Are you dreaming of taking your furry best friend along on your next RV trip? Good news! It’s possible to have a safe and enjoyable journey while RVing with your pets.
With some careful planning, pet-friendly supplies, and a few safety tips, you’ll be ready to hit the road together as a team. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or taking your first camping trip in an RV, there are some essential tips every pet parent should know for their upcoming adventure. In this blog post, we’ll share our key advice for travel with pets so that every mile is just as rewarding for both you and your four-legged companion.
Guest Post by The Adventure Detour
Pet Packing Checklist For Your RV Trip
Before heading out in your RV with your pet, it helps to make sure you have all of the supplies you need to care for your travel buddy. Here are some common supplies needed to RV with a cat or dog:
• Food and water dishes
• Portable food and water supply
• Travel bowl or mat
• Food storage container(s)
• Leash and collar
• Harness
• Favorite toys and treats
• Poo bags
• Blanket
• Bed (if you’re not using a kennel)
• Kennel/carrier (if your pet will be traveling in it)
• Pet medicine or supplements
• Litter box or pup pad
Tips To RV With Pets
1. Make sure you have packed all of the necessary supplies for your pet. Use the checklist above as a guide and add any additional items specific to your pet’s needs.
2. Bring along the pet’s favorite toys and treats to keep them entertained while in the RV. It helps to bring along your furry friend’s favorite things from home so they also enjoy the trip.
3. Have a designated area for your pet in the RV to help them feel safe and secure. If your pet has a bed, definitely bring it along. A crate can also be a great idea to help your pet travel safely and feel comfortable, especially if your pet is used to using one at home.
4. Never leave your pet unattended outside of the RV. Many RV campgrounds have rules about pets being left outside unattended. It’s also easy for pets to get lost when RVing if they get loose.
5. Make sure your pet is up-to-date on their vaccinations and has a microchip with updated contact information before traveling. If a pet gets loose while traveling, it can be tough for it to find its way back since they are not used to the location. Another idea is to put a GPS tracking tag on the pet’s collar to help find them if they get lost.
6. Only bring pets that are comfortable and used to traveling in a vehicle for long periods of time. It helps to get pets acclimated to traveling and being in the RV on short trips close to home before heading out on longer trips and farther distances.
7. If you plan to hike, make sure your pet is wearing an identification tag with your contact information and that you have plenty of water for both of you.
8. Be aware of the weather conditions and heat-related hazards that might impact your pet’s health and safety while on the road in the car and in the RV.
9. Keep your pet on a leash or in a kennel while outside of the RV, and never leave them unsupervised. It’s also important to follow all campground pet rules and clean up after they use the bathroom.
10. Make sure to research where taking your pet is allowed before traveling with pets to any destinations you plan to visit. Many areas are very pet friendly. However, even some campgrounds don’t allow pets or have pet-free sections. Pets are also not allowed on certain beaches and inside various national parks. Always check, so you know ahead of time where your pet is welcome.
11. Make frequent stops along the way for exercise, potty breaks, and to provide your pet with plenty of fresh air and sunlight. It helps to wear them out by making sure they still get lots of exercise on the trip.
Important Pet RV Safety Considerations
If you have a travel trailer or fifth-wheel RV, never leave the pet inside during travel days. Always bring your pet inside your vehicle with you versus in the trailer. It is rough and loud inside the trailer when traveling, and there is no temperature control which can result in an unsafe temperature. Pets can also be caught in an RV slide if left loose in a trailer. It’s never safe to let pets stay in a tow-behind RV on travel days.
Protecting Your Pet In Your RV When You Are Gone For The Day
There are RV pet protection devices that can alert you by phone if the power goes off or it gets too hot in your RV. This way, you can come back and get your pet out of the RV. Power sometimes goes out more frequently in RV campgrounds, and if it gets too hot in the RV, your pet can die. Waggle RV Pet Monitor is a good option to be notified by text if your RV gets too warm while you are out.
By following these important tips for RVing safely with pets, you’ll be sure to have a fun and safe journey on the open road for both you and your furry best friend! With careful planning and preparation, the entire family can enjoy a memorable experience while exploring new destinations and spending quality time together in an RV. Looking for the National Parks that allow pets on trail? Check out or post here for all the details.
Looking for the perfect RV for your adventures? La Mesa has the selection you need to find the perfect RV. Stop by for a visit today!
Scott, his wife Van, and their 12-year-old daughter Sissy have traveled full-time in their RV for 7 years. They have worked and homeschooled on the road through 42 states so far. They blog about RVing tips, travel destinations, and the full-time RV lifestyle on their blog, theadventuredetour. They are also RV content creators @theadventuredetour on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. They love connecting with RVers so be sure to reach out to them and say hi!
