As a proud dog mom I’ve come to realize that camping with pets is an adventure in it’s own right! From unexpected squirrel chases to mastering the art of bed-sharing negotiations, our four-legged companions bring a whole new level of excitement to RV camping. There are many benefits of RV travel for pet parents, as long as you prepare!
In Camping With Pets: RV Essential Checklist for Beginners we will be diving in to a list of things that make sure your trip is fun for both humans and pets. Lets leash up and get ready for a paw-some journey through the must-haves for a camping trip that both you and your fur babies will remember furrever!
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Essential Creature Comforts
We all know that our pets are creatures of comfort. When traveling it is vital to pack items that will remind them of home. This helps them have a sense of security despite being in a new environment. Camping can disrupt your pet’s daily routine. Packing some of these comfort items can help them enjoy the trip! Be sure to add them to your RV Essential Checklist for camping with pets.
- Bed From Home: If possible, bring your pet’s bed from home on your camping trip. This will give them a comfy spot to rest and will smell like home!
- My dog Mookie has this Bedsure Memory Foam Bed which fits perfectly at the end of our bed in the RV.
- Blankets: It is also a good idea to bring blankets from home. For the same reason as the bed, having a familiar scent to snuggle with will help them feel at home.
- Favorite Toy: It is essential to have your pet’s favorite toy with you while camping! I let Mookie keep his favorite toy in the car while we drive to our destination. This way he also has something to play with while we set up the RV.
- We picked up this Tall Tails dog toy on a trip to Vermont and have loved it ever since! Mookie usually tears toys apart and this has held up for years.
The Basics
There are some everyday basics that pet parents should always have while camping. It is likely you already own some of these things! Packing for an RV trip can be overwhelming, you can often overlook little things. Review this checklist of pet essential basics for camping before you head out on the road to be sure you aren’t forgetting anything. If you’re missing anything be sure to update your RV starter kit: pet essentials version!
- Vaccination Records: Many campgrounds will require you to show these when checking in. Keep a copy in your car or RV so you will never be caught without them. Nothing worse than driving several hours and not being able to check in smoothly.
- Food: Remember to bring enough food for the trip! I recommend pre-bagging so you can count each meal. Always pack two extra just in case!
- Leash & Harness: One of the best parts of camping with your pet is walking through nature! Make sure you bring your leash and harness as campgrounds often do not allow off leash pets.
- I love this True Love pet harness because you can clip the leash in front or back to avoid pulling. Mookie has had this harness since 2018 and it is still in great shape!
- Tie Out: You always want to keep your dog secure when hanging out at your campsite. Using a 20 ft tie out can give them full access to your campsite without you needing to hold a leash.
- Pro tip – don’t be that person who leaves their dog loose at the campsite! Even if your dog is well trained a campground is endlessly distracting. Your dog could easily run off, or run up to a dog who isn’t good with confrontation. If your dog is the one unsecured you may be at fault for any accidents that happen.
- Waste Bags: Some RV campgrounds will have waste stations along their paths with p**p bags. Don’t rely on this and get caught without a bag!
- Be sure to stock up on bags, and use a holder that clips to your pet’s leash.
While You’re Out
Although a lot of your time camping will be spent at the site with your pet, you may go out on a human only excursion or two. When you do head out you will want to make sure your pet is safe and happy while you are gone. There are a lot of variables to account for like weather changes or unexpected power outages. The below items will be key to add to your RV Essentials Checklist for camping with pets so you can keep tabs on your fur baby!
- Wifi Thermometer: As mentioned above there are a few things to consider when leaving your fur baby in the RV alone. If the weather fluctuates drastically or the power goes out you need to know so you can get back quickly!
- I use this Govee Wifi Thermometer to monitor the temperature in our RV while out for the day. You can also set alerts in the app to be notified if the temperature goes above or below a certain level. No subscription required!
- Portable Crate: If your pet is crate trained at home it’s likely they feel secure in a crate while left alone. This can also help avoid barking, or jumping up on furniture while you’re out.
- Mookie uses this pop up crate which folds easily for storage. I put Mookie’s bed right inside for some extra comfort.
- Treats: Make sure to back some high value treats! Having something special when their human leaves or returns makes up for the time spent missing you.
That’s a wrap on our guide to creating an RV starter kit with pet essentials. I can’t help but picture all the furry faces out there eagerly awaiting their next outdoor escapade. These RV camping essentials aren’t just accessories – they are key to making fun filled memories with your fur baby. Whether you’re a cat person or a dog lover, there is fun to be had while camping with your fur baby. Here’s to many more campfire cuddles and trails blazed together!
