When Gina and I first started talking about longer term RV life, we had one dog and two cats. Then we had one cat, (RIP sweet Jerry), then we had two cats again (Welcome Roscoe!), then we had three when Molly just showed up from the feral group in our town. Then Molly had 4 kittens in my closet. We kept one, of course, soooooooo, now we have 4 cats and a coonhound. Is it a lot? It can be, but for the most part, it's highly manageable and we wouldn't be without them. They're part of our family...our home...whether that be in Nebraska or on the road.
All that wonderful mushy stuff being said, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind when you're traveling with your pets.
The first consideration for us was deciding which rig to get. We were fully equipped with the right truck to pull a 5th wheel or bumper pull. However, we didn't want that many animals riding in the truck with us all the time, and we refuse to leave them in the camper while pulling it. Please, don't do that. It simply isn't safe for your pets. If you just have one or two and you have room in your tow vehicle, then it's not an issue. If you have as many as we do, we felt like we only had one option: a motorhome.
After the rig your camping in is established, the rest is just remembering a few quick tips and handling the food storage and sleeping arrangments. So, here's a list you might consider.
- Almost everywhere you camp, be it BLM land, national parks, state parks, RV parks, Harvest Host, or wherever, will require your pet be on a 6' leash at all times outside the rig. That includes cats. If your pets aren't leash trained, get them that way before you pull out of the driveway. Our cats stay almost exclusively inside, but a couple of them like to go out for a short visit on the leash. We do have a long lead for our dog that we use only when sitting in our lawn chairs outside. In SOME instances, we have stayed in places where I can find a remote trail or field where I can let our coon hound run a bit. Remember, this is generally not allowed and I'm not recommending it. But our Sugar likes it, so there.
- Having 4 cats obviously creates a poop issue. We use a single, covered, igloo-type litter box in the bathroom. We us a silicon based product like Pretty Litter (there are others at places like Petco or Petsmart) and I cannot recommend those products enough. They are odor-free, incredibly easy to clean, and not that hard to find. Keep extra bags on hand. Are they expensive? A little, but a single bag lasts up to a month for one cat. (Times 4). Seriously, this is a game-changer for a tight space.
- You have to plan ahead to stay stocked up on food for all your critters. Our dog is easy. She'll eat anything, but we still can't buy a 40 pound bag. It's too much storage space. Just plan ahead and buy smaller amounts. Same goes for the cats. They eat a urinary tract-based food which generally only comes in small bags anyway, but we can't buy 5 at a time...storage, remember?
- Water is not an issue for most, but because we've had cats with urinary tract issues, they ALL get distilled water. We buy 12 bottles at a time when home. On the road, it's 4 at the most.
- It likely will never come up unless you're crossing someone's border, but you need to carry proof of your animal's vaccinations. And let's be real, even if you're not likely to be inspected, having your animals vaccinated is a good idea.
- Speaking of meds, be sure you stock up before you leave. Most pet meds don't take up much space. We got a 6-month supply of our dog's heartworm, flea, and tick medicine. And don't skip giving it to them, especially if you're heading south. Mesquitoes don't take a winter break down south.
- Climate is always a consideration. Our pets are all perfectly fine being left alone for longer periods when necessary. That said, if it's hot outside, your camper will bake a pet just like in a car if you lose power to your air conditioning. There are dozens of products on the market at varying prices that will allow you to monitor the conditions of your inside temp remotely. We highly recommend the investment.
- Be sure you vacuum...daily!
So, that's basically it. Although traveling without our pets would be "simpler," it would be so much less fulfulling. They seem to love the road as much as we do.
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Stay safe. Be smart. See ya on the road.
Matt
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