The 4 Most Important Things to Remember When RVing With Dogs
There are several things to consider when bringing your dog along on your RV camping trip, but these 4 things are the most important.
Remember to go on long walks before setting off on a travel day.
Taking your dog on a good walk before being on the RV all day gives them a chance to potty and helps to tire them out.
On travel days, leave water in the dog bowl—but half-full.
Dogs can dehydrate easily if they’re stressed, and since being in a moving RV can be stressful, you want to make sure your dog has access to water at all times. Leave the bowl half-full to limit spills and check it every so often to see if it needs a refill.
Don’t forget about potty breaks.
In general, it’s better to give your dog more opportunities to potty than it is to only offer one or two throughout the day. Because travel days can be hectic, don’t forget to pay attention to your dog’s potty needs.
Find veterinarians in the locations you plan to camp.
It’s better to have a vet’s name and number ready to go in the event of an emergency, so don’t leave this task undone. When every second counts, you don’t want to have to search for a vet or emergency center. Save yourself the stress and create a list of vets and their contact info before your trip.
10 More Tips for Traveling With Dogs
Now that the big four things to remember are out of the way, let’s move on to some other tips that can make your RV trip with your dog go smoothly!
- Research the pet policies at the campgrounds, national and state parks, and other areas you plan to visit with your dog.
- Create an info packet for your pet, including their vaccination records and current pictures, and keep it in the RV.
- Get your dog used to the RV before you leave for your RV trip.
- Designate a specific space for your dog on the RV—a bed, crate, bunk or seat they can call their own and feel safe in.
- Make a checklist for your pet’s supplies. (We’ll go over the list a little further down!)
- Figure out how to transport your dog safely. Don’t leave them in a towable RV—keep them in the car with you or keep them secured in the RV.
- Have a plan for what to do if you need to leave your dog in the RV alone for a short period of time.
- Research pet-friendly activities in advance.
- Don’t expose your dog to other people or animals at the campground unless they are socialized and friendly.
- Be considerate. If your dog is a chronic barker, consider your neighbors. A crowded campground might not be a good fit.
Remember to Pack These Items for Your Dog
Checklists can help to take the stress out of packing, so here’s our helpful checklist of things to pack for your dog’s RV camping adventure!
- First aid kit
- Vaccine record and current photos
- List of emergency contacts
- Collar and harness
- ID tags with current phone number
- Bed or sleeping pad
- Food and water bowls (lightweight, collapsible bowls are best)
- Enough food and water to last the trip, plus a few days
- Treats and toys
- A leash that’s no longer than 4-6 feet
- A long-line or portable pen, if needed
- LED collar or tag for nighttime safety
- Disposable poop bags
- Dog booties or paw wax if you’re going to be hiking tough terrain
- Brush or comb
- Jacket for cold nights and/or a cooling pad for hot days
Finally, remember that unless off-leash use is clearly stated, you should always keep your dog on a leash. It’s safer for both them and other dogs. Even if your dog is social and friendly, he might run up to greet another leashed dog that isn’t, potentially endangering both dogs and the handlers. Plus, keeping your dog leashed is great trail etiquette, along with cleaning up after your dog.
Los Suenos de Santa Fe RV Park and Campground is a < href="https://lossuenosrv.com/">dog-friendly campground. Book your stay today! We look forward to seeing you and your four-legged traveling companions!