RVing can be a great way to travel without leaving your furry companions at home or at a boarding facility, which can often stress out your pet (and you). Before you go RVing with pets, however, there are several things you need to consider to prepare yourself and your pet for a successful RV roadtrip.
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In our years of RVing with our two dogs Mocha and Bella, we’ve had our fair share of ups and downs, including losing Bella when she jumped out of the truck during a thunderstorm.
Today we want to share with you the Top 5 Rules for RVing with Pets.
#1. Pick Up After Your Pet – Always!
Always, always, always pick up after your pet! This is by far the #1 complaint about pet owners and can get pets banned from certain areas that were once enjoyed by all.
Leaving your pet’s waste can also spread diseases to both other pets and to wildlife and humans that share the same area.
Don’t spoil it for everyone else – pick up your dog’s poop! 💩
#2. Keep Your Pets On Leashes
Many municipalities have leash laws which means your pet MUST be on a leash, and breaking these laws can have serious consequences.
Without looking up every town’s laws, there are several great reasons that you should just keep your pet on a leash at all times unless you are in a dedicated off-leash dog park:
Leash Laws For Your Pet’s Safety
Off-leash, a dog can roam freely and may encounter other dogs who might not be dog-friendly – even if these dogs are being kept on-leash.
They could also encounter wild animals that they aren’t used to interacting with and may be injured or killed – think skunks, porcupines, elk, or bears.
They could also find something rotten or poisonous to eat – if you aren’t there to keep them from getting to it in the first place pets are notoriously fast at scarfing down something they shouldn’t!
Leash laws also frequently apply to RVing cats!
Leash Laws For Your Safety
If your pet gets into trouble off-leash, you may be putting your self in harm’s way to get your pet out of it – like if they get in a fight with another dog or animal.
Pets have also been known to lead dangerous animals, like bears, moose, etc, back to their owners.
#3. Check Campground & Park Rules
All campgrounds are different, but every one we’ve ever gone to has had rules for pets.
Some have limits on the number of pets, some have pet breed restrictions, and other flat-out prohibit them all-together.
Every campground has formal leash rules, too.
Can I Bring My Dog to National Parks & State Parks?
​As for visiting State and National Parks, almost all of these natural places also prohibit pets on trails and outside of developed areas. Pets can leave scents that disrupt the ecosystem, spread disease, and even injure or kill wildlife – the very thing the parks are intended to protect and preserve.
​For National Parks, check out the National Park Service Website to learn where your pet can go, which parks allow what, and how your furry friend can become a BARK Ranger.
#4. Identification Tags & Microchips
Even if you’re pet is good at “coming home,” if you’re out traveling in unfamiliar places they might lose their way.
It is absolutely critical that your pets have collars and identification tags so that they can be reunited with you should you become separated during your travels.
​Microchips are also incredibly important – what if your pet loses it’s collar? Microchips can be read by animal control offices, humane societies, and veterinarians, so your pet’s home can be found even if they slip their collar. You can easily get them done at any veterinary office, PetSmarts (that have the Banfield Vet inside), and sometimes even at low-cost vaccination clinics held periodically at Tractor Supply or pet stores, through services such as VIP Pet Care.
That said, there is still the potential that you can become separated from your pet. Read our article Lost Your Pet RVing? Here’s How To Find Them so you know what to do if it ever happens.
#5. Don’t Leave Your Pets In Hot Vehicles
Temperatures can quickly rise to uncomfortable and deadly heights in vehicles left in the sun – even if the windows are cracked! NEVER leave your pet unattended in a vehicle.
Similarly, your RV can heat up in the sun. Unless you’re hooked up to power and can run vent fans and/or the A/C, you shouldn’t leave your pet home alone for long periods of time. While RVs take longer than cars to heat up due to their bigger space and better insulation, they can still get pretty warm if parked in the direct sun an without proper ventilation.
More Resources for RVing with Pets:
There are many more tips and etiquette guidelines to RVing with pets that we encourage you to read about. Here are a couple of places you can start exploring:
- Recommended Traveling Pet Gear
- ​Vet Care on the Road
- Traveling with a Dog – Full Time RVing (Drivin + Vibin)
- 5 Powerful Reasons RVers Need Pet Insurance Immediately (Getaway Couple)
- Check out The RVers Season 2 Episode 1 where we dive deeper into ​RVing with Pets and pet etiquette on the road! Watch it here: ​https://geni.us/TheRVersS2
Are you preparing to full-time RV with your pet? Learn all about what you need to do to prepare your pet for RV life with RV Masterclass’s Preparing to Full-Time RV Course.
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We have enjoyed Go North. We were going to go this summer but because of Covid we had to cancel. We bought a Lance 1172 year ago for this trip. Ho hum.
Anyway what brand dog backseat hammock did you buy?
Thanks Vicki
Hey Vicki! Thanks so much for the kind words and glad you enjoyed Go North! You can find the exact pet hammock we used here: https://kit.co/Mortonsonthemove/traveling-pet-gear