When you’re out in your RV with your family, you should be able to bring every member of the household with you. This includes your pets. Pets can thrive in a camping environment and bringing them along is sometimes better than leaving them at home with a friend or boarding service. But you’ll also want to make sure your pet enjoys the experience as much as you do and that they don’t get overly stressed from the change of pace. Take extra steps to make sure they’ll be ready and relaxed for the RV lifestyle.
We’ve listed out some of them here for you to look through, but you know your pet better than anyone else. Odds are, they’ll have specific needs that need addressing on top of all this.
And make sure they have a fully functioning RV to relax in by bringing yours to Airstream of Montana for regular maintenance and repairs. We’re in Missoula, Montana, proudly serving the areas of Bozeman and Kalispell, Montana.
Plan your Itinerary
Planning your trip ahead of time has many benefits, but it’s even more helpful when you’re bringing a pet along. Your itinerary helps you reserve RV spots ahead of time and you’ll want to make sure the campgrounds you’re looking at are pet-friendly. Go the extra mile and call ahead of time to make sure your pet will be welcome at your campsite.
An itinerary will also help you plan for enough food for your pet. Keep in mind you should be sticking to their regular diet in order to keep their digestive tract regular and comfortable. Also include any medication your dog takes, like flea control or allergy prescriptions.
Finally, as much as we wouldn’t want you to need one, make sure your stops are within driving distance of an animal hospital. Bring all your pet’s necessary vet information, including x-rays, papers, vaccinations, etc., so should you need to make an emergency trip, you’ll be well prepared to take care of your friend.
Safety First
While we’re talking about vets, consider taking your pet in for a checkup right before you leave for your trip. Tell your vet about your plans and where you’ll be going. That will help them decide if your pet is up for a trip or if they’ll need any additional vaccinations before they can travel to a certain part of the country.
There are many other safety issues you’ll want to think about while you’re on the road. When your RV is in motion, make sure your pet has some way to buckle up. This is not only for your pet’s safety, but yours as well. There are harnesses and other pet-specific buckling mechanisms you can invest in that will keep everyone safe in the event of an accident.
If you choose to leave your pet in your rig while you’re out for the day, or even a few hours, make sure they’re going to be comfortable and relaxed. We don’t recommend leaving an animal that has separation anxiety and if the weather is excessively hot or cold, keep your power running so your pet will be safe while you’re gone (this is especially true in the summer when an RV can heat up just as quickly as a car can).
Exercise
Pets, especially young ones, like getting out and exploring. Make sure your pet still gets plenty of exercise while you’re out camping. They need regular exercises like a walk, a bit of hiking, or just some good, old-fashioned fetch. If you’re stuck inside one day due to bad weather, bring other indoor toys along, like chew toys, to keep them occupied while you’re cooped up for the day. Later, as you’re trying to go to sleep, you’ll be thankful as your dog will be ready for bed, too, instead of being rambunctious.
Routine
Try to stick to a regular routine while your camping as much as possible. Feed your pet at the same time you normally would and take them out for a walk as well. This will help lower stress levels and keep your pet comfortable, as well as avoiding accidents inside the RV. And don’t forget to include some downtime in their routine. Too much excitement can make your pet sick so give them the afternoon or evening off to recharge. This will be good for you, too.
Bringing your pet along is a great way to improve your camping trip and it keeps the family whole. Make sure you’re taking their needs as seriously as you’re taking the needs of the other passengers. If you’re in the market for a new RV that will better accommodate your furry friends, stop by Airstream of Montana in Missoula, Montana today. We welcome all RV owners from Bozeman and Kalispell, Montana.
