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Traveling With Pets
As Published In Airstream Live Riveted —
Traveling With Pets
It’s not where you’re going but who you take with you that really matters. Whether they’re friends, family, or animals, companions on the road can make all the difference. If you’re considering traveling with your pet but are unsure if your critters can make the transition, let these questions, (answered by our resident full-time Airstreamer and organizer Ramona Creel) help you as a guide.
What are the pros and cons of traveling with your pets?
Well I love animals, so I don’t personally see any cons. To me, they’re part of the family, so why not travel with them? My two feline furbabies love our road trips. My girls sit in the front seat with us watching the world go by. They meet new people when we go through toll booths or stop for gas, and they enjoy a new world of birds, squirrels and smells at each stop.
This, of course, takes place away from the safety of their enclosed outdoor tent. We can’t let local wildlife mistake them for dinner! Does it take more work than traveling without animals? Of course. Are they worth it? Absolutely.
How do you make travel easier with pets?
You’re going to get tired of hearing me say ‘plan ahead,’ but it’s true. It’s critical that you have all the relevant supplies on hand before you leave home. Know the lay of the land at your destination, and be prepared. Figure out where to find a vet, which trails allow dogs, leash laws in different areas and pet rules at your RV park.
Make sure to give your four-legged friends a set spot to call their own in both your tow vehicle and rig. Travel days can be tricky so make sure to acclimate your pet to the car, schedule your route so there are pit stops along the way and know exactly how long your critters can tolerate being in the car before they drive you crazy. These all help create a more pleasant cross-species RVing experience throughout your travels.
What is your #1 best tip for traveling with pets?
Before you even leave the driveway, figure out whether or not your particular animal is suited to the mobile lifestyle. While travel makes some animals very happy, it stresses others out. In the same way that you must ensure your human partner is satisfied moving from place to place in a way-smaller-than-normal space, you need to test this mode of transport out on your pets before subjecting them to something that doesn’t agree with their temperament.
Do they freak out and potty all over the seats each time you put them in the car? Do they get motion sickness? Do they try and dart out the door at every rest stop? Do they have special needs or medical complications that could be problematic on the road? Some animals are not ready for travel. You can slowly try to get the animal used to it, but never force travel on a pet who doesn’t respond well to it naturally.
What are the best supplies to have on hand?
Of course, the best supplies depend on the animal, but you do need to cover a few important bases. There are a variety of sleeping arrangements to consider, such as beds, blankets and possibly carriers for in the car. Plan meals and consider automated feeders and waterers to make travel easier. Find the easiest way to deal with elimination, whether that be a litter box or a scooper. Also, when you’re on the road make sure you have complete medical records for the vet. Finally, don’t forget to bring both indoor and outdoor toys. We love our collapsible kitty tent!
How do you find vets and other services on the road?
I’m a big fan of referrals. As with RV parks, company-sponsored service descriptions can be misleading. It’s better if you can talk to someone who’s been there and has good things to say. There are a huge number of resource-driven sites out there that will guide you toward good quality providers — the pet people at Pet Travel are happy to help you out.
Sounds like your cats have just as much fun on the road as you do! If you need Ramona’s help figuring out a plan for taking your pets traveling with you, contact her!
Pets can bring joy to our travels and wonderful company while on the road, without compromising your flexible schedule or adventurous spirit. Some of the best memories are shared moments, so keep soaking them in and living a riveted life!
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19 Responses
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I’m really enjoying reading about your adventures as well as the logistics of your nomadic life. We have two indoor/outdoor cats that come and go as they please, and I don’t think it would work to force them to become indoor RV cats. Do your let your cats roam outside when you feel you’ve found a safe place to post up for a while (i.e., not near any roads) or are they strictly indoors now? I have a friend that lives in a converted school bus who lets his cat out and hasn’t had any problems, but just wondering what your experience is. Thanks!
We let them roam in their outdoor “tubes” (see the info and pics above), but they never go truly outside on their own. However, our cats were never outdoor cats, and they’ve only ever known life inside the house, so it’s not too traumatic on them. Maybe you could set up a fenced-in “playpen” area like some RVers do with their dogs?
This is awesome!
That’s pretty freakin’ cool! My latest kitty-centric project is that some time next week, I’m going to attempt to start toilet training my boys! Should be an adventure for us all, but if it works, yeehaw!
Wow — you let me know how that works out for you Nicole :) There’s no way we could do that in an RV (flushes with a foot-pedal, and it’s pretty hard to push, even for humans!)
Thanks SO MUCH for sharing this. My husband and I are thinking about fulltiming and it is so hard to find information & stories that do not include the word ‘retired’. While we will be one of those obnoxious ones with the larger Class A and towable w/ motorcycle (we will be doing contract work & may both need to commute depending on the gig) I loved all of the info. I am also glad to see that traveling with your kids has worked out. We have 4 furry kids (three cats and a dog) that will be coming along for the ride and I think I am more nervous about that then ditching all of our stuff! Thanks again and I can’t wait to poke around and read more of your stuff.
Your Azi is SO CUTE! And we just got new sweaters for our pair as Christmas gifts from my brother and sis-in-law’s cat, perfect for the chilly mornings here in AZ. Photos on FB to come. Cheers!
That’s ridiculous. I mean, really? If you’re going to have pets to enjoy, shedding is a small inconvenience. Poor cats!
Well Barbara, you’re not living our life… ;) Have you ever tried to function in less than 200 square feet (in the Florida heat, I might add) with 2 cats? This is nothing like the shedding you might experience in a larger house — all Azi has to do is lay on my pillow (which she does nightly) and it is covered in a half-inch of hair. I don’t have time to be vacuuming every surface in our home every day! Besides, they’re actually a lot happier (as evidenced by all the languishing in the sun) without all that fur in the heat. Not to mention that they’re a lot more smoochable when they’re so velvety!
I often wonder if people who feel it’s ridiculous to shave cats feel the same way about people who shave their dogs. The latter seems to be expected while the former is mostly looked on as odd. Just an observation.
I know, it’s a strange double standard. When we went to the vet the last time and asked him about it, he said there was no reason not to — that if it makes them more comfy in the heat, go for it. Species discrimination — that’s what it is! :)
Hi, Charon — In response to your post, I do feel it’s ridiculous to shave a dog. We have a 30′ Airstream Classic and a Pekingese that we don’t shave, so I’m familiar with the shedding issue. I also know that animals can get sunburned and it seems that leaving them some hair would protect their skin and leave them with a little dignity. ;)
Hi, Charon — In response to your post, I do feel it’s ridiculous to shave a dog. We have a 30′ Airstream Classic and a Pekingese that we don’t shave, so I’m familiar with the shedding issue. I also know that animals can get sunburned and it seems that leaving them some hair would protect their skin and leave them with a little dignity. ;)
Ramona — I apologize for offending you. That wasn’t my intent — I was just feeling a little, obviously misguided, sympathy for the kitties. I enjoy your blog every week. We expect to be full-timers within the next two years, so I really enjoy your weekly blog as well as the great tips that you share. I know y’all are having a ball and I am extremely envious! Carry on! :)
No offense taken at all — but you damned dog people just don’t know what it’s like to have cats! ;) Besides, my girls have no dignity left as it is (we don’t allow that in this house!) They get scooped up and loved and treated like babies by us every time they walk by — so any last shred of feline aloofness was smooched away long ago! Plus, shaving them makes them easier to kiss on without getting a mouthful of fur — it’s like when we brought them home as kittens and their bellies had been shaved where the pet rescue fixed them — so velvety, so smoochable! Okay, I’ve clearly crossed a line and I sound like one of those crazy old cat ladies — I’ll stop now! :)
That’s okay — us damned dog people get carried away with our babies on a regular basis! LOL
Crowley and Aziraphale! I love it! Good book!
This is great information. My husband and I are full timing in our 27 ft Airstream and I have been wanting a cat. This post has answered some of my questions and given me some ideas. Hopefully, we can be feline parents soon. Thank you
Cool! Glad to have been of assistance!