Tips for Taking Your Pets Camping and RVing

Animal lovers and dog owners are the most frequent guests at summer camps and resorts. Camping with your pets can be an incredible experience for both of you. Experiencing freedom, smells and being able to sleep with the sound of nature is something unique and that will certainly make your four-legged friend much happier. However, before taking the tent, the backpack and going out on the trail, you must be well prepared and equipped. So, in this article, we share with you essential tips for traveling with animals in a very simple and easy way.

1. Choose a Place That Allows Pets
Not all parks, beaches or campsites allow pets to enter your area. Therefore, before choosing your destination, check your local regulations and make sure that you and your pet are welcome.

2. Pets Also Need to Prepare Themselves Physically
If your camping also includes a trail, it is worthwhile to do some training beforehand with your pet. “Take it for slightly longer hikes, and maybe even a trail before camping. Thus, in addition to becoming more familiar with the environment and with hiking in different terrains, it is already gaining physical preparation to rock the long trails” says Consuelo R. Gillam, pet writer at DraftBeyond and Researchpapersuk.

3. You Will Not Be Able to Travel Lightly
To camp or RVing with your pet you will need space inside the tent or the RV. So, your lightest tent may not have enough space for everyone. Before you go, test if you will be comfortable inside the tent or RV. In addition, your backpack must have space for your clothes, equipment and food for you and your partner. It will be difficult to travel light but carrying a little extra weight will pay off for sure.

4. Train Your Friend
In addition to training physically, you need to train your pet's obedience. Before taking him on the trail, make sure he respects and understands your commands. This will always keep them close and safe.

5. Protect Your Pet's Paws
Some terrains are so challenging that they can end up hurting your pet’s paws. Therefore, just as you use the appropriate boot, check if it is necessary to use some type of protection to protect your pet as well. This is not a rule, so watch out for how it behaves and if there is any discomfort.

6. Don't Leave Traces of Yourself or the Pet’s
As with humans, dog and cat waste must be removed in bags and disposed of properly or buried under the ground outside the trails (this is the best option). Never leave waste bags behind.

7. Keep Food Out of Reach
Both your food and that of your pet must be well protected and, preferably, out of his reach. Imagine if he sniffs and, for a moment of lack of attention from you, your dog ends up feasting on the supplies of the entire camp? Food is a serious thing on the trail, so be careful!

8. Pay Attention to Hydration
If food is important on the trail, water is even more so! “Always pay attention to your pet's hydration. Do not wait until he shows signs of tiredness to offer water, it may be that he is already dehydrated when he starts showing these symptoms", says Richard K. Wise, RVing blogger at Writinity and LastMinuteWriting.

9. Travel at Night
Although traveling at night is not good for us, it is great for them, since it is not hot, there is less noise and animals can relax more easily. Also, the fact that it is dark does not allow them to get sick. Animals suffer a lot from the heat and can become disoriented. Therefore, if you are unable to travel at night, I recommend traveling in the hours of less heat, that is, until 10 am and after 6 pm.

10. Refreshing
The area of ​​the body where pets warm up the most is in the chest area due to the rapid blood circulation caused by stress. If the animal begins to hyperventilate, spray some cold water on the chest area to cool it.

11. Regular Stops
A trip is an event that in itself is tiring for an animal. If you travel by RV, even with all the space inside, it’s recommendable to make regular stops every 2 hours. It's good for you and the pet. With anxiety animals need to urinate more frequently. Let them smell the new places and always look for areas with grass and trees in quiet areas. Before getting back into the RV, spray cold water on the pet's chest to relieve the stress.

Traveling with animals doesn't have to be that much-anticipated nightmare! To have a pleasant and smooth vacation, just get to know your pet and take into account its needs. Most of the time when there are problems, the responsibility falls on the owners because they did not carry out the necessary preparation. It is very easy to ignore the animals' needs and think only of ours. Pets have very specific needs and these have to be respected. If the animal is satisfied and has the ideal conditions, it will hardly cause problems. The key word is planning: plan and have a great trip with your pet!

Ashley Halsey a journalist, TV presenter, influencer, youtuber, podcaster and animal protector at Lucky Assignments and Gum Essays. In total, Ashley has 7 pets at home and is a partner in several shelters that rescue dogs and cats from the streets. She’s passionate about animals, especially dogs, and likes to learn more about them and share knowledge to help everyone who decided to share their life with an animal and solve their daily problems. She firmly believes in the importance of today's society being informed about the welfare, behavior and health of animals to end the problems of abandonment and mistreatment of animals.