Can I Leave My Dog in my RV Alone?
Today we are going to talk about something that we get asked all the time: can you leave your pet in your RV? The answer is a bit more complicated than you might think and depends on a lot of factors! Let’s take some time to break down this question.
Where Should My Dog Ride?
Your dog should always ride in the vehicle you are in. If you are towing your RV, you don’t want to leave your dog inside of it. There are just too many things that could go wrong, and since you aren’t in the tow behind, you won’t know until it’s too late. RVs can get very hot inside while towing, since there is no good way to regulate the temperature. They also can fill up with exhaust fumes from your vehicle. Just like you wouldn't let your kids ride back there, don’t let your dogs either!
If you have a drivable RV, you want to make sure your dogs have a safe space while you are driving. If your dog is crate trained, putting them in a crate is a good idea. My dogs lay down on the couch bed when we are driving and we block off the cab area with a small gate, so they can’t come up front to bother us while we are driving or cause distractions. At the same time, having your pets in the same vehicle that you are driving allows you to keep an eye on them, and see how they are doing as you travel. Always remember to take breaks to let them stretch their legs, and you as well!
Can I Leave My Dog in My RV While at a Campground?
Leaving your dog in an RV while at a campground is one of those questions we get asked all the time! It’s a complicated answer. Many of the campgrounds that we frequent, clearly state in their rules that pets are not to be left unattended at the campground. But what if they are inside the RV? Many campgrounds do not even want you leaving your pet unattended inside your RV at a campground. You should always be sure to ask before you pick your place to stay.
Now if you are just doing some short-term travel with your pets, this isn’t a huge deal. We plan all of our travels around our dogs, and we never leave them in our RV, but this isn’t something everyone can do.
If you RV full time, your RV is your home, and there are times you would want to leave your dog home, while you are out doing something. And as long as where you are staying allows it, then you can choose to leave your dog in your RV. There are many steps you should take, to make sure your dog is safe while you are away.
How to Keep Your Dog Safe when Alone in the RV
If you must leave your dog in your RV, you want to make sure that you do everything you can to keep them safe. RV’s are not built like houses. Dogs can chew through walls, doors, under beds and try to find a way out if they are not used to staying in your rig. A way to help keep them safe is by using a dog kennel or crate. This gives them their own safe space, inside your rig, but also keeps them from chewing on things.
You will also want to make sure to leave your A/C running, as RVs can get warm very quickly. You can invest in temperature control monitors, such as a Waggle, that will notify you on your phone of temperature changes in your RV.
Another thing you should consider is a campground buddy. This could be the host or even someone parked next to you, that you make sure has your phone number. If they hear your dog barking or notice anything that you might need to be notified about, they can call you. It’s also a good idea to give the camp hosts your number and let them know you are leaving your dog with an estimate of how long you might be gone. This way, if something does happen, people have a way to contact you.
In Conclusion
Leaving your dog in your RV is a choice you have to make on your own. My husband and I don’t leave our dogs in our RV, and instead we will take turns doing things when need be, but mostly we plan all our trips to places that our dogs can come! There are many websites out there, such as BringFido.com that can help you plan an epic trip with your dog! Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you plan to have a safe outcome for your dog!
