Can I Take My Pet Camping in My RV?
If you are like many RV campers, you dread the idea of leaving man’s best friend behind when you’re going to be out in his favorite place to be – the great outdoors.
With all the sights, smells, and nature, your dog wants to come with you as much as you want him to come along.
When camping with your pets, there are a few things you want to consider to make sure you both enjoy yourselves, stay safe, and reduce anxiety for everyone involved.
Safety Should Always Be #1 – For Your Dog, Yourself and Your Neighbors
The number one thing on your list should be to keep your pet safe and keep everyone around them safe.
Prepare ahead of time so that you make sure your dog has fun, and you don’t ruin the camping experience for those around you.
Here are a few things you need to bring to keep your pet safe while camping:
- Vaccination records, collars, and tags
- Leash – keep them leashed always
- Photo of your dog in case you become separated
- Pet enclosures for travel, or fencing for outside your RV if your pet is a leash escape artist
Talk to your vet before you leave to be sure your pet is up to date on any flea and tick medication, annual shots, and stock up on any medication to last until you return. Ask your vet if there is anything else you need for the trip.
Make sure to get a copy of the medical records in case an emergency happens and you have to bring your dog to a vet while you are away.
Having these records will save time and guesswork for the emergency vet and help keep you from trying to answer questions you aren’t sure of when you are stressing about your pet’s condition.
Can You Leave Pets in an RV?
Whether or not you leave your pet unattended depends on the pet. If your pet gets into everything and likes to destroy things or has separation anxiety and chews through things like your RV door, then the obvious answer is no.
If your dog is well trained or calm, that is a different matter. You will want to make sure there’s enough food and water for the time spent alone and make sure your air conditioner, battery, and all RV equipment that can cause safety issues are well maintained and working properly.
If it’s hot, be sure to leave the air conditioner running.
Make sure you have safety locks for your cabinets and nothing harmful can be accessed by your pets while you are out.
If you expect to be gone all day, it may not be a bad idea to have a fellow camper (if you know and trust them) to look in on your dog.
Training Is Key to a Good Time
If your dog is not trained to listen to you, or your dog barks excessively, it’s not a good idea to bring them RV camping with you.
There are a lot of things that stimulate the senses for a dog when camping, and this will only aggravate an untrained, barking dog.
It will cause tension between you and other campers and you may find yourself in a situation where the park owners have to address the situation, or even ask you to leave.
Are Dogs Allowed in RV Parks?
It’s best to call ahead to the campgrounds you intend to visit to find out if they allow pets and if they have specific rules. Don’t assume every place allows pets.
East Coast Campers and More can do in-depth maintenance checks on your RV to make sure all your equipment is working properly to make sure your pet does not get hurt while left unattended in your RV. Call us today to find out more.
This article was written by Kristi Durham.
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