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One of the perks of RV travel is being able to bring your furry best friends along with you. You get to skip checking whether or not pets are allowed in your hotel room, looking into how pet friendly the surrounding area is for your dog walks, or worrying about any costly damages that your pet may make to your room. Instead, they’ll be cozy inside familiar surroundings. and ready to accompany you on your outdoor adventures.
To help you best prepare for RV travel with your pet family members, here are some helpful things to consider prior to taking off your next RV trip.
Tips for RVing with Pets
- Purchase a safety harness for your pet to ensure that they are safe and secure during transport. It is unsafe to leave our pets in your RV during travel days. They need to be with you and your family in your vehicle secured with a seatbelt harness.
- Have up to date vaccination and medical records. Some campgrounds may request proof of vaccinations prior to entry. In addition, if you have any pet emergency you will want to have these records easily accessible.
- List of what your pets may need:
- Pet food/treats and medications
- Food/water bowls
- Bed
- Leashes for walks, and longer leashes to secure them to your RV site/lot
- Bright safety vests
- Portable water and food storage if you plan to take them for hikes
- Grooming supplies (you never know if you will need to give them a bath – especially if they get into mud or brush during your nature walks
- Pet toys
- Poop bags
- Cleaning supplies for any messes your pet makes in your RV
- Most RV campgrounds allow pets, but you may want to look into any restricted breeds and small fees associated with bringing them along. You can find pet friendly parks here.
- If you have a more mature pet, you may consider purchasing a portable pet ramp for ease getting in and out of your vehicle. My own dog weighs 104 pounds and lifting him in and out of our truck became a hassle (he was afraid to jump up but had no issue jumping out).
- Make sure that their pet tags on their collars are up to date with your contact information and that their collar includes their most current rabies tags.
- Be mindful of temperatures and ensure that you don’t leave your pets in your vehicles when it is warms. When leaving them in your RV, be sure to maintain a comfortable temperature inside and do not leave them alone for too long.
Lastly, enjoy your adventures with your pet. Take them along on your hikes, play with them at your campground, and have a great time with your fur buddies!