The RV life is full of adventure, especially with your pet—hiking the trails, fishing in the rivers, and exploring new places. All of these activities can leave your fur baby really dirty and potentially stinky, too. RVers who travel with dogs recently offered several ideas for bathing their dog while RVing. Perhaps an idea or two will work for your fur baby, too.
Places and ways to bathe your dog while on the road
River wash
Several RVers said they simply let their dog swim in a lake or river. (Toss in a ball or stick if your furry friend enjoys playing fetch.) When they emerge, most of the “dirty stuff” is gone.
Plastic tub
Some RVers use a plastic storage bin for a pet washtub. Small- to medium-sized dogs can easily stand inside the larger bins. Just add water and then shampoo your pet. Rinse with water from a hose. As an alternative, you can purchase a collapsible pool suitable for washing your dog like this one.
RV shower hack
One enterprising RVer explained that he purchased a small, inflatable kiddie pool. He places the pool inside his RV shower, and it works great as a dog washing station. The inflatable pool is naturally flexible and conforms to the size and shape of his RV shower.
RV tub/shower
RVers lucky enough to have a tub/shower combination use it for washing their dogs, too. Just be careful not to allow excess amounts of fur to go down the drain. It can potentially clog your system, making it difficult to drain your gray tank. If you do this, make sure you have something like the highly-rated SinkShroom in place to catch all the hair.
RV outdoor shower
Many RVers like to use their RV’s outdoor shower to wash their dogs. (Use biodegradable shampoo if soap will contact the ground.) It’s nice to have both hot and cold water available, and the handheld shower head makes rinsing your pet quite easy, as well. (Note: It’s a good idea to ask permission beforehand if you’re parked in a campground.)
Pet stores and Tractor Supply
Some pet stores (e.g., PetSmart, Petco) offer DIY bath stations where you can wash your dog. Certain franchises supply towels and a variety of shampoos. Costs vary, depending on location.
Many Tractor Supply (TSC) stores have pet washing stations inside their stores. They provide everything you need, like shampoo, towels, blow dryers, and grooming tools. Charges for this DIY washing station are typically under ten dollars. (Be sure to call ahead because not all TSC stores offer pet washing stations.)
Car washes
More and more car washes are offering pet washing stations, too. (These stations are separate areas. You don’t take your dog through the actual car wash—now that would be a scene!)
Caution!
Before using any public dog washing station, ask if and/or how the owner disinfects the area between uses. You don’t want to inadvertently expose your fur baby to any health risks.
Do you wash your dog while RVing? Tell us how you usually do it in the comments below. Thanks!
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I wash my small dog in our stand alone shower. It’s easier for me to just get in the shower with him!
Pet Supplies Plus pet store is great. They even have a rewards program for free dog washes.
Just a word of caution about using a creek or pond – especially in warm months, these waters can develop toxic algae or have a higher concentration of single-cell parasites. In southern states even during the winter, water moccasin/cotton mouth snakes may be a risk. Ask locals before you or your pet gets into the water.
Blue-green algae can be very deadly to dogs. Even just stepping into, if they lick their paws they can become sick and even die from its toxicity.
A regional RV park on a lake we frequently visit has a small fenced in dog beach. We have been there when the water was full of this algae yet the gate was open. It’s up to owners to be aware for their dogs.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/blue-green-algae-symptoms-tips/
Norwex Pet Mitt is awesome for bathing dogs. You just need to get the mitt wet and rub down your dog. No soap needed. Used dry it’s great for wiping off wet, dirty feet when they come in the door.
Running the dog through the car wash worked in the movie K-9!!! Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/UE-JqaObiag?feature=shared
We’re full timers who travel with a 70 lb goldendoodle. We are lucky enough to have a large shower in our Allegro Bus 45OPP. My boyfriend gets in the shower with the dog and uses a spray bottle of soapy water to lather her up and then uses the spray wand to rinse her off. It works very well. And much cheaper than what you pay at the groomer.
Thank you, Gail! Great ideas; thank you! These tips will serve us well on all our extended trips because the doggy travels with us. I especially appreciate the warning regarding disinfectant. Our puppy caught something once and keeping him away from.other dogs until he was well was difficult. Thank you!