If you can’t imagine heading out on an RV excursion and leaving the family dog or dogs behind, you’re not alone. A survey conducted last year by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association revealed that 61 percent of RV owners travel with their pets.
Before Hitting the Road
Traveling with a four-legged family member does require some advance planning. Call ahead to ensure your destination has dog-friendly campgrounds. You don’t want to arrive and be surprised by any policy restrictions regarding your pet.
It’s also a good idea to have your dog checked by your veterinarian before you leave. Confirm that the vaccinations are up to date and ask about flea, tick or heart worm risks in the areas you’ll be traveling. Also inquire about remedies in the event the dog gets car sick, has diarrhea or gets restless while on the road.
You might also want to consider having a micro-chip placed in your pet that contains your contact information in the event you get separated.
Packing for Your Pooch
To keep the digestive system running smoothly – resulting in a much more enjoyable trip for everyone – pack enough of the brand of food and treats your dog eats if you think it’ll be hard to find those brands in stores along the way. Likewise, consider bringing along drinking water from home if the pet’s stomach gets upset easily.
Also pack:
- Anti-spill water and food bowls
- Bed and toys
- Kennel
- Medications, vitamins, supplements
- Copies of health records, vaccinations and the veterinarian’s phone number
- Leashes – Some campgrounds require that pets are on a leash no longer than six feet. Pack a longer one for areas where dogs are allowed to run.
- Pet door gate to keep the dog inside when you need to go outside
- Pet first aid kit and insect repellant
- Bags or scoop to pick up after potty breaks
Routine Matters
Try to maintain your pet’s regular schedule. Keeping the meal, treat and exercise schedule means your furry traveling companion will continue regular bathroom times and will remain calmer in unfamiliar settings.
Apps, like Dog Park Finder Plus, can help you locate spots where your dog can explore and run off some energy.
Leaving Your Canine in the Camper
There will be times when you need to leave your pet behind in the RV. Putting the dog in the kennel will keep your pet from being stressed by what’s going on outside or eating something inside that’s not appropriate.
Just make sure the temperature stays comfortable in the RV while you’re gone. Campgrounds can experience power outages. Many RV generators can be set to auto start if the power is interrupted and the interior thermostat reaches a predetermined temperature. In addition, wireless temperature monitoring devices are available that enable you to remotely check the RV temperature.
If you need to leave for an extended time, a local veterinarian clinic can likely board your dog, or Petsit.com is an online search site of pet sitters available for hire.
Be a Good Neighbor
Other campers will be welcoming to you and your dog if your dog is quiet and well-behaved, and you follow the campground rules regarding pets. The result will be a fun vacation for all.
At Ketelsen RV, we’re RV vacation specialists because RVs are our business. If you have any questions, or if you’d like to take an RV for a test drive, call or stop by today and one of our RV experts will be happy to answer all your questions.
