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Updated May 16, 2011
RV Dog Supply Kit and Travel Tips
More than you ever wanted to know!
And, after seeing how long this list is, you'll realize it is obviously written by a 'crazy dog lady'!
Seriously, though,
I hope you can take some tips from it that will help make traveling with your pets a little more safe and comfortable.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Outdoor Stuff
• wire exercise pens (if multiple dogs, this is a Godsend!)
~ note: many places state 'no pens', but we will set them up and put the dogs in and then take them down if necessary. Sometimes we will leave them set up and then take them down if asked
• outdoor blanket/bed to put in pen
• outdoor water dish
• roll of poopy bags and carabiner to carry it on your belt
• carabiner to clip leash onto your belt so you can be hands-free when picking up poop
• flashlight for nighttime pottying - RV parks can be DARK!
• small step-open type of trash can and 8-gallon can liners (for poop)
• pooper scooper
• outdoor squirt bottle for barking corrections
• HARNESS for walking! a collar is too easy to slip
• leash
• outdoor toys
• doggie stroller
~ (I KNOW! But, I need this for my paralyzed dog and the deaf/blind one who wont walk on a leash. They like to get out, too! Another great use is if you are in a VERY hot climate and the pavement is too hot for the dogs to walk on. You can use it to transport them to the 'doggie potty area') ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Indoor Stuff
• food - be sure to bring enough food for the whole trip! You dont want to switch foods while traveling!
• food bowl
• dog treats
• clean-up spray
• paper towels
• travel water bowl - it has a lid that looks like a donut to prevent spills while driving
- I take the lid off once we are parked. Dogs seem to drink more readily out of it without the lid
• Gallons of water from your home tap water or bottled water
- water is different all over the country. It can cause many gastro problems for you and your dog.
- FYI - my six Dachsies go through about 2 Dasani 16oz bottles a day - Well worth the investment at 12.5¢ a bottle!
- ditto the water sentiment for YOU! My coffeepot takes 3 bottles to make a 10 cup pot.
• snuggle bed - dogs like to hide and sleep while traveling
- snuggle bed is like a clamshell. It's so cute to see a nose peeking out.
• dog crate - some really nervous travelers will need to be crated. Be sure to have lots of blankets in it for them to hide in.
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Collars, Tags, and Emergency Instructions!!!
If your dog gets lost, it will be a tragic end to your vacation. You will be stuck somewhere looking for your dog...nevermind the heartache!
A collar with legible tags that carry this basic info
[if your dog is not generally a collar-wearer (like mine), it is a good idea to change this policy while traveling]
- Dog's name
- your CELL phone number with area code
• disposable tags (found at hardware store...I think they are actually disposable keyrings)
- write RV park name AND lot number
• IF you get into an accident and are incapacitated, the local authorities will take your dog to the nearest shelter. Many shelters have 3-day policies. If a dog is dropped off and then not picked up after 3 days, it will be put to sleep. Some do this in even less time.
• Also, in the event of an accident, your rig may be damaged to the point that your dog actually escapes before help gets there
• Dont assume this will never happen to you. No one plans on getting into a terrible accident... but they happen often.
• It is a very good idea to have instructions posted near your door about who to call in case of accident. Do you have someone who will come get your dogs, in the event that you are in the hospital for more than a short stay? The paramedics and police will not know your wishes if you are unconscious, and their Standard Operating Procedure will be to take your animals to the pound.
• If you do not have someone who can come get your dogs, be sure to state in your instructions that you will gladly pay any kennel or boarding fees for your dogs, once you are able.
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Lost Dog Posters - These should be made before you travel!
• if your dog goes missing and you have lost sight of him, go into your RV and grab one of these PRE-MADE posters to carry while you are looking for him.
• post one at the entrance to your RV park
• give one to the office
• post one on the front and rear of your RV
Info for your Poster -
• Make a basic poster with your dog's picture, name, phone number, and the word REWARD!
• if making a poster is not your forte', I'll provide a basic template PDF that you can download and print off
- affix a picture of your dog to it
- OR, write your dog's breed in large, heavy print.
- underneath that, be sure to put your dog's size and color. Not everyone is as good at knowing dog breeds like dog-people are. That's why it's also important to put that word REWARD on it. You really want the non-dog people to keep their eyes open, too, and this incentive helps!
- Use a Sharpie for the print. Dark is good and legible from a distance. No ballpoints.
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Medical Kit
Be sure to go to your vet at least a week before you leave. Any shot reactions can be dealt with. Dont do it the day before you leave!
• rabies, distemper, parvo
• absolutely get a Bordetella treatment (kennel cough) It is just a spray up their nose and is cheap.
- Lasts for six months. Kennel cough is very contagious and many RV dog-potty-areas will carry this disease.
• Shot records! Have your vet print out your dog's current shot records for you.
- many RV parks indicate that current shot records are required
- in three years of RV'ing, we have never been asked for shot records
• NERVOUS TRAVELER? Have your vet prescribe Acepromazine. Doggie downers. This is also used to calm fears about fireworks and thunderstorms.
• Diarrhea treatment
- Immodium is ok to give to your dog (check with your vet for dosage) but we have found that Metronidazole works MUCH better! Have your vet prescribe some for your trip. You will be glad you did!
- If you give them a treatment and they have another loose stool. Give them a second dose.
• If your dog is prone to bladder or ear infections or any other ailment, have your vet prescribe whatever it is you normally would treat them with. It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
• Dont forget your Heartworm pills for the first day of the month!
• nail clippers - you'll have lots of downtime! Give your dog a manicure :)
• toothbrush
• brush
• baby shampoo - if they need a bath
• flea/tick treatment like Frontline
~
(note: DO NOT USE HARTZ or SARGEANT! It can burn holes in your dog! Our rescue group has seen the worst of the worst in these cases)
- I never treat my dogs with this unless they HAVE a pest problem.
- Why? Because those meds will eliminate the pest problem in 24 hours, so why treat your dog unnecessarily with poisons that absorb into the skin?
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Before you leave -
• Call the RV park and ask about the closest vet. Get the phone number. Call the vet and ask about after hours emergencies and how you should handle them.
- Do this for each area that you will be staying at.
- You *could* do this at check-in, but there is the chance that the check-in person may not have any information to give you. If that's the case, ask them if you can see a local phone book.
- Do not rely on the "FREE WIFI" at the RV park to research vets in the area! Free WIFI is consistently a disappointment, in my experience. (the last SIX places we've stayed, the 'free wifi' has been so weak it was basically unusable. This included parks in CO, UT, AZ, NM, and KS...so it's not just one area that is problematic)
• Be sure to go to your vet at least a week before you leave. Any shot reactions can be dealt with. Dont do it the day before you leave!
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OK, so it takes a week to pack for the dog!
No wonder I get so stressed out before we leave! I always forget something...
Noelle Buscher
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