There’s always that one person at a campsite or trailer park that brings their pets and then doesn’t know what to do with them. Whether it’s over curious cats, barking dogs or some other furry creature, sometimes pet owners bring their pets with them because they feel they must. If you want to bring your pet with you on a trailer or RV trip, here are some tips to keep you, others and most importantly, your pets, happy.
Tips You Need to Know for RVing with Your Pets
The first thing to ask yourself when bringing your pet with you on a trip in your trailer or RV is whether your pet travels well. Some pets just don’t do being away from home well at all. This can make them sick, frustrated, lash out in anger and more to voice their uneasiness. If this is the case for your pet, it’s best to keep them at home with a sitter than bringing them on the road.
Make sure that the camp site or trailer park you’re visiting allows animals. Most do, but you want to check anyways because you don’t want to bring your pet and then find out it’s banned. This can cause issues for you and potentially get you blacklisted from enjoying that park or site in the future.
If your pet doesn’t mind travel at all, you want to invest in a cage for them, regardless of the type of pet you have. Dogs, cats, reptiles, birds and more all have special cages you can buy for travel that helps keep them safe and secure in the event of an emergency and keeps them contained when you’re driving.
From there, you may want to invest in a tranquilizer or other relaxer that will help calm down your pet while on the road. Not all animals need one but check with your vet to see what they recommend. This isn’t a way to bring a pet that doesn’t like to travel with you, it’s meant for a pet that is traveling with you to make a long trip easier on them.
Make sure you back enough supplies for food and water for your pet. This includes any medication or special needs they may have. When it comes to food and water, always back extra rations for an emergency just like you would for any human traveler that accompanies you.
Ensure your pet, if they need it, gets plenty of breaks to use the bathroom, stretch and walk around while on the road. Pets don’t always let you know when they have to go, so you need to follow a similar schedule as if you were at home to avoid accidents.
Once you arrive at your destination, make sure your pet, if they go outdoors, is always on a leash. This will keep them from wandering off, getting lost or causing issues with others at the park or site. Keep a careful eye on them to ensure they’re feeling comfortable in their new surroundings, not eating plants or berries, and that they’re enjoying themselves. This will give you an idea if they should come with you on your next trip.
If you’re going to bring pets with you, make sure you’re doing it right. This ensures the safety of your pets, yourself and those around you. It also helps prevent issues arising that animals can cause when they’re scared or uncomfortable.