Tips for Taking Your Dog RVing

Dogs love to travel too! And for those with fur babies in their lives- a family trip without the whole family just wouldn't be right! With a few simple adjustments your pets can become your best travel companions and they will never ask you “Are we there yet?”

During the Trip
When driving in an RV, most pets do relatively well. If you have dogs that like to move around a lot you may want to crate them for their own safety. We have two little dogs who hate the crate so we got them a porta-crib that easily folds up when we arrive. We throw a bunch of blankets in the bottom and the burrow their way down and sleep most of the trip. If you are traveling with a trailer you will want to keep your animals in the car with you so you can monitor their safety. There is a water bowl that you can purchase that will not spill during your travel, just remember to take potty breaks along the way to avoid accidents.

At the Campground
Once you arrive at the campground, ask what the rules are for pets. If there is a “leash law” so to speak and your dogs do not like to be on a leash, keep them inside. My dogs do well on a leash as long as they get to rest in the shade, then being outside is the most exciting part of the day for them. Be sure to watch out for wild life in the area you are camping and adjust your pet areas as need be. If you are camping in a place where poisonous snakes are frequently sighted you will want to only allow your dogs outside while you are watching them. If you travel with cats, be sure to check around the door of your RV when you head outside as to not let them run free. I have, on occasion, seen cats on leashes. That would not go over well with my cat but I guess it is possible and same rules apply regarding wild life.

Pet Emergency While on the Road
When it comes to pet emergencies on the road I suggest you bring a copy of your animals vet records. It is especially important to keep track of their vaccinations. When booking your camping spot you may want to ask where the local animal hospital is just in case you have an issue. You can also use the internet to find a local vet and even check the reviews of the vet to see if they are acceptable for your pet’s needs. If you have a dog with health issues that require medication remember to double check that you packed your pets medication because replacing that on the road could be difficult.

Can They Be Home Alone?
Pets are part of the family and if you are anything like our family, you do not leave home without them. Pet travel is easy and fun for everyone as long as you are safe. One more thing I want to mention is not leaving your pet alone indoors if you do not have an automatic start for your generator or air conditioner. If you are traveling to a campground that is in a warm to hot climate you must remember that the temperature in your RV or trailer can get very hot. There are temperature monitors that you can purchase as well. Ask your local RV service center about installing this system to keep your four legged babies safe. Happy Trails!