Making your RV safe and comfortable for furry family members

Living the RV life is an amazing opportunity to come together as a family as you experience all the adventures the open road brings. Of course, family includes your fur babies too and there are a few considerations to be made to ensure they enjoy the experience safely and comfortably.

They are depending on you

As with any dependant, your furry family members rely on you to keep them safe, loved, provided for and happy. There are many ways to achieve this in an ever-changing environment, such as life in an RV where you may be camped up in a different location each day or spend weeks or even months in the same idyllic place. Remember, pets are happier with a routine and even if the location changes, you can do small things that will go a long way in helping them feel safe and secure.

A safe space

One of the simplest and easiest ways is to give your pet a spot of their own. While space-saving is of the essence in an RV, something so small as always placing their bed and food and drink bowls in the same location will give them a sense of belonging. Knowing where they can spend time undisturbed will go a long way in making your RV feel like home, no matter how often or far you travel.

Tips and tricks

There are several things you can do to make your RV pet-friendly, such as brackets to secure drink bowls while in transit or a pull-out bed to let them know when it’s time to settle for the night. This could be as easy as a lower drawer or trundle that easily packs away securely for when you are on the move. Another tip would be to have their lead on a hook next to the door so you can attach their lead quickly before opening the door. This makes for easier toilet breaks and prevents accidental escapes when making stops.

Experiences that last a lifetime

Just like humans, our pets enjoy stimulation and are fascinated by the world around us. You could try a booster seat with a pet seatbelt to keep them not only safe during transit but also to allow them to view and enjoy the scenery passing by without the risk of interfering with your driving. Just remember, they are not generally happy to be restrained for long durations, so regular stops should be on the agenda. Even the laziest of pets get restless if they cannot move about freely. If you are feeling it's time for a bit of a stretch, rest assured your pet agrees!

Quality and reliability

There are so many fixtures and fittings on the market to help with making an RV pet-friendly that it can be hard to know what does and does not work. Choosing a reputable provider, such as RV Parts Express, will ensure you will not only have quality components to create areas and install gadgets for your pets but they will also be tried and tested. Being representatives of hundreds of suppliers, there are bound to be the right items suited to your particular RV within our range. 

Adapting to the conditions

Travelling from place to place will see you overnighting in different conditions. To keep your pet happy, regardless of the current environment, ensure you follow a routine. It may be as soon as you stop, it is time for a walk, or perhaps the first unpack of your stop is to bring out the food and water bowls. Keeping a routine that lets them know this is where you are staying for the time being will go a long way in getting them to understand when it is time to relax and enjoy the environment, or when it is simply time for a quick stop.

Extra considerations for older fur babies

Much like humans, as pets age, they lose the ability to "hold on.” If you are planning to travel for quite some time without a stop, either due to your schedule or simply the roads of the day not being suitable for regular rest stops, consider having some puppy pads available. Even the best-trained animal can sometimes not wait, and it will reduce stress on your pet and you, knowing they have an option available. Let’s also not ignore the fact that it will alleviate the need for unpleasant clean-ups!

New environments

You may wonder at the unique environment you find yourself in regularly, but your pet may feel a little nervous or overwhelmed by all the new smells. Keeping your pet on a lead until they are comfortable will alleviate any chance of them running off in excitement or even in panic at a new noise or other animals that may be about. Making your RV safe and comfortable includes the outside environment as well. You may be in awe of the amazing landscape in front of you, but your dog may be more distracted by a rabbit, another dog, or other people. Spending the time to keep them calm initially will give you more time to enjoy it without being concerned about how they are feeling.

We hope these tips help in making your RV travels safe and comfortable for your furry family members, as well as improving your own experiences when travelling with your favourite companions. Contact RV Parts Express to learn more about what is available to get the most out of your RV.