10 Must Have Items When RVing with Dogs

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Family photo of mature couple playing with their retriever in the caravan doorway

RVing with our dog, Carmen is so rewarding for us! We love watching her explore a new place for the first time or stick her head out of the truck on the open road. She is enjoying this RV adventure just as much as we are (if not more, actually).

Must Have Items For RVing With Dogs

After years on the road, we’ve discovered some essentials that make RVing with dogs so much easier. These are our top 10 must-have items if you’re going to bring Fido along on the adventures!

1. Pet Hammack or Doggy Seatbelt

Now that we travel with Carmen in the car weekly, we purchased a pet hammock for the backseat. This is a great accessory because it keeps her safe in one area, off the floor, and protects our seats.

Winner Outfitters Dog Car Seat Covers,Dog Seat Cover Pet Seat Cover For Cars, Trucks, And Suv - Black, 100% Waterproof, Hammock Convertible
  • Size & Hammock Convertible: 56" Wide x 60" Length:It's a bit larger than other covers so it can be more effective in...
  • WaterProof & Non-slip Backing: Our seat cover for dog are completely waterproof because of our new Waterproof TPU. It...

If you can’t dedicate the entire backseat of your car or truck to Fido, at the very least get a doggy seatbelt for their safety.


2. Camping Poop Bags for Dogs

I shouldn’t have to say this but we’ve seen plenty of RVers without poop bags. Not only is it rude to not pick up after your dog, but it’s also bad for the environment. Seriously it is, read this article if you don’t believe me.

Don’t be the most hated neighbor in the park and get yourself some poo bags. Part of RVing with dogs is being responsible enough to clean up after them.

Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags - Leak-Proof and Extra-Thick Pet Waste Bags for Big and Small Dogs - Refill Rolls - Lavender Scented - 120 Count
  • DOG POOP BAGS: Our durable poop bags are a dog-walking essential. They are extremely portable and pair perfectly with...
  • 100% LEAK-PROOF CONSTRUCTION: These dog poop bags are extra long, extra strong, and 100% leak-proof, ensuring that your...
A woman holding her small dog while standing outside of her RV

They even have cute poo bag holders that attach to the leash so you don’t forget them.

Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags Dispenser, Dog Poop Bag Holder Includes 1 Roll of 15 Unscented Eco-friendly Poop Bags (ERT00037)
  • Versatile: No matter what style of leash you have, this adjustable strap is ready for it all
  • Hands-free: The helpful hook on the back holds the used dog bag for you, making walks much easier

3. Outdoor Leash

If we’re blessed with a large campsite (and the campground allows it) we love to sit outside and let Carmen roam. She has free range but is still safe with our 30-foot cable lead.

I have to mention we never leave her outside unsupervised even with the lead on, and you shouldn’t either. They can get tangled or be a nuisance to other dogs being walked nearby. Not only is it dangerous, but by leaving your pet unsupervised, you’re most likely breaking some camping rules.

Pro Tip: If you want to make sure you don’t break any other rules, read 10 Camping Rules You Should Never Break According to Campground Owners

Mighty Paw Heavy Duty Dog Tie Out Cable - Come In 2 Thicknesses - Perfect For Large & Small Dog - Provides Off-Leash Feel With Total Control - Strong Braided Steel Cable For Durability - Weather Proof
  • Big Dog Tie Out Cable: The Mighty Paw's 30-foot long leash, perfect as a tie out cable for dogs big and small, gives...
  • Chew Proof and Built to Last: Crafted with a steel braided dog chew cable, our chew proof lead is tough enough to...

4. Flea and Tick Medication

When RVing with dogs, you will be exposing your pup to many new insects (and diseases caused by those insects). We recommend investing some time researching your different flea and tick prevention options so your dog is protected.

We always have Carmen visit a vet in the general area we’ll be traveling in each year. This helps us gain awareness of local diseases and any additional vaccinations she might need.

FRONTLINE Plus for Dogs Flea and Tick Treatment (Large Dog, 45-88 lbs.) 8 Doses (Purple Box) ( Packaging May Vary )
  • Keep your dog protected from fleas & ticks all month long with FRONTLINE Plus for Dogs a fast-acting, waterproof flea &...
  • Break the flea life cycle with FRONTLINE Plus. Specially formulated with fipronil and (S)-methoprene to kill existing...

5. Dry Skin Shampoo

When you full-time RV with dogs, you expose them to different weather elements. Each pet is different, but Carmen had a small adjustment period in those dry winter months and in the desert states. We were able to get her through it comfortably with a good dry skin shampoo.

6-in-1 Dog Shampoo and Conditioner for Itchy Skin, Made in USA - 20oz Vet Formula Natural Medicated Best for De-Shedding, Itch Relief, Smelly Odor, Dry Sensitive Skin - Dogs & Cats Oatmeal Pet Wash
  • Proudly Made in USA - Vet formulated and manufactured in Los Angeles, CA USA without sacrificing vegan and organic...
  • 6-in-1 Oatmeal Pet Shampoo & Conditioner - reduced shedding – anti itch, smelly odor control, moisturizes dry skin,...

A dog in an RV sitting on the booth looking out the window

6. Portable Water Bottle

We understand you want to bring your fur baby along on your outdoor adventures. That’s one of the best parts of RVing with dogs! However, don’t forget they need to stay hydrated to keep up. We love our portable water bottle for hiking with Carmen (and she does too!).

TIOVERY Dog Water Bottle for Walking, Pet Water Dispenser Feeder Container Portable with Drinking Cup Bowl Outdoor Hiking, Travel for Puppy, Cats, Hamsters, Rabbits and Other Small Animals 20 OZ
  • EXCELLENT PET WATER BOTTLE: the 20 oz capacity dog water bottle with bowl which is big enough and convent for longer...
  • HIGH QUALITY HEALTHY MATERIAL: our TIOVERY water bottle is made of 100% food grade silicone and plastic. BPA Free,...

7. Kongs

For those times that Carmen can’t come on the adventure, we make sure she has some Kongs to keep her busy. We shove a cookie in there and she’s good to go. Working for a treat is good for your dog’s brain and keeps them occupied. For a little while, at least.

KONG 41938 Classic Dog Toy, Large, Red, KONG Classic Large
  • Large Dogs (Up to 65 lbs): The KONG Classic red rubber toy is 2.75" by 4"; it helps satisfy dogs' instinctual needs...
  • Fetch and Chew Toy: The KONG Classic's unpredictable bounce makes for exciting games of fetch and other interactive play...

8. Treat Dispenser

We also have a Kong Automatic Treat Dispenser for those times we’ll be gone longer than a few hours. We’re able to put up to four Kongs inside at once. The dispense option releases every one hour or every two hours. We also put extra special Kongs in for these rare occasions (filled with wet food, sealed with peanut butter, and frozen).

These special treats keep her busy because they take a lot longer to get through. She gets so excited when she sees us bring out the automatic treat dispenser!

Dogopolis KongTime Automatic Dog-Toy Dispenser with 4 Large Kong Toys
  • Automatic dog-toy dispenser provides food-filled dog toys throughout the day
  • Toys can be filled with dog's regular food; choose between a 4- or 8-hour setting

9. Temperature Monitoring System

RVing with dogs can occasionally cause some stress, especially if you have to leave them alone. A remote monitor will help ease your mind when you do have to leave your pet in the RV. The Waggle Pet Safety Temperature & Humidity Sensor will immediately notify you on your phone if the temperature, humidity, or heat index goes outside of your preset range.

Being notified when something is wrong will give you the heads up you need to get back to your pet immediately. Having a remote temperature monitor could be the one product that could save your pet’s life.

Waggle RV/Dog Safety: Wireless pet monitor with GPS (Verizon). Alerts on temp/humidity/geofence via SMS/email 24/7. Subscription required.
  • ◆SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED◆: Waggle Pet Monitor Cannot Be Used Without A Subscription. The Subscription is for Cellular...
  • INSTANT ALERTS ON YOUR PHONE: Get Alerted - Not Alarmed. Keeping An Eye On Your Dog’s Safety Is Now Easy With Waggle....

Dog on the water looking at the camera with a big happy mouth. You can visit places like this when RVing with dogs

10. ID Tag and Chip

Last but definitely not least is to make sure your dog has an engraved ID tag. Ensure it is engraved with their name and your phone number (a backup phone number on there is a good idea too). When RVing with dogs, you never know if they’ll manage to sneak out. You will want to make sure if anyone finds them, they can get in touch with you.

Even better? Get your dog chipped. That way if they manage to get out and lose their collar, a good samaritan will hopefully get them to a vet to scan for a chip.

Providence Engraving Pet ID Tags - Small or Large Personalized Anodized Aluminum Pet Tags in Bone, Round, Star, Heart, Hydrant, Paw and Cat Face Shapes and 9 Colors for Dog and Cat
  • These aluminum pet ID tags for cats and dogs come in 8 shapes and 9 colors, so you can create a tag that matches your...
  • Recommended for cats and toy dog breeds, the small size measures approximately 1 inch in diameter, and the large size...

Pro Tip: It’s always a good idea to have a savings account set aside for any pet emergencies. If you don’t have one, looking into pet insurance is another great alternative to make sure your dog is protected on the road.

RVing With Dogs Makes For The Perfect Camping Experience

Well, those are our top 10 must-have items for RVing with dogs! We’ve found each and every one of these items to be extremely beneficial while RVing with our dog. Anything else you think we should add to the list? Let us know in the comments!

Last update on 2024-03-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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