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Tips for an RV Road Trip with Your Dog

RV Road Trip with Your Dog
Allianz - RV Road Trip with Your Dog

Do you love everything about going on vacation except having to leave your furry best friend at home? Then maybe it's time to plan an adventure that your canine companion can accompany you on. That's exactly what many of your fellow travelers are doing. In fact, according to a survey conducted by Tripadvisor, approximately 56 percent of American pet owners travel with their pets.1

Finding clean, pet-friendly hotels while on the road can be a challenge. That's why an RV road trip could be the perfect answer for your next vacation. In an RV, you and your pet can enjoy traveling together without you having to worry about where you're going to stay at night. Before you rent an RV for an RV road trip with your dog, check out these important tips.

Research Pet-Friendly RV Parks and Campgrounds

Private Campgrounds

Although many RV parks and campgrounds do allow dogs, some don't, so make sure to research and book pet-friendly campsites ahead of time. That way, you and your canine best friend won't be denied entry at check-in. Some great resources to help you find the best pet-friendly campgrounds and RV resorts are BringFido.com and GoPetFriendly.com.

You might want to plan your vacation around a visit to the Four Paws Kingdom, a campground dedicated to dogs and their human companions. This facility boasts many great features designed to keep your dog happy and entertained, including an agility park and a dog pond. At Four Paws, you can choose from a standard RV site or a deluxe paved pad that comes with its own private dog yard.

National and State Parks

The campgrounds at these parks have very few, if any, restrictions on pets. However, many of the most popular parks, such as Yellowstone and Yosemite, book up quickly, so it's wise to make your reservations for these sites at least six months in advance of your planned stay.

Keep Your Dog Leashed

For the most part, national and state parks require that you keep your pets leashed and under control at all times.2 This is not just for the sake of the wildlife that they might chase or harm, but also for their own safety. Unfortunately, even the best-mannered dog could be tempted to chase a rabbit or a deer into the wilderness, and before your pet realizes it, he could be miles away and unable to find his way back to you. Which brings us to another subject – microchipping.

Get Your Pet Microchipped

Microchipping a pet is very inexpensive, and it could be the reason your pet gets returned to you one day. According to Petfinder, one in three pets becomes lost during his lifetime, and, unfortunately, only 22 percent of the canines that end up in animal shelters are ever reunited with their owners.3 Contrast that with the fact that approximately 52 percent of microchipped dogs are eventually returned to their families. Those statistics make it obvious that microchipping your dog is a smart idea.

GPS and ID Tags

If you've microchipped your dog, you might wonder why you should also get a GPS device. The answer is that while microchipping can help reunite you with your dog, a GPS tag could actually help you track down your lost friend. Your dog should also wear an ID tag with your telephone contact information on it.

Get Your Vaccination Paperwork

Before you hit the road, make sure your dog is up-to-date on all of his vaccinations, and ask for copies of his records to carry with you. Although chances are small that you'll ever be asked for one, you should also get a health certificate for your dog as most states do require this.4

RV Packing List for Your Dog

You should definitely consider bringing the following items with you in your RV:

  • Crate. There may be times when you need to confine your dog during your trip. In addition, some dogs like to sleep in the cozy confines of a crate.
  • Sturdy tie-out and a leash. For safety reasons, do not leave your dog, especially if he is small, tied out where you cannot see him. In some national or state parks, for example, pets could fall prey to a large predator, such as a coyote.
  • Collapsible bowl. In addition to regular feeding and watering bowls, you should also have a collapsible water bowl on hand for those times when you want to take your dog hiking.
  • Trip Insurance from Allianz Global Assistance. Because it's a safer way to travel!

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May 04, 2018