RV With Pets Checklist — Keep Your Animals Safe on the Road
BeginnerComplete checklist for RV travel with dogs, cats, and other pets. Covers health documents, temperature safety, campground rules, and the gear that keeps your animals safe and comfortable — because they can't pack for themselves.
Checklist 38
Check campground pet policies BEFORE booking
Some campgrounds limit number of pets, restrict breeds, require proof of vaccination, charge pet fees, or ban pets entirely. State parks vary by state. National parks generally allow leashed pets on roads and campgrounds but not on most trails.
Keep your dog on a leash at all times unless in a designated off-leash area
Even if your dog is friendly and well-trained. Other dogs may not be. Other campers may be afraid of dogs. It's the rule at virtually every campground and it's there for everyone's safety.
Do not leave your dog tied up outside and barking while you're away
A barking dog at an empty campsite is the fastest way to get reported to the camp host. If your dog can't be left alone quietly, take them with you or use a crate inside the RV.
Pick up all pet waste immediately — no exceptions
Campgrounds are shared space. Other people's kids play in the grass. Other dogs walk the same paths. Pick it up every single time, even if it's at your own campsite.
Keep food and water bowls clean and picked up when not in use
Leftover pet food attracts raccoons, bears, skunks, and rodents. Pick up bowls after feeding. Don't leave food out overnight.
Waste bags — bring a full roll, not just a few
Campgrounds are strict about pet waste. Other campers are even stricter. Run out of bags and you're the neighbor everyone hates. Bring more than you think you need.
Enzyme cleaner for accidents inside the RV
Regular cleaners don't break down pet urine — the smell comes back. Enzyme cleaners eliminate the odor at the molecular level. Keep a spray bottle in the RV at all times. Travel stress causes accidents even in well-trained pets.
Towels designated for pet use — muddy paws, wet fur, post-swim drying
Microfiber towels absorb well and dry fast. Keep a dedicated pet towel at the entry door for wiping paws before they come inside. A muddy dog in a carpeted RV is a bad afternoon.
Lint roller or portable vacuum for pet hair
RV upholstery and bedding collect pet hair fast in a small space. A lint roller handles daily maintenance. A small handheld vacuum handles the weekly deep clean.
Brush or grooming tool
Regular brushing outside the RV removes loose fur before it ends up on every surface inside. Double-coat breeds especially need daily brushing during camping trips.
Leash — bring at least two
One for walks and one as a backup. Leashes break, get lost, and get muddy. A campground with a strict leash policy and no leash is a problem you don't want.
Tie-out cable and ground stake for the campsite
A 20-30 foot tie-out gives your dog room to move at the campsite without you holding the leash constantly. Use a corkscrew ground stake for grass or a weighted base for hard surfaces.
Crate or carrier that fits in your RV floor plan
A crate gives your pet a safe, familiar space in an unfamiliar environment. It also keeps them contained during travel and at night. Measure your RV floor space before buying — standard crates don't always fit RV layouts.
Baby gate or barrier for the RV entry door
Pets bolt through open doors at new places — unfamiliar smells, other animals, noises. A pressure-mounted baby gate across the entry door gives you a buffer zone. Open the gate deliberately, not accidentally.
Pet seatbelt or secured crate for travel in the tow vehicle
Pets ride in the tow vehicle, never in the trailer while towing. An unsecured dog in a truck cab becomes a projectile in an accident. A pet seatbelt harness or secured crate protects everyone in the vehicle.
Harness instead of collar for walks near traffic or wildlife
A collar-only setup risks neck injury if your dog lunges at a squirrel or another dog. A harness distributes the force across the chest. Especially important near campground roads where RVs and trucks are moving.
Enough food for the entire trip plus 2 extra days
Your pet's brand may not be available at a rural gas station. Sudden food changes cause digestive problems. Bring the exact food they eat at home.
Collapsible food and water bowls
Full-size bowls slide around the RV floor during travel. Collapsible silicone bowls store flat and work at the campsite. Bring a set for inside and another for outside.
Treats for good behavior and training reinforcement
New environments make pets anxious. High-value treats help reinforce calm behavior at the campsite, in the RV, and when encountering other animals.
All current medications packed with your human medications
Pack pet meds with your own prescriptions so they don't get forgotten. Bring enough for the trip plus a few extra days in case of delays.
Portable water bottle or travel water dispenser for hikes
Dogs overheat fast on trails. A squeeze bottle with an attached bowl lets you offer water without stopping to set up bowls.
Current vaccination records — rabies certificate especially
Many campgrounds require proof of rabies vaccination at check-in. State parks are strict about this. Keep a physical copy in the RV at all times and a photo on your phone.
Health certificate from your vet if crossing state lines
Most states require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for pets entering the state. It's typically valid for 30 days. Some states have specific requirements — check the USDA APHIS website for pet travel regulations by state.
Collar with current ID tags — your cell phone number, not your home phone
Tags should have your cell number since you won't be home. Include your name and the pet's name. Consider adding a second tag with a destination campground name and number for extended trips.
Verify microchip registration is current with your cell phone number
A microchip is useless if the registration has an old address or phone number. Update it at the chip company's website before every major trip. This takes 5 minutes and could be the difference in getting your pet back.
List of your pet's medications, allergies, and vet contact information
Write this down and keep it in the RV. If someone else needs to care for your pet in an emergency, they need to know medications, dosages, food allergies, and your home vet's number.
Pet first aid kit — separate from your human kit
Tweezers for ticks and thorns, styptic powder for nail bleeds, wound spray or antiseptic, gauze, self-adhesive bandage wrap, and a muzzle (injured animals bite even their owners).
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) — confirm dosage with your vet before the trip
Used for bee stings, allergic reactions, and mild anxiety. Typical dog dosage is 1mg per pound of body weight but confirm with YOUR vet for YOUR pet. Not recommended for cats without vet guidance.
Tick removal tool
Campgrounds and hiking trails mean ticks. A tick removal tool gets the entire tick out cleanly. Check your pet thoroughly after every hike — ears, between toes, armpits, and under the collar.
Current flea and tick prevention applied before departure
Apply a dose before you leave, not after you arrive. Prevention takes 24-48 hours to reach full effectiveness. If you're overdue, apply now.
Research the nearest emergency vet clinic to your destination
Regular vet offices close at 5pm. Emergencies don't. Search for the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital before you leave. Save the address and phone number in your phone. This is not something you want to search for in a panic.
Be aware of local wildlife hazards — snakes, coyotes, porcupines, skunks
Know what's in the area. Rattlesnakes in the desert, porcupines in the mountains, alligators in the south. Keep dogs on leash on trails. A curious nose near a rattlesnake is an emergency vet visit or worse.
Temperature monitoring device for the RV interior
Never leave pets in a closed RV without A/C running — the interior hits 120°F in 20 minutes on a warm day. A WiFi or cellular temperature monitor alerts your phone if the A/C fails or the temperature rises above a threshold.
Verify your A/C can run while you're away from the RV
Shore power keeps the A/C running indefinitely. Generator power has fuel limits and some campgrounds restrict generator hours. If you're leaving pets in the RV, you must have reliable cooling. No exceptions.
Bring a fan for air circulation inside the RV
A/C alone doesn't circulate air well in an RV. A small clip-on or USB fan near your pet's resting area keeps air moving and prevents hot spots.
Pet bed or familiar blanket from home
Something that smells like home reduces anxiety in a new environment. Don't wash it right before the trip — the familiar scent is the point.
Shade structure for outdoor time in heat
An EZ-Up canopy, beach umbrella, or the RV awning gives your pet a shaded area outside. Dogs can overheat fast in direct sun even at moderate temperatures.
Paw protection for hot surfaces
Asphalt, campground roads, and sand absorb heat. If it's too hot for the back of your hand held on the surface for 5 seconds, it's too hot for their feet. Walk on grass or wait for cooler hours.
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