Dogs need just as many things as a baby does when you leave the house with them, so it's no surprise that as a pet parent, you've probably found yourself juggling a whole load of necessities in your dog walking bags. From servings of your pooch's food to toys, other dog walking accessories and your necessities, too, you'll be surprised how much you can fit into a walking bag.
Obviously, you need somewhere to put all your dog's favourite things and everything they need for their outdoor adventure. Items like your dog's favourite ball, a backup ball in case it gets lost along the way, a portable water bowl, dog poop bags, tasty biscuits and treats, training equipment and so on! That's why a bag for dog walking is essential.
Best dog walking bags at a glance:
• Best compact dog walking bag: Pet Room Dog Walking Bag - View on Amazon UK
• Best bum bag: Outdoor Paws by Petface Dog Walkers Bum Bag - View on Amazon UK
• Best for walking holidays: Overland Mobile Dog Gear Unisex Weekender Backpack - View on Amazon UK
Don't forget you'll also need to have enough room to include your own essentials like house keys, car keys, sunglasses, refreshments, a mobile phone, sunscreen, a hat, emergency plasters for blisters and any extra layers in case it gets cold. For this reason, we often need multi-functional dog walking bags that cover all bases.
Whether you prefer to keep your dog's belongings to a minimum and are after a bum bag for dog walking or a cross-body dog walking bag to keep your hands and arms free, we have options for you to choose from. Or, if you really do like to carry everything, including the kitchen sink, on a hike, we've selected the best walking bags for all kinds of walks. Whatever type of bag for dog walking you are looking for, we've searched the web to bring you a selection of the very best.
Best dog walking bags
Best compact dog walking bag
Description
This compact Pet Room Dog Walking Bag can be worn as a belt around the waist or hung over the shoulder. It has five different pockets to hold everything you need, making it easy for you to grab your essentials quickly without fiddling around. There's space for your own essentials, which can be kept secure with zip fastenings.
Customer review: "What a great little bag. I bought this for my rescue dog who is highly motivated by food, and he is learning so quickly with the clicker. It's a great little clicker and whistle with a springy type wrist cord that will fit around any size wrist. The water bowl is really good quality and is perfect for on the go. I love how you pop a roll of poop bags in the outer pocket, and you can pull one through at a time. I normally had all my pockets full of them. The bag itself can go round the waist or over the shoulder, and is very well made. The main part of the bag is big enough to put a packet of treats, your phone and a small purse in whilst the small front part is perfect for your keys. I love this bag and always take it when I'm out with my dog now."
Pros
- Adjustable shoulder strap and waist belt
- Comes with silicone dog water bowl and dog waste bags
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the stitching could be better
Best branded dog walking bag
www.cotswoldoutdoor.com
Description
Looking to treat yourself or a loved one? This Fjallraven Kånken Hip Pack is ideal for dog walking when you're heading somewhere other than your local route. Playful yet practical, it's durable and compact with an inside pocket and key clip, plus two zippered pockets on the outside - perfect for housing those doggie treats. Just fasten it around your hips, and off you go.
Customer review: "Amazing long strap, more room than it looks like there would be inside, stylish! The zip opens two ways! I LOVE IT!"
Pros
- Well-known, stylish brand
- Multiple compartments
- Durable
Cons
- Colour can fade over time
Best for walking holidays
Description
This Mobile Dog Gear Weekender Back Pack packs a serious punch. It is an absolute must-have for those who travel often with their dog and have to make sure they can pack everything they need in one bag for a holiday. It comes with multiple pockets for keeping all the essentials in, plus two silicone bowls and a place mat for on-the-go feeding.
Customer review: "I love this bag! It can fit so much of my dog's stuff into it, perfect for when I take my dog to work or to stay at a friend's! Everything is really good quality and very comfortable. There was a bit of an issue with delivery where it was missed off my order but customer support was fantastic and sent out another straight away!"
Pros
- Made of heavy-duty polyester
- Ideal for feeding your pooch when you're out and about
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the Velcro divider inside could be sturdier
Best dog walking bag for training
Description
This Sweetie Dog Training Treat Bag comes with lots of nifty accessories, which helps secure it a firm slot on our best-of list. With space for plenty of toys and treats, it comes with a clicker, which is handy for training your dogs. You get more than just a bag with this one as it comes with a built-in waste bag dispenser and a portable food/water bowl.
Customer review: "The absolute best treat bag we've tried so far!! What more can I say... It holds loads, and the clicker is great. The bowl is beyond brilliant, although it is a tiny bowl it's plenty big enough for my Golden Retriever and the second it hits the floor dogs swarm from nowhere to share the water. My Puggle is a master at treat bag destruction and despite a couple of attempts, he hasn't managed to make a mark on this one, and even better he can't mug me for treats during the walk thanks to the amazing drawstring and fabric closure. All in all, it is simply fantastic!!"
Pros
- Made of waterproof nylon fabric
- Adjustable strap/belt
Cons
- Some may prefer a bag without a drawstring closure
Best bum bag
Description
A bum bag is a great hands-free option for dog walkers, as you don't have to swing off a backpack or reach around to grab what you need. It is limited on space, so we'd suggest this Outdoor Paws by Petface Dog Walkers Bum Bag is one for shorter walks where you probably don't need to carry a collapsible bowl or water bottle. It's also water-resistant, so good for the days you get caught in a downpour!
Customer review: "Really useful product for dog walking. It holds all I need and I clip on a poo bag holder for easy access. It could do with being more durable though as I have a small hole in my first one and after 18 months needed to re-stitch some of the internal seams as the treats were finding their way in with the spare lead and ball."
Pros
- Multiple pockets, including a specific pocket for your phone
- Easy to wear
Cons
- Some may need a bag with more room
Best dog walking bag for runners
Description
Another bum bag style, but with a lot of extra capacity for dog walkers. The iEnergy PAT Waist Belt is made of durable and breathable mesh material, designed with dog owners in mind thanks to its multi-pockets and fastenings. It's a great bag for warmer weather and runners, allowing you to store all the important things you need, along with designated secure pouches for keys and money.
Customer review: "Absolutely love this! Perfect for when I go running when I take my friend's dogs out and can store everything I need without having to carry my keys and plastic bags etc in pockets! Definitely a must-have for any dog walkers/owners who love to exercise and are fed up having to carry rucksacks etc. Really good quality and very comfortable to wear."
Pros
- Zipped pockets for convenient storage
- Comes with a D ring and carabiner for attaching a lead with ease
Cons
- The belt is a little on the smaller size
Best dog walking bag for long hikes
Description
A cross-body one-strap style dog walking bag that is great for longer hikes, bike rides, and generally going further afield. The bag will fit comfortably across your body and has an adjustable strap. There are plenty of pockets for all your essentials in this G4Free Small Sling Bag Shoulder Backpack, including a side mesh pocket for a water bottle. It's also waterproof, so is ideal if the weather isn't holding up but you're still heading outside.
Customer review: "Love this bag. Got it for summer dog walks and perfect. Room for raincoat (pack up type), drinks for dog and myself, phone, keys, dog treats. I wear it on my shoulder as don’t like cross-body and is comfortable, easily accessible and easy to hold in place when bending to pick up poo, feed treats etc. Perfect for many days I don’t need a proper back pack but pockets aren’t enough. Chose the flowered pattern and really nice, I’d be happy to use for days out as well as dog walks and would recommend."
Pros
- Crossbody style for easy wearing
- Multiple pockets and pouches
- Choice of colours and designs
Cons
- Some may prefer a more stylish bag
FAQs
What type of dog walking bags are there?
It all depends on what you need to take with you on your dog walk, which determines the style of dog walking bags you should choose. Whether it's a brief dog walk with a bum bag, a long hike with a backpack, or you're happy to sling a cross-body bag over one shoulder, we've covered all the bases.
Here are some of the most common types of dog walking bags:
• Sling shoulder dog walking bag
• Cross-body dog walking bag
• Bum-bag dog walking bag
• Waist pack dog walking bag
• Backpack dog walking bag
Furthermore, you also need to factor in what type of material your bag is, so look out for waterproof dog walking bag options if there's a chance of rain (it's the UK so you could likely encounter a surprise shower!) or if you need something lightweight that doesn't irritate your skin.
What should I take with me on a dog walk?
If you're a new dog owner and are drawing a blank on what you need to bring with you, whether you're going on a long hike away from home or are simply quite forgetful (it happens to the best of us!), then we've rounded up a few essentials that you everyone needs to stash in their dog walking bags.
• Dog waste bags
• Appropriate dog lead, dog walking belt and/or dog harness
• Treats
• Water (and a dog travel water bowl/bottle to put it in for your pooch)
• Antibacterial wipes
• A waterproof coat for your pooch and yourself (especially if you live in the UK)
• Mobile phone
• Money/bank card
• Snacks for you
• Potentially a dog whistle
• Some sort of ball or dog toy
• Training treats
• Food for both of you (for particularly long adventures)
Natalie Corner is the Commercial Content Editor across the Specialist Portfolio for Bauer Media specialising in dog care. Her beloved cocker spaniel Dash is a keen tester of all dog treats and food, and will always show off his wagging tail for Take A Break Pets.