Caravanning with your pet

There is nothing more exciting than packing up your caravan and heading across the country and pitching-up wherever you please. However, this does sometimes mean that your beloved cat or dog are left behind.

So, if you’re planning a little caravan trip away, why not consider taking your four-legged friend with you?

Making your pet comfortable

Your cat or dog may not be used to living in your caravan, along with all the new sights, smells and other stimulants. To help get your pet used to your caravan, if possible, a few weeks before you set-off on your trip, slowly introduce them to your caravan by spending time in and around it for a few minutes each time, while slowly building up the amount time.

It’s important to take some of your pets’ comforts along with you, such as their bed, toys, blankets, and anything else that they find comforting. Bringing these items along could help reduce any stress that your pet might feel when staying in your caravan.

Just like having rules and routines at home, your pet will benefit from following your rules and routines when you are caravanning. Keeping up with your regular routine as much as possible, could also help reduce any stress and make them feel more comfortable.

Caravan pet safety

It’s important that when you are traveling with your cat or dog in the car with you, that they are secured either in an appropriate travel cage or attached to a pet seatbelt. By traveling in the car with you, it could help reduce any stress on your pet. If they are traveling in your caravan, their stress levels may increase as they cannot be easily comforted.

Be sure to plan your journey ahead of time. This means planning for stops every hour or more, depending on how well your cat or dog travels. When on a roadside break, make sure to let you pet out safely and let them walk around and have a drink. Avoid feeding your cat or dog just before or during your travels (where possible), as many pets suffer from travel sickness, and an empty stomach could prevent them from vomiting in the car. Make sure your pet has plenty of ventilation when traveling in your car or when staying inside your caravan. Caravans can get very hot during the summer months, so make sure your pet has access to a cool location to relax and plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Check that each site that you plan on stopping at allows pets. Some sites may only allow one pet per pitch, while other caravan sites may not allow pets at all.

When you have pitched up at your designated site, make sure your pet has access to shade, water, and shelter. Many sites require pet owners to tether their pets to a ground stake, so your cat or dog are not wondering around the site unattended.

Because most caravanners pitch up at designated sites, you are very likely to be surrounded by other campers. Be considerate of other campers and their space. Keep your pets away from other pitches. If you have an aggressive pet, make sure that they are securely tethered, are wearing a muzzle, or their harness or collar is labelled, so people are aware not to approach or pat them.

Pet maintenance

Before you decide to take your pet caravanning with you, it’s a good idea to prep before you leave:

  • Make sure your pets’ details are all up to date. This could include details on their collar, harness, or microchip. Information such as the right contact number, address, or vets’ details if necessary.
  • Make a list of all the items you will need to take for your pet. This may include their bedding, food and water bowls, food, toys, leashes, travel seatbelt or cage etc.
  • Pets can be messy (food, hair and toilet waste), so be prepared to clean up after them in and around your caravan.
  • Make sure your cat or dog are up to date with their vaccinations. Don’t forget to pack any medications they need to take. Packing a little pet first aid kit is always useful.

Lastly, it’s a good idea to make sure your pets’ insurance is up to date and will cover you for when you travel across the UK or further abroad. To find out more about pet insurance, visit our website at www.petguard.co.uk where you can get a free online quote for your cat or dog, as well as a 20% discount off your first year’s premium.

Views expressed in our articles do not necessarily reflect the views of Guardcover Tourer Select and petGuard.