Travelling with Pets: Tips for RV Camping with Your Furry Friends

A well-prepared, exploration-filled RV road trip is one of the truly great ways to experience the vast, fascinating lands of the wonderful island continent that is Australia. And what better way to do so than by taking your furry friends along for the ride? The team here at RV Parts Express loves nothing more than talking to customers about RV excursions where they are lucky enough to take their pets along for the ride. As far as we’re concerned, there are few better ways to engage and bond with your beloved animals and family than by taking them along on an exciting road trip and adventuring together. 

Preparation is key

It bears remembering that Australia can be a fierce place at times, and it is important to take a few precautions and make appropriate preparations. In this article, we will look at some factors to consider, supplies to gather, and creative ways to keep you and your pets happy, safe, and comfortable. The first step of your exciting, fun-filled trip around the country starts well before you have even started packing.

Make your RV ‘pet-proof’

You may be limited in how many physical changes you can make to your RV to accommodate your pets, but it is certainly a tactic worth considering beforehand. Absorbent fabrics are problematic as they soak up liquids and retain odours, so if possible, choose vinyl or leather, which are much easier to wipe down and prevent the accumulation of lingering smells. If this is not an option and your pets are bound to jump on the seats, cover your soft furnishings with washable blankets or towels.

The same principles apply when dealing with flooring, and carpets are going to be more trouble than they're worth when furry friends are on board. Wood and vinyl flooring are preferable and will be in a different league altogether when removing unwanted muddy paw prints. 

Tracking collars and microchips

It should be a non-negotiable factor to have your pets microchipped before setting off anywhere in your RV. No matter how well-behaved they normally are, it is simply not worth the risk of potential disaster and heartbreak if they get spooked and run away. If anyone finds them and hands them over to a local veterinarian, they can be scanned, and there should be a good chance you will be reunited. 

Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and scents are manna from heaven for dogs especially, and they can easily get over-excited when chasing a new, fascinating animal, and disappear before you can stop them. This is where a good quality tracking collar is also highly recommended, especially if you are further away from civilisation and other people who can help you. The collars contain a device allowing them to be located using an app on your mobile device and can be a lifesaver if things go wrong. 

• Tip - Always carry plenty of photos of your pets on your phone to give people an idea of what they’re looking for if you need help

Research pet-friendly RV parks and locations

Although most campsites and holiday parks permit quiet, well-behaved pets, they will likely be required to remain on a leash and not allowed to roam free. Particularly active, loud, or aggressive dogs will spoil the experience for other campers, and you may find yourself being asked to leave. Cats might be content to spend most of their time inside the RV, but dogs want/need to get outside and run around like mad. This is great and one of the reasons why we want to take them along in the first place, but it is crucial to do our homework first. 

• National parks

No matter how well-behaved or meticulously trained they are, pets are not allowed to enter any of Australia’s stunning national parks. They are simply too potentially disruptive and dangerous to the local, indigenous wildlife. Even just the scent of predators like cats can frighten animals away from their young and cause them to abandon them. 

• Tip - Map out your route well in advance and check all the locations and overnight stops are suitable for you and your pet

Supplies

Any trip in your RV requires lots of preparation and the acquisition of enough supplies to last for the intended period and beyond in case of emergencies. This principle is no different when your pets are in tow, and there are certain items and products you must pack to ensure their safety and comfort, including:

• Blankets and towels

From giving your pooch a soft, comfortable spot to relax to cleaning up the mess they are a

• Food and water

lmost guaranteed to make, a hefty supply of dry, absorbent towels is a must. 

This should go without saying, but you must carry all the food and water your pets need from the word go. There may be chances to fill up fresh water containers later but it is always advisable to carry more than you need and not rely on presumptions about what will be available, especially with such essentials. 

• Treats

Although they constitute part of the food category, treats deserve a separate mention to highlight just how important they are. Your animal buddies may feel nervous about new surroundings or otherwise uncomfortable and upset. Nothing relieves tension and changes their focus more than their favourite snacks, and if you splash out and go for some long-lasting treats like dried animal ears and fresh bones, they can be distracted and remain content for hours. 

• Toys

Road trips can be long and arduous, especially in the sprawling wilderness of Australia, so be sure to pack several of your pets’ favourite toys and playthings. It may keep them quiet when you need them to stay calm and help relieve anxiety if they are stressed by the motion of the RV or otherwise out of their comfort zone. All pets are different, and nobody knows yours better than you do, so it is your responsibility to provide them with the things they need to stay happy and stress-free.

• Toilet bags 

There are some very negative, unwanted consequences of allowing non-indigenous animals to use the great outdoors as their toilet. While it may seem perfectly fine and natural to let them pee and poo anywhere away from other residents, it can cause havoc with the local flora and fauna, encouraging otherwise limited weed growth. The unfamiliar smells can frighten away local animals and they are susceptible to contracting diseases from domestic animal waste, and it is crucial you take enough bags with you and remove any poo as you would in a city. Local authorities take this subject very seriously, and you risk incurring hefty fines, so remember to pack plenty of cleanup bags and use them as and when required. 

• Harness and leash 

It is incredibly important to bring a harness and leash for your dog, as you never know when it will be necessary or merely useful to restrain and keep the animal in one place. Walks in certain areas or small towns along the way will be better controlled with a leash, and interactions with other animals can be restricted as you see fit.

• First-aid kit 

Just as you will surely carry a basic first-aid kit for your human companions, you should also prepare one of your furry friends. Many items can crossover between the two, but be sure to include the following as a bare minimum:

• Animal-safe antihistamines and painkillers
• Medical tape
• Cotton swabs and gauze
• Rubbing alcohol or other pet-safe disinfectant
• Bandages
• Blunt-end scissors
• Tweezers

Keep cool

A van sitting in the Australian sunshine soon becomes an unbearable furnace so take a few precautions to minimise this effect, including:

• Keep blinds and curtains drawn
• Provide a fan or AC unit
• Attach reflective window coverings to help deflect some of the heat 
• Wrap pets in wet towels when they overheat to help them cool down
• Ensure their water bowl always has plenty of fresh water
• Carry a cool pad that animals can lie on to lower their temperature
• Use awnings and heat sinks on the outside of your vehicle

Additional tips and suggestions

If you always prioritise your pet’s well-being, safety, and comfort during your trip, there is no reason why you both cannot have the time of your lives and some crazy, exciting experiences in the great wild Australian outdoors. Plan ahead, research carefully, and enjoy the moments as they come. After all, that's all there ever is in life.

• Exercise your pets rigorously when possible
• Give them lots of breaks if they suffer from travel sickness
• Minimise alone time
• Decide on and enforce sleeping arrangements
• Clean up any mess as quickly and efficiently as possible

Contact us

If you are interested in learning more, why not get in touch with us here at RV Parts Express today? We think you will find it a pleasant experience to discuss your plans with the kindred spirits here and get their honest advice and guidance wherever necessary. Alternatively, please take a few moments to browse our incredible selection of parts, camping accessories, and gadgets of all kinds.