If you’re used to quick car rides with your dog or cat, traveling in an RV with them might feel a bit daunting.
Sure, they love sticking their head out the car window or curling up on the passenger seat, but what happens when you’re navigating campground rules, managing RV space, and keeping them comfortable on a long trip?
Here are some practical tips to help you prepare for and keep your dog or cat safe, happy, and comfortable when you take your first RV trip together.
How to Choose Pet-Friendly Campgrounds
Many campgrounds and RV resorts are pet-friendly, but restrictions on where pets are allowed (certain trails, buildings, beaches, or campground loops) might apply. Pet policies and pet amenities can vary depending on the location and type of campground.
Before booking your campsite, review the pet policy or verbally confirm the pet rules, restrictions, and amenities if you have questions or concerns.
Common Campground Features for Pets
- Dog parks or designated off-leash pet areas.
- Pet waste stations.
- Pet wash stations.
- Pet-friendly dog trails.
- Fenced-in deluxe RV sites.
Must-Know Campground Rules for RVing With Pets
- Breed restrictions.
- Max number of pets allowed.
- Pet fees.
- Behavior requirements.
- Vaccination records.
- Rules for leaving pets unattended in the RV.
Get Prepared: Vet Records, Vaccinations, and Medications
When you travel with pets, keeping an updated copy of your pet’s vet records will make it easy to take your pet to the groomer, doggie daycare, kennel, or an emergency vet.
Pro tip: Store your dog or cat’s vet records electronically, and make sure you can access them quickly, whether you have access to the internet or not. Many cloud storage platforms and apps come with offline storage features.
If your pet takes medication or preventative treatments, pack enough to cover the length of your trip plus a few days. That way, you won’t run out if you stay on the road a little longer than expected.
Traveling Internationally: Pet Health Certificates
RVing to Canada or Mexico? The United States Animal and Plant Inspection Service recently updated its pet travel rules for pets coming into the United States — including pets returning to the U.S. from another country.
Currently, pet owners must provide a health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian every time they enter the United States with their pet. These requirements include microchipping and rabies vaccinations, which can take time to complete, so it’s a good idea to reach out to your veterinarian as soon as you know where you’ll be RVing.
Packing List: Essential Gear for RVing With Pets
- Pet food (stored in an air-tight container), water and food bowls, treats, and medications.
- Leash, harness, bedding, and toys.
- Waste bag and litter supplies.
- Grooming supplies.
- Headlamp or flashlight for night–time walks.
- Pet first-aid kit.
- Microfiber towel and water-absorbent door mat.
- Water-resistant couch covers or towels for rainy days.
“A few years ago, while on an RV trip to visit my mother-in-law, my dog Teddy decided to chase a black kitty with a white stripe (skunk). That one skunk encounter taught us to pack a commercial skunk odor remover every time we go on a road trip.”
- Skunk odor remover or the ingredients for a DIY skunk remover recipe.
- Fine-point tweezers or a tick-remover tool.
- Paw cleaner.
- Pet in case of emergency decals or stickers.
Safety First: How to Travel in an RV With Pets
Although your pets may enjoy sitting on your lap while you’re in an RV, it’s best to find ways to restrain them while the vehicle is in motion. Keeping your pets away from the cab or front seat can prevent distractions and help keep you and your pets safe if the RV stops quickly.
When you’re RVing, your pets should ride in a crash-tested carrier or crate or, at minimum, sit where you can restrain them and limit their ability to get up and move around the vehicle. Pets should never ride in a vehicle in tow.
“Our dogs always wear a harness on travel days. When we tow our Airstream trailer, the dogs ride in the back seat of our truck, and we connect a pet seat belt to their harness (never their collars). We connect their pet seat belt to the safety latch bars instead of the universal seat belt attachment. While traveling in the motorhome, the dogs ride on a bed behind the cab. We use pet seat belts that loop over our existing seat belts. We keep the slack to a minimum so they can’t walk under our legs or try to jump in our laps.”
Comfort Tips for RV Pet Safety
Creating a Cozy Space for Your Pet in the RV
Dogs and cats need a place to sleep and relax comfortably. Bring familiar bedding, blankets, and toys, and create a little den or area where your pets will feel more at home on the road. If you have room to keep your crates or cat carriers in the RV when you’re parked, the crates make perfect safe spaces for your dog or cat.
Managing RV Temperatures for Pet Safety
The temperature inside the RV is a big concern for pet owners, especially during extreme weather. When the weather is hot or cold, you can help regulate interior temperatures by covering the windows with insulated or reflective covers and using fans to circulate the air.
Never leave your pet unattended if you can’t monitor the temperatures remotely while you’re away. Extreme heat or cold weather can impact the campground’s electrical system, causing periods of instability or power outages.
Pet monitoring devices, like the Waggle pet monitor, come with a built-in cellular connection and can alert you when the temperatures in the RV exceed your high and low settings or your RV loses power.
If you have a stable internet connection in the campground, you can use a smart thermostat or a pet camera to notify you if or when the temperature falls outside a designated threshold.
More RV Pet Safety Tips: Hazards to Watch For
Although RV temperature and driving safety are among the top concerns of most pet parents, there are a few more safety concerns you might want to consider when you’re RVing with a pet.
- Consider a GPS-enabled collar to monitor your pet at home and on the road. Many of these devices use a geofencing feature to alert you if your pet goes outside your set area. If your pet does get out, you can use an app on your phone to help pinpoint your pet’s location.
- Block off unsafe areas, like the front cabin, with baby gates or barriers. Dogs and cats might get up into an area where you don’t want them. It’s common to see dogs and cats sitting in motorhome windows or the driver or passenger seats watching the campground activity. While your pet might look cute sitting in the window, this behavior could lead to problems like barking or chewing up essential wiring or components.
- Be aware of common hazards where you’re traveling and know how to handle these hazards. Leptospirosis, cyanobacteria, heatstroke, ticks, rattlesnakes, and other venomous insects or reptiles could hurt your pets if you’re not aware of how to prevent or treat your pet should they come in contact with one of these hazards.
Traveling long-term in an area where there are rattlesnakes? Consider enrolling your dogs in rattlesnake avoidance training.
Final thoughts
RVing with your pet can be an incredible adventure, full of bonding moments and new experiences. By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to keep your furry companion safe, comfortable, and happy on the road.
Do you have any tried-and-true tips for RVing with pets or questions as you plan your first trip? Share your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear about your adventures and challenges!
Meagan Butler is an experienced RV owner who works and plays in the RV space. She’s a moderator in the RV Curious Facebook Group and loves helping people learn about the ins and outs of the RV lifestyle. When she’s not writing and editing RV-related content for industry organizations, she’s adventuring with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels or refining her photography skills. Meagan has been a member of FMCA since 2018.
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