Before making the decision to travel with pets in an RV, several key considerations need to be addressed. First and foremost is understanding each campground or national park’s pet policies; some require vaccination against rattlesnake bites for example.
Microchipping your pet and wearing a collar with updated information are both key steps towards keeping him or her safe and happy.
1. Be Prepared
Be it for weekend travel in an RV rental or longer-term camping trips with your home on wheels, preparation is key to ensure both you and your pets enjoy a smooth journey. Bring along essentials like pet beds, toys and treats so your animals are comfortable during travel; for dogs that like hanging out near the front seat an easy-to-clean rubber-backed ShurGrip dash cover is essential in preventing scratches or messes from happening, as well as keeping the car looking its best!
If your pets are unfamiliar with RV travel, take the time to gradually introduce them. Start with short rides around the block using their crates or with harnesses so they feel secure before gradually increasing distance and duration over a few days – this will allow them to become comfortable with its motion while helping alleviate any concerns of motion sickness.
Make sure that your pets’ medical records and rabies vaccinations are current – some campgrounds and parks require this proof before admitting your pets into their facilities, so make sure you’re prepared in advance.
Keep your pets comfortable during travel by providing enough food and treats, along with any medications they might need to stay comfortable. Travel can often stress out pets, altering their routine or diet further increasing anxiety levels. If you plan to feed outside your RV, bring extra bowls and food bags just in case you get stuck somewhere and need quick access to food and water sources.
2. Make Your Pets Feel at Home
Traveling with pets requires you to ensure they feel at ease in an RV. On travel days, your furry friend may require some breathing room – stretching their legs, getting some fresh air, and tending to their potty needs can all help them feel comfortable. An RV Awning to protect from direct sunlight; Windshield Cover to maintain cool temperatures inside; and Pet Bed will all assist them.
Maintaining their usual schedule when camping will help make your pets feel at home. Try keeping to their sleeping schedule, feeding times, and treats on vacation as much as possible to prevent their stomachs being upset and lead to diarrhea – not an ideal condition when RVing!
Exercising your dogs and cats regularly, particularly while they’re in their crates, is one of the best ways to stop their barking in frustration and boredom. Going for long walks or runs will release pent-up energy while helping your pets rest easier in their crate. A white noise machine or fan may also help mask outside sounds to reduce unwanted barking.
Water should always be provided in plenty for your pets and ensure they drink on a regular basis. Practice heat safety by never leaving your pup in the car on an especially warm day, stopping periodically to let them stretch their legs in a park can also provide both of you a welcome break during long car journeys as well as double checking that their ID tags and microchip information is up-to-date and registered with services offering pet emergency care services.
3. Create a Space for Your Pets
Adjusting to life aboard an RV can be challenging for pets, so creating a space where they can sleep and relax will make the journey much more comfortable for all involved. Simply placing their bed or blanket near their sleeping spot or creating a cat den or dog crate provides them with a safe haven in which they can rest when feeling overwhelmed; furthermore, this prevents them from getting out and joining you on adventures!
As you create this space for your pet, take into account their needs and personality. A cat may prefer sitting with you on the dash during car rides; in that instance, use a rubber-backed dash cover to shield it from scratches and pet hair. Furthermore, keeping all essential supplies such as leashes, food, treats and medicines together makes finding what you need easier as well as helping prevent mistakes such as mixing up dog and cat food!
Ideally, it is advised that any pet who isn’t yet crate trained be trained before embarking on an RV journey. This will provide them with a safe place they can go when feeling anxious or fatigued during travel; an RV crate might even provide extra privacy during your absence! For outdoor adventures and exploration purposes you could set up an outdoor pen.
4. Keep Your Pets Safe
At all times when traveling with pets in RVs, safety should always come first. Busier highways, limited access to vets and sudden weather changes pose additional dangers that increase the chance of accidents or injuries occurring for your pet.
When driving with your pet, make sure they’re safely enclosed in an appropriate carrier, harness, or seat belt and never leave them unattended for any reason. Be especially vigilant to safeguard their paws from hot pavement and sharp rocks or stickers. Pretrip grooming of longhaired dogs may help to reduce fur and odor while brushing helps remove burrs and ticks from their coats.
Once you arrive, it’s a good idea to create an unobtrusive space for your pets where they can relax – such as underneath a dining table or on a couch, away from where people are eating or socializing. A small outdoor pet kennel/crate may help them feel at home and comfortable as well.
Your pets should wear collars equipped with identification tags, vaccination tags (rabies and otherwise), emergency contact tags with your cell number (not landline number), travel tags detailing RV make and model, campground address, license-plate number or travel tag registration and more if applicable – and make sure their microchip registration has these details updated as well.
Make sure that your pets always have access to fresh drinking water. A pet fountain is an easy way to provide access to clean drinking water even during emergencies, while filtered bottles may help them avoid illness from untreated sources in their locality. Furthermore, having a first aid kit on hand would also be highly beneficial.
5. Make Your Pets Feel at Home
As part of traveling with pets in RVs, it’s crucial that they remain comfortable. While this may take some adjustment time if this experience is new to them, you can help make their stay more relaxing by providing familiar sleeping areas, food and water bowls, toys, treats and bedding; additionally you might consider providing small dogs who struggle with jumping in/out easily with ramps to aid them and make sure they have somewhere they can use the restroom when necessary. Finally, always provide somewhere for potty breaks.
Make sure you have plenty of pet-friendly hiking trails and campgrounds when planning your adventure to give your pet plenty of opportunities for exploring nature. They’ll appreciate this chance to burn off excess energy while experiencing all that nature offers!
Before setting out on your trip, it’s advisable to practice leaving your pet alone in the RV for short periods at a time, to help them adjust and reduce any chance of barking while you’re gone. Try leaving them with their favorite toy or blanket to help them settle in more easily.
Before embarking on an RV adventure with your pet, ensure they have received their required vaccinations and their microchip information is up-to-date. Also bring along copies of their health certificate and vet records just in case any emergencies arise during your travels. Speak to your vet about additional vaccinations they might advise for their particular area, such as rattlesnake immunity.