These tips will help keep your furry travel companions safe and happy
There are many reasons to love RVing, but one of the best is the ability to bring a bunch of family members on your trips. And we’re talking about everybody, not just the two-legged folks. After all, why should only human members of the clan get to enjoy a nice vacation?
If you’re thinking about taking your pets on your next RV excursion, there are a lot of things to consider. Preparation is key, and the right planning can make the trip fun for everyone. But once you’ve set up camp somewhere, chances are you won’t be able to take your furry friends everywhere. Never fear; as long as you keep these things in mind, you can help ensure that they’ll be safe and sound in your RV.
Keep an eye on the weather
If you’ll only be traveling to places with mild temperatures and it won’t get very hot or cold, your pets will most likely be fine in your RV. However, no matter where you go, you should always be wary of the weather. Hot temperatures are particularly harmful to animals inside vehicles, and it’s important to remember that even if it’s not too hot inside, it may not take long for your RV to become an oven.
Fortunately, there are some ways to keep things cool in your rig:
- Try to park in a shady spot.
- Keep the windows open and the ceiling fans on.
- Put the blinds down to block any direct sunlight.
- Leave plenty of water out for your pet.
- Running the air conditioner while you’re away is an option, but there is always the risk of a power outage or other malfunction. You may want to invest in a monitoring device, which will tell you what the temperature is in your RV and alert you if it gets too high.
Be kind to neighbors – minimize barking
You may have the best-behaved dogs, but you just never know what will set them off. Squirrels, birds, rustling leaves; dogs often bark at anything, and the last thing you want to deal with is angry campground neighbors. While it’s impossible to completely ensure your dogs won’t bark, you can reduce the chances. Be sure to bring along their favorite toys, dolls or other things they like to chew on. Maybe even consider turning on the TV to keep them entertained while you’re gone.
Campground rules and pets
It is always a good idea to look at the rules of the campgrounds or parks you’ll be staying at. Some places prohibit leaving pets alone in RVs, so be sure to check ahead of time. The good news is that pet-friendly campgrounds can be found everywhere.
Make other plans for your pet
If the weather is bad or you just don’t think your pets will do well on their own, it probably makes the most sense not to leave them alone. Flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of RV travel. Maybe your travel plans can take you near a friend who can watch your pets for a while. Perhaps there’s a doggy daycare in the area. Or you can plan activities that everyone – pets included – can participate in.
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