Anyone who鈥檚 ever had to mouth the word 鈥渨alk鈥� while reaching for a leash knows how much our dogs love to get out. And no doubt you love it too鈥攆or the fun and companionship, and because you know there鈥檚 more to our pets鈥� health than just giving them food and water. Tail-wagging adventures and purr-inducing pastimes are essential pieces of the puzzle when it comes to your pets鈥� mental and physical well-being. That鈥檚 why , makers of nourishing WholePrey pet foods, is proud to support experiences in nature through its partnership with the National Park Foundation and by making it easier for people to find pet-friendly adventures with the launch of its new .

Finding pet-friendly hikes can be a time-consuming task. With the Orijen Trails web app, users will be able to quickly find pet-friendly trails in parks across the United States, complete with route details and maps, scenic stop suggestions, trail ratings, information about water availability, calorie estimates for you and your pet, and more. No more frustrated scrolling, no more resorting to the same well-trodden trails, and definitely no more leaving your favorite adventure buddy at home.

The Trails app currently logs details from more than 100 national and state parks (and counting) across all 50 states. Orijen plans to include as many hikes, parks, and paths as possible, growing the app with crowdsourced info from local hikers, trail runners, and, most importantly, pet lovers.

Finding the trails is just part of what the app can do. It also keeps a log of your and your pets鈥� adventures. The My Pack feature lets you store a roster of up to three pets and track the activities you鈥檝e done with each one. So, take note, dog walkers: You never have to wonder if you鈥檝e brought this particular pooch down this particular path before. It鈥檚 all there in the app.

And while 鈥減et-friendly鈥� is often code for 鈥渄og-friendly鈥� when it comes to the outdoors, most pet-friendly trails are also happy to host adventure cats. Just be sure to reach out to the park or trail organization to confirm, know your cat鈥檚 limits, and make proper accommodations, including catpacks, leashes, etc.

Pets are at their best when they鈥檙e living as naturally as possible, whether that鈥檚 eating inspired by the prey their ancestors ate or working up an appetite exploring new trails and smells. With this new app, Orijen takes its commitment toward creating healthy and happy pets one step further, helping to ensure that you鈥檒l be hitting the trails with them for years to come.

Orijen pet food is packed with quality animal ingredients to help dogs and cats thrive. It鈥檚 rich with the same nourishment their ancestors consumed in the wild. As the fullest expression of biologically appropriate nutrition, Orijen diets feature unmatched amounts of quality animal ingredients. All of the pet food is made from only the finest ingredients, and every diet is formulated so you can help your pet reach their full potential and then set off for adventure together. Orijen pet food products include premium kibble, freeze-dried food and treats, and wet food, and the brand is always adding new, innovative products. To learn more, visit .

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Happiness is best when it鈥檚 shared, and as any dog parent knows, outdoor exploration is exponentially enhanced when our furry best friend is along for the ride鈥攐r run, bike, hike, ski, any outdoor activity, really. that people with pets are more likely to spend more time outdoors, exercise more frequently, and generally feel happier than those without pets. In the spirit of International Dog Day, which is celebrated on August 26,聽国产吃瓜黑料 team members share聽their most incredible outdoor adventures alongside their canine companions.

The Time My Good Boy Helped My Now-Husband Propose

We鈥檇 just hauled heavy backpacks up five miles of trail聽to San Leonardo Lake in northern New Mexico. The birds were chirping, the alpine lake glittered beneath the setting sun, and I was hangry, tired, and generally grumpy as I fumbled to set up my backpacking stove.

鈥淏abe, I think Squeaker has something for you,鈥� my husband called from across the campsite. 鈥淗ang on,鈥� I snapped, laser-focused on getting dinner cooking. Then, I glanced down and saw a small box hanging from one of my dogs鈥� collars. I struggled to untie it, and when I looked up again, my now-husband was down on one knee.

Needless to say, I said yes, and now, after a wedding and two kids later, my husband knows never to leave the house without plenty of snacks to ward off my hangry side. 鈥擜bigail Wise, brand director

Brodie鈥� on The Bruce!

Dalmatians have incredible endurance鈥攖hey are the Arabian horse of dog breeds, known for their never-ending energy and stamina. The Bruce Trail, a roughly 558-mile trail on the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, is literally in our backyard, and Brodie loved long hikes along this scenic trek. Limestone rocks, cedar roots, mud, and stream crossings were all part of the adventure.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, we signed Brodie up for the fundraising event Woof Walk, where he quickly completed his target of 310 miles. His favorite spot was a wooden bench where he鈥檇 stop and take in the scents of the forest and, of course, some well-earned snacks. Hiking was fun, but getting to the trailhead was just as enjoyable. He loved rides in our Volkswagen Westfalia Camper Van! Brodie has since gone to the Rainbow Bridge, but his presence continues to be with us when we head out on The Bruce and every International Dog Day. 鈥擫indsey Ryder, FinisherPix operations manager

The Best Campsite I鈥檝e Ever Had, According to My Dogs

It was the summer in which my second pup was finally old enough to keep up on real trail miles, and I headed for Sun Valley. By some miracle on the July 4th weekend, I found a lakeside campsite in the Sawtooth Mountains in central Idaho with no one else around. Wildflowers spilled across the meadows, the dogs bounded ahead on the trail and drank from streams, and we hiked until their tongues lolled and their paws dragged with that satisfying, bone-deep exhaustion only a good day outside can give.

Back at camp, we swam, built a fire, and watched the light drain off the peaks. With no cell service, my two spoiled house pets immediately rebranded themselves as wild animals鈥攕niffing, digging, howling at the moon, and rolling in whatever smelled the worst. At one point, they looked so wolfy that I half-expected them to take off and never return, but by nightfall, they were snoring in my sleeping bag like the well-groomed suburban pups they are. But honestly, I felt a little feral out there too: no screens, no people, just trails, a dirty body, and two tired dogs. 鈥擲ierra Shafer, lifestyle editorial director

Ruka and the Whale

Ruka Bleau was my soul dog, and over the course of our 17 years together, we summited peaks, visited dozens of national parks, rafted whitewater, and cast our fair share of flies. Though Ruka did everything in his power to keep me happy, his blue merle border collie brain had an affinity for rolling in anything dead, decaying, or otherwise putrid. In 2015, Ruka and I donned our overstuffed backpacks for a 25-mile trek along Northern California鈥檚 .

At one point, Ruka bolted ahead of our girl-team trio to bound headfirst into a small lagoon filled with a bloated whale carcass. We did our best to scrub away the stink, but it鈥檚 safe to say we smelled like a beached whale for days to come. Ruka crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2023, but his spirit lives on in my two menacing Australian Shepherds, Cholla and Poppy. Ruka reminds us every year to celebrate International Dog Day to the fullest. 鈥擬adison Dapcevich, associate editor

That Time I Took My 60-Pound Dog to Europe

My family and friends thought I was more than a little crazy when I announced my husband and I were moving to Europe, with our 60-pound puppy in tow. Hazelnut, a Great Pyrenees and German Shepherd rescue, quickly realized that life across the Atlantic is a pup’s paradise. Welcome everywhere, from restaurants to museums, she pranced her way across six countries.

While she loved eating calamari in Venice and checking out Christmas markets in Austria, her favorite memories鈥攍ike her mom’s鈥攚ere those that involved outdoor adventures. She did snow zoomies on the cross-country trails under the Matterhorn, hiked between the villages of Italy’s Cinque Terre, and learned to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. Now that we’re back in America, she’s wondering what’s up with all these “no dogs allowed” signs. 鈥擬ikaela Ruland, editor-in-chief of National Park Trips

Born to be a Power Hound

We brought Oakley home in mid-March, at eight weeks old, which, in聽Colorado, still meant聽snow season. He showed zero hesitation when we took him to play after a storm and immediately displayed a love for the white fluff. This got me excited to take him on a few light backcountry tours to share my favorite activity when he鈥檇 be old enough the following winter. After a full year of training, including a significant amount of recall work, it was time.

Oakley broke trail to the top like he鈥檇 done it before, and was a powder rocket on the way down, tongue out and tail wagging the whole way. Every few turns on the first run, I looked back to see unbridled puppy joy chasing me鈥攎y wife close behind, keeping an eye on him鈥攗ntil we got to the bottom. That first day out is still my favorite.

Oakley does most activities with us, but splitboarding seems to be his favorite. Conditions don鈥檛 matter to him; he鈥檚 just pumped there鈥檚 snow on the ground. We鈥檙e always careful with the areas and routes we choose when taking our dog into the backcountry, and keep him close by to our skin track when heading uphill.
鈥擜dam Trenkamp, lab test editor

Let Dogs Be Dogs

We adopted Cameron from a family who needed to give him up, but he had been a pound puppy before then. A bit shy, but sweet as could be, we noticed he didn鈥檛 participate in a lot of the 鈥渄og stuff鈥� other dogs do鈥攏o toys, hesitant to play chase, didn鈥檛 hang his head out the window in the car.

One weekend, we took him along on a hike to our favorite place: Crater Lakes here in Colorado. We went at his pace so he could take in all the new sights and smells as we wound along the path. We let him sniff around as we set up camp among the conifers and wildflowers.

Suddenly, he started barrelling through the blooming flowers, just running as fast as he could with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth! It was the first time we got to see him truly be a dog, and it brought us immense joy. At 12 years old now, Cam doesn鈥檛 barrel through the wildflowers anymore, but he still loves to snuggle up in the tent next to a lake. 鈥擩en Woodson, engineer

Built for Brunch

Hike a mountain or chill by the lake? Our French Bulldog doesn鈥檛 even pretend to struggle with that choice, especially on International Dog Day. He has a body built for brunch and the personality to match. This little guy is an excellent reminder for us that any time spent outside is time well spent, and it doesn’t always need to be an epic adventure for it to be memorable. 鈥擜lan Crisp, VP business development

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It鈥檚 a Sunday morning and I鈥檝e just run 16 miles. I鈥檓 drenched in sweat, out of breath, thirsty, hungry, and exhausted. When I step through the front door, my husband calls 鈥渉ello!鈥� from upstairs, but otherwise no one else greets me. I stretch on the floor, cooling my muscles down before melting into the carpet face-down. Suddenly, I feel a lump step onto my back, and my cat, Steve, proceeds to perform some expert-level kneading into my muscles. He then curls up like the perfect heating pad and purrs himself to sleep.

And it鈥檚 glorious.

Growing up with dogs, I always assumed I鈥檇 have one when I was older. There鈥檚 no denying that they鈥檙e the perfect running buddies, unwaveringly loyal, and no one can resist a goofy puppy smile. But then I adopted my first cat, Ari, and the definition of my ideal pet changed. Today, I have three cats鈥攚hich is probably too many but if you like something you get one in every color, right?鈥攁nd though they can鈥檛 run with me, I wouldn鈥檛 trade them for the most athletic, well-behaved dog in the world.

To preface: I love both cats and . I鈥檇 even add a pup to the family one day if the time was right. But cats are misunderstood, underrated pets for runners. Before you boo and hiss, hear meow-t.

The Secret Life of Cats

My first cat Ari and I would occasionally take to the trails on a leash or in a cat-safe backpack. She鈥檚 a little older now and prefers a life of indoor lounging, but at our peak, we鈥檇 go to parks and she鈥檇 climb trees while I held onto her leash down below. You might be surprised to know that some cats lead active, outdoorsy lives鈥攁nd it鈥檚 a trend that鈥檚 gaining traction.

Eight years ago, Boulder-based influencer, filmmaker, and outdoorsman never anticipated that a cat could keep up with his on-the-go lifestyle, filled with hiking, climbing, swimming, backpacking, and trail running. But then Simon, now known as , was sort of thrust upon him. His landlord found a litter of stray kittens that needed rehoming, and Yosh felt compelled to take one.

鈥淚t was unplanned. I was traveling every weekend and not living a lifestyle that wasn鈥檛 even conducive for having a cat because I was going abroad a lot. The thought of getting a pet wasn鈥檛 even on my mind,鈥� he says. 鈥淲hen I got Simon, it was kind of like, 鈥業 want to make him an adventure cat鈥� because everyone in Colorado has their Subarus and takes their dogs on the trails鈥擨 can do it too.鈥�

Early on, Simon expressed the desire to be outside. But because Yosh lives in the backcountry, where it can be dangerous for cats to wander alone (coyotes, mountain lions, hawks, etc.) he started taking Simon out on supervised walks and hikes. Simon wears a harness and leash, but on longer hikes, likes to perch on Yosh鈥檚 back. And sometimes, these outings aren鈥檛 simple walks in the park. Yosh is an avid and has raced in ultras like the Collegiate Peaks Trail Run, Behind the Rocks Ultra, and the Run Rabbit Run.

Though Yosh doesn鈥檛 take Simon out on intense trail runs, when they鈥檙e out hiking together he can鈥檛 help dashing down ascents or running up hills, his cat either on his heels or his back. Together, they鈥檝e summited several Colorado 14ers (mountains with summits exceeding 14,000 feet in elevation), including Torrey鈥檚, Grey鈥檚, Massive, Elbert, and Quandary.

鈥淗e鈥檚 always strapped in securely on my back,鈥� Yosh says. 鈥淏ut he insists on exploring when we reach the summit鈥攊t鈥檚 like he knows he鈥檚 earned the view!鈥�

They鈥檝e even been camping in the snowy Indian Peaks Wilderness, which proved to be both challenging and rewarding with the amount of snow they had to trek through. 鈥淭he cold didn鈥檛 phase Simon, though鈥攈e snuggled up in his gear and enjoyed every second of the snowy adventure.鈥�

Yosh says that when he first got Simon, he rarely saw anyone outdoors with a cat. But over time, more and more felines are taking to the trails.

鈥淎t the time I never saw anyone with cats on the trails,鈥� he says. 鈥淏ut more and more people seem to take their cats out on adventures.鈥�

Take Sully, for instance, the 鈥渢rail running cat鈥�. The uber fluffy long-haired cat made waves when her owner, Katie Chen, posted a of them running along the trails together at an impressive pace. However, she鈥檚 clear on the fact that Sully is more of a sprinter than an endurance athlete, and doesn鈥檛 partake in long serious runs with her.

鈥淪ully and I start our day with a 20-30-minute morning leashed walk,鈥� Chen says. 鈥淚 enjoy a cup of coffee and let him explore around our home. Sometimes he stares at birds, sometimes he eats grass, and other times he gets a case of the zoomies. It鈥檚 very peaceful and nice to ease into my day in nature. It鈥檚 routine for him, so he expects it every morning!鈥�

With routine, practice, and lots of patience, your cats, too, can join you in your outdoor activities. If you鈥檇 like to start taking your cat outside, start by getting your feline acclimated to the harness and leash indoors. Yosh says that it took a lot of trial and error to find a harness that Simon liked, but says is his tried-and-true.

Have your cat wear the harness around the house for as much as they鈥檙e willing to until they get used to it. Then you can start taking them outside鈥攑referably at the same time and place.

鈥淎 routine is helpful, such as walks at a regular time each day,鈥� Chen says. 鈥淥nce you start this, your cat may be very vocal about going back outside. An established routine will help avoid this and keep everyone happy.鈥�

When you get your cat on the trail, just note that it鈥檚 going to be different than walking a dog.

鈥淐ats don鈥檛 like to be restrained, and you want to give them enough leeway so they never feel like they鈥檙e trapped,鈥� Yosh says. 鈥淵ou want to make sure the leash and harness move with the cat鈥檚 body. When I鈥檓 hiking with Simon, I always make sure I have a loose grip on the leash so he never feels constrained. Otherwise, your cat will resist you the entire time.

You鈥檒l have the most success if you allow your feline friend to take the lead.

鈥淵ou want to suggest things. You want to make cats think it鈥檚 their idea to go a certain way,鈥� Yosh says. 鈥淎nd cats are going to go at their own pace. They react to every noise, every butterfly and lizard.鈥�

He recommends that if you want to speed things up, you can use a pet-friendly backpack to carry your cat, or, as he does sometimes, have your cat rest across your back. That takes a lot of practice.

Ultimately, Chen and Yosh stress the importance of never forcing your cat into anything.

鈥淩unning around outdoors on a leash is not for every cat,鈥� Chen says. 鈥淵our cat may not like it, and you have to be okay with that conclusion.鈥�

An Argument for Cats, From The Mouth of a Runner

1. Cats sleep. All. The. Time.聽

My cats have improved my schedule, something everyone knows is essential to better recovery and running efficacy. Cats sleep about 12-20 hours a day. And even when they鈥檙e not sleeping, they enjoy mundane activities like looking out the window at birds, pacing the house, or batting around a toy mouse. My cats are usually conked out by 8 P.M., which honestly makes me a little sleepy, too. They encourage me to get to bed at a good hour.

Plus, cats make fantastic post-long run napping partners. Sometimes after I get home from an early morning workout, all I want to do is collapse on the floor and sleep. And your cat will absolutely join you, probably propping themselves right on your back and purring you into a lulled, wonderfully peaceful nap. They鈥檙e not interested in waking you up鈥攊n fact, they鈥檇 prefer if you just stayed right there all day and did nothing.

On the other side of the coin, cats will let you know when it鈥檚 time to start moving. They鈥檙e basically furry alarm clocks that wake you up early with pouncing and incessant meowing.聽

2. They鈥檙e the ultimate stretching partners.聽

Cats are stretching experts. And whenever I lay my mat on the floor, my cats are there to see to it that I get the work done. They are avid participants in my routine, but less intrusive than perhaps a dog might be (whenever I try to stretch around my brother鈥檚 golden retriever, she winds up barreling me over thinking I want to play鈥攕orry Ruth!). They merely lay contorted in similar positions as you, occasionally climbing up onto your back and leaping nimbly off when you move. Not only does it make the whole process more fun, but it tremendously, which is especially useful after a run.聽聽

3. They force you to slow down.聽

When I鈥檓 in a training block, I have a one-track mind. And sometimes, my obsession with splits and progress can take over until I inevitably hit a wall and burn myself out. But cats live life one paw at a time, with no agenda, schedule, or rush. I once watched my cat slowly stalk an ant for 15 straight minutes. Cats encourage you to take it easy, slow down, and examine your surroundings.

This applies to when you鈥檙e out on the trails together, too.

鈥淭he thing about dogs vs. cats is that dogs like to please their humans, whereas you need to please cats, so it鈥檚 a very different mindset,鈥� Yosh says. 鈥淭he whole time I have Simon, I鈥檓 taking care of him. With a cat, because you have to be so attentive to their needs, you become more mindful and respectful of what鈥檚 happening around you.鈥�

Yosh is so tuned-in to Simon that he can recognize a certain pitch in his meow that lets him know, if he鈥檚 on his back, that he needs to get down to go to the bathroom.聽

4. They offer just as much kinship as dogs.聽

I think one of most misunderstood preconceived notions about cats is that they鈥檙e cold, disinterested, and unloving. Cats can definitely provide affection, loyalty, and support. shows they recognize behavioral shifts and mood changes, which is why my cats seem to flock to my lap when I鈥檓 stressed about a quick deadline or sit protectively at my feet if I鈥檓 sick in bed.

鈥淪imon definitely provides an extreme amount of emotional support,鈥� Yosh says. 鈥淚f I鈥檓 in a stressed mood, he鈥檒l come over to me and demand I pet him as a way to take focus on whatever is stressing me out. It鈥檚 sort of a reminder like, 鈥楬ey life might be hard, but you have me.鈥� That reassurance is so comforting.鈥�

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