Intro
Traveling full-time with two dogs and a cat might sound chaotic, but with a little planning, it’s completely doable — and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Our pets are part of our family, so they go where we go. Over the years, we’ve figured out how to keep them happy on travel days, how to find good vet care on the road, and how to plan trips away from them when needed. Here’s what we’ve learned — and the gear we actually use and love.
Travel Days with Pets
Our smallest dog, Kiba, always rides up front with us. Our bigger dog prefers his own space, so we lay down the third row of the SUV and put his bed in the back. He’s always had anxiety, and this setup has been the best solution for him. (You could add an affiliate link here for a crash-tested dog harness for anyone who wants an extra layer of safety.)
Our cat, Kuzco, rides in a secure cat carrier. He also has a harness and leash so we can safely take him out for bathroom breaks or just to stretch his legs. When we stop, we try to find a quiet, secluded place away from traffic noise so he doesn’t get overwhelmed — he gets very nervous when there’s too much commotion.
If your pet struggles with anxiety while traveling, talk to your vet. They can often prescribe medication to help take the edge off on long drives or during particularly stressful travel days.
Vet Care on the Road
Most of the time, we plan our vet visits for when we’re back home — check-ups, vaccines, and all the routine things. But emergencies don’t wait for a convenient time.
When we rescued Kuzco in the Grand Canyon, he got very sick about a week later. We had to scramble to find an open vet in the middle of the night and then rush an hour and a half away before they closed to get him care. It was scary and stressful, but thankfully he made a full recovery.
That experience taught us to include “nearest emergency vet” in our research every time we pick a new campground or boondocking spot. It’s just as important as knowing where the nearest hospital or grocery store is. Over time, we’ve also connected with shelters and rescues while traveling, which has been helpful for recommendations and peace of mind.
Gear We Love (with Affiliate-Friendly Blurbs)
- Crash-Tested Crate or Harness
We never travel without a crash-tested crate or harness for the dogs. It keeps them secure and gives us peace of mind knowing they’re safe if we have to brake suddenly.
https://amzn.to/464l00V - Travel-Friendly Water Bowl
A no-spill water bowl is a lifesaver on driving days. The dogs can drink whenever they want without sloshing water all over the car.
https://amzn.to/3Iq5GTb - Cat Harness & Leash
Kuzco’s harness has been a game-changer. It lets him safely explore outside and makes bathroom breaks on travel days much easier.
https://amzn.to/3Iq5GTb
Traveling Without Our Pets
There are times when we need to leave the pets behind — like when we take a cruise or fly somewhere. Most of the time, we have family come stay in our RV while we’re away, but when that isn’t an option, we use Rover (affiliate link opportunity).
Rover has been fantastic for us. We’ve used both sitters who board pets in their homes and those who come to our RV to feed, walk, and check on the animals daily. Everyone is background-checked and verified, which gives us peace of mind while we’re gone.
Closing
Traveling with pets adds extra layers of planning and logistics, but for us, it’s worth every bit of effort. Our pets have seen national parks, beaches, mountains, and more — and we love sharing those experiences with them. Whether you’re taking your first RV trip with a dog, or you’re figuring out how to juggle multiple pets, it’s all about creating systems that work for your family.
Do you travel with pets? Drop your favorite hacks or must-have gear in the comments — I’d love to hear what works for you!
How This Post Supports Our RV Adventures
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
We only recommend products, services, and resources that we personally use, love, or believe will genuinely help fellow full-time RVers. Using these links helps support our blog and keeps us sharing tips, lessons, and guides from our life on the road.
Thank you for helping us continue this adventure!
