Camping Safety: Outdoor Hazards Every Pet Owner Should Know

New Brunswick has some of the most beautiful camping and hiking terrain in Atlantic Canada — and your dog absolutely wants to experience all of it. Camping with dogs can be an incredible shared adventure. It also means navigating some genuinely serious hazards that don’t come up on day walks around the neighborhood.

The good news is that most outdoor hazards for pets are avoidable with a bit of advance knowledge. Here’s what to watch for before your first camping trip of the season.

Wild Mushrooms: The Forest Floor Is Not a Buffet

This is the big one. New Brunswick forests are home to hundreds of mushroom species, and while most are harmless, some are deadly — and they are impossible to safely identify in the field unless you are a trained mycologist. The Amanita genus, which includes the Death Cap and Destroying Angel, causes liver and kidney failure and has no antidote. These mushrooms  

grow throughout our region.

If your dog eats an unknown mushroom, treat it as an emergency. Do not wait for symptoms.  Bring a sample of the mushroom in a paper bag if possible, and head to a vet immediately.

Prevention: Keep your dog on a leash in areas with heavy undergrowth, especially after rain when mushrooms emerge rapidly. Practice a reliable “leave it” command before your trip.

Blue-Green Algae: When the Lake Looks Off

Cyanobacteria — commonly called blue-green algae — can form toxic blooms in warm, still water, particularly in late summer. These blooms are extremely dangerous to pets. A dog can be affected simply by swimming through contaminated water and licking their coat afterward.

Signs of blue-green algae poisoning appear within minutes to hours and include vomiting,  seizures, and weakness. Liver failure and death can follow rapidly.

If the water looks green, blue-green, or like pea soup — or has a surface film or unusual smell  — keep your dog completely out of it. If your dog has been in questionable water, rinse them off immediately with clean water and watch closely for any symptoms.

Water Hemlock: Near the Water’s Edge

Water hemlock is one of the most violently toxic plants in North America and is found near water sources and wetlands throughout New Brunswick. It causes rapid-onset seizures. There is no safe exposure level. Teach your dog a solid “leave it” around waterside vegetation, and know what this plant looks like (hollow, jointed stems; compound leaves; white flowers in umbrella-shaped clusters).

Campfire Foods and Human Food

The same risks that apply at a backyard BBQ apply at the campsite — often in a more chaotic setting with less supervision. Corn cobs are a particular hazard at campsites because they end up in fire pits and accessible garbage that dogs can reach.

Trail mix is a hidden danger: raisins, macadamia nuts, and xylitol-sweetened chocolate chips can all be present in one bag. Check ingredients before bringing any trail mix on a camping trip with dogs.

Building a Pet First Aid Kit for Camping

Before you leave, pack a basic pet first aid kit that includes:

• Sterile saline solution — for eye or wound flushing
• Gauze pads and self-adhesive bandage wrap
• A proper tick removal tool (not regular tweezers)
• A photo of any medications your pet takes and their dosing
• Your vet’s number and the number for your nearest emergency clinic

Can Dogs Get Sick from Lake Water?

Yes. Beyond blue-green algae, natural water sources can carry Giardia and Leptospirosis, both of which can infect dogs and cause serious illness. Preventing your dog from drinking from natural water sources is ideal. If they do drink from lakes or rivers during a trip, watch for signs of gastrointestinal illness in the following days and mention it to your vet.

Camping with dogs in New Brunswick is one of the best ways to spend a summer. With a bit of preparation — knowing the mushroom risk, recognizing blue-green algae, packing a first-aid kit, and knowing where the nearest vet is — you can focus on the adventure instead of the what-ifs.