TL;DR: A healthy adult dog can carry a backpack, but start empty, then stay at or under 10% of body weight for pack plus contents. Fit it with two fingers of slack under each strap, balance both sides, and build up over several weeks.
A dog backpack turns a hike into a job, and plenty of dogs love having one. Our lab Rocket stands a little taller the moment his pack goes on, and he is happy to carry his own bowl and poop bags so we do not have to.
The hard part is the number. Search "how much weight can a dog carry" and you will find 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%, often on the same page. This guide sorts out where those figures come from, gives you a load table by dog weight, and lays out the week-by-week routine we use to get a dog from "what is this thing" to a full day on the trail.
Should my dog wear a hiking backpack?
A pack makes sense for a healthy, fully grown dog who already hikes comfortably without one. It lets your dog carry their own gear, and the extra effort tires out a high-energy dog faster on the same trail.
It is the wrong choice for some dogs. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says these dogs should skip the pack, wear only an empty one, or get a vet's opinion first:
- Puppies who are still growing
- Senior dogs with health issues such as arthritis
- Dogs with back problems
- Dogs with hip or elbow dysplasia
- Dogs with heart conditions or breathing problems
- Dogs that are overweight or out of shape
If your dog is on that list, they can still hike. They just should not carry anything. Our guide to hiking with your dog covers trails, rules and the basics that apply with or without a pack.
How much weight can a dog carry in a backpack?
Two figures come up most, and they answer different questions:
- 10% is the everyday limit. The AKC says the total weight of the pack and its contents should be no more than 10% of your dog's body weight, for a dog at a healthy weight and in good condition.
- 25% is a ceiling, not a target. Ruffwear, a brand that makes dog packs, suggests keeping the total carrying weight, pack included, under 25% of body weight as a starting rule for fit adult dogs. It adds that first-time pack wearers and seniors should start lighter.
Our rule is simple: every dog starts at 10% or less. Going above that is a conversation with your vet, not a decision you make at the trailhead. Notice that both limits include the pack itself, so weigh the empty pack first.
| Dog's weight | 10% limit (start here) | 25% ceiling (vet's OK only) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 lb (9 kg) | 2 lb (0.9 kg) | 5 lb (2.3 kg) |
| 40 lb (18 kg) | 4 lb (1.8 kg) | 10 lb (4.5 kg) |
| 60 lb (27 kg) | 6 lb (2.7 kg) | 15 lb (6.8 kg) |
| 80 lb (36 kg) | 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 20 lb (9 kg) |
| 100 lb (45 kg) | 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 25 lb (11.3 kg) |
Water is what usually breaks the budget. A liter of water weighs about 2.2 lb (1 kg), so a 40 lb dog at the 10% limit has room for the pack and not much more than one liter. Use your dog's ideal weight, not their current weight, if they carry a few extra pounds.
At what age can a dog carry a backpack?
Only once they have finished growing. Ruffwear's advice is to wait until a puppy is fully grown before adding any weight, and to use an empty pack in the meantime so the puppy gets used to wearing one.
When "fully grown" happens depends on size. The AKC gives these ranges:
- Small breeds: usually done growing by 6 to 8 months
- Medium breeds: around 12 months
- Large and giant breeds: 12 to 18 months, and some very large breeds, such as Mastiffs, up to 24 months
For a large-breed dog like a lab, that means a year and a half of empty-pack practice before the first real load. Our article on puppy exercise explains why growing joints need the patience.
How do I fit a dog backpack?
A pack that slips or rubs will turn your dog off the whole idea. Fit it at home, then check it again on the trail.
- Measure first. Sizes are not standard between brands. Measure your dog exactly where the brand's own size chart tells you to, and pick from that chart, not from the size your dog wears in another brand.
- Two-finger rule. The AKC's test: you should be able to fit one or two fingers under each strap. Tighter will chafe, looser will slide.
- Saddlebags level. The bags should sit evenly on both sides of the body, behind the shoulders, not hanging low or swinging against the legs.
- Balance the load. The AKC warns that putting everything on one side throws off your dog's gait. Weigh each side, or simply split identical items between them.
- Recheck after a mile. Straps settle as your dog moves. Look for rubbing in the armpits and under the chest at every break.
If your dog pulls hard on the leash, sort that out first: a pack shifts more on a dog leaning into the harness. Our no-pull harness guide covers the fit points that also apply to packs.
How do I get my dog used to a backpack?
Slowly, and with treats. The AKC breaks the start into small steps: let your dog sniff the empty pack, drape it loosely, reward them for wearing it, close the straps without adjusting them, tighten gradually, let them walk around the house in it, and only then take short walks outside with the pack empty.
Here is how we stretch that into a full plan:
| Week | What the pack holds | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nothing | Indoors and the yard, a few minutes a day, lots of rewards |
| 2 | Nothing | Normal neighborhood walks |
| 3 | Nothing | One short, easy hike |
| 4 | About half of the 10% limit | Normal walks, then a short hike |
| 5 and on | Up to the 10% limit | Hikes of your usual length, adding distance before weight |
The AKC suggests practicing with soft, adjustable filler such as dried beans or rice, which makes it easy to set an exact weight. Add distance or weight in a given week, never both, and go back a step if your dog stops, sits, or keeps turning to look at the pack.
What should my dog carry in their backpack?
Light, useful things that are theirs anyway. The AKC's list of pack items includes water, collapsible bowls, poop bags, snacks, toys, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, and cooling packs on hot days.
Our split on a typical day hike:
- Dog's pack: collapsible bowl, poop bags (full ones too, if they are sealed), treats, a small first-aid kit, and one bottle of water if the weight budget allows.
- Your pack: most of the water, the leash spare, and anything you would need if your dog's pack came off.
VCA Animal Hospitals reminds hikers that a dog on the trail needs more water than they drink lounging at home, and that enough water is essential to prevent overheating and heatstroke. VCA also suggests tweezers in the kit for ticks, grass awns and cactus spines, and booties if the route covers rough terrain. For a rough idea of how much your dog drinks, see how much water a dog should drink a day.
Our pick: a pack with a built-in harness, saddlebags that sit high, and a sturdy top handle to help your dog over rocks. It is better than a pack that clips onto a harness you already own, because the load is part of the fit instead of sliding on top of it.
When to call your vet
A pack adds effort, so it can make small problems show up sooner. Stop the hike, take the pack off, and call your vet if your dog:
- Limps, or is stiff the next morning after a pack hike
- Pants heavily long after a break, stumbles or seems confused
- Has raw, red or hairless skin under the straps
- Lies down and refuses to go on, even after the pack comes off
Heavy panting, weakness and confusion in warm weather can be heatstroke, which is an emergency: read the signs of heatstroke in dogs before summer hikes. And ask your vet before your dog carries anything if they are older, or have any of the conditions on the AKC list above.
Mistakes we see all the time
- Forgetting the pack's own weight. Both the 10% and 25% figures include the empty pack.
- Using 25% as the goal. It is a ceiling for fit adult dogs, and not where any dog should start.
- Loading a puppy. Empty pack only, until they are fully grown.
- One-sided loading. A full water bottle on one side and treats on the other makes your dog walk crooked.
- Adding weight and miles at once. Change one thing per week.
- Putting all the water in the dog's pack. Packs come off, and dogs wander. Carry the main supply yourself.
In short
A dog hiking backpack is a great tool for a healthy adult dog, as long as the load starts at 10% of body weight, pack included, and only goes beyond that with your vet's agreement. Fit it with one or two fingers under each strap, balance the two sides, and give your dog several weeks of empty-pack practice first. Pair it with the basics in our guide to hiking with your dog, and keep the main water supply in your own pack.
Want to see how much harder your dog works on a loaded hike than an empty one? Rocket, the activity tracker we are building, is designed to show you, and you can join the waitlist to hear when it is ready.