Traveling With Pets On Your Motorhome Vacation

The best motorhome trips involve the whole family - including the furry four-legged members! No one wants to leave behind their beloved pets while they venture to new places. Thankfully, you might not have to! Traveling with pets is a possibility with the proper preparation. 

We've created the following guide to traveling with pets on your motorhome trip below. If you have any questions or want to shop motorhomes for sale, visit Golden Gait Trailers & RVs. Our dealership is located in Concord, North Carolina, and we also serve those in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.

Visit The Vet

If you will be traveling with pets across state lines, schedule a vet appointment first. There may be diseases common to your destination state that your animal will need a vaccination against. If you need to board your pet while your family explores a no-pets-allowed adventure, the boarding place may also have certain vaccination requirements. Your vet should be able to provide those vaccinations so your pet is ready for travel.

It's also helpful to have a general checkup and ensure your pet's health is up for the adventure. The excitement and stress of a road trip, as well as being somewhere new, can take its toll. Make sure your pet is fit enough for the vacation. You can ask your vet about medications or supplements that can reduce the stress of travel.

Use Safety Strategies When The Motorhome Is In Motion

When the motorhome is parked securely at the campground, your pet can safely move about the interior with ease. But it's a different story when the motorhome is in motion! Don't let your animals freely roam the motorhome while you drive. It's problematic for a few reasons.

First, your pet will be at higher risk of serious injury if you end up in an accident. Second, an animal wandering around the motorhome can distract the driver, which can increase the chances of an accident. Third, animals who stick their heads out the window can get hurt if a kicked-up rock hits their face while the motorhome is traveling at a high speed.

For the safety of your pet and your passengers, keep your animal secure in a crate or carrier. You can always assign a family member to check in on them throughout the journey.

Take Breaks Throughout The Drive

Animals need breaks on long road trips just like people do! Schedule plenty of stops that allow your human and animal passengers the chance to get out, stretch their legs, use the bathroom, enjoy a change of pace, and recharge for the next leg of the journey.

Don't forget to put the leash on your pet before they exit the motorhome. Even well-behaved pets can succumb to the temptation of chasing nearby squirrels or sprinting over to strangers in hopes of making new friends.

Be Intentional Leaving Pets Alone In Your Motorhome

There may be parts of your vacation that aren't pet-friendly. Maybe animals are not allowed. Maybe your pet wouldn't want to join anyways. Whatever the situation, be sure to set your pet up for a successful time alone in your motorhome.

First, make sure that the temperature is regulated. You don't want your poor animal shivering in the cold or suffering in the heat! 

Second, make sure they have easy access to food, water, and their sleeping space. A fun toy is always helpful to keep them occupied. 

Finally, stay within your pet's limits. Leaving your dog alone for an hour or two is probably fine, but leaving for a full day is not. Keep in mind your pet's physical needs (such as being able to go to the bathroom outside) as well as emotional needs (it can be stressful to be alone for hours in a new place). Fortunately, many motorhome vacation activities are pet-friendly so they can join your family on the majority of the trip.

We hope you found our traveling with pets guide helpful! For more advice or to shop motorhomes for sale, head over to Golden Gait Trailers & RVs. Our expert staff is happy to answer questions, offer personalized suggestions, and make your life easier. We are based in Concord, North Carolina. We also proudly serve those in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, North Carolina.