No doubt you’ve seen dog backpacks on Instagram. They are cute and make your dog look like a hiking pro. But, are they actually useful? In general, I say yes! Dog backpacks are useful, and they can make hiking with your dog easier and safer. Plus, they aren’t just for serious backwoods backpacking. The truth is, dog backpacks are great for ANY dog, as long as they are comfortable wearing one.
When buying your dog a backpack, it’s important to consider the fit, the capacity, and what you plan on using the backpack for. A serious multi-day trekker would need a larger capacity and sturdier build than a dog on a downtown day trip. But whether your dog is hiking the wilderness with you or just cruising around a local park, wearing a backpack can provide numerous benefits!
I want to share a little bit about why I think this piece of gear deserves a spot in every dog mom’s collection, as well as my top tips for choosing the right backpack for your dog.
Dog Backpacks Are Good for Your Dog’s Health
One of the most obvious ways a backpack benefits your dog is the increased physical exercise. This is why a dog backpack is a great addition for any walk, not just big hikes. Adding even a small amount of weight to a dog backpack burns more calories, builds more muscle, and supports joint health. In a way, this increases the efficiency of your walk, making shorter walks more impactful on your dogs overall physical health. Of course, this is not an excuse to skimp on walking your dog, but it can be helpful if your dog needs to lose excess weight, you are short on time, or if you have a higher energy/stamina dog.
The physical benefits of your dog wearing a backpack include healthy weight management and increased muscle mass, both of which are key to supporting joint health. And, while I think the phrase “a tired dog is a good dog” is a gross oversimplification, it is absolutely true that physical exercise is a key component to fulfilling your dog’s needs.
Lastly, a backpack is a great tool for building a dog’s confidence when introduced properly. It gives them an easy “job” to accomplish, and it requires a little extra thought and attention from your dog around their movement. This is great for nervous or fearful dogs, but it’s also good for any dog. Confidence building is a journey, not a destination.
Dog Backpacks Are Actually Useful
In addition to looking cute, dog backpacks are actually useful! If you are exploring the city or a nearby park, your dog can carry just about everything you need! You can stash your keys and wallet in your dog’s backpack, or let your dog carry their own treats, water, and/or poop! Because dog backpacks are smaller than human backpacks, it keeps these items a bit more accessible and within reach.
If you are undertaking a serious hike, utilizing a dog backpack can be a real gamechanger. Anything your dog can carry, from food to a portable waterbowl, is one less thing you have to carry. Even the smallest of dogs can assist by carrying extra poop bags, snackbars, and other lightweight items. Just keep in mind that your dog should never carry more than 25% of their bodyweight, and you should always take the time to condition your dog properly to avoid injury.
Dog Backpacks Help with Safety
There are several ways dog backpacks can help keep your dog safe. For one, dog backpacks can function like a harness and usually have a clip for a leash at the back. This allows your dog to explore freely, while still utilizing the safety of a leash. Additionally, many dog backpacks have handles to help you lift your dog if needed. This is super useful when it comes to maneuvering difficult terrain, or if you just need to firmly hold onto your dog for whatever reason. Many dog backpacks also have reflective detailing and places to clip lights, both of which help with visibility in lowlight or nighttime conditions.
Lastly, your dog’s backpack can help keep your hands free since you can easily stash things like your keys and wallet. Free hands means you can focus more on leash control, training, or fending off off-leash dogs and other potential threats.
How to Choose a Dog Backpack
When it comes to choosing the right dog backpack, it all boils down to how you plan to use it and what fits your dog the best. If you want to use your dog’s backpack for serious hiking, you want to find something with a good carrying capacity that is durable and won’t tear if snagged on rocks or trees. On the other hand, if you want to use your dog’s backpack for casual walks or city daytrips, you might select something less bulky and more streamlined that won’t get in the way when manuevering crowded areas.
Different brands will offer diferent fits, so this may require some trial and error to find something that works well for your dog’s overall shape. Firstly, you want to make sure the straps fit well around your dog’s neck and waist. Secondly, a dog backpack should sit right over the shoulders and not extend too far down your dog’s back. A backpack that rests over the midback can put pressure on the spine and potentially cause injuries.
Tips for Measuring
In general, you’ll need to measure the circumference of your dog’s neck, chest, and waist, as well as the length of their back (from the base of her neck to the base of their tail). You want a backpack that will sit securely atop their back without jostling too much from side to side, which can cause chafing. However, you don’t want it to be too tight, as that’s not very comfortable either. Ideally, you should be able to comfortably fit a finger or two underneath the straps.
Compare your dog’s measurements to sizing charts, and ensure whatever company you order from has a good return/exchange policy in case the fit doesn’t work out. Sometimes this happens, even if the measurements aligned on paper. It’s also helpful to visit a pet store to try backpacks on in person and see what does and doesn’t work for your dog. Lastly, not all brands make backpacks that can fit every dog from a teacup chihuahua to a mastiff, so there isn’t necessarily a one-brand-fits-all here.
My Favorite Dog Backpack Brands
I’m a big fan of AlphaPak because of how functional they are (FYI you can use code JUNEMARGOT15 on your purchase to save 15%!). They are roomy, durable, and allow for a highly customized fit with numerous adjustable straps. This was really important for June in particular, because she has a teeny tiny waist and a thick chest and neck (it’s the chow chow neck rolls). The adjustable straps enabled me to find the perfect fit for her!
Now, in full transparency, adjusting all of the straps at first is a pain. There are a lot of them, and it takes a little trial and error to get everything fitted and balanced. But, once you’ve got the fit down, it’s like the backpack was custom-tailored for your dog.
My favorite part about the AlphaPak backpacks, however, is the removable saddlebags. This means the backpack can function as a backpack or a plain harness (versatility, baby ✨). Better yet, it means you can remove the saddlebags when resting without having to take off the entire harness. I can’t stress how convenient this is!
Other brands I love include Ruffwear (pricey, but extremely durable) and Outward Hound (more affordable).
