Should Your Dog Wear a Backpack? Know These Guidelines!

By Krista Halling DVM DACVS

All the cool dogs these days seem to be wearing backpacks. And while your dog might be begging your for one, their coolness factor belies a few potential concerns. I’m not outright suggesting not to get one for your dog; but just note some important considerations if you do.

1. Dogs aren’t small mules

When we think of pack-carrying animals, horses and mules come to mind. And there’s good reason for that—it’s because they are 🙃. And while dogs are quadrupeds as well, they aren’t structurally or functionally analogous to horses or mules.

• Horses and mules have evolved for load-bearing, with rigid spines and powerful, load-adapted musculature.

• Dogs, by contrast, have a much more mobile spine, more delicate musculature for agility and speed, and no evolutionary adaptation for sustained load-bearing on their backs.

2. Backpack presence and weight affect posture and gait

A recent study revealed that the simple presence of a backpack as well as how much weight was in the backpack affected a dog’s natural movement:

• Even relatively light loads (5–10% of body weight) significantly altered gait parameters.

• Dogs showed shortened stride length, altered limb loading, and asymmetric gait patterns, especially as the weight increased. Dogs are less likely to move freely when wearing a backpack.

• The added load led to increased peak vertical forces (PVF) on forelimbs, likely because the pack shifts weight forward. PVF reflects how much weight the front limbs are being subjected to.

3. Backpack loads increase spinal and joint strain

• Carrying a load alters Your dog’s spine’s natural range of motion, especially the thoracolumbar region (where chest meets lower back). Over time, this can lead to muscle strain, joint stress, or compensatory movement that predisposes the dog to injury.

• Aim to keep backpack loads below 10% of the dog’s body weight, and ideally closer to 5%—and only use them if your dog is healthy, well-conditioned, and structurally suited to it. Backpacks can be particularly problematic for dogs with long backs (e.g., dachshunds) or those predisposed to musculoskeletal issues.

4. Backpacks are similar to being overweight

• Carrying excess load, whether it is in the form of fat or a backpack, can add stress to your dog’s joints.

• Overweight dogs frequently develop issues from osteoarthritis. While a backpack is not identical to being overweight since it is transient and is not associated with increased inflammatory mediators the way excess fat is, it is best to think of the backpack as suddenly increasing your dog’s body weight. This is why less is more.

Guidelines for Using Dog Backpacks

1. Start Light: Begin with <5% of your dog’s body weight and build up slowly, not exceeding 10–12% including the weight of the pack.

2. Symmetry Matters: Ensure the pack is evenly weighted side-to-side. Otherwise it will shift and will likely result in additional gait problems.

3. Conditioning First: I wouldn’t suggest using a backpack on under-conditioned or senior dogs, or on dogs with joint or neurological problems.

4. Watch the Shoulders and Spine: Improper fit or excessive load can cause pressure points over the spine or shoulder blades.

5. Limit Duration and Terrain: Uphill and uneven terrain compound the load on joints and spine.

6. Watch for rubbing or skin redness, especially at the front and rear margins of the pack and under straps.

It’s fun to want to give your dog a job while hiking; to be part of the team or carry their own food or water. And doggy backpacks can be certainly useful if you need your dog to carry some of your load, but I’d suggest being mindful of their effects and of your dog’s limitations and to use backpacks conservatively. When in doubt, have them carry your socks.

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.

References

Duerr, F.M., Zidan, N., & Davidson, J.R. (2017). Effect of dog backpacks on gait and joint kinematics in healthy dogs. Presented at the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) Surgery Summit.

Zink, M.C. (2005). The Agility Advantage: Conditioning and Training for the Performance Dog. Dogwise Publishing.