RVs and Pet Safety: Here’s What You Need to Know

Keep Your Furry Friends Safe With Our RV Pet Safety Guide! 

Whether your adventuring companion is a dog, cat, ferret, snake or tank full of rare fish, there’s a lot of fun to be had in bringing pets along on an RV trip. If you’re one of the many RVers who believe that going on a family trip means bringing the WHOLE family, then you’re not alone. A 2018 study from the RV Industry Association (RIVA) found that more than 65% of RVers bring a pet with them on excursions, with dogs being the most common type (at a whopping 93%!). 

While most pets can comfortably adapt to traveling in a motorhome, it’s worth noting that RV travel will likely come with a flood of experiences that are outside the comfortable confines of their usual routine. Simply put, traveling in an RV means dealing with a lot of new experiences for pets – especially during their first few rides. 

With that in mind, here are our safe travel tips for traveling with pets so you can make the most of your RV adventures.

Make Sure That Your Route (or Destination) Is Pet-Friendly.

One of the most important considerations for traveling with a pet starts before you even begin packing your RV. There are few things more stressful than pulling up to your campsite and finding out that it doesn’t allow for pets. Not all RVing activities allow for pets either. In fact, there are plenty of state and national parks where they’re simply not allowed. 

Most pets are okay with staying in an RV alone for a little while. After all, it’s unlikely that you’re with your pet 24/7 at home, so a normally well-behaved animal will be able to manage for a bit while you’re gone. It’s worth noting that the stress of an unfamiliar environment can quicken the pace at which being alone goes from “relaxing” to “stressful,” especially if it’s your pet’s first trip. 

To that end, you can make the most of your adventures with your furry friends by keeping an eye out for pet-friendly destinations along your route. This can include pet-friendly restaurants, pet-friendly hikes and parks. 

Remember that there’s no shame in hiring a pet sitter if you can’t quite make the trip work. Your dog might miss you, but they’re going to be much happier missing you at home instead of in the back of your RV.

Have a Designated Place for Pets to Travel (and Sleep).

Make sure that you have a designated location for your pet to ride before you begin loading your RV. In the event that you’re towing a trailer or fifth wheel, it’s worth remembering that your animal MUST ride with you. 

A pet’s exact needs can vary greatly, so there’s a huge benefit in being flexible. Some pets will prefer to stretch out while others might be anxious enough that they prefer to travel in a crate. Others might fare best when they have enough space to patrol the backseat. When you first take your pet on a trip, try to be as attentive as possible to their needs so that you can figure out the travel conditions that work best for them. 

This is the case for sleeping conditions too. If you have the room for it, try bringing a couple of different sleeping surfaces so that you can see which one your pet responds best to on the road. Additionally, have a pre-established space for them to sleep to ensure that they can enjoy the same consistency and comfort that they’re used to at home.

Remember That Your Pets Need a Break, Too.

If you find yourself feeling cramped and restless after a long day on the road, then think about how your pet must feel! After all, a single seven-hour drive is more than two whole days in dog hours! If your animal is used to daily walks or exercise, then try to fit in as much of it as possible, even when you’re on the road. 

Remember that your pet doesn’t know that they’re on vacation, and their ability to switch between “normal mode” and “vacation mode” looks very different from that of a human. As a result, they’ll still be expecting some semblance of their normal schedule, even if they’re hundreds of miles away from home.

Don’t view these pet breaks as a chore, view them as a chance to stretch your legs and get some rest in for yourself. After all, it can be difficult to see the value of a good walk while you’re racing to reach a campsite, but your legs will thank you!

Treat Your Pets Like Children–and Pack Extra for Them 

Pets can be like children in many ways, especially when you consider what packing for them looks like ahead of an RV trip. Remember to bring plenty of food and designated water for your pet, along with way more toys than you think you might need. 

It’s especially important to pack several days MORE food than the intended length of your trip. In the event that you experience a breakdown, you can’t always count on being able to find a replacement brand that your pet likes–especially if you’re somewhere remote. 

The importance of bringing enough toys for your pet cannot be overstated. It’s a running joke among RVers that your pet WILL get bored of whatever you bring, and having additional toys to occupy them prevents them from getting too restless on long trips. If nothing else, remember that packing additional toys minimizes the chances that your driving will be soundtracked by your dog’s nervous barking, and that’s never a fun thing to deal with. 

Traveling with a pet is a great way to enjoy some quality bonding time while also making sure that you’ve got some companionship for those lazy campground afternoons and introspective overnight drives. It doesn’t matter whether you’re cruising through the Arizona desert or winding up the New England coastline–any adventure worth having is an adventure worth sharing. By giving your pets the same care, consideration and respect that you’d give to a human passenger, you can ensure that your RV trip is more “Travels With Charlie” and less “Cujo”!

Check out our current inventory to find a motorhome that can accomodate you and your furry friends! 

Happy travels!