RVing with Pets in Hot Weather

RVing with pets in hot weather shouldn’t be such a hassle, but Summer can sometimes be a challenge for road tripping with your pets. Whether you find yourself boondocking in the middle of the desert during 100+ temps or find yourself in the sun with no shade at a local campground, there are all kinds of things that could go wrong in an RV full of animals.



But fear not, we have some helpful tips to keep your pets safe when temperatures rise that will allow you to still have fun on excursions and adventures along the way.



Find Some Cooling Gear
Many pet stores now sell cooling gear that helps your pet catch a chill when out and about on Summer days. Cooling mats and vests are pretty popular in places where the heat rises above 100 degrees, but you can also find them online, too. Cooling mats can be a little pricey, but it allows your pet to have a safe, cool spot to retreat to when temperatures are rising.

Related Read: RV Travel with Pets

Reflect the Heat
In some areas, the only way to keep the heat out is to reflect it. Adding Reflectix or some kind of reflecting material (like the windshield reflectors in a car) to your windows is a great way to keep your pets inside, cool. If you are already out too far in the backcountry for this, do your best to cover up your windows as best you can instead.

Related Read: Keeping Cool in Your RV When the Weather is Hot

Make a Few Chilly Treats
Making dog popsicles or putting a catnip toy in the freezer can make a world of a difference for pets on the road. Always check that the ingredients added to your frozen treats can be ingested by your pet before making them. Here’s one dog-friendly frozen treat idea that’s easy to make on the road:



Banana-Peanut Butter Pupsandwiches

1. Slice 1-2 bananas into little discs.

2. Take a spoonful of peanut butter and apply it to one banana slice.

3. Place a second banana slice on top to complete the pupsandwich.

4. Repeat until all slices of the banana are gone.

5. Place the pupsandwiches onto a plate or in a freezer-safe dish and place them in the freezer.

6. Wait 2-3 hours.

7. Serve frozen to the goodest boy or girl in the RV!

Air Flow is Key
On a hot day without access to air conditioning, the key to keeping your pets happy is to provide some kind of air flow. Many RVs and trailers come with fans that operate on battery power. This allows you to provide some kind of air flow to give them some reprieve.
Here’s how to ensure that your air stays moving throughout the RV:

1. Open a window at the front or back of your rig.

2. Turn your battery-powered fan on and, if possible, turn it towards the direction of your open window.

3. Voila! Air is flowing in and out of your rig while cooling it as the sun goes down.

Always stand by to see if this helps your pet, not all pets are easily cooled off. Dogs, for instance, do not sweat, so a fan may not be much help to them!



Find a Place You Can Plug In
It sounds silly, but you don’t always have to be in the backcountry to enjoy solitude. Having a place to plug in your RV while you’re away allows you to leave fans and/or the A/C unit on. You can easily find someone nearby who is willing to watch your RV while you’re away for a few hours to ensure that nothing happens to your pets or your rig. Once you return, you can easily move your RV to a spot away from the campground, but it’s a nice backup plan when you feel like it’s too unbearably hot in your area.



Find a Pet Sitter
Finding a pet sitter has never been easier in the age of the internet. Online pet sitting is a great way to have your pets looked after in your own rig or in someone else’s home while you’re out adventuring. Rover and other pet sitting apps can find a pet sitter within your area instantly, giving you peace of mind that your pets will be looked after while you’re away.



Know What Heat Stroke Looks Like
The most important thing you need to know before taking your pets out in the Summer heat is to know exactly what heat stroke and heat exhaustion look like. If you have no idea what this looks like, you will have a hard time diagnosing it until it’s too late. Here are the key symptoms to heat stroke that you should know prior to making a trip out this Summer:

• Heavy panting or distressed breathing

• Heavy drooling

• Seeking shade consistently

• Reddened gums

• Moist body tissue (armpits, paws, etc.,)

• Little to no urine production

• Dehydration

• Rapid heart rate or irregular heartbeat

• Shock

• Seizures

• Black, tarry stool or blood in the stool

• Wobbly or uncoordinated walking

• Muscle seizures or tremors

• Bloody vomit

• Unconsciousness -- If your pet is unconscious, you need to have them seen for treatment ASAP!

Knowing the signs of heat stroke and exhaustion can keep you from pushing your animal too far, which could lead to serious injury or even death. This is the most important tip out of all of the tips, so you can easily determine if your pet needs medical attention.



Pet Safety Comes First
Keeping your pet safe should always be the number one concern. If you know that your pet is not happy in the heat, always take that into consideration before dragging them along on your adventures. Not only that, but you should always check the pet-friendliness of places you visit ahead of time and adhere to any pet rules that the area has in place. This keeps you and your pet safe from harm and makes living on the road in the Summer much easier. Summer travels with your pets should be fun, but always keep in mind the limitations you and your pets may have for the best time on the road!