Greg Gerber posted on November 17, 2008 05:29
CHARLESTON, S.C. --- Fido may be top dog among RV owners who take their animals with them when they travel, but no matter what type of pet you own, if you want to take it along on your next RV trip you'll need to plan ahead.
That's the word from animal experts backed by statistics that show 57 percent of the nation's 8 million RV owners travel with their pets, most of them dogs. Bringing along the family pet should not be a last-minute decision, they say. In fact, it may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to make sure your dog or cat is ready for the trip.
Visiting the vet tops the list, since you will need to know if your pet is in good health and is up to date on shots and medication to protect it from rabies, heartworm, Lyme Disease, even fleas.
"You want to make sure your pet is healthy to travel and that there are no medical problems," says Humane Society of America issue specialist Kelly Connolly.
Make sure to obtain and take along a printout from the vet showing when and what shots your pet has been given, she adds. You may be required to show it in order to park your RV at some campgrounds and parks.
"You'll also need it to cross into Canada, Mexico or another foreign country," Connolly points out.
Plan to keep your pet in a travel crate that can be strapped in when you're on the road. "It's a matter of common sense," says Dr. Greg Hammer, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
In addition to being a potential distraction to the driver, a dog or cat left to run loose in an RV can be tossed around and injured if you have to stop short or go around a sharp curve, he warns.
"Animals that are not prepared to travel can suffer sickness and anxiety," adds Hammer, a Dover, Del., veterinarian. He urges pet owners to spend adequate time readying their animals for long trips normally associated with RV travel. "Some animals are bad about travel, even driving a mile down the road, but you can get them used to it by traveling with them for short periods of time."
It's important to spend the time to plan your RV trip with your pet in mind, says Hammer, with the American Veterinary Medical Association. "Treat your animal like you want to be treated. Make your pet's trip enjoyable."
SOURCE: Charleston Post and Courier