Travelling With Dogs In A Motorhome Or Campervan – 5 Top Tips!

The brilliance of a motorhome or campervan is that you can take your family and travel wherever you want with free accommodation and amenities. Naturally, you may consider taking your dog on your next holiday together.

The good news is that you won’t have to deal with the annoyance of booking your dog onto a flight and getting a pet passport. However, travelling with a dog in a motorhome is not as easy as you think. There are things to be aware of, which is why we’ve created this short guide! 

Carry on reading and you will learn how to travel with a dog in a campervan or motorhome, making the experience less stressful for both you and your beloved furry friend. 

#1 Purchase a travel crate

Your first port of call is to keep your dog safe while driving the campervan or motorhome. Usually, when you take your dog on road trips, they sit in the boot or someone has them on their lap – depending on the dog’s size. In a campervan, you can’t really do this. Instead, your dog will be in the back with all the homely elements of the camper. 

As such, you need to buy a travel crate that should be secured in place so it doesn’t move around. Put your dog inside the crate while driving so they aren’t sliding around and risking injuries. Also, take extra care when driving just in case – you don’t want to drive like a lunatic and scare your poor dog!

#2 Ensure your dog feels comfortable

Travelling around in a leisure vehicle can mean you experience all sorts of weather conditions. For a dog, this can easily mean they go through periods when they feel too cold or too warm. At night, the temperature might drop to a point where your dog gets really cold. So, having a nice warm blanket with you can help them feel a bit warmer.

Likewise, purchasing a cooling blanket can help them cool off if they’re running around the campsite in the sun. Both of these things will help your dog feel more comfortable and avoid overheating or getting too cold.

#3 Protect the surfaces

Let’s face it, dogs travelling in campervans are bound to get dirty. They could run around on muddy grass or spend the whole day at the beach.

Unlike you or your kids, they don’t have shoes that they can take off before going inside the motorhome. So, they have a tendency to run in and get muck everywhere!

This makes your campervan a pain to clean, so you need to avoid it as best as you can. Yes, cleaning your dog’s paws and coat, before they get inside the campervan, is a good place to start. But, consider getting some mats or coverings to place on the flooring as well. It offers an extra layer of protection with the bonus of catching any fur that sheds. You simply remove the mats and clean them separately, leaving your campervan flooring in perfect condition. 

#4 Bring plenty of food and pet supplies

Always make sure you have a good supply of dog food when you start the trip. It’s not the end of the world if you run out of food as you can always buy more, but it does add some extra stress. Pack as much as possible to ensure your dog is always well-fed and doesn’t have to go hours without having any food.

Moreover, pack plenty of essential pet supplies too. This includes a grooming kit, a pet first aid kit and so on. Now, you’re able to look after your dog during the trip. 

#5 Make your dog feel at home

Lastly, it’s a very good idea to make your dog feel at home. Being in a motorhome with dogs isn’t enjoyable if they are stressed or anxious. It casts a dark cloud over your adventure as you feel like you’ve made your dog really upset.

Most of the time, your dog is anxious or worried because it’s in totally new surroundings. So, you can solve this by surrounding them with things they see all the time. Bring their favourite toys, bring their doggy bed and get lots of stuff that makes them feel like they’re at home. It brightens their mood and ensures everyone enjoys this little trip away. 

Travelling with a dog in a motorhome can be hard work, but it’s worth the effort to enjoy a family adventure you’ll remember forever. If you’re interested in getting your hands on a new campervan or motorhome, we have finance options that make life that little bit easier. Feel free to check out our campervan finance calculator to receive a free quote today. Simply put in the details and you’ll instantly see how much money it will cost!