Home Camping Tips 8 Tips For RVing With Dogs
8 Tips For RVing With Dogs

5 min

September 7, 2023

Whether you’re planning a week long RV trip or you’re planning to become full-time RVers, RVs are perfect for seeing the country and traveling with your dog(s).

If you’ve got a case of wanderlust or you’re organzing your next family vacation and you can’t stand the thought of leaving your furry companions at home, here are 8 helpful tips for RVing dogs.

1. Practice

First and foremost, give your dog plenty of time to get used to the RV before you take your first trip. Bring in their bed, toys, food, and water, and spend some quality time just hanging out and then do some practice runs near home. This is a good way to determine if your dog is going to be comfortable taking a trip.

2. Plan and Pack

Take time to write a list of everything your dog will need on your adventure. A few things you want to make sure you have are food, water, waste bags, dishes, toys, medications, dog bed, and a crate, if you use one. Consider choosing a dog food brand that is easy to find at most stores if you are going on a longer trip. Changing up food can often lead to an upset stomach, and that’s not something you want in close quarters. Plastic bins are great for storing dog food.

3. Visit the Vet

Ensure your pup is all up-to-date on vaccinations, and bring along any papers you might need. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet about any concerns you may have like car sickness, fleas and ticks, or microchips.

4. Choose a Campground

Many campgrounds allow pets, but not all. It’s always a good idea to call ahead of time and double check if your desired campground or RV park has a pet policy. Some campgrounds charge an additional pet free and have a limit on how many pets you can bring.

5. Go for a Long Walk Before You Leave

Take your dog on a long walk before you leave home or your campsite. This gives them plenty of time to go to the bathroom and allows them to burn off excess energy so they can relax while you’re on the road.

6. Learn to Love Rest Areas

If you’re RVing full-time or plan on driving for any length of time, rest areas may become your pet’s new best friend. This is the perfect place to walk the dog, let them do their business, and get some fresh air.

7. Follow Campground Rules

The most important rule at any campground is to clean up after your pet. It’s just the right thing to do. There are many RV parks and campgrounds that have areas just for pets, and some even feature dog parks. Also, keep an eye on your dog at all times. Not everyone is a fan of animals and you don’t want to make enemies with your neighbors.

8. Leaving Your Pet Alone in the RV

While your dog can join you on many of your adventures, there are certain places, like many national parks, they can’t go. If you are going to leave your dog in the RV, check the weather forecast so you can plan to turn on the air conditioning if it’s going to be hot or the heat if it’s chilly. Sometimes it’s a good idea to keep the radio or TV on to block outside noise and shut the blinds so your dog won’t park at passing animals or people. If your pet is afraid of storms and there is bad weather in the forecast, it may be best to change your plans.

Find Your Next Campground

Ready to plan your next RV adventure? Explore pet-friendly campgrounds, RV parks, cabins, and resorts on Camp Native!

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