Planning to buy an RV and take your fur baby on the greatest adventure? You’re not alone. Road tripping and camping with a four-legged best friend is a dream on many people’s bucket lists. Today, over 61 percent of RVers already travel with their pets.

But before you head to the RV showroom, you need to know how to pick the right dog-friendly RV. That means finding a rig with features that will keep your dog comfortable, safe and happy throughout the expedition.

Here’s how pet parents should shop for an RV.

Look For the Following Dog-Friendly RV Features

Wondering what features make an RV suitable for RVing with dogs? Below, we will look at some of the top pet-friendly attributes to look out for.

1. Ample Space

RVs have limited space, and every inch counts when you want to bring onboard a new occupant. Whether your travel companion is a 5-pound chihuahua or a 160-pound Great Dane, you’ll need a rig with ample space.

You’ll use the extra space to install or store the dog crate or kennel, bed, food bowls, outdoor fencing, and other pet accessories. And don’t forget that fido also needs some space to play with toys.

2. Temperature Control

Even with the windows open, your RV can become a hot box and might be a death trap for your furry friend inside. Whether you have a long or short-haired doggy, you will want to keep it cool and comfortable throughout the RVing adventure. That’s why you’ll need to shop for an RV with a powerful air conditioner and a roof vent fan.

But what if the AC fails or loses power, or your generator runs out of fuel while you’re gone, and your furry member of your family is inside your RV? One of the best ways to ensure your pet will be safe is to invest in a pet temperature monitor like Waggle.

Waggle is a device that lets you know what’s going on inside the RV and automatically alerts you when and if trouble arises. And it works with built-in Verizon, runs on a rechargeable battery, and doesn’t rely on RV power or WiFi. This life-saver will give you real-time temperature and humidity updates and alert you when your RV loses power.

RVers who travel with pets should use Waggle not just in Summer but in all seasons as it will help you prevent your fido from heatstroke as well as frostbite.

3. Easy Access In and Out of the RV

Not all dogs can comfortably climb stairs, especially those that are old or have hind legs issues. Most RVs come with steps that are too small or steep, and the dog may lose balance, fall, get injured, and develop a fear of the steps.

Shop for an RV with extra-wide steps or a separate dog rump to keep your furry baby safe. It should also have a non-skid surface that provides excellent doggy footing–even when it’s wet.

4. Outdoor Shower

Many RV bathrooms are too small to bathe a medium or large-size dog, and the floor is usually too slippery for pets. Plus, you risk clogging the drain with all that fur. Thankfully, some dog-friendly RV models come with a spray port outside where you can plug a hose and bath your pup.

But before you start washing your furry friend at the RV park, make sure you ask the people in charge whether it’s allowed. Many places don’t allow dumping the gray water from the shower on the ground.

5. Pet-Friendly Fabrics

RVs designed for pet parents are being developed with tough materials like vinyl and faux leather to protect the upholstery from sharp pet claws and muddy paws. If you can’t find one with pet-friendly fabric, you can always reupholster the furniture with hospital vinyl fabric.

Vinyl is stain, odor, and puncture-resistant, and it’ll still look good several years down the line. A wet towel and a little 409 are all you need to clean it.

6. Laminate Flooring

Pet accidents happen, and even well-trained dogs might have an emergency pee break inside your RV. And if your dog is also a heavy shedder, some flooring materials can attract the fur, making it hard to clean your rig.

Instead of carpet, get a rig that has wood laminate flooring. Its claw resistant, waterproof, easy to clean, and doesn’t hold pet odors.

7. Central Vacuum System For Easy Cleanup

When you have a dog on board your home on wheels, fur, dander, sand, and dirt can quickly accumulate—and having to sweep your RV now and then can take the fun out of your RVing experience.

To keep your rig clean and healthy, look for an RV with an inbuilt vacuum system with various attachments to tackle fine dust, fur, and debris on carpets, hard flooring, upholstery, and tight spaces.

8. Leash Latch

We all love to see the dog run and frolic outside. But even if your pet is adequately trained, it’s always polite to keep it under leash at the campground. Owning an RV with a leash latch is an added advantage since not all sites have a designated place to connect the leash.

The latch has a D-ring that you can put a leash to, and it’s connected to the chassis, making it safe for tethering even the heaviest or strongest dogs. This solution eliminates tangled messes and gives your dog free range to wander around your campsite.

9. Limited Windows  

Many RVers who adventure with dogs prefer rigs that have fewer or smaller windows. That’s because they feel that floor-to-ceiling windows pose a risk to their pets. Limited windows prevent the RV from getting too hot and reduce the chances of your dog going squirrel crazy.

Some RVs are now fitted with a specially designated small window that is low to the ground, where your playful buddy can watch the world go by without endangering itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section will answer several questions on top of the minds of many pet parents who want to join the RVing lifestyle.

a) What Other Features Should I Include to Make My RV Pet Friendly?

Although many RV designers are increasing, including pet-friendly features, you may still need to add a few things. Some desirable features include a portable fan, dog seat belt harness, pet-resistant window screen, and extra storage compartment for keeping all your pet supplies.

An automatic generator start controller will also come in handy when the power goes out while you’re away.

b) What Are the Must-Have Items When RVing With Pets?

Making it cozy onboard your motorhome will reassure your dog it’s a safe space, helping them stay calm and enjoy the adventure. Pack their beddings, play toys, pet monitor, treats, food, dishes, leash, ID cards, collar, medicine, first-aid kit, vaccination documents, brush, bathing and cleaning supplies, and local veterinarian contact list or a subscription to a telehealth plan like WaggleVet.

c) Best Places to Go RVing if You’re a Pet Owner

Wondering where to go RVing? The best way to find pet-friendly destinations is to go through online resources and visit each campground’s website to read their policies before the trip. A directory like Bring Fido will help you discover top pet-friendly campgrounds in any location.

Some popular dog-friendly RV destinations include Garden of the Gods RV Resort in Colorado, 4 Paws Kingdom Dog Retreat and Campground in North Carolina, and Acadia National Park in Maine.

d) What’s the Cost of Full Time RVing With Pets?

Knowing how much you’ll spend when you decide to RV full time with your pet can be challenging to answer since everyone has different needs and makes decisions differently. In general, most full-time RVers spend between $2,000 and $3,000 per month.

Some of the expenses you need to factor in include food, RV and generator fuel, campground fees, parking, tolls, rig maintenance, propane, family and pet health, cellphone, internet, taxes, pet food and supplies, and insurance.

Lets Go RVing

Pets are part of the family, so it’s only natural to want to take them along on your next RVing expedition. Therefore, when choosing an RV, make sure it’s designed for pet parents. This guide will help you know exactly what to look for when you step into the showroom.