What to Consider when Traveling with Pets

You might like to say you always bring your whole family along when you go RV camping, but what about the other ones? You know—the family members without thumbs. They’re important too, and if your dog or cat is healthy and sociable enough, they might love to go along with you! Many people have no problem bringing their furry friends when they go tent camping, and there’s no reason you can’t take them out with you in an RV too. However, there are some safety considerations you should keep in mind first, so before travelling with your pets, check out this guide from The Outpost RV. After that, be sure to stop into our dealership if you need any parts or service, as we’re right here in Middlebury, Indiana, where we serve customers from Goshen, Elkhart, South Bend, and Fort Wayne.

Let them Adjust

A tragic reality about owning pets is that many of us grow complacent and assume that our animals are comfortable no matter what. If you love your pet, we’re sure you already give them all the attention they deserve, but when travelling with them in an RV, you’ll need to give them some special care. Generally, animals can get very uncomfortable in unfamiliar areas. The first time they step into your RV, they might feel like they’re being introduced to a new home. This means you should let them get acquainted with your trailer or motorhome long before you actually take them on a vacation. See if they’re still relaxed and peaceful when hanging out in the RV. If they’re not comfortable and don’t seem like they’ll adapt, we don’t recommend taking them camping with you.

Driving Advice

When actually hitting the road, make sure you’re still keeping your pet’s safety and comfort in mind throughout the journey. For one thing, they need to be in the same vehicle as you throughout the trip. They can hang out in a motorhome’s living area, but if you’re hauling a fifth wheel, you should have them up with you in your tow vehicle. Also, you’ll want to control how your dog or cat behaves during the drive. It sounds a little silly, but a dog needs to be buckled in and trained to sit still in their seat. Cats, similarly, should be secured in a pet carrier. If you don’t think this is necessary, keep in mind, an animal is just as vulnerable to injury as you are in the event of an accident.

Along with driving practices, also make sure you take frequent breaks when travelling with your pets. Obviously, they need to relieve themselves more often than you do, but they’ll also appreciate the chance to stretch their legs and smell around (because why would you take a dog anyway unless you’re going to let them try out some exotic new scents!). Whenever you do stop, put a leash on your dog before leaving the RV.

Health

Finally, you should never bring a pet along if they aren’t healthy enough to come along. A vet can do a checkup and make sure your dog or cat is fit for a vacation, and they’ll also get them the vaccinations they might need before visiting a different part of the country. Remember than moving to new areas means exposing your pets to different diseases and conditions, so it’s extremely important that you get a vet’s advice before taking your animals to a new region.

Travelling with a pet probably sounds like a very attractive idea, but make sure you take the appropriate precautions, give them the attention they deserve while driving, and have them visit a vet beforehand. These tips from The Outpost RV should help your pets better enjoy your vacations, but if you need any other assistance, such as a new RV, parts, or service, then stop into our dealership in Middlebury. We proudly serve customers from Goshen, Elkhart, South Bend, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.