How to Travel with Pets – Here’s How Other RVers Help Their Furry Companions Cope with Travel Anxiety
Are you ready to learn how to travel with pets? This article will focus on how to reduce your pets travel anxiety, avoid a distressed pet and help you have a fun-loving travel companion. With some foresight and these tips, your furry friend will be happy to travel. You will be at ease knowing how to travel with pets.
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Traveling in an RV you will experience the smells and freedom of nature, what better than to have a dog with you! Your travel dog will encounter many different sights, sounds, and people when they go on the road with you. Some of the best memories will be made exploring nature with your travel dog in tow for the adventurous pet owner.
How do I prepare my dog for a road trip?
Prepare yourself and your furry companion for travel, and reduce pet anxiety by visiting your pet’s veterinarian before setting out on the open road. They will be able to provide you with advice and answer any questions about how to travel with pets and ways to reduce pet anxiety. Also, different parts of the country require other vaccinations.
Introduce your pet to your camper and let them enter at their own pace, sniff around and explore. Also, spend a few nights in the camper as a trial run, even if it’s in your own driveway. Then, try a few short weekend trips close to home.
How often should you do this depends on how you pet adjusts to each outing. No one can read your Fido’s emotions better than you, and you will know when he becomes more at ease.
Do dogs need to be restrained in a motorhome?
Like you, your pet should be restrained while traveling. A harness or seatbelt is a safe idea. Another option is collapsible cargo crates which are handy for traveling, taking up less space while not in use.
It is always safer to have your pet restrained. As a driver, you do not need the distraction from your pet roaming or jumping around. Most importantly, if you should have to stop abruptly your furry friend will be safe from bumps and bruises.
How do you travel long distances with a pet?
Does your furry companion suffer from motion sickness? If so, you might want to avoid long car rides. But if they’re not achy, dizzy, or nauseous after the first three hours of driving, and can handle more than six hours without those symptoms arising then maybe it’s time for an adventure!
To reduce pet anxiety they need to get out and stretch their legs, while others think it’s better just to wait until the next rest area on your route. The best way to know for sure is by determining the type of animal that you’re traveling with.
Dogs are much calmer and less stressed when they stop for breaks.
How often should you stop on a road trip with a dog?
If you’re thinking about making your pet a travel dog, it’s important to consider how often they should stop for their doggy duties. The question of how often should you stop for breaks has been debated among road trippers.
Experts recommend at least every 45 minutes for shorter trips lasting two hours or less, and every two hours on long road trips. A few dogs can last up to nine hours without needing water, food, or potty breaks.
This guideline will not only reduce pet anxiety but also avoid them suffering from any accidents, or discomfort.
In addition, the amount of activity your travel dog is accustomed to, such as walks, car rides, or playing games such as fetch, may also determine how long they’ll be able to tolerate sitting still before getting restless.
Common symptoms of travel anxiety in dogs?
- Reluctance to get into the car
- Shaking or trembling
- Panting
- Whining, or barking
- Acting restless
- Drooling or runny nose
- Not holding urine
- Vomiting
7 Tips to help your dog with travel anxiety?
- Use treats as rewards
- Provide toys or chew items so that they will stay occupied while traveling down the highway.
- Luring dogs into napping by creating comfortable sleeping quarters under blankets/pillows
- Playing music at lower volume levels
- Try to avoid long trips if possible (dogs get carsick too!)
- If there are windows on the vehicle’s side where the animal sits, open them so that air flows better through both sides of the vehicle.
- Take off any extra window coverings such as curtains or shades before starting, since this will also let more light into your vehicle.
How do you keep pets calm while traveling?
Bringing your furry companion with you on a long trip can be very enjoyable, but it also comes with some challenges. One of the most common difficulties is trying to keep them entertained and calm for an extended period, without any distractions.
Dogs require a lot of love and attention to keep them happy during the ride to your destination. It is important as their human companion, to take care of your pet by ensuring they get enough exercise before getting on the road. Also that there is no stress or injury from cramping muscles in their legs, and paws due to sitting in one position too long.
You should consider areas with large crowds, or many cars driving by could be intimidating and uncomfortable for them.
Can dogs be left in a Camper?
It is never safe for dogs to be left in an RV. But what about when you go to activities that aren’t dog friendly? Our answer is a pet monitor!
Purchase a Pet Monitor for safety
This handy gadget will provide peace of mind if your dog is home alone. Keeping your pet safe is of utmost importance.
We have used Waggle for the past three years. It has been hands-down one of our best RV purchases that we could never do without.
The company frequently runs specials on the device several times a year. However, if you happen to miss a sale event the unit is very reasonably priced. It is quite inexpensive compared to other options offered online.
Luckily, we have a current promotion for 50% off your purchase. Just use this discount code when you checkout. ROAMIES50
How it works
- There is a monthly subscription fee, with 4 tiers of payment options. We use the Buddy Plan.
- The monitor has Verizon 4G built-in so you don’t need WiFi or Verizon service on your cell phone.
- We have never had a connectivity issue. Never!
Only on one occasion in three years, the temperature was not in sync by a couple of degrees. With a call to customer service, there was no dancing through hoops to get to a live person, and we didn’t have to wait on hold. The issue was resolved immediately. What a relief!
Can you tell we’re big fans?
FYI: We do not promote products we don’t use or trust. We had to share this with you as the front-runner option. We researched for you!
How to access the Pet Monitor
An app on your phone accesses the monitor in your RV. Simply set the parameters of how hot you feel that safety would be compromised, and the other extreme, cold.
Personally, we never venture more than one hour away. This provides us peace of mind if we were alerted by text and/or email, when the temperature is getting close to the threshold.
How do I help my dog with camping anxiety?
In the same vein as travel anxiety, camping can be an anxiety-inducing experience.
It can be tough to help an animal that is scared or distressed. If you’re dealing with coming up with ways to reduce the anxiety of your pet while camping, we are going to cover some great options.
Until he’s fully adjusted to camping sites as another place for relaxation and playtime, try to find an area where other campers won’t be around. This will provide more space for exploration without any distractions while your pup explores unfamiliar turf.
How to introduce a new campground/camping area.
- Consider how Fido feels when they are in unfamiliar surroundings. This can make them anxious or nervous.
- Upon arrival, walk a perimeter with your dog on a leash.
- Consider taking them for walks or trips before they are confined to the RV for any length of time.
- Find local vets
- Decide where to leave your pup when engaging in activities that are not dog-friendly.
- Provide daily exercise into your schedule and mental stimulation
- Prepare for wildlife run-ins.
Are there pet-friendly campgrounds?
Campgrounds across the nation welcome pets. However, there may be some restrictions for certain breeds or sizes of dogs.
Check with your local campground before booking anything. Make sure if any special rules apply where you’ll be staying.
Many campsites allow pets of all species under their roof. Meaning, even if they don’t list it online or have some kind of “no pets” policy worded somewhere within its pages; most will let them stay, provided owners follow basic rules. Such as cleaning up any accidents from inside and outside the site area.
Typically, dogs will need to be on a leash or inside your RV during your stay. There may also be limits as to how many pets per site.
You can benefit from pet-friendly campgrounds too
Campgrounds are a great place for people with pets. While you are walking together, pets are a great conversations starter to meet new people.
Campgrounds offer some or many amenities, including dog parks, doggy pools, agility courses that help keep them active. There might be runs/walks around nature trails and even outdoor movie theaters!
Get ready for some paws-itively great memories.
Where should dogs sleep in an RV?
Allowing your pet to sleep inside the RV reduces pet anxiety and allows them to feel comfortable and safe.
A good option is getting them their own bed or crate. If space permits, being in the bedroom with you, will provide extra security, especially in a new area/campground.
How to stop your dog from barking while camping?
If your dog barks when you are camping, it is likely because they feel isolated and lonely.
One of the biggest challenges when camping with your furry companion is making sure they aren’t barking all night. The last thing you want to do while out in nature, and trying to enjoy yourself is a barking dog spoil it for everyone else. If your pup is not as well trained on camping etiquette, you can still make some changes.
5 Tips to avoid barking at campgrounds
- Try tiring your pooch out with a good game of fetch before bedtime, or just taking them for a walk.
- Let them sniff around a bit before letting them sleep.
- Noise deterrents such as white-noise machines, to avoid hearing distracting noises outside such as other animals or people.
- Use calming remedies with natural sleep aids containing melatonin tablets, lavender spray, oil diffusers, etc., which will help relax his nerves and keep him calm.
- Purchase an anti-anxiety thunder vest and/or a calming hoodie.
A recent study suggests that playing music to silence your dog during barking fits effectively controls their volume. Here’s more information on this research.
Dogs have an uncanny ability to smell out a good time.
What is the best RV camping experience for dogs?
This is a question that gets asked quite often for obvious reasons. There are several factors to consider when trying to make the best camping experience for your pup.
The type of travel trailer you bring can make all the difference! You’ll want to find one which has ample windows, so they feel safe and comfortable on their first trip. Providing plenty of space inside, so your pup won’t be confined in tight quarters when left alone.
Make sure you provide all the products they need for the road to keep them comfortable, safe, healthy and happy.
What size RV?
RVs offer a great way to bring your dog along for the ride. With so many different models and sizes, there’s an RV out there just waiting for you. Whether it be to explore new destinations or enjoy some time with friends on vacation.
Some foresight when choosing floor plans, taking into consideration where your pet will be more comfortable to reduce pet anxiety will make for a happy pet.
Dangerous Situations
When you take your dog out on a walk, it’s important to make sure that they have protection from dangerous situations.
Most important is while outdoors exploring nature, be mindful of the local wildlife, to protect your pup and them.
What tricks and treats do you have to keep your dogs anxiety at bay while traveling? Share with us on Instagram and Facebook
Questions from other readers on this topic.
The last thing you need to know about how to travel with pets
It is with utmost importance when you are planning your next destination to research for the nearest local vet, and inquire if there are emergency after-hours.
Why? We have a friend who locates vets at her next destination, but never thought to ask about emergency after-hours. One evening her dog became ill with breathing problems. The vet wasn’t going to be available until the next morning, and the nearest after-hours pet clinic was three hours away!
Fearful of losing her pet, she was panic-stricken. Understandably, it was the longest and most stressful drive she had ever taken. This is an experience that we can all learn from. This story comes with a happy outcome – her fur baby survived.
Be a good pet parent!
Take a closer look at the pet monitor features. Waggle is our recommended choice for while you are away from your camper. Take advantage of our current 50% discount off your monitor if you decide to purchase through our link. Code: ROAMIES50
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If you have any tips you would like to share on keeping your pets calm, please share below.
