For many of us, our dogs are an essential part of the family and leaving them behind to go on a holiday can feel all kinds of wrong. Luckily, it’s now easier than ever to take a caravan or RV trip with your four-legged friend. Below we’ve shared a few tips to make travelling with Fido a fun-filled adventure.
Be Prepared
Make sure your pet is fully vaccinated and you have all the necessary medication with you.
Ensure that your dog’s collar has a tag that clearly states its name and your phone number on it.
Pack all of the essentials. This includes the dog’s bed, food, a travel water bowl, poo bags, toys, dog towel and lead. If your dog is accident prone, it might be a good idea to take a first aid kit with you as well.
Take your dog for a test run to see if they have any issues travelling on the road. Like humans, dogs can get travel sick so it is important to be prepared for that.
Double check that the caravan park or camping ground you plan on staying at is dog friendly. During busy periods the rules can change so it is important to confirm this. Camper Mate let’s you search for dog friendly locations across Australia.
If at any stage you are travelling to a national park or an area not suitable for dogs, do some research and find out if there are any dog sitters or a local vet that can take your pooch for the night. Pet Cloud makes it super easy to find insured and accredited pet sitters.
Be Responsible
Keep your dog on a lead at all times. This is important for a number of reasons:
To be considerate of other campers and travellers.
To ensure your dog doesn’t chase after, scare or hurt local wildlife.
To make sure your dog is safe.
When you’re on the road, stop for regular toilet breaks. Nobody wants their desperate dog to have an accident in the caravan or RV.
Clean up after your pet. You may be out in nature and think - there are all kinds of animal poop out here, what does it matter if I don’t pick up after my dog? At Topargee, we like to follow the rule, leave only footprints, and take only memories, and dog poop is no exception. Don’t forget to pack enough poop bags for the trip.
Have Fun
Take your dog for regular walks and let them sniff out their new surroundings. It’ll be a lot of fun for your pooch and a great way to meet other people at the campsite or caravan park.
Take them with you on your adventures. It’s important that you minimise the amount of time your pet spends alone, especially in an unfamiliar place. You can search out local dog beaches or take them with you when you dine out at wineries and cafes.
For a real life insight into what it’s like travelling with a pet, read about travel bloggers, Debi & Steve's experience with their dog Mitch.
Got any other tips for travelling with your pets? Share them in the comments below.
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