RV Pet Safety: Tips For RVing With Dogs & Cats
There’s a lot that goes into planning a road trip, and RV pet safety is one of the most important steps! I spent 4 years traveling full-time with my dog and have learned there’s a lot more to it than just “keep them on a leash” or “bring their favorite toys”. Way more.
Everyone knows that. But I’ve been through it all over the last 4 years, so I’m going to share the less common advice you probably haven’t heard yet.
In this article:
- Laws about leaving pets alone in an RV
- RV pet safety tips + essentials
- Tips for RVing with a dog (+ my favorite RV dog accessories)
- Tips for RVing with a cat
- Lots of pictures of my golden retriever (to pay the dog tax)
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Laws About RV Pet Safety
When it comes to RV pet safety, especially for leaving pets unattended, laws vary greatly by state.
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for whether or not you can leave your pet unattended in your RV – it’s going to vary greatly by your location.
31 states and the District of Columbia have laws which prohibit leaving an animal in a vehicle under dangerous conditions.
Additionally, 14 of those states have Good Samaritan Laws which provide civil immunity (protection from being sued) for any individual who rescues a distressed animal from a vehicle.
States Without Specific RV Pet Safety Laws
Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wyoming
NOTE: animal cruelty laws may still apply
States With Good Samaritan Laws
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin
Want an easy way to keep track of the laws by state for unattended pets in vehicles? Grab a copy of my printable list!
NOTE: In addition to state law, many campgrounds, National Parks and local municipalities have their own policies which prohibit leaving pets unattended.
RV Pet Safety Tips
These are some of the most useful tips I’ve learned, and why they’re important.
✅ Properly install your CO detector and smoke alarm.
You need these in your RV regardless of whether or not you are traveling with a pet. With a pet, you want to ensure you have these installed in the proper location.
Smoke alarms should be installed up high, as smoke rises. I would recommend having one in every room in your RV.
CO detectors should be installed near sleeping areas. I recommend having one near your pets space, and other ones near where you’ll be sleeping (assuming these are different areas within your RV, otherwise one is sufficient.)
I have a SimpliSafe van security system installed which is connected to my smoke and CO alarms, so even if I’m not in my camper I will still get alerts about risk events to my phone.
TIP: Don’t forget to install a fire extinguisher near the door so it’s easily accessible in an emergency.
✅ Have a printed copy of vet records as well as a digital copy on your phone.
I have all my dogs vet records in a folder which I leave in my glove compartment. That way I always know where it is, and it’s within reach whenever I’m crossing the Mexico or Canadian boarder.
You also want to have a copy on your phone in case of an emergency.
If you’re trying to quickly get to an emergency vet office, the last thing you have time for is hunting up the printed records. You’ll more than likely have your phone with you, though.
✅ Get a good RV pet temperature monitor.
There will be times when you must leave your pet alone in your RV.
Heat stroke can happen in as little as 10 minutes, so having a system that will alert you if the temperature gets too hot is absolutely necessary for RV pet safety.
Two popular options are Waggle and Necto. My recommendation is Necto – I find it’s reliable and the most affordable (and it’s available on Amazon)
I researched the top options before choosing the Necto pet monitor – you can compare the best RV pet monitors here.
In the past I tried Waggle and was very disappointed with it’s reliability. I’m not willing to risk my dogs life for a device that doesn’t stay connected or send me accurate and timely temperature alerts.
You can read my Waggle pet monitor review here and my Necto review here if you’d like even more detail about what I like and don’t like.
✅ Check your slides before you move them.
Pets, especially cats, like to nap in the gaps between your slide. Always know where each of your pets is before you move the slides.
✅ Of course, have your pet microchipped, but also make sure you check the microchip at every annual appointment.
Microchips can migrate in your pets body. If your pet is ever lost, it’s possible that whoever finds them may not know to scan their entire body so you definitely want to ensure the chip is still located correctly.
At the same time, ensure the contact details on the microchip are up to date.
✅ Always check your campsite before you let your pet roam.
There can be hazards left behind from previous campers. Even if you’re using a portable dog fence for camping it’s crucial to check for dangerous items before your pet finds them.
I’ve seen razor blades (!!!) in the dirt while camping, not to mention weird food items and worst of all… human feces (which can be especially dangerous if it has THC from marijuana use as that can actually get your dog high or sick.)
On a semi-related note, if you buy a used RV or camper check it thoroughly for mouse traps, poisonous bait, etc. that may have been left behind by the previous owner.
✅ Research the dangerous animals and plants as you travel to new areas.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to ask the camp host or a park ranger about hazards in the area.
Snakes and larger predators aren’t the only dangers in many places – plants are a more common threat and it can be surprising what is dangerous if you’re not native to the area or familiar with the flora and fauna.
For example, I had no idea that ingesting foxtail and cheatgrass could cause serious problems for dogs. These grasses have barbed seeds which embed themselves in a dogs throat if ingested, and sometimes require surgery to remove.
✅ Beware of hot pavement!
Before I moved to the south I was blissfully unaware that pavement could get hot enough to burn a pets paws in the summer time.
The general rule of thumb is that if it’s hotter than 85°F, the pavement is too hot for your pet. Typically, at 85°F pavement can be as hot as 135°F.
To test, place your hand on the pavement for 10 seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them!
I find shaded paths or hiking trails to walk my dog if the temperatures are too hot for walking on pavement.
Tips For RVing With A Dog
RVing with a dog is very common, probably because it’s the best way to travel if you have a pet!
When I decided to travel full-time I opted for a campervan because of how much easier (and cheaper) it is to travel with a dog compared to staying in hotels with expensive pet fees.
While RVing with your dog can be a fantastic experience for you and your pup, there are a few things you’ll want to consider and prepare for.
1. Work On Recall Skills
Even with the best efforts and intention to keep your dog on a leash, it’s realistic to expect that at some point they’ll slip out on their own.
Before you hit the road, work on training your dog to have strong recall skills. This was the most important aspect for me when training my dog, Oscar.
While I can expect that at home, he’ll come back when he’s ready, on the road he may get disoriented in a new place and become lost.
Trusting that your dog will come back when called will prevent any scary nights spent looking for a lost dog in an unfamiliar place.
2. Always Be Current On Vaccinations
You’ll need up-to-date vaccinations and vet records any time you cross the boarder into Canada or Mexico. You’ll also need these if you want to use doggy daycare or kennel facilities during your trip.
Some illnesses are more prevalent in specific areas than others.
For example, the Northwest had an outbreak of an atypical canine infectious respiratory disease (aCIRDC) several years ago. As a result, local doggy daycares and boarding facilities implemented more stringent vaccination protocols.
3. Don’t Let Them Drink The Water
Dogs will be dogs, but I recommend making an effort not to let them drink from lakes, streams or any source of water you’re not familiar with.
Unfiltered water can cause stomach issues or worse. Some areas, like North Carolina, experience dangerous algae blooms in the summer.
There was a case a few years ago where a woman lost both of her dogs within an hour of them drinking from a pond which had blue-green algae – a toxin that causes cyanobacterial toxicosis poisoning which isn’t curable and causes a painful end for animals.
4. Always Know Where The Nearest Emergency Vet Is Located
When you need an emergency vet, you don’t want to waste time figuring out where they’re located. I recommend always knowing where the nearest one is located.
The best tip I have for this is to download an offline version of Google Maps so even when you’re out of service you’re still able to pull up location and routing for any vets located within the boundaries of the map you’ve downloaded.
My dog was bitten by a copperhead snake last year. Luckily we were able to get to a vet in under an hour so the treatment was less extensive (and less expensive), and he was able to get pain relief quickly.
NOTE: Copperhead bites are usually not lethal for dogs. Depending on the size of your dog, and the location of the bite they may require anti-venom. However, Rattlesnake or Coral snake bites are far more dangerous so always take extra precaution in areas with these species.
5. Know How You’ll Keep Your Dog Safe While Driving
This may be controversial, but I typically do not recommend dog tethers for driving.
Dog tethers are largely ineffective in an accident, and they aren’t regulated by safety standards. Most dog tethers aren’t rated for accidents exceeding 30 mph, which means they won’t help much in an accident.
Furthermore, in a high impact crash they may actually cause more harm to your dog than help.
The best way to travel safely with your dog is to keep them in a kennel. This prevents them from becoming a projectile object in your vehicle, which could harm you or other passengers, and dampens injury to them on impact.
While crates are far less convenient, they’re actually effective. Unless you have a small dog (under ~30 lbs), don’t waste your money on a dog tether.
If you do buy a dog tether, be sure you’ve read the fine print about how well it works – at what speeds, and for what size animal.
6. Download The MyRadar Weather App
MyRadar is a fantastic weather app for RVing. It’s free to download and use, and it will send you push notifications about weather events in your area.
As you travel, the MyRadar weather app knows your current location so you don’t have to do anything in order to stay informed.
I’ve received weather alerts about flash floods, severe thunderstorms, and even tornados!
I think this is one of the best apps for RVing, and it’s so easy to stay informed about weather changes that can impact the safety of your pet.
7. Carry Protection From Dog Attacks
I learned this tip for RVing with a dog the hard way. While walking on a public road, minding our own business, and while leashed me and my dog were attacked by five unleashed dogs.
Luckily we walked away relatively unharmed, but it was a huge wake up call for me to carry defense every time we go for walks.
My preference is to carry keychain pepper spray because it’s lightweight and easy to clip onto the leash. Because it’s so easy to carry, I carry it 100% of the time.
There are other options too, but I find that they’re harder to carry with me and I don’t always have them on-hand. Personally, I think the thing you’re most likely to have 100% of the time is better than something more forceful which you may not carry on each walk.
Other ideas include a baton, bear spray, taser or even a loud horn. Always be sure to check local laws as these items can be prohibited in certain states.
8. Have A Back Up Plan
One of the things I fear the most is a fire breaking out when my dog is alone. There are so many things that could potentially go wrong while you’re running a quick errand so it’s important to have a back up plan to evacuate your dog in the case of an emergency.
Some people choose to leave their RVs unlocked whenever their dog is left unattended. They install an RV safe to store their valuables in case of a break-in.
More commonly, I’ve seen people use a keyless RV door lock and either leave the code with a neighbor, or leave their phone number so they can be called for the code if something happens.
If you’ll be gone for a while booking a pet sitter with Rover is a great option. I’ve had a lot of success with my Rover pet sitters across the US.
Dog RV Accessories
These are my favorite dog RV accessories for traveling with my golden retriever – most of which we use daily.
My favorite travel hack for RVing with dogs are mental enrichment toys. Dog puzzles are a great way to burn off some excess energy on long driving days, or on rainy days when you can’t get out for a walk.
I typically have 2 or 3 different puzzles that we can rotate between. They come in a variety of levels depending on how much of a challenge your dog needs – my dog doesn’t need much of a challenge 🙂 As I say, he’s cute but not that smart.
This puzzle by Outward Hound is a longstanding favorite. However, the one we use the most often (and keeps him the busiest) is Bob-A-Lot.
Other essential dog RV accessories I highly recommend include:
- No-spill Water Dish – so you can leave water in the dish while driving without worrying about spills
- Reusable Fur Remover – used daily in our home, and the easiest way to manage all the fur
- Kurgo 6 in 1 Leash – versatile and can be worn around your waste, cross-body or used as a regular leash.
- Dirt-trapper Door Mat – to prevent extra dirt and sand from being tracked into your RV
- GPS Dog Collar – after being really disappointed with the quality of the Fi collar I now recommend Tractive for GPS dog collars
- Travel Dog Run – so they can get their steps and enjoy more space to roam when you camp
- Outside Dog Poo Container – so you don’t have to store the stinky in your RV if there aren’t any nearby dumpsters
- Waterproof Blanket – for when your dog inevitably comes in wet (I like this picnic blanket because unlike most “waterproof” dog blankets this one actually has a waterproof lining)
Tips For RVing With A Cat
Bringing your cat along for the RV life can be awesome, but it definitely takes a little extra planning. Cats can be stressed easily, so easing into RVing with a cat can go a long way to a smooth transition.
1. Practice Some Test Drives
Take baby steps to get your cat acclimated and comfortable with your RV.
Let them explore the RV while it’s parked and at your home – a space where they feel comfortable and safe.
You can also practice shorter test drives so they get used to the movement of your vehicle and seeing new places.
2. Create A Cat-Only Safe Space
Set up a safe space in your RV for your cat. This is their space only, so if they’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious they know they can retreat to their hideout and decompress.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. A crate with a sheet over it, or a box with a comfortable blanket work perfectly fine. Cat caves are also an affordable option.
Make sure it’s always in the same location and doesn’t move around. Consistency is important for creating a safe spot.
3. Leash Train Your Cat
Yes – leash train! This is a good way to get your cat used to being on a leash so they can explore more freely at campsites.
A leash trained cat can also get more exercise and be walked around campgrounds. As a bonus, it’s also a great mental enrichment activity so they can sniff and explore.
4. Liter Box Considerations
Managing a liter box in a small space can be tricky. Treat this the same way you do your cats safe space – make sure it’s in the same location consistently so they’re comfortable using it and always know where to find it.
I also recommend a liter mat to collect any excess liter from their paws so it’s not tracked all over your RV.
And, of course, scooping daily will help mitigate any unfriendly odors.
5. Tracking Devices
Lastly, invest in a tracking device for your cat. Accidents happen, and if your cat sneaks out when you aren’t looking it’ll be more difficult for them to return home if you’re in a new area they aren’t familiar with.
While airtag collars work well in populated areas, they rely on proximity to other apple devices so they may not be reliable in remote locations.
I recommend Tractive Cat Mini which uses both cellular connection and satellite GPS signal to track your cats location. Hopefully it’s something you never need to rely on, but far better to be safe than sorry.
6. Treats On Hand For Escapees
Every cat I’ve ever met wants to be in the one place they aren’t allowed to go.
Be sure to stock up on easily accessible cat treats in case your escapee gets loose!
If your cats are a fan of a specific toy, like a laser, that’s another great option to keep near your RV door for quick use to recall your cat if they get out.
RV Pet Accessories For Cats
One of the best RV pet accessories for cats is a catio! A patio for cats so they can roam outside safely.
Some other RV pet accessories that make RVing with cats easier:
- Cat Window Perch – so they can sunbathe and bird watch (just be sure to check it after driving because the vibration can loosen the suction connection)
- Feliway – to help calm anxious cats
- Travel-friendly Water Dish – includes a filter to compensate for changes in water quality in new locations
- Cat Backpack – for adventurous cats that want to hike with you
Is It Safe To RV With Pets?
Yes, if you follow the proper RV pet safety tips it can be very safe to RV with pets.
At a minimum, make sure you have a good RV pet temperature monitor (like Necto), always have fresh water out, and make sure they have a comfortable spot in your camper where they feel safe.
If you have to leave your pet unattended in your RV for a prolonged period of time, consider booking a pet sitter with Rover. (With this link you’ll get $20 off your booked services if you’re a new customer!)
