How to Care for Your Pet While RVing

December 20, 2019

Pet Travel Tips to Ensure a Safe Trip

How to Care for Your Pet While RVing

Pets are an important part of our lives—whether we’re at home or on the road. So, it’s natural that we’d want to take great care of them while RVing.
 
Here are some pet travel tips to ensure they get as much out of their trip as you do:

Keep Medical Records
Make sure your pets medical records are onboard before embarking on extended trips. That way, if anything should come up and you need to head to a new vet, they’ll have all the info they need to administer accurate care.
 
Pack Medication
Keep any medications organized in a designated bag so when it comes time for shots and/or pills, you’ll know just where to go. Also, make sure to keep fragile meds in a cooler with some ice packs. Last but not least, you’ll want extra prescriptions ready from your vet should it come to that.
 
Ensure Air Conditioning
Your pets are prone to overheating quicker than you are. That’s why you’ll want to guarantee the A/C is working properly in all vehicles — that’s the RV and the towing vehicle.
 
Choose Destinations Wisely
If it’s a national park or monument you’re heading to, make sure your pets are allowed in. Really, this applies to dogs, as most places won’t let cats or other creatures in – leash or not. If they can’t tag along, check for any doggy day care centers in the nearby area.
 
We suggest you call in advance in case they have holiday limitations.
 
Watch for Other Critters
If you’re heading to places like Arizona or New Mexico, keep an eye out for things like snakes, scorpions, and fire ants. For mountainous regions, always be aware of bear sightings, cougar sightings, and even more rare animals like moose.
 
If your pet does encounter another animal – particularly a sting – have Benadryl on hand to help stave off swelling while you rush to the nearest vet.
 
Boarding or Crating?
Keeping your pets in a crate in the RV while you’re camping will help you avoid the fees and complications (think kennel cough and parvovirus) associated with boarding. However, in a pinch, boarding is an easy way to know where your pet is while you explore.
 
Provide Proper Hydration
As you prep for your RV trip, bring a water filter or pack some water your pet can safely drink. Lakes, ponds, and streams can be tainted with blue-green algae, which is extremely harmful to dogs. To all pets, really.
 
Bring Adequate Food
Take along enough to last the entire trip – even with delays. And depending on their diet, try not to let strangers feed them. Little ones like to hand dogs all sorts of scraps, so be mindful around large groups.
 
EXTRA PET ESSENTIALS FOR OUTDOOR TRAVELING

  • An LED collar for nighttime camping.
  • A roll of doggy bags to pick up around the campground and on hiking trails.
  • A bell for their collar so you can hear them roaming around when not on a leash.
  • A collapsible water bowl for easy refills and emptying.
  • Toys to keep them entertained.
  • Extra treats to reward them when they behave.
 
Also, getting your dog chipped – with phone number and their vet info – is a popular option for owners.
 
DISCLAIMER
Before loading up your pets, please consult your vet. The advice above is not vet approved.
Share this article Newsletter Sign-up