Walking the dog is a daily ritual for most pet parents and it supplies your pooch with ample mental and physical exercise. Some pet parents like to head outside with their dogs without much thought. Even when it’s a simple stroll around the block, there are certain things you need to carry to tackle probable eventualities. If your dog is walked by a professional check to see if that person has all of these items on them. We are not mentioning leash and harness as those are essentials you are already aware of. Without much ado, following are 5 things you need to carry when out with your dog for a walk.

Biodegradable Poop Bag: As a responsible dog parent, cleaning up what your dog leaves behind is your responsibility. We suggest using biodegradable poop bags for dogs as opposed to regular plastic bags. Considering dog parents throw away at least one plastic bag per day, this switch goes a long way towards bringing a positive change.

A Smartphone: Most people don’t even think of leaving their home without their mobile phones. This is a good move because smartphones better prepare you to deal with a dog emergency. From digging up emergency pet health advice to contacting a local vet, you can whip out your smartphone during a crisis and save the day. Just make sure your smartphone has enough battery when you leave for the walk.

Foldable Cup and Water: Dehydration is a very real threat when walking your dog during the hot summer months. This is why it’s recommended to carry a foldable cup and a bottle of water. It’s not just for your dog, dehydration can hit you as well and can thus leave your dog helpless on the road. While you can drink directly from the bottle you can unfold the cup and give your dog some clean and cool water. The combo of a foldable cup and a water bottle with clean water is something most pet parents overlook. However, dehydration and hyperthermia are two common threats when walking the dog. Simply carrying cool water significantly improves your chances of treating these problems on the road.

A Sturdy Stick: Most pet experts recommend carrying along a walking stick or a sturdy stick. The primary reason for that is to defend your dog from being attacked by another dog or animal on the road. Dogs getting jumped on by other dogs is pretty common especially in dog parks. Hitting a dog is never anyone’s first choice. However, a stick and a firm attitude can also act as a deterrent.

Collar with ID: Putting on a collar with an ID tag is a must if you plan to take your dog outside. Make sure the dog ID tag contains your phone number or address. This way if your dog gets separated from you there is a possibility that someone will contact you. A dog collar with ID tag is essential if you plan on doing some off-leash activities with your pet like playing fetch.