Many people often associate traveling with having to leave their furry friends behind but with RVing, that’s not the case. There’s no good reason why you can’t include your pet on your family fun. After all, so many of us consider our pets a part of the family so why shouldn’t we bring them along for the adventure? If it’s your first time traveling with a pet in your RV, we’ve got some great tips for you.
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Comfort
The first thing you should do is allow your pet enough time to adjust to the new environment. Remember that animals find comfort in familiarity so when you thrust them into a new environment without a chance to adapt, they can become stressed. Keep in mind that pets are highly tuned into our emotions as humans. Everyone on the RV should speak in happy, soothing voices for your pet. Let your pet enter the travel trailer when they’re ready. A good strategy is to bring along toys and treats for encouragement. Practice this a few times while the RV is not actively moving. Once your pet feels comfortable, it’s time to hit the road.
Routine
Whether you realize it or not, your animal is very aware of its regular routine. Major disruptions in routine can cause your pet to become anxious. Minimize unnecessary stress by ensuring your pet sticks to their schedule as much as possible when they’re on the RV. For example, do your best to feed them at the usual times. You should also keep them on their regular sleeping and walking schedule. The more you follow the familiar routine, the less stressed your pet will feel.
Essentials
There are some essentials you would never travel without and the same goes for your pet. Bring all the necessities. It’s highly recommended to pack more than enough food since a sudden change in diet can make their sensitive stomach feel queasy. It’s better to have more food on the RV than not enough because you never know if you’ll find your usual brand on the road.
If your pet sleeps in their own bed at home, you should bring it along as well. Some campers might be tempted to go out and buy a new, cheap bed for the RV. The reason pets love their beds so much is because it already has their scent on it. The bed should be kept in a comfortable spot. If you can let your pet sleep in the same room as you then keeping their bed near yours is always a good idea.
This experience should be as fun for your pet as it is for you, so don’t forget to bring along some of their favorite toys and treats. As a bonus, this can be a great way reinforce positive behavior while they’re inside the RV.
Safety
While it’s important to have fun, you still need to be safe. A loose pet wandering around the travel trailer can be an accident waiting to happen. If you have to slam on your brakes, your pet could easily get hurt. Make sure they are secured inside your RV, whether it be in a crate or in a bedroom under the supervision of a family member. The pet should not interfere with the person who is driving the RV.
For all your camping-related needs, visit RVs and Boats For Less near Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Twin Falls, Idaho! We also proudly serve Logan and Salt Lake City, Utah.
