Traveling with Your Pets

If you love to RV then family time is on your mind. When your family is furry and barks or says meow you don’t want to leave them behind. Especially if you’re traveling for extended periods of time.

The most important thing is pet safety.  We have provided you with some do’s and dont’s when traveling with your furry companions.

• One of the biggest issues RVER’S face when traveling with their pets is their pets containment when outside. Most if not all dogs will tie themselves up if left unattended on a rope or extended leash. It is very important to know your animal and their behavior and to always have a watchful eye on them.
• Never put pets in the trailer while in motion. Pets have to ride in the tow vehicle just like you.
• Just like a car your coach can get just as hot in the summer. Always have sufficient air flow into the coach. Remember that your coach is not like a house if you leave pets inside with the A/C on and the breaker blows. Now your babies are in danger of heat exhaustion or tragedy. For extended periods away from your coach in the heat you may want to consider a pet sitter or day care. Never assume the A/C will not have issues, these are not home units and they do break.
• Always keep your dogs on leash. It may not be your dog you have to worry about but predatory animals like coyotes and bears. If traveling where natural predators to your dogs are present be sure they’re secure. Dogs can be difficult to control in dangerous situations so be mindful where they are at all times.
• Be responsible and have poopy bags to clean up after your pet.
• Make sure your pets have ID tags. You just never know what might happen so make sure you have your cell phone number on your pet’s ID tag. It is also a good idea to have more than one tag for each pet in case they lose one.  It could be days before you have access to a pet store and have another one printed.
• Before you hit the road you will want to make sure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations. It’s a good idea to have pet medical records with you for any emergencies. This way if your animal needs immediate medical attention the attending vet will have a history of your pet.
• RV parks are pet-friendly in most cases however, if you have a large breed or what’s considered an aggressive breed like Pit Bull, Rottweilers, Dobermans you should verify at the time of your reservation your specific breed will be allowed. Having references from other pet owners that displays good behavior may be useful as well.
• It’s a good idea to have a couple of digital printed photos of your pet to accompany your pet records in the event of a lost pet.

One thing to remember is as you arrive at new destinations your dog will experience new sights, sounds and smells. Over exciting their senses. Be mindful and have a protective eye on your pet.  Keep them on a leash no matter how much you think they won’t run off. Don’t chance it until your dog is acclamated to the new surroundings.

Before you head out for any road trip it’s a good idea to make sure your RV insurance has the coverage you need. If traveling, for example, into a heavily wooded area make sure that if a tree falls on your roof you’re covered. Camping can have lots of fun surprises but it can also have some unforeseen surprises. It’s good to know you have the coverage you need to have fun for years to come.

We all love traveling with our pets and your pets love traveling with you.  From first-hand experience, I can tell you that traveling with our dogs is lots of fun.

Feel free to contact our office at 844-727-7207 for a free RV insurance policy review/quote.  You can also find us on the web at www.rvinsurances.com