Thinking about taking a trip but aren’t sure what to do with your dogs? Instead of leaving them at home, bring them along! RVing with your pets can make your adventure even more fun. One of the common gripes we hear about people who want to travel the country is that the options are very limited for places to stay or visit with their dogs. RVing is a great way around this challenge. As with most things in life it helps to be planned and prepared. Here’s a few tips to ensure you get the most out of your next RV trip with your furry friends.
Create a Checklist
Who doesn’t love a good checklist? Checklists reduce stress when preparing for vacations. We recommend making one on your phone so it won’t get lost, wet, or blown away. Keep in mind if you’re heading into areas where you’ll have limited cell phone service that your list should be native to your device, not on an app where you’ll need to have service. Once the list is made you’ll have it as a reference for all your future RV trips with your dogs. A few examples:
- Food and Water
- Bedding
- Treats
- Leash
- Dog Gates
- Toys
- Medicine
- Pet Records & Emergency Info
Update Tags
We often have dog collar tags made when they are puppies. However, it’s important to keep the tags updated when information changes. The information we recommend is:
- Pet’s Name
- Cell Phone
- Email Address
Even the most loyal dogs can get lost and if they are traveling not know where they are suppose to go.
Update Vaccinations
Going to new areas that are foreign to your dog means they’ll likely be exposed to new things. To prevent them from getting sick, visit your local vet before heading out to make sure they are in good health and up to date on all of their vaccines.
Know the Dangers
Part of being a pet owner is taking responsibility for their safety. Research to see if you are going to be camping in an area with a lot of coyotes, snakes, bears, etc. If so, you might want to rethink keeping your pet alone outside.
Create a Comfortable Environment
Dogs need to feel at home even when they’re out on the road. Create a little area in the RV that they can settle into. This will help them adjust to the new environment and keep them at ease throughout the trip.
Check for Ticks
Dogs are wonderful hiking companions! However, humans aren’t the only ones that love to see dogs on the trails, ticks do too! Give your pets flea and tick treatment before the trip and check them when when they get back from being outside.
Stay in Dog Friendly RV Parks
Most campgrounds will say on their website if they allow pets, but it’s also a good idea to call and speak to someone to verify. Make sure to stick with the rules of the campground about pets on leash, etc. Many boondocking areas and National Lands allow pets as well.
Keep the Temperature in Mind
If you’re heading out for the day, keep in mind what the day temp is going to be. Often in the mornings it will be cool and heat up during the day. RVs can heat up quickly if not ventilated or cooled. Often RVers will have a preset temp so when it hits that number the air or heat will turn on to maintain a moderate temp for their dogs.
Plan for Exercise
Just like humans, dogs need to move around and get fresh air. If you are on the road for long periods of time, make sure they are able to get outside and get some energy out. They also LOVE new experiences. Make sure on your next RV adventure you treat your dog to a new activity. Take them hiking, biking, kayaking or even surfing!
For many people their dogs are part of the family. Taking your entire family is one of the big benefits of RVing. Are there any tips that you would add? Let us know in the comments.
