As summer nears and the desire to hit the open road in your RV mounts, one must consider all aspects of safety while travelling – not only for you but for your pet, should your four-legged companion be accompanying you on your journey.
There may come a time along the way when you need to leave your pet alone. This begs the question, ‘can I leave my pet unattended in an RV?’
Yes, you can leave your pet unattended in an RV, provided it’s not too hot or too cold (either outside or in vehicle) and its only for a short period of time (no more than 10 minutes, preferably). Instead, it’s best to take your pet with you, if possible. Or, you must be prepared to check on it periodically should you absolutely need to leave it alone.
Now that you know under what circumstances it’s okay to leave pet alone in an RV, let’s take a closer look at this in more detail below.
We’ll discuss if (and when) it’s safe to leave you dog, cat, bird or hamster unattended in your RV and how to keep it safe, should you need to do so.
We’ll also look at whether (or not) you can leave your dog alone in an RV while at a campground.
So, if you’re ready to learn more about the dos and don’ts of leaving your four-legged friend on its own in an RV, then let’s get to it!
Is it Safe to Leave a Dog Alone in an RV?
Some folks will argue that it’s never okay to leave your dog alone in an RV.
My theory is, if you only need to step away from the vehicle for a short period of time (let’s say 10 minutes or less, to grab a cup of coffee or a quick bite), it should be fine – so long as the temperature outside is above freezing and no higher than 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dogs, more so than other pets, are very susceptible to heat and humidity. Depending on the breed, a dog can suffer from heat stroke after being left in an unventilated vehicle in as little as 10 minutes.
This can have devastating consequences, including intense vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and even death. Therefore, if you need to leave your RV for longer than 10 minutes, it’s best to take your dog with you.
But what if it’s cold outside? Leaving you dog alone in a vehicle in the cold is just as dangerous as leaving it unattended when it’s hot.
If its body temperature drops below normal for too long, its muscles will stiffen, its breathing will slow down and its heart rate will decrease. This can cause severe shivering and/or trembling, weakness, lethargy and, in the more extreme cases, death.
Is it Safe to Leave a Cat Alone in an RV?
Cats, as opposed to dogs, tend to be more independent and can be left home alone for longer periods of time, provided they have adequate food, water and litter, that is.
But what about inside a vehicle? A cat left unattended in an RV for too long is in just as much danger as a dog. It too can suffer from heat stroke (if it gets too hot) or hyperthermia (if it gets too cold).
Because cats are generally smaller and easier to control, it’s better to take it with you, should you need to leave your RV for more than 10 minutes. If its small enough to carry, perhaps the store manager won’t mind you bringing it in, for example.
Or, look for pet friendly restaurants and eat there. And, if you must leave your cat alone in your RV, make sure its well-aerated and at a comfortable temperature.
Is it Safe to Leave a Bird Alone in an RV?
Birds, like dogs or cats, can accompany their owners on trips cross country in an RV. And, just like other pets, must be kept safe while travelling.
Leaving a bird unattended in a vehicle is okay, just so long as the temperature isn’t too hot or too cold and it’s not for an extended amount of time.
If you need to exit the RV briefly (for 10 minutes or less), your bird should be left in its cage with a protective cover over it.
This will keep your pet comfortable if you have the heat or air conditioning turned on. Just be sure the setting isn’t on high and the vents aren’t blowing directly on your pet.
Though birds can be left alone at home for hours (or even days), it’s not recommended to do so in an RV. Should the A/C system malfunction, your pet could die quickly, as birds cannot withstand high heat for very long.
Therefore, if you need to leave your RV, it’s better to take your bird (in its cage) with you.
Is it Safe to Leave a Hamster Alone in an RV?
If your pet happens to be a hamster, you may want to take it along with you on your RV journey. Just like a dog, cat or bird, there are dos and don’ts when it comes to keeping it safe.
Leaving it alone in a vehicle is usually not a problem, provided that the RV is air conditioned or heated to a comfortable temperature and the hamster cage is properly ventilated.
Travelling cross-country can be more stressful for a hamster compared to other pets. Therefore, it’s probably best that you leave it at home (if you can) until you return.
Unless, however, you plan to be away for more than 2 days then you should take it along with you. And, should you need to leave it on its own in the RV, be sure it’s not for more than 10 minutes at a time.
Can You Leave Your Dog Unattended in an RV at a Campground?
At most campgrounds, dogs are not allowed to be left unattended, whether it be inside or outside the RV. In fact, it’s often against campground rules/regulations to leave your pet alone, regardless of the circumstances.
If you absolutely must, you should leave your name, phone number and location with someone at the campground office and inform them of your short-term absence.
As well, you should ask if there’s someone working that’s willing to check on your pet while you’re away. If no one’s able to do so, perhaps you could ask a neighboring camper.
Otherwise, your best bet is to take your dog along with you. It’s not worth upsetting others around you or possibly getting fined by the campground owner.
How Can I Prepare My Dog to be Left Alone in an RV at a Campground?
Upon the rare occasion that you must leave your dog alone in an RV at a campground, there are a few things you can do to make it a bit easier, for both you and your pet.
These include the following:
Take your dog for a long walk beforehand, so it has a chance to relief itself as well as wear off as much excess energy as possible.
Make sure your dog has enough food and water available.
Provide toys and blankets for your dog to play and cuddle with.
Place an ice pack on the doggy bed to keep the area cool and comfortable.
Take your dog to a pet sitter or a doggy day care as a better alternative to being left alone, if you cannot take it with you.
Conclusion:
To conclude, there are times when it’s okay to leave your pet unattended in an RV, provided you’re not gone for more than 10 minutes at a time and its not too hot or too cold (either outside or in the vehicle).
Ensuring your pet’s safety while travelling cross-country in an RV is of the utmost importance. The most important point to recognize in this article is that it’s always best to take your pet with you instead of leaving it alone in your vehicle.
Happy trails!