5 Household Items You Can Repurpose for Dogpacking

By Krista Halling DVM DACVS

I love specialty outdoor gear, but adventures with your dog don’t have to be fancy or expensive. Often you can simply use what you and your dog already have, and if needed, repurpose some used or everyday items. Here are some useful low-cost items River and I (mainly River) have repurposed for our travels and dogpacking adventures.

1. Swedish dishcloths

Swedish dishcloths are lightweight, reusable, quick-drying, and great for dog adventures. We keep them on hand for:

• Wiping muddy paws
• Drying wet dog
• Cleaning food and water bowls
• Cleaning bike and gear
• Drying surfaces (e.g. picnic table)
• Cleaning and drying camp cook kit
• Wrapping around pot handle or hot mug for handling or insulation

I’ve got a couple of dog-motif ones designated for use on River and her gear, and some solid-colour ones for general gear and camp use.

2. IKEA MAVINN storage basket

This inexpensive small storage bag is handy to hang in your front entrance for containing grab-and-go items such as:

• Dog night light
• Headlamp
• Poop bags
• Dog whistle

3. Dollar store collapsible laundry bag

These baskets are marketed as laundry bags, but since they’re inexpensive, lightweight, collapsible, and relatively durable, they’re great for use at home or in the car for storing or transporting your dogpacking gear. While not waterproof, these baskets have a waxy lining over the polyester, so they’re easy to wipe clean.

We use one in the car for:

• Wet and muddy gear
• Paddling gear, including River’s PFD and wetsuit

4. Baby socks

Baby socks are useful additions to your dog’s first aid kit. Just as babies come in different sizes, these socks also come in different sizes. Choose a size that fits your dog’s paws – without being constricting nor baggy.

Since they are shaped for human baby feet, these socks are not designed for use as liners under dog booties – but they are excellent in a pinch if you need to cover up your dog’s paw (for instance, in case of a wound). You can also use them when camping on cold nights, to mitigate your dog’s heat loss from their paws.

5. Yoga mat

A used or inexpensive yoga mat or sleeping pad can be cut down to make a camp mat for your dog, and/or to line their bike basket. We used the Quechua sleeping mat from Decathlon ($18 CAD*).

*River not included.

You can also DIY some insulated mug cozies using leftover mat material and duct tape.

It’s fun being creative and repurposing versatile gear. What household items have you repurposed for adventuring with your dog? Drop them in the comments.

About the author

Krista Halling is a veterinarian board-certified with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and creator of Dogpacking.com. She is also certified in the Human-Animal Bond and in Canine Physical Rehabilitation. Krista loves travelling and adventuring with River, her mini goldendoodle sidekick.