As a pet parent, traveling with your furry friend is almost always a good idea. It’s an opportunity to explore new places and create beautiful memories with your beloved pet. But going on an adventure like this can be a little challenging, especially when it’s an outdoor caravaning trip.
Even if you’re a seasoned camper who knows everything about caravaning, traveling with your furry friend is a completely different experience. There are some things you’ll need to pay attention to and basic tips to follow. Read on for some of the things to consider when taking a caravan holiday with your furry friend.
Plan your trip
When going on holiday with a pet, you have to consider your pet in planning every aspect of your trip. Unfortunately, your furry friend will not always be welcome in every location you might be planning to visit. This means you may have to make adjustments to your plans to accommodate this. Research the caravan park, outdoor attractions, restaurants, and other locations you’re likely to visit on your trip and ensure they’re pet-friendly.
Get the right caravan
Your pet will be spending considerable time in your caravan with you throughout your trip. You must make sure that this accommodation is as pet-friendly as possible. This means having ample space for your pet to move around, good ventilation, a separate area where your furry friend can sleep or relax, and easy-to-clean flooring. When you’re on the move, it’s always best to keep your pet in a secure cage. This protects them from any items that may fall or come loose during the trip.
Pack properly
Knowing what to pack is an essential part of planning every trip. For a caravan trip with your furry friend, pack everything that your pooch might need for the trip. While this is often unique to each pet, the following are some of the essentials you should consider packing:
- Favorite toys
- Preferred food and water
- Food and water bowls (for both indoors and outdoors)
- A leash
- Poop bags
- A bed/favorite blanket/pup tent
- Towel and rags
Health and wellbeing
The last thing you want on a caravaning adventure to a remote location is your pet falling sick during the trip. Before setting off on your trip, ensure your dog is up to date on all vaccinations and drugs. It also makes sense to pack a first aid kit specifically for your dog with bandages, dressings, sterile absorbent gauze, gloves, antiseptic wipes, surgical tape, and other similar items.
Pack all the necessary documents related to your pet’s health, such as vaccination cards, health reports, and health insurance documents. You should also check for the contact details of a local vet in the destination you’re visiting just in case you run into any emergencies.
Stick to their schedule
Like everyone else, pets are likely to get unsettled when they’re taken to a new location with unfamiliar sounds, sights, and smells. One of the ways to prevent anxiety when traveling with a pet is to try to stick to their normal routine as much as possible. That means sticking to regular mealtimes, walktimes, snuggle sessions, and sleep time. Just make sure you plan your itinerary properly in a way that keeps your pet at ease throughout the trip.
Follow the rules
Every location in your itinerary will likely have a bunch of rules regarding pets. This includes rules about keeping your pet on a leash and how to properly clean up after them. Research these rules before your trip and make sure you’re familiar with them. The purpose of these rules is to make sure everyone protects and respects the outdoor areas, attractions, and wildlife in these locations while exploring. Follow these rules for the comfort and safety of everyone.
