket line (or fixing their leash to a sturdy stake as Chris did with Finch). You can also use their carrier for this.

DON’T leave your cat outside your tent when sleeping.

When you’re ready to sleep for the night, be sure to bring your cat into your tent with you – besides the joy of hanging out with your cat, you’ll know you’re keeping them safe from any curious animals that may come nosing about in the night.

DO be a courteous camper and clean up after you and your cat.

As you go about enjoying your trip, make sure you’re being a responsible camper as well and clean up after yourself. Besides cleaning up any food or other trash, you need to be conscientious about body waste, too – and that includes your cat’s tiny turds.

ENJOY THE TRIP

Now that you’ve got the low-down on how to go camping with your cat, get started planning your summer trip – just make sure you choose a camping destination that allows pets.

Looking for tips on how to travel with your kitties in an RV? Check out Wheelingit‘s “5 Tips for RVing & Camping with Cats.”