RVing with pets can be a wonderful experience for you and your beloved furry friends. Here are seven tips to keep in mind when RVing with your pet.
1. Mind the Paperwork
Bring your pet’s health certificate and vaccination records, since many RV parks require you to have them with you in order to enter the grounds. You may also need to contact RV parks that you plan to stay at to make sure they accept your specific kind of pet.
2. Make a List
The essentials like food and water are a no-brainer, of course, but be sure to write down absolutely everything you need for your furry friend, including dishes, leashes, a litter box for your cat, waste bags, treats and toys, exercise pen, cages, a brush and a crate, if needed. Don’t forget medications if your pet takes any.
3. Call Ahead
Get in touch with the RV parks and campgrounds you plan to stop at. Make sure they allow pets, and also ask if they have any rules or regulations regarding pets at their facility. You will also need to call and see if the RV park or campground allows pets such as birds, bunnies and guinea pigs, or if they only let dogs and cats on the grounds.
4. Stay up to Date
Make sure your pet’s vaccinations and shots are up-to-date, with the records to prove it. This will avoid paperwork hangups, but it’s also important in order to keep your animal companion safe from disease as you travel through new areas.
5. Mark Your Pet
If you haven’t already done so, take the time to put your cell phone number on your pet’s ID tags. You still want your home address and landline phone number on the tags, but that won’t be of much help if your pet cockatoo flies away from the RV while you’re still traveling. This will ensure that good samaritans can contact you in such a case.
6. Protect Your Pets from Creepy Crawlies
Bring along flea and tick spray, or make sure your pets are already treated before leaving on the RV trip. Even pets like hamsters, guinea pigs, bunnies and ferrets can pick up fleas and ticks, especially in the great outdoors, so ask your vet about treatment for your particular furry family member.
7. Be a Good Citizen
Remember to pick up after your pets in all locations. This is not only polite and courteous, but it also encourages RV parks and campgrounds to keep allowing pets. If you have a non-traditional pet like hamsters, ferrets or birds, call the park or campground beforehand and see how they handle waste removal.
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