Do you like to go on adventures with your dog? Would you like to go hiking with your dog but feel you don’t have the stamina to hike and carry supplies for both you and your dog? Saddle bags for dogs are a great option to help you be able to go on your adventures together.
This post will look at what saddle bags for dogs are, how they are used, and what to look for when purchasing them for your dog.
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Related: Best Dog Boots For Hiking, Best Dog Backpack For Hiking, The Best Dog First Aid Kit For Hiking
What Are Saddle Bags For Dogs?
Saddle bags for dogs are pouches or panniers that attach to your dog’s harness. These pouches are large enough to fit any supplies you may need when walking, hiking, camping, or any other activity you may do together.
Saddle bags can be separate bags that attach to a harness, or they can be put onto your dog already attached to one. They may also be referred to as backpacks.
Who Are Saddle Bags Good For?
Saddle bags are good for dogs who:
- Go walking or hiking with you.
- Like to have a job to do.
- Need more exercise.
Saddle bags are better for larger dogs in terms of carrying supplies. If you have a small dog, you won’t be able to put much into the saddle bags that fit their body size.
What Do You Put Into A Dog Saddle Bag?
Any supplies you may need for your experience together can be put into a saddle bag. This can include:
- Water for both you and your dog.
- Food/snacks for both you and your dog.
- Dog bowls.
- Keys.
- Wallet.
- Waste bags.
- Phone.
- First aid supplies.
- Toys.
- Flashlight.
When using saddle bags, make sure to evenly distribute the weight of your items between them. This will prevent the bags from becoming lopsided as your dog is walking.
Also be careful of any loose items in your bags, as they will inevitably move around as your dog walks.
How Heavy Should A Saddle Bag For Dogs Be?
When putting supplies into your dog’s saddle bag, you don’t want it to be more than 25% of their body weight.
If your dog is not accustomed to wearing a saddle bag or carrying supplies, start off light. Put only a few supplies in the bags and try to even out the weight on each side.
Go on short walks and gradually increase the weight in the bags and the length of your walks until they are comfortable with wearing the bags and carrying supplies.
Are Dog Backpacks Comfortable?
With the right fit, a saddle bag for dogs can be comfortable for your pup to wear.
Make sure to measure your dog before buying to ensure the best fitting saddle bags for your dog.
You will need to have a paper tape measure or a piece of string that you can measure.
Measure the girth of your dog. This is right behind your dog’s front legs.
You may also need to measure your dog’s neck. This will be at the base of the neck where it meets the shoulders.
Some manufacturers may want you to also measure the middle or back of your dog. Follow their instructions if these measurements are needed as well as their recommendations of whether to size up or down if your dog is between sizes.
With a proper fit, your dog will be able to walk for long durations without the bags chafing their skin.
What Should I Look For When Purchasing Saddle Bags For Dogs?
When looking to buy saddle bags for your dog, here are a few things to consider:
Size
This includes the size of your saddle bags in relation to the size of your dog. Will your dog be able to walk with the bags? Carry supplies? The size of the bags is important to consider. Will it be large enough to fit the supplies you want your dog to hold?
Material
Look for durable material that is also lightweight and breathable. You want the saddle bags to stand up to whatever you put into it, as well as the up and down motion that will occur as your dog moves. It should be lightweight and breathable so as not to be too heavy on your dog but also allow your dog’s skin to breathe.
Leash Attachment
If your saddle bags have a built in harness, check for a leash attachment in the form of a D ring or V ring. If your dog is a puller, you will want one made of metal for greater durability.
Straps
Pay attention to how the saddle bags secure to your dog. Do they use Velcro or quick release buckles? Some dogs are afraid of the sound Velcro makes.
Adjustable
The saddle bags and attached harness should be adjustable to ensure a proper fit for your dog.
Waterproof
Or at least water resistant. The last thing you want is for your supplies to get wet through the bags.
Saddle Bag Opening
Check how the saddle bags open and close. Some have Velcro, others have zippers. Choose which would be easier for you to navigate.
Reflective Stitching
This will help your dog to be seen better at night and low light conditions.
Care Instructions
Some saddle bags are machine washable, others are hand wash only.
Best Saddle Bags For Dogs
Here are 5 of the best saddle bags for dogs available. Product information is according to the manufacturer.
Wilderdog Dog Backpack
These saddle bags have a built-in waste bag dispenser and are machine washable.
- Available in multiple sizes.
- Comes in various colors.
- D ring.
- Top handle.
- Adjustable.
- Each saddle bag has 2 pockets.
- Built in poop bag dispenser.
- Interior pull tab for keys.
- Stitched webbing attachment points for accessories.
- Velcro straps.
- Water resistant.
- Made of a cotton/polyester material.
- Machine washable.
- Length of saddle bags:
- Small: 9 inches.
- Medium: 11 inches.
- Large: 13 inches.
Mountainsmith K9 Dog Pack
These saddle bags have a tapered shape for improved fit, and ventilated foam for increased comfort.
- Available in multiple sizes.
- Comes in various colors.
- Metal D ring.
- Tapered torso shape.
- Reflective trim.
- Weather and water resistant inner coating.
- Adjustable.
- Zippered saddle bags.
- Mesh and ventilated foam to go against your dog’s body for increased comfort.
- For dogs 20 lbs. to over 80 lbs.
- Bag sizes:
- Small: 9.5 x 8.25 x 2.25 inches.
- Medium: 12.25 x 8.25 x 3 inches.
- Large: 13.5 x 9.5 x 3.25 inches.
Ruffwear Approach Dog Backpack
These bags have a compression system for increased balancing when carrying supplies and an integrated breathable harness for increased comfort.
- Available multiple sizes.
- Comes in various colors.
- Integrated with a breathable harness.
- Compression system for balanced carrying.
- Adjustable.
- Reflective trim.
- 2 leash points: an aluminum V ring and a reinforced webbing loop.
- Padded handle on top.
- External gear loops.
- Made of polyester.
- Backpack sizes:
- X-Small: 17 x 22 inches.
- Small: 22 x 27 inches.
- Medium: 27 x 32 inches.
- Large/X-Large: 32 x 42 inches.
Excellent Elite Spanker Dog Pack Hound Dog Saddle Bag Backpack
These bags fit large dogs up to 120 lbs., has straps inside the bags to help keep loose items from moving around inside the bags.
- Available in multiple colors.
- For dogs up to 120 lbs.
- Adjustable.
- Handle on top.
- Plastic, quick release buckles.
- MOLLE system compatible.
- Bags measure 11 x 1.5 x 7 inches.
- Made of nylon.
- Straps inside the bags can make loose items more secure.
- Two way zipper.
- Aluminum V ring.
Himal Outdoors Dog Backpack For Large Dogs
These saddle bags are adjustable with a mesh underside for greater comfort.
- Available in multiple colors.
- Velcro neck and waist adjustment.
- Padded handle on top.
- Mesh underside.
- Zippered saddle bags.
- D ring.
- Exterior pockets with Velcro.
- Canvas material.
- Measures: 40 x 9.5 x 9 inches.
Doing activities with your dog, whether walking, hiking, camping, or going to the beach, is a great way to bond with your pup. Saddle bags for dogs offer a way for your dog to help carry supplies for both you and them while on your amazing adventures.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.