Tips to Help Your Pets Enjoy RV Trips Too
Rewritten by Joseph Garnett, Jr. - From the Archives
July 27, 2015
Taking your pet along can make the family RV vacation more fun for everyone, if you plan carefully. Here are some trip tips to make traveling with your dog or cat enjoyable while on the road.
Health and Safety.
Health checks. Bring your dog or cat to the veterinarian for a check-up before going on an extended trip. Make sure all vaccinations are up to date. And, be sure to keep shot records with you.
To keep your pet healthy as you travel, bring along a supply of their regular food and some local or bottled water. Be sure to bring any medications he needs.
Identification
In the event that your dog or cat gets away from you on your trip and decides to do a little exploring by itself, you can increase the chances of recovery by making sure he can be properly identified. Make sure your dog has a sturdy leash and collar. Some places even require cats to be on a leash. Cats usually do better with a leash attached to a harness that goes around their two front legs and shoulders. The collar should have identification tags with the animal's name, your name, and your home or mobile phone number, as well as proof of rabies shots.
Bring a recent picture of your dog along with you.
Crates
A crate is an excellent way to keep your pet safe in the motor home. Look for these features when purchasing:
- Large enough to allow the dog to stand, turn and lie down.
- Strong, with handles and grips and free of interior protrusions.
- Leak-proof bottom covered with absorbent material.
- Ventilation on opposing sides with exterior rims or knobs to prevent blocked airflow.
- “Live Animal” label, arrows upright, with owner’s name, address and phone number.
- Stock the crate with the comfortable mat, your dog’s favorite toy and a water bottle.
- Place a litter box inside the RV or motorhome for your cat. Be sure to let him know where it is located.
Traveling by RV or Motorhome
Get your pet, especially your dog, used to the RV by letting him sit in it with you without leaving the driveway, and then going for short rides.
Avoid car sickness by letting your dog travel on an empty stomach; however, make sure he has plenty of water at all times.
Keep the RV well-ventilated. If the dog is in a crate, make sure that fresh air can flow into the crate. Do not let your dog ride with his head sticking out of an open window. This can lead to eye injuries. Never let your dog ride in the back of an open truck. This extremely dangerous and can lead to severe injuries and death.
Stop frequently for exercise and potty breaks for your dog. Be sure to clean up afterwards. Never leave your dog unattended in a closed vehicle, particularly in the summer. Temperatures inside a closed vehicle with no A/C can increase rapidly.
If you would like to learn more ways to help your four-legged friends enjoy the family motorhome vacation, visit our Tampa or Tucson locations, log online or give us a call at 844.576.8244 to learn more.
Editor's note: The RV Authority welcomes your input. If you have an idea for a blog article or would like to write and submit an article about your RV adventures, please click here to email us your suggestions or questions.
