Touring in an RV provides a novel freedom, and bringing your cat alongside could make the journey much more particular. Whereas RVing with a cat requires some further planning, it’s totally doable to make sure their security, consolation, and happiness on the street. Listed below are a number of concepts on learn how to make the expertise fulfilling for each you and your feline companion.
Getting ready for the Full-Time RVing with a Cat
- Veterinary Checkup: Earlier than hitting the street, guarantee your cat is updated on vaccinations and talk about your journey plans along with your vet. This helps verify they’re wholesome and ready for the journey. Many campgrounds require vaccination information for pets, so you should definitely get a replica to maintain available whereas touring. Moreover, contemplate microchipping your cat as an added security measure in case they escape—this may simply be completed at your vet’s workplace.
- Monitoring Collar: Whereas microchipping is all the time a wise thought, a monitoring collar gives a extra fast option to find your pet. Choices embody: GPS trackers that supply real-time location monitoring and exercise monitoring by way of an app (although these usually require pricey subscriptions) Bluetooth trackers like Apple AirTag and Tile Mate that are extra reasonably priced and work nicely for short-range monitoring, and Radio Frequency (RF) trackers which don’t require subscriptions and are perfect for areas with out mobile protection. We personally use an Apple AirTag with a collar attachment for our cat, Louie, who loves sitting outdoors. It’s an economical answer that helps us rapidly find him if he wanders off. Every choice has its execs and cons, so contemplate your pet’s habits, your funds, and the specified monitoring vary when selecting one of the best tracker.
- Ticks/ Ailments: When RVing along with your cat, it’s vital to make sure they’re protected against ticks and different potential illnesses. Be certain that your cat is updated on preventative remedies for ticks, fleas, and parasites, particularly if you happen to’ll be in wooded or grassy areas. Seek the advice of along with your vet about appropriate remedies, similar to tick collars or topical medicines, to maintain your cat protected throughout outside adventures. Frequently verify your cat for ticks after outside excursions to catch any points early and forestall sickness.
Setting Up a Cat-Pleasant RV
- Protected Areas: Create devoted areas on your cat to chill out and conceal. Cats really feel safer after they have a spot to retreat to. Particularly if you happen to’re in such a small house with little ones round or different pets, it’s vital that they’ve their very own space to run to.
- Safe Setting: Examine your RV for hazards like open home windows, free wires, or areas the place a curious cat might get caught. Louie is a pretty big senior cat who’s extra into sleeping than exploring so this was one factor we didn’t actually have to fret about, but it surely’s nonetheless all the time a good suggestion to maintain an eye fixed out for potential hazards.
- Litter Field: Discovering a spot on your cat’s litter field may be difficult in such a small residing house. It’s vital to decide on someplace secure and accessible, ideally in a ventilated space. That is very depending on private choice and your RV’s format. We preserve ours within the bathe tub since we frequently boondock and don’t use the bathe day by day, so it’s not a lot of an inconvenience. To make Louie’s litter field extra accessible, we put in a cat cutout within the toilet door, permitting him to get out and in of the toilet even when the door is closed. We love our top-entry litter field as a result of it’s simple to maneuver out and in of our bathe and helps decrease litter monitoring all through the camper.
- Different necessities: One other vital consideration is the place to position your cat’s meals, water dishes, and scratching pad. We use a small scratching pad that matches neatly below our dinette desk, which helps stop Louie from scratching the camper’s furnishings. For his meals and water, we use a mixed dish with built-in storage for his cat meals—good for small areas! Test it out right here, It retains all the things organized and contained in a compact field, making it extremely handy for RV life.
On the Street
- Driving Safely: Hold your cat safe throughout journey to make sure their security and decrease distractions. A service is commonly the most secure choice for a lot of cats, however preferences differ. For instance, our 12-year-old cat, Louie, prefers touring in his mattress below one of many boys’ seats as an alternative of being in a service, so we adjusted to his consolation.
- Important Gear: Pack objects like a travel-friendly litter field (if mandatory), meals, toys, and a comfortable mattress to make your cat’s journey comfy. In case your cat will get anxious throughout journey, think about using calming sprays or pheromone diffusers to assist them chill out.
- Routine Stops: Plan common breaks to verify in your cat, guarantee their litter field is clear, and provide meals or water as wanted. As an alternative of utilizing a transportable litter field whereas driving, we cease periodically for gasoline, meals, and sights and can let Louie into the camper for his toilet breaks and meals. He even meows to tell us when he wants a cease if it’s pressing. Each cat is exclusive, so take time to determine what setup works greatest on your furry journey companion.
Residing Collectively within the RV
- Litter Administration: One in all my greatest considerations when transferring into our small camper was the potential scent of Louie’s litter field. I by no means actually observed the odor once we lived in a home, however I frightened that in such a small house, it might be insufferable. Fortuitously, these fears had been unfounded. By utilizing a multi-cat clumping litter and scooping regularly to manage odors, we’ve been capable of preserve issues recent, and we actually haven’t observed any disagreeable smells within the confined house of the RV. Day by day Enrichment: Hold your cat mentally stimulated with toys, climbing areas, and interactive play. If protected, allow them to discover the outside on a leash or no less than shut by with supervision in case your furry good friend received’t adapt to a leash. Even with all of the toys we’ve for Louie his favourite is crinkled-up receipts. He additionally loves getting up on the boys’ bunks and looking the high-up window.
- Adjusting to RV Life: Don’t get discouraged in case your cat takes time to regulate to life in an RV. Begin with quick journeys and progressively improve the length of journey till they turn out to be seasoned vacationers. It might take time, however they may ultimately get used to the motion and new surroundings.
- Monitor Their Habits: All the time preserve an eye fixed out for indicators of stress, similar to hiding, lack of urge for food, or extreme grooming. If any points come up, there are veterinary clinics and hospitals nationwide the place you’ll be able to take your cat for assist.
Cat Pleasant Adventures
- Harness Coaching: In case your cat enjoys the outside, put money into a well-fitting harness and leash for supervised outside time. This will add pleasure to their day, but it surely’s simpler in case your cat is youthful. Our 12-year-old cat, Louie, by no means fairly acquired the grasp of carrying a harness—he would simply lie there, unwilling to maneuver. Whereas we might have ultimately labored on it, we now let him benefit from the open air by sitting close to the camper and go away him residence whereas we discover, slightly than forcing him into harness coaching. We do have his harness all the time in our truck in case of emergencies.
- Pet-Pleasant Campgrounds: Analysis RV parks and campgrounds that welcome pets and provide facilities like trails or open areas for leashed walks. In over two years of full-time journey, we’ve solely encountered one campground that didn’t permit pets! Insurance policies can differ, with some campgrounds requiring proof of vaccination information and others working on the honour system
Monitoring When Away
- Air flow & Local weather Management: Hold the RV well-ventilated and at a cushty temperature. Cats are delicate to warmth and chilly, so be sure they’ve entry to a shaded and comfy space particularly whereas boondocking.
- Pet Screens: If you happen to go away the RV with out your cat, think about using a pet monitoring system to maintain observe of temperature and circumstances contained in the RV. There are lots of choices on the market however we use the Waggle Pet Monitor as our journey important, making certain our pet cat’s security and luxury whereas we exit exploring and are away from our RV. With its real-time monitoring options, we are able to chill out and revel in our travels, understanding that our furry feline is protected from excessive warmth or chilly. Waggle retains us linked to our pet’s well-being, permitting us to take advantage of each journey with none worries!
Learn extra about one of the best RV pet displays.
Advantages of RVing with a Cat
- Security, Safety, and Companionship: Touring along with your cat ensures their security and well-being, as you’ll be able to monitor them carefully and keep away from the stress or dangers of boarding or leaving them with a sitter. Whether or not you’re touring short-term or full-time, bringing your pet alongside lets you share your adventures collectively. Louie, for instance, hates being away from us and loves spending our days and nights cuddled up with the household, making him the proper journey companion. Having your cat with you gives fixed companionship, which provides consolation and delight to your travels, particularly throughout lengthy drives or distant stays.
RVing with a cat provides a brand new dimension to life on the street, making your travels extra fulfilling. With correct planning, persistence, and care, you’ll be able to create a life-style the place each you and your feline thrive in your adventures. Protected travels!
Learn extra:
