Caring For Your Dogs While RVing
RVing with your pets is not that different than living in a house with your pets. At least that’s the way it is with our dogs, Archie and Ullr. That’s one of the reasons I love RVing- I love my pups and want to take them everywhere with me. There are a few things; however, that you do need to put a little extra thought into before you head off on vacation with your dogs. Here’s a list of what I think is most important:
Campground Policies: Double check that your RV site is pet friendly. We haven’t come across any RV or State parks that aren’t pet friendly, but there are many that have specific areas that are for pets and areas that are off-limits. So make sure you include your animals in the headcount when making your reservations.
Archie cuddled up on the couch
Leashes: Don’t forget the leashes, leads, collars, and harnesses! We tend to misplace our leashes (*cough* Stuart *cough*), which is no big deal for Archie since he is fine off leash. But we need a leash for each animal when we’re stopping at rest stops, when hiking, or at the campsite.
You also need to make sure you have a tag on your dog’s (or cat’s) collar at all times! So don’t put it on something that you take off often (such as a harness or jacket)- if they dart out of your RV unexpectedly, they won’t have your contact information on them. Another note on dog tags- make sure they’re up to date, legible, and include your cell phone number (not home phone) so you can receive the call while you’re on vacation.
Kennels. Kennels. Kennels: I can’t
Ullr is sad- he tangled up his lead at our campsite.
stress enough how much I love kennels. They’re unmatched when it comes to pet safety and comfort. Your dog cannot jump around and act crazy while you’re trying to drive down the road- that’s how accidents happen. And if you are in an accident, a kennel is a safe place for your dog.
Kennels are also awesome when you’re setting up or tearing down camp. Ullr likes to get underfoot, and Archie gets so nervous he’ll just whine the whole time. So we keep them in their kennels until we’re all set up and can give them the attention they need. It can also keep them from darting out the door while you’re going in and out. Kennels can also offer a comfort zone for your pet when things seems uncertain to them- such as a new campsite. We use our kennels for driving, when we leave the dogs alone in the RV, and Ullr sleeps in his kennel at night.
Clean ups! Things can get messy when you’re traveling with pets- some may have nervous accidents in the RV. Archie has a tiny bladder and if left alone too long, will likely pee. Ullr is still a puppy, so he tends to have more accidents as we’re housetraining him. He also tends to get into messy situations at campsites- especially when it’s been raining (like our trip up to the Jersey Shore– you can also see us introduce Ullr and briefly talk about how he was doing in the RV in the video here).
We have been using Nature’s Miracle
Rabies, shot, and veterinarian information: Some campgrounds require a copy of your pet’s rabies information in order for you to check in. So a tag or copy of the certificate is a must have for travel. But if there’s an accident (such as your dog biting a person or other pet, or if they get injured themselves), you’ll want and need their shot records. Keep your vet contact information on hand as well, just in case an animal hospital needs to get in touch with them.
Temperature control: Cracking the windows
Archie in his winter jacket
and turning on the roof vents is probably enough to keep your pet cool in the warmer months, especially if you’re parked in the shade. But if you’re parked in the middle of an asphalt parking lot in 100 degree weather, that will not be enough. You may need to either take your pet with you, or leave the generator and A/C running while you’re gone. Some places, such as Busch Gardens, have pet comfort stations or pet daycare while you’re visiting with them (which I mentioned in this post). Remember, just because it’s comfortable in the late morning, doesn’t mean it will still be ok from 4:00-7:00, which is the hottest part of the day. Don’t forget to leave out cool water for your dog to cool down.
Winter can have the opposite issue- getting too cold too fast. Common sense tells us not to open windows and vents in the winter when you’re trying to keep the RV warm. The floor of the RV can be the coldest place, so consider putting the kennels on top of the couch or bench seating while you’re gone and give your pet a blanket to burrow into. If you’re plugged in at an RV site, use a heater fan with a built in thermostat to regulate temperature, and close off the other rooms to keep the heat in. Blasting the heat before you leave can keep your RV warm enough for a few hours (depending on how cold it is outside).
You know the individual needs of your pet, so go with what you know you should do. Archie, for example, is a 5 pound Chihuahua who gets cold very quickly. I would never leave him in the RV without the heater on, and it’s not unusual for him to have a sweater on in Winter (yeah, it’s silly, but it keeps him warm and healthy). But a Siberian Husky may be very comfortable in a chilly RV with nothing more than their own natural way of keeping warm.
Weather it’s hot or cold, checking in on your pet every couple hours is probably the best option (unless you’re leaving the A/C or heat on), even if you think they’ll be ok.
Archie’s 1st night sleeping in the RV.
These tips are pretty much common sense, but when you’re focusing on the human side of the vacation- packing enough clothes, printing off tickets, meal plans, etc., the pet’s needs can fall to the wayside. I like to keep an extra set of pretty much all pet items in the RV at all times (extra leashes, kennels, and copies of vaccinations), so I won’t forget them. Don’t forget to pack food, food and water bowls, chew toys or bones, and other pet items as well. Include them in your packing list just as you would in your own necessary items.
Do you travel with pets? What are some tips or tricks you’ve learned to make traveling with pets easier? Any mistakes you’ve make along the way that you wish someone had warned you about?
