RVing with dogs is always quite the adventure! You just have to take a few extra steps to make each trip fun for everyone. By doing so, you and your pets can explore side-by-side and make the most of all your travels. To help you prepare for your adventures, here’s a look at what you need to know about RVing with dogs.
Pick Out the Perfect Camping Spot
To enjoy every aspect of your stay, take the extra time to pick out the perfect camping spot. Start by checking if the campground even allows pets and if they charge an extra fee for their stay. After that, look at the individual campsites to see if you will have room to walk your dogs away from other campers. And if they will have room to do their business without being disrupted.
Get Your Dog Ready to Go
Once you reserve your spot, turn your attention to getting your pet ready to go. Your pet should have all their vaccinations along with adequate protection against fleas and ticks. If you are not sure, speak with your vet to find out. While you are there, ask them for a printout of their vaccinations in case you need to drop your pet off at a doggie daycare or visit a vet while on the road.
Also, if you have not done so yet, have your pet microchipped and update their ID tags. If your pet is already chipped, check their registration information to make sure your contact info is up to date. Take a current photo of your pet as well to use if they get loose and you have to ask around or print up flyers to find them.
Bring All the Right Gear
As you make a list of all your RV essentials, think about all the items you rely on to care for your pet at home. Then, add them to the list because you are going to need them even more while out on the road. Depending on your pet’s needs, you may want to bring:
- Wire crate
- Bedding
- Elevated bed
- Portable ramp or stairs
- Toys
- Food and water bowls
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Brush
- Nail clippers
- Well-fitting collar
- Harness
- Leash
Bring along a big bag of their regular kibble or lots of cans of food so you don’t have to switch brands and risk stomach upset if you cannot find any at nearby stores. Also, remember their medicine and pack up a pet-centric first aid kit that you can use to treat bee stings, abrasions, and other minor issues.
Make Plans Everyone Can Enjoy
Your pet will need to get out and run off excess energy at least once a day, so it is a good to have a game plan ready for before you even hit the road. Otherwise, they could put their energy to work in being destructive or barking at everyone who passes by your campsite.
So, check out the map to see where you can go for quiet walks and open fields where you can play fetch and other fun games. You can also look up restaurants and attractions in the area to find places that allow pets, and then put them on the itinerary. Check their rules carefully to see what they require. Some places only let pets in if they are on a four-foot leash, while others require proof of vaccinations.
Provide Dogs with a Place to Wind Down
At the end of the day, pets definitely benefit from having a place to wind down and settle in for the evening. You can set out their raised bed as you chill around the campfire or give them a blanket to lie on as you watch TV in the RV. Either way, provide a cue, like “rest time,” and a treat to let them know the day’s adventures are over, which will make this transition much easier in the future.
As you prepare to go RVing with a dog (or two!), take a moment to make sure that you have the right level of insurance coverage for your pets to protect you in the event of a pet-related claim. From liability coverage for damage caused by pets to protection against pet injury, don’t forget to add coverage for a little extra peace of mind. If that sounds like something you could benefit from, just call 1-844-929-4768 to speak to our team at Wayfarer Insurance Group.