RVing with Pets

As fun as traveling in an RV can be, it isn’t as fun on your own. This is why most of us tend to bring along the whole family. And the family members who can be particularly enthusiastic about camping adventures are your pets. They can make even mundane experiences more exciting, but just as it’s important to take care of your human companions, you’ll want to make sure you’re taking care of your pet’s needs as well. Golden Gait Trailers has provided you with some tips for RVing with your pets. Take a look and let us know if there’s anything we missed by stopping by our location in Concord, North Carolina, near Charlotte and Raleigh.

Creating Familiarity with the Camper

Animal senses are far more heightened than our own, so any new environment isn’t just going to be overwhelming visually, but there’s going to be a lot of new smells to get used to. Trying to throw all this on top of a long day of driving can stress out your poor pet. To avoid this, take the time to let them explore the camper on their own before you hit the road. Consider even doing this a few times before the big day. Let them check out the trailer on their own and get used to the new area.

Keep Their Normal Routine

We know you’re going to have a lot of things planned and a busy itinerary for your trip, but there are some things you should try to maintain as far as your pet’s normal schedule is concerned. This may include exercise times, feeding times, and sleeping hours. You’ll probably have to bend this a little bit, but maintaining their normal routine as much as possible can help mitigate some of the inevitable stress from new adventures.

Pack the Necessities

Just as your packing list will need to include all the necessities, so will theirs. Luckily, the list probably won’t be so long. Start by making sure you have all the food they’re going to need for the trip, especially if they’re on a special diet. If you’re relying on being able to buy food on the road, remember that the farther from home you get, the less likely it is you’ll find the brand and flavor you’ll need, even if you use mainstream brands. 

Also bring along some of their things from home that’ll give them comfort. Items like their bed, favorite toys, and treats are all great ways to keep them from getting too stressed out. It might be tempting to leave certain items in the RV so there’s less work for you each time you prepare for a camping trip, but using their things from home can come with scents they recognize and bring a little bit of extra comfort. 

Finally, make sure you pack any other essentials that might pertain specifically to your pet, including medications. 

Safe Travels in the Trailer

Once you’re on the road, make sure you’re following best safety practices so you keep yourself, your pet, your passengers, and other commuters safe. Make sure your pet isn’t wandering about the cab. They could become seriously hurt if there’s an incident and be a distraction to you. This means securing them in a crate or installing a special pet seat belt. 

While we can give you some of the more basic tips, at the end of the day, they’re you’re pet, so you’re going to know what’s best for them and what kinds of things will help them relax. Tailor your camping prep routine to make sure you’re going to be providing your pet the right kind of experience as well as the rest of your family. If you’re still looking for your next, or first, RV, then stop by Golden Gait Trailers and let us give you a tour of all the models we have available right now. We proudly serve Charlotte, Concord, and Raleigh, NC.