On (And Off) The Road Tips for travelling in a camper with pets

For many pet owners, leaving their fur pals in a kennel while travelling in a camper is not an option. An increase in the number of holiday parks opening their facilities to dogs reflects a growing trend among travellers to travel with a furry friend or two.

Ensure your pet has a collar with an ID tag

Losing a pet is distressing, particularly when the animal is in unfamiliar surroundings during a caravan adventure. It’s vital that your dog or cat has a collar with an ID tag.

Ensure microchip details are up to date

Australian animal welfare organisations estimate that around half of the animals that end up at their shelters each year have incorrect microchip details. Microchips ensure pets can be identified and returned to their owners if lost. Your pet’s microchip number links your pet to your contact details on a microchip registry database. Ask your vet to scan the microchip and make sure it’s working.

Consider the mobile reception of each destination

If you are travelling to remote areas with limited mobile reception, attach a temporary tag with contact details for your next destination. This will save a lot of heartache if your pet gets lost in an area with limited or no mobile reception.

Does your dog experience car sickness? Consider a dog car booster seat

Travel anxiety, previous traumatic experiences or stressful car associations (e.g. due to vet visits) can all contribute to general dog car sickness. Overexcitement, or lack of travel training can also be a cause, as can general motion sickness. According to veterinarians, motion sickness (more common in puppies and often outgrown), is thought to be caused by conflicting signals between a dog’s brain balance centre and eyes. Some veterinarians hypothesise that not being able to see out a window can cause confusion in a dog’s sensory signals resulting in motion sickness and potentially vomiting (eyes reporting no movement but their balance centre in the inner ear can feel the motion of the car). If your dog experiences these symptoms during your camper travels, consider a dog car booster seat. Ginger nut biscuits and peppermint oil can reduce travel sickness in dogs. Try this easy recipe for homemade peppermint dog biscuits and add 2 teaspoons of dry ginger for the ultimate comfort snack for your dog.

Minimise stress

To minimise stress, try to maintain your pet’s regular routine. Pack regular food and keep to normal feeding times where possible. Other things to pack include water bowls and bottles, poo bags and familiar blankets and/or toys. For particularly anxious dogs, consider purchasing Adaptil Transport Spray, an odourless man-made version of the dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP). It helps calm dogs on the move and reduces signs of stress or fear such as panting, trembling and restlessness during travel. Never spray Adaptil Transport Spray directly onto your dog. Spray around the dog’s seating area 15 minutes before travel. During long journeys, re-spray every 1.5 to 2 hours.

Have cat, will travel

Cats can travel well in a camper provided they are well socialised and calm. Get your cat used to wearing a harness and walking on a lead before your caravan holiday so it can be exercised safely without fear of it running away. For particularly anxious cats, consider purchasing Feliway, a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone. It provides a calming effect and is sprayed around bedding 15 minutes before travel. Ensure you maintain your cat’s regular routine if possible. Pack regular food and try to keep to normal feeding times. Pack cat litter trays, cat litter, familiar blankets and/or toys.

Keep your dog or cat hydrated

Guinea pig-style water funnels and water holders that clip onto the pet’s cage are available to keep your cat or dog hydrated in transit during camper travels. They also prevent messy spills from loose water bowls.

Ensure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date

Make sure all vaccinations, worming and parasite preventive measures are up to date. Find out if regions you are travelling to have different types of fleas than normally encountered, requiring different treatments. Paralysis ticks are a problem in some areas in Australia.

Carry proof of current vaccinations

Carry proof of current worming and vaccinations in case you put your pet into a boarding facility or admit them to a pet hospital during your travels. Pack medication if required as it may not always be available enroute.

Pet life jackets

If planning to go on a boat or open water, pet life jackets are a good idea. Even if your dog loves swimming, it may get into difficulty in unfamiliar surroundings.

Pack a pet first aid kit

A pet first aid kit is good insurance for minor emergencies during your offroad adventure.

Stay at dog friendly camping grounds

The great news for pet owners is that Australia is the land of plenty when it comes to dog friendly camping grounds. If you are exploring Queensland in your camper, try these dog friendly camping grounds or read our travelling with pets blog here.

Planning a caravan adventure with your pets? Start exploring with JAWA

Are you planning a camper adventure? Why not start your trip with an award-winning JAWA off road camper, home to the best hybrid caravans and campers in Australia. JAWA is Australian owned and operated in Queensland. Contact the team at JAWA Off Road Campers by calling 07 5479 6844. You can also check out our range in our Caboolture showroom and have a chat with us in person. You can also stop by our Facebook page or take a 3D virtual tour.