The hiking trails in Sedona, Arizona are some of the best anyone could hope to find in the American Southwest. From paths winding through the famous Red Rock formations to more moderate trailheads along water, there’s a hike for everyone. With a wide variety of difficulty and distance, beginners and expert hikers will all find something new and wonderful. And these hikes aren’t limited to humans! All of the trails in Sedona are dog friendly, making it the perfect place for travellers who bring their best friends along for adventures. However, there are a few things that hikers of all skill levels should keep in mind if they plan on bringing along a four-legged companion. Hiking is more strenuous than walking for dogs as well as humans, so here are some tips for making sure everyone stays safe and happy on the hike!

First things first, if the owner is a beginner hiker, then it’s likely that their dog is too. Make sure that the selected trail is appropriate in regards to difficulty level. Hiking often includes inclines, uneven ground, and usually longer distance than walking, so keep in mind that an eight mile hike might be a little too much for a pup who’s more accustomed to an easy stroll around the block! It’s also a good idea to hike during the morning or the later afternoon when there are fewer people on the trail, especially if a pet is not used to hiking during busier times!

A trip to Sedona in January or February makes hiking with your pet much “cooler.” Sedona, during the spring, summer, or fall months means slightly warmer weather, and it’s important to keep in mind the difference in how dogs keep themselves cool. They can’t sweat out their excess body heat that comes from the exertion of hiking like people can. This means that dogs require twice as much resting time on the trail. This gives them a chance to cool down and pant out the heat before taking on the next leg of the hike, which will lower the chances of them getting too warm and possible suffering from heatstroke. Another important tip to keep in mind is to keep them well watered. Dogs sometimes won’t drink all of the water they require to stay hydrated, so be patient and make sure that a dog bowl has made it into the hiking pack. This will make it easier for them to drink what they need as you make your way along the trail. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to make sure your dog is rested and watered throughout the hiking excursion! At El Portal, we see several dogs get in trouble out on the trail because of the heat – especially during the warmer months!

If a traveller is invested in going on an all day hike even though they’ve brought their dog to Sedona, this does not mean that plans need to completely change! Sedona is a very pet friendly area, and as the leading pet friendly hotel, we have gathered a list of wonderful local day cares that our customers can make use of on their trip. There are pet watchers who will come to the hotel and off site centers that can make sure any pet is well looked after while their owner is off enjoying a day on the trails!