If you have ever traveled with a dog, you know that there are additional things to consider when researching, booking, and packing for your family vacation. It goes without saying that dogs & RVs go hand-in-hand. You do not have to worry about finding a dog-friendly hotel, you avoid navigating the airline process, and with your own rolling kitchen, finding dog-friendly restaurants are no longer a concern. Even though RVs are a natural fit for families with dogs, it isn’t as simple as jumping in and hitting the road. Much like a traditional vacation, there are special considerations when planning your RV trip with a pup.

We have outlined our top 10 tips for traveling with your dog in an RV. Do you have additional tips? Let us know!

Disclaimer - the links below may earn us a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

1. National Parks & State Parks may not be the best choice

Wide-open land. Trails as far as the eye can see. Cheap camping on government land. Though it seems like a pup parent’s dream – not so fast. Although most State & National Park campgrounds will allow dogs, many have an extensive restriction list when it comes to where you can explore with a dog. Be sure to review restrictions before booking your trip. For example, in the case of Yosemite National Park, dogs are only allowed on paved roads and paths. They are not permitted on any trails. Dogs are not allowed anywhere on Virginia’s Assateague Island, but they are permitted on the Maryland side of the island. Be sure to research the location and make sure that you aren’t going to be disappointed by “no dog” signs once you get there. Learn more here on the National Park Pet Website.

2. Keep a bin for pet needs

One luxury of having an RV is that you can keep it stocked and ready to go (for humans and pets). Instead of trying to pack for every trip, get a bin for pet supplies and buy a duplicate of everything that you regularly need at home. We also make sure that we have all of our pet essentials like tick twisters, shampoo, flea treatment, poop bags, a dog bed, medicine and everything that you may need. It is also helpful to keep a few cans of food in the event of an emergency.

3. Take pictures of their documentation or keep printed copies in the RV.

It never hurts to have a photo of your dog’s vaccination records on your phone, but it is particularly important when camping since many campgrounds require proof of rabies vaccinations. Having access to more extensive medical records is helpful as well because you may find yourself in a situation where your dog may need to visit a vet in an unfamiliar location.

4. Waggle

We hate leaving our dog in the RV when we aren’t there, but it is a reality of travel. You will eventually need to visit a grocery store or other location that doesn’t allow your dog in tow. Because RVs heat up like a car in the sun, having the Waggle gives us a lot of peace of mind. Waggle sends notifications if the temperature goes out of range or if power is lost in the RV. It also gives real-time information on-demand via their app. The monthly fee adds cellular service on the Verizon network, meaning that it will give notifications and updates without relying on Wifi.

5. Be aware of tether dangers

When sitting around the campfire (or outside in general), dogs should always be behind a fence or on a leash. You will often see dogs tethered on 15-20 foot leashes that are attached to the camper or a screw in the ground. We made that mistake and caution against attaching your dog to a long tether. While it will do the job of keeping them out of danger, they present challenges of their own. While attached to a tether and relaxing, our dog saw a cat and took off running. The length of the tether allowed him to get up to full speed before we even knew what was happened. Within a second he hit the end of the line and flew through the air, screaming in pain. Lucking, he was uninjured, but we always hold him on a short leash since that day.

6. Know your resources at the destination (vets)

The tether brings us to our next tip. It is always a good idea to find the location of a 24/7 animal hospital when you get to any new location. You simply never know what can happen and having that address on-hand if needed is a lot better than searching for it while experiencing an emergency. 

7. Get them ready for the trip

If your dog isn’t used to long car trips, spend some time driving them around to get them used to spending hours in your tow vehicle or motorhome. It is also good to put a dog bed in your vehicle and be sure to strap them into the seatbelt for safety. We use the pawaboo harness. Another tip is to always attach the leash to your dog's collar before disconnecting the seatbelt in a rest area. Even though our dog isn’t a runner, we always worry when taking him out in busy truck stops or highway rest areas.

8. Consider KOA & Harvest Hosts

KOA has been some of our best pet-friendly experiences. KOAs are consistently dog-friend and almost always have a dog park. We have stayed at several other campgrounds, and while they permitted dogs, they didn’t have pet-friend amenities.

Although there are rarely pet-friendly amenities, we have also really enjoyed bring our dog to Harvest Host locations. Harvest Host pet policies vary by location, but it is a great program in general. For a discounted Harvest Host membership, click here. 

9. Give them a spot in the RV

It is important to give your dog their space, even if it be as simple as a blanket or a bed that they can call their own. The same is true in an RV and we always keep a bed in our RV for our dog.

10. Know your dog

The best advice that we can give for how to travel with a dog in your RV is to know your dog. If they get violently car sick, this probably isn’t going to be a good idea. If your dog gets stressed in new environments, you may not want to bring them on an RV trip. If your dog isn’t used to long car rides, we suggest starting with nearby campgrounds for your first few trips so that your dog can adjust to longer rides.

Want to learn more about RVing with your dog? Please list to our podcast “1004: Freddy's Favorites (Dog-Friendly Locations)”