Small dog hiking on leash despite the photo showing no leash — *Photo by* *Marie Wulfram Photography*

We all want freedom, and for those who love hiking with their dogs I can understand the want to let them run free and explore off leash.

If I could trust Nala off-leash, I’d want that for her, too!

But along with it being illegal to have your pet off leash in state parks, there are many other reasons to keep your furry family members leashed up for your hiking adventures.

Today, I’ll share the top 10 reasons to keep your dog or cat on leash when hiking.

Black and white dog posing majestically on a tree trunk in a snowy hiking trail — *Photo by* *Marie Wulfram Photography*

They could get lost

The number one reason to keep your dog or cat on leash is because they could get lost. Even those dogs who have a strong recall can get distracted by a deer in the distance or spooked by a hawk swooping in for lunch and run off.

Unfortunately, canine kidnapping has been on the rise, so your dog could become lost by no fault of their own. Always best to keep them close by and in sight.

They could slip/fall off a ledge

It’s no surprise that our dog and cat friends get curious about things just as much as, if not more than, we do! But sometimes they aren’t the best judges of the dangers around them such as a cliff-face with loose gravel/stones along the edge. Or potentially even misjudging what they see and simply running off!

A harness and leash would ensure that even if that were to happen, you’d be able to pull them back up.

Monitor for signs of fatigue and dehydration

If your dog is running and exploring all over the place, it can be hard to take note of how tired they’re getting (much like kiddos, they can be all go until they simply can’t anymore). Dehydration, or even over-hydration, can be a concern as well and both need to be monitored while hiking together.

Things to keep an eye on include:

Panting
Sunken, dry-looking eyes
Dry nose
Dry, sticky gums
excessive panting or yawning

Black malamute lays in a creek, fur all wet, exhausted from running around — *Photo by* *Marie Wulfram Photography*

Toxic plants

Common Tansy, Deathcap Mushrooms, Foxglove and many more are plants that are native to Washington trails and toxic to dogs and cats. While your pet is off-leash running free, it’s likely they could encounter these plants and might go for a little nibble, and you’d be completely unaware.

Alternatively, while they may not be one to taste-test things on trail, the leaves/pollen could get into their fur and your dog or cat might ingest some of that plant material later on while cleaning themselves.

Having them safely on-leash and on-trail allows you to keep a close eye on them and make sure they aren’t eating anything they aren’t supposed to.

For a list of 14 toxic plants native to Washington, check out this blog post by You Did What With Your Weiner.

Bees

Have you ever accidentally stepped on a bee hive while running through a field of tall grass? I have, and let me tell you, it SUCKS.

If your dog or cat is off leash and running around off trail, there’s a chance they could do the same. In the case of yellow jackets, they will cling to their fur and bite/sting until they’re all scrapped off. Keeping them safely on-leash and on-trail will greatly reduce the chances of that happening.

Dogs and cats can also be allergic to bee stings (and other plants) and keeping them nearby means being able to administer anti-histamines or other medications as needed.

Rivers

Rivers are some of my favorite areas to hang out and photograph as well, but there’s a level of caution that should always be used when near them. River banks can be slippery. One minute your dog or cat could be gazing at the rushing water or attempting to get a drink and within a second they could slip and get rushed away in the current.

This happened to a friend of mine while we were exploring an area near their home and they had their dog off-leash near a river. You can hear more about how I rescued their dog in this reel they created afterwards.

I no longer allow clients to have their dogs off-leash near rushing rivers, even if they have 100% recall and have visited that area hundreds of times before.

Wildlife

Bears and cougars are becoming a more common sight on Washington trails. Your dog could potentially run into one off in the distance and then suddenly come running back to you with the bear in tow. Your dog may be able to outrun a bear, but I doubt you’d be able to! Or a cougar! Avoid the heart attack and keep them safely on leash when hiking.

Black and ten malamute with a plaid bandana standing atop a stack of logs while hiking on leash — *Photo by* *Marie Wulfram Photography*

They could encounter someone with a gun

While many gun owners are responsible and have nerves of steel, not all do. As a husky and malamute lover, this one hits close to home. Huskies and malamutes have been mistaken by hunters in the past and killed by startled hunters.

In Washington state, it’s also legal for Fish and Wildlife officers to shoot a dog if they are pursuing, harassing, attacking, or killing many different kinds of wildlife.

Best to keep them safe and on-leash, especially during hunting seasons.

Other dogs

Thanks to COVID, there’s been a huge rise in reactive dogs. You could have the nicest dog in the world who wouldn’t hurt a fly, but if they don’t know how to stay away from other dogs, something could happen.

They could get into a fight with another dog that shouldn’t be off-leash and neither you or the other owner would be nearby to break it up.

They could get into a fight with a dog who IS on leash and the other owner would have to break it up on their own. Not always the easiest thing to do single-handedly.

Other people/kids

While most people love dogs, that doesn’t mean they want one running up to them unexpectedly while they’re trying to enjoy their time in nature.

Alternatively, there are also people and kids who don’t like dogs at all.

My son for example has historically been terrified of dogs, and still is really nervous around dogs that aren’t his.

We’ve had dogs run up to us while on trails and I’ve had to quickly scoop him up in my arms and try to calm him down, all while the dog is trying to get pets and the owner is yelling from far away “oh he’s a good dog, he just loves people!”. Meanwhile, I’m holding my hysterical and crying child in my arms.

Cat walking away from the viewer, along a dark trail — *Photo by* *Marie Wulfram Photography*

Keeping your dog or cat on leash when hiking is safe, legal and the polite thing to do. It shows you really care for your pets, the people around you and the gorgeous lands that we’re blessed to be able to explore.

Despite what it looks like, 99% of dogs are photographed safely on-leash during their sessions.

So if that’s been a reason you’ve hesitated to book a session for your dog, don’t fret!

Top 10 Reasons to Keep Your Dog (or Cat) on Leash When Hiking