Traveling with Pets

What would the RVing lifestyle be if you couldn't take the whole family along? Why shouldn't your family pets enjoy the open road with you? Of course they should, but there are some extra things to consider when traveling with pets, particularly if you have a new pet or your animal has never traveled before.

Begin with acclimating your animal to the RV. If you have a dog, spend some time with him in the coach; let him sniff everything and even start giving his evening meal in the RV. If you have a cat, do the same. Additionally, put out your cat's litter box and food and let him get used to the new surroundings.

Once your pet is comfortable, take a small trip to the end of the block and back to get the animal used to the sound of the engine and the motion. Cats tend to be much more sensitive to motion and noise, so begin with just turning the engine on and off. Always do a test drive at highway speeds; cats are especially sensitive to speed changes. Once moving, observe your pet's behavior, watching for motion sickness, which cats can get as easily as a human does. If you see profuse drooling, lethargy or vomiting during your test drive, pay a visit to your vet, who can prescribe motion-sickness medication.

Another thing to consider is whether or not you want to constrict your pet to certain areas of the RV while traveling. If your animal is very calm and you feel confident he will not disturb the driver, letting him roam free may not be a problem. However, keep in mind cats like to curl up in laps and around feet, which can be distracting and dangerous for the driver. You don't want to step on your pet instead of the brake! If you would like to restrict your pet's wandering, a standard pet gate will usually work.

Or if your animal is crate-trained, try a travel carrier. Animal rights advocates recommend pets in moving vehicles be restrained with harnesses similar to seatbelts for humans. These can be purchased at any large pet supply retailer.

Before you set off on your trip, ensure your coach is "pet-proofed." Exposed wires or power cords are tempting for dogs to chew on. Keep prescription drugs and cleaners well out of your pet's reach. Also, if you're concerned about preserving the quality of your upholstery, consider slip covers for your furniture while you're traveling with your pet. These can be easily washed and will help keep the pet hair to a minimum in your RV.

Some good things to remember to bring along are favorite toys, bedding, a full-trip supply of food (switching brands mid-trip is hard on animals' digestive systems and can have disastrous results), leash or harness, crate, plastic baggies, litter box and litter (for cats), first-aid kit including flea and tick supplies, medical records, rabies paperwork and medication if needed. Also, visit the vet to get a clean bill of health for your pet before you leave.

When planning your trip, keep your pets in mind. A trip to Disneyland may be great fun for you and your family, but not as much fun for your pet when he has to stay in the RV all day. National parks can be pet-friendly getaways, but be sure to check the rules before you go. Many parks do not allow dogs on trails or in the wilderness. For example, Mt. Rainier National Park in Washington State will only allow dogs where cars can go. In contrast, Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California is welcoming to dogs in all areas, only requiring they be on leash and cleaned up after. You can call the National Parks Service to find out the particular rules of your destination. You can also access nps.gov for full information.

If you are looking forward to a trip involving hiking with your dog, remember dogs need conditioning just like we do. "Buddy" may not be ready for that five-mile hike, so take it easy in the beginning. Also, make sure you bring plenty of water along for both of you. As a guideline, he will need 12 ounces of water before the hike and every half-hour during-more on a hot or humid day. Hiking near a water source can make this easier.

As for staying the night on your trip, campgrounds generally accept pets. However, when making a reservation you may want to ask if there are extra fees for pets and if the campground restricts the area where animals can be walked.

If your pet does have health problems during your journey, call a local vet. If you think your pet may have been poisoned, contact the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center. If your pet has recurrent health problems, bring his medical file from his regular vet. If you're a full-timer, you'll want to personally manage your pet's health records so that each vet along the road can treat him properly.

Finally, if your travels take you across the U.S. border, there are a few additional things you need to know. When traveling with a cat or dog to Canada, you will be required to show proof of rabies vaccination to get into and out of the country. In addition, if the animal appears sick, customs may have him inspected. When returning to the United States, the rabies certificate is only required for dogs.

When traveling to Mexico, all pets will be required to have a certificate of good health issued not more than 72 hours before the border crossing. Additionally, your pet will need a vaccination certificate, verifying rabies, distemper, hepatitis and leptospirosis immunizations. This certificate must be issued at least 15 days but no more than one year before your border crossing. Most licensed U.S. vets can issue both these certificates. For entry back into the United States, you will need to have a Mexican vet provide the same documentation.

Traveling with pets can be great fun for the whole family. Remember to always keep them on leashes, clean up after them and have fun!