Tips For Renting a Motorhome with a Dog or Cat

One of the advantages of hiring a motorhome for a road trip is that it makes it far more feasible to travel with your family pet in tow.

No animal is going to take kindly to being kennelled for hours on end for a road trip in a car. Plus, leaving your dog or cat in a small vehicle while you head out to do other things (even grab a bite to eat) can be dangerous in hot conditions.

But with a motorhome, your dog or cat has room to run around. It is also a bit easier to maintain climate control in a larger vehicle than it is a small one.

Still, travelling with a dog or cat in a motorhome can pose some challenges, and there are still health and safety considerations. Here are some tips for safe and successful motorhome travel with a dog or cat. I have categorised them to make the list as easy to skim as possible so that you can rapidly jump to your areas of concern.

1. Safety

• If you will be out of the motorhome without the air conditioner running, be aware that even with the windows cracked, it could still potentially overheat if it is warm outside. Only leave your pet alone in the motorhome if it will be safe to do so.

• Something else simple you can do to help your cat or dog stay cool when you are present is to fill a spray bottle with water and use it now and again. Also make sure that your pet has plenty of water available at all times to stay hydrated.

• Keep your pet’s collar and tag on securely at all times. If possible, microchip your animal before you go on your vacation. If it can provide you with GPS tracking, all the better. There is no reason for your cat or dog ever to be without identification on a trip.

• It should go without saying, but enter and leave your vehicle very carefully if you have a dog or cat inside that is not tied up or in a crate. It is very easy for an animal to make a dive past you for the door. If you have any concerns at all that your dog or cat might not return to the motorhome after running around outside, it is best to keep your pet indoors at all times or on a leash.

• Leash-training a cat can make it much safer and easier to travel with one. You can simply get your cat’s harness and leash on before opening the door, and keep a firm hold on the end of the leash. This also makes it much less likely you will lose your cat if you decide to bring her outdoors with you.

• Regularly taking your cat or dog on short drives in a carrier in your regular vehicle is a good way to start adapting your pet to travel. This is wise to do before you bring your pet on a motorhome vacation.

• Do not forget to pack your pets’ medications as well as their vet records when you bring them on a trip.

2. Cleanliness

• If you are travelling with a cat and a litter box, choose a low-dust product, and be prepared to sweep up litter each day.

• You don’t want your dog or cat tracking too much dirt or mud inside. See if you can check your pet’s paws at the entrance to the motorhome. If they are exceedingly dirty, you might try rinsing them off before letting them in. Dogs boots also are not a bad idea.

• Your cat or dog will shed during the course of your vacation, especially if it is during the hotter months of the year. Do what you can to keep up with this. You do not want to return your hired vehicle covered in cat or dog hair.

3. Damage Issues

If your pet is at all destructive in terms of furnishings, cushions, or so forth, strongly consider not taking a trip with your animal in a hired vehicle. All you have to do is turn your back on your pet for one minute, and you could find yourself responsible for paying for damages.

4. Bookings

Not all motorhome parks or campsites are animal-friendly. Before you book any reservations, ask whether dogs or cats are allowed. If there are, find out what the basic rules are.

5. General Tips

• It is hard for a cat or dog to adjust to a new environment and a disruption in routine. To minimise those difficulties, bring supplies from home which will provide a feeling of safety and familiarity (i.e. your dog’s favourite toy, your cat’s bed, etc.).

• Regular rest stops are a good idea. Not only will they ensure that your dog or cat gets exercise and a chance to use the bathroom, but they also are an opportunity for a break for you too. Everyone needs to get up and stretch during a long drive.

• Observe the same etiquette when travelling with your pet as you would at home. That means that you need to pick up after your animal. You also should not let your dog run up and jump on other people or get involved in fights with other animals.

• For cats, an anti-anxiety spray such as Feliway or Rescue Remedy may be helpful. This can not only soothe your pet’s anxiety, but also reduce potentially destructive behaviour.

6. Legal

• Crossing international borders with animals can be complicated. Research any and all border crossings you have planned for your vacation and what you can expect regarding your pets. Be prepared in advance for paperwork, vaccination requirements, etc.

• There are locations where you cannot have your pet off a leash. In particular, state and national parks tend to have a strict policy against this, and you would be wise to follow it. Fines can be hefty for violations, as pets off leashes may endanger protected flora and fauna.

Conclusion

If you are new to motorhome travel with a dog or cat, your first trip can be a challenge to plan as there is so much you need to think about and for which you must be prepared.

But once you have taken a few motorhome trips with your pet, you may find that your dog or cat takes well to experiences on the road. Eventually, your pet may look forward to adventures in a hired motorhome as much as you do!