Big Adventures Small Spaces — Traveling with Pets in an RV
So you want to take a road trip?
Maybe you’re thinking about taking the plunge and buying an RV to travel the country. There are so many things to consider when purchasing any camper; size, type of unit, storage space, engine, and many other features.
Consider whether you will travel full time, for months at a time, or do weekend trips. The next important decision is what to do with your pets.
The first thing to do when traveling with pets is to think through all of the intricacies of having pets in the RV: feeding them, waste, temperature control, emergencies and keeping them from getting lost. Overcoming the pet issues before you begin travel can help make your traveling with pets a rewarding experience for all the living beings in your vehicle.
One rule of having a new RV is to take a few weekend trips to get used to being on the road before heading out for extended journeys. Not only is this good for the humans inside, it is especially true with pets. They may cry all night long on their first camping trip, leaving you crying too.
Traveling with dogs
The easy thing about traveling with dogs is so many RV campers have dogs, most campgrounds are prepared with dog parks. You will want to check with campgrounds before leaving as each have their own rules about breeds and number of dogs you can bring.
Remember, you cannot safely leave a pet for extended hours in an RV alone. It’s also not fair to them. Particularly if your pet barks when alone. You will quickly be reported by your camping neighbors. So if you plan to be out exploring each day and only sleeping in your RV, it is not a good idea to leave the pet alone.
We purchased an inexpensive spiral dog post and 20-foot lead for the camper and keep this in the camper. It is one of the first things we unpack, so we can leash our dog as we unpack. Many times we can just use the lead and snap it or tie it to the picnic table. It keeps him from running after animals he may see and getting underfoot as we unpack.
Get a second of their favorite toy, blanket and treats for the road. Keep a harness, leash, dog bowls, toys, treats and dog food in the RV. It is helpful to have a couple cans of wet food, in case you run out of dry food, it gets stale or Fido is refusing to eat. It is also so easy to forget these things when you are packing for a quick trip, so if you keep them in the camper at all times, you will always have them with you. Running out for dog food when you are in the middle of nowhere is not fun. Your pup will also appreciate having the familiar items with them.
Temperature control
You need to keep your pets in a climate controlled cabin, especially if you are gone for several hours. Open windows may be fine on some days, but on days with high sun, humidity and heat, you will need air conditioning to keep your pets safe and comfortable. This means solar power may not be enough juice, and you will require consistent electricity. Remember to open and close vents as necessary to keep air flow moving in the RV while your pet is inside.
There are commercial devices ensuring comfortable temperatures for the pets in your RV. If you plan to be away for long periods of time, you want to purchase one. MarCell, Waggle, SensorPush, Room Alert, Tempstick, Temp Cube Pro and RV Whisper are some brands and there are a variety of price points and features on these devices.
Preventing Fido from being lost
My brother once lost a dog when Fido ran out of their RV and was not found. Fortunately, they finally found him when they returned to the area weeks later. I am worried about my furry friends when we open the door. Have a plan and a strategy for opening the RV door. One thing you can do is move the screws on the door lock so you have the screen door open and close independently.
Make sure your dog has a tag with your phone number and name on it at all times. Dogs can get nervous in new environments and often run off after animals in campgrounds. Having an identifying tag on Fido is a must.
Although dogs can usually find their way back and come when called, it is better to be safe than sorry. For extra security, I purchased an Apple tracker, one device is $25.00. Once I download the app, I can track my pet. If Fido does go missing, I can find him in a flash. Trackers can be used on a multitude of things, and when traveling, keep one on your pet for extra safety.
Driving mishaps
Where will you keep Fido when you are driving? A safety belt and good dog bed are important to help them be comfortable when the vehicle is in motion. Find a safe area where the dog will not be injured if you have to stop fast and make sure items will not fall on him as well.
RV’s are loud and scary places for pets. Even seasoned dogs will be nervous during the drive. What calms them down? Pet calming chews and drops are available without prescription at pet stores. You may want to get anti-anxiety medicines from your vet prior to leaving.
And speaking of medicines, will you need medications for your pet? You may want to get an extra refill so you can keep medications in the RV rather than having to remember to bring them with you. Or keep Fido’s medications with your own, so you will remember to pack them both. Keep a copy of pet medications in a folder with other pet records in case of emergency on the road.
Proof of vaccinations
Many campgrounds require current licenses and proof of rabies inoculations. Make sure to keep up-to-date copies of these in the RV. I have an accordion folder with these important health records as well as our own. Keep your own vet’s phone number, but it can’t hurt to find pet emergency phone numbers near your destination, especially if you are on an extended stay at a campground.
Foreign flora and fauna
When traveling to a new area, be aware of wild animals and unusual plant life that your pet could eat or be exposed to. Watch out for disposed food previous campers may have left in the campground that can choke or make your pet sick.
By the campfire
We use the same lead to keep Fido safe while we are sitting by the campfire, however it has led to a few mishaps. A curious opossum wandered through our camp and the dog took off to catch it. The lead went around my chair, knocked me over and sent me flying. The dog was not happy when he got to the end of the lead and was pulled back by the lead.
Maybe Fido will be better off inside the camper? Maybe he will cry because he is missing out? Just try to anticipate what your dog will do if an animal comes around the campfire.
Protecting screens
When pets are anxious or overly happy to see you return, they may jump up on the camper door and ruin your screens. Take some time to look into screen savers to avoid costly repairs. A baby gate, old screen, plexiglass or commercial door saver can work in this instance.
If your dog is used to sleeping with you, this may be an issue on cramped RV beds. You may want to consider a bed extender or add-on pet bed. You can find these at pet stores or online. A strong folding table may work for Fido to sleep on, as long as it isn’t too high. The only problem is they may get in the way for floor space during the day. You may want to put them away during the day and get them out at night.
We tried putting the dog bed between the bathroom and the shower. This is a problem for the dog in the middle of the night when we have to go to the bathroom. There is also the danger of stepping on them if the light is not on. We actually have a better situation allowing the dog to sleep on the couch when we are in bed. Some RV’s have large enough cabinets in the bedroom you can put the dog bed inside, and let the dog sleep inside the cabinet at night (of course, with the door open). Each RV has a different set up, so give it some thought on how you want to do this before you go.
Taking these few planning steps before you travel will give your family every opportunity to have a good family trip, with your pet. And you will be anxious to go again!
Cat lover? See my RVing with Cats article too!
© July 2022
