By Cheri Sicard
Traveling with pets can really make RV adventures better. But there are some things to think about for your furry friends when taking them on the road.
In the video below, our favorite RV gearhead, Joshua from RV Gear & Far, covers some must-have RV pet gear and services to make traveling with pets less stressful.
While having the right gear is important, some services can really reduce stress when RVing with pets. Joshua says pet insurance and nationwide veterinary services are essential.
Pet insurance
Having pet insurance offers peace of mind. Joshua and Moxy have used Trupanion since Moxy was a puppy. It started with a free month offered by their vet, and it was a great decision. Boxers are great dogs, but they can be prone to health issues like allergies, skin problems, and cancer.
Pet insurance covers accidents and illnesses, which can be costly. It has allowed Joshua and his family to say yes to needed care without worrying about the financial burden. Pet insurance can offer financial flexibility when deciding on medical care.
Trupanion™ has reimbursed Joshua more than $17,000 over the past 11 years. With pet insurance, finances don’t have to be part of the care decisions. Learn more here.
Banfield Pet Hospitals are a great choice for RVers. They have locations nationwide, and their record system is easy to use. Different hospitals across the country can access Moxy’s records. This is helpful because there are no new patient exam fees and records at each specific practice. Moxy has been seen in at least nine different states, and vets have been able to view her records.
Banfield’s Wellness Plan offers a predictable annual cost for veterinary care. The plan makes it easy to use services as needed. There’s no need to worry about the cost of extra visits. The online pharmacy is also helpful for medication refills. It is easy to update the shipping address to receive medications along the way.
Readers can check out Banfield’s website for location and service information. Banfield allows patients to be seen in multiple states without new patient intake forms and fees. This is a great benefit for RVers.
Essential RV pet gear
Having the right gear is important for safe and comfortable RV trips with pets. Here are some of Joshua’s recommendations:
• Having a cozy den for pets is essential. IKEA pet cubes work well for small dogs and cats. If a pet sleeps on a slide-out, it is important to raise the bed off the floor. This allows for airflow, which helps regulate temperature and prevent mold and mildew growth.
• If pets scratch or jump at doors, install pet screen protectors. Folding over the door grab handle can also keep pets from opening screen doors.
• Microchipping and visible ID tags are also crucial. Joshua likes Boomerang tags because they are silent. Embroidered collars or riveted ID tags are other options.
• Maintain collar safety as dog tags can get caught in floor vent covers. To prevent this, use alternative ID tags or remove vent screws.
• GPS trackers can be helpful for pets that like to wander. Being able to quickly locate a pet in an unfamiliar campground is valuable.
• Metal RV steps can be hard on pet paws. Adding carpeting or stair grips can improve safety.
• It is important to keep pets safe outdoors. Tie-out cords allow for controlled roaming at campgrounds. Portable fence panels can create small pet yards.
• For cat-owning RV owners, finding a place for a litter box can be a challenge. Consider a cat door leading to a pass-through storage area for the litter box. This won’t work for all RVs, but it can be a good solution. Here are more cat litterbox solutions.
• Vault-style containers are great for airtight pet food storage. They are durable and keep pests out. Just drop the entire food bag into the container for easy use.
• Add shut-off valves and hose quick connects to low-point drains for warm water baths.
• Silicone paw cups are also helpful for quick paw cleaning.
Emergency preparedness and remote monitoring
It is important to be prepared for emergencies and to monitor pets when leaving them in the RV.
• In case of an emergency, it is essential to be able to be contacted. Post a phone number or QR code with contact information in a window. This allows emergency personnel or campground management to reach you.
• Keyless door locks or spare keys locked away in a lockbox allow emergency access to pets.
• Consider pet daycare or on-demand dog walking services for all-day outings. It can provide peace of mind knowing pets are in a safe environment.
• Temperature control is crucial when leaving pets in the RV. Use job site fans that run on 120V power or cordless tool batteries. These fans automatically switch to battery power during shore power disruptions. USB clip-on fans with internal batteries are also helpful. Plug them into a 12V power source for extended battery life.
• Remote monitoring can help keep pets safe when they are left alone. Use old smartphones with apps like Alfred Camera for remote viewing. Dedicated Wi-Fi cameras with remote angle control are also good options. Baby monitors are inexpensive options with built-in thermometers and night vision. Plug a 120V-only lamp into a non-inverter outlet to visually confirm shore power. Tying a ribbon to a fan can also visually confirm if the rig is powered by shore power. Place a thermometer within the camera’s view or use Wi-Fi-enabled temperature monitoring devices with text alerts. Pet-specific monitors like Waggle or MarCELL use cellular data.
• Remote temperature control: Remote temperature control is key to keeping pets comfortable. Use RV thermostats that connect to the internet for remote control. The Micro-Air EasyTouch unit is easy to install and use. It allows users to set temperature notifications and adjust settings remotely. This makes it possible to react to weather changes and keep pets comfortable. Having the ability to control the thermostat remotely is a great investment for RVers with pets.
What lengths have you gone to for your RVing pets? Do you have other essential RV pet gear recommendations? Be sure to leave them in the comments below.
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RVDT2632
I can vouch for peace of mind and ease of using Banfield for our dog in the lower 48 states.
In our single-axle self-contained TT we found a roughly 16X20X8 inch tote with lid. The lid is on during transit to keep the litter inside. It just fits between the toilet and vanity (our water heater uses half the width of the vanity, so we aren’t blocking storage space). I bought one of the flexible vinyl desk covers and cut it to make a back, side and bottom ‘splash’ surface so litter cannot be flung against walls or behind the toilet. Easy to clean up.
The single thermostat in our larger RV controlled either the furnace or the A/C and had to be manually switched between the functions. I installed a 2nd identical thermostat and wired one just for A/C and the other just for furnace. There is a roughly 10F degree separation between the two units. The result is auto-switching between heat and cool. We are okay leaving our cats for an overnight, but during parts of the year, the furnace runs in the night – early morning and the A/C kicks in late morning and afternoon.
I also have an inexpensive Wi-Fi camera that I set up to stare at an indoor/outdoor thermometer. We use our own cellular modem and wi-fi. I can see what the camera sees anywhere I have cellular signal for my phone. That way I know if the RV has power and if the temperature is reasonable for our pets.
Thank you for summarizing tbe video, Cheri! We have Pets Best Insurance for dog #3. We also put a camera with audio on him if we leave him in the RV. We also have the ability to remotely control the temperature inside the RV, as well as know when shore power is lost. Have a great day and safe travels!