For many dog lovers, one of the best things about a campervan holiday is that you can bring your dog with you. Especially if you’re going to picturesque destinations (like the ones in our guide for surfing lovers), it seems like a shame not to have your faithful friend there to explore them with you.
So what do you need to know before you invite them into the van and hit the road?
Keep Your Dog Cool
Above all, make sure you’re prepared to keep your dog cool. We’ve all heard the horror stories about dogs trapped in hot cars; the same can still be true in campervans. Cool mats, air conditioning, plenty of water – and let them out of the van when it’s warm, whenever possible.
Space is at a Premium
Dog leads, food and water bowls, food to go in them, extra treats, dog toys, the list goes on. You’ll need extra storage space to cater to your dog, just as you do for anyone else – and while many dogs will happily sleep on the van floor or tucked up at the foot of your berth, they do still take up space.
As with everything that goes into your camper trip, proper planning is essential to keep everything you need at hand without feeling cramped. Travel items can be the best way to do this – for example, there are collapsible dog bowls specifically designed for use on the road.
It sounds daft to even mention bringing a lead with you but once you’ve heard one family’s horror story the time they forgot and headed into the wilderness for a week, you’ll never forget to check you have it before setting off.
And did you know there are first aid kits specifically designed for dogs?
Not All Campsites are Dog Friendly
Don’t get us wrong – plenty of campsites are, enough that this is a perfectly workable idea. All the same, if you’ve picked out a campsite and spent most of the day getting there, you don’t want to be turned away because of your pet. Do your research ahead of time (you can filter for dog friendliness on many of the campsite apps we reviewed earlier this year) and you’ll find the trip much less stressful.
Plan Travel Times as if You Were Travelling with a Child
If you’ve got a young child with you, long stretches of unbroken driving are something you’ll only do when you absolutely have to, Make sure you stop regularly to let your dog out, get some exercise, and (perhaps most important of all) go to the toilet.
This will also affect the maximum number of miles you can expect to travel in a day – but this would be true travelling with kids anyway.
Get Your Dog Used to the Campervan Before the First Long Journey
Set aside an hour or so one day and take your dog out in the van, going to somewhere lovely for a quick run around, then take them home. Maybe do this two or three times, so that they can get used to being in the vehicle and learn that it’s nothing to be nervous about.
Some dogs are bad travellers to begin with, and some will be sick in travel if you’re not careful about when to feed them. (Many travelsick dogs get better at handling it over time). Others may feel the effects of being cooped up more than others, getting too energetic in the van. This indicates more frequent exercise breaks are needed, but it could also suggest it’s worth tiring the dog out before you start the trip.
This is also a handy way to work out if there’s anything you’ve missed from the list of dog equipment to bring with you.
Think About How to Manage the Mud
Your dog will find a way to get muddy – and you’ll be sharing space with them throughout the trip. Make sure you have some plans in place for managing this, ideally before they step inside.
Going Overseas Means More Checks
If you want to go to Europe with your dog, you absolutely can, but there are some things to take into account. Your dog should already be microchipped, so that’s not a big issue – but you should make sure any information on there is up to date.
You’ll need a rabies vaccine. Dogs must be at least twelve weeks old before vaccination, and these vaccinations do expire after time (usually three years). You’ll also need a pet passport if you have one or, if you don’t, an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued no more than ten days before you plan to travel. These can be pricy and your regular vet may or may not be able to issue it, so arranging one well in advance gives you time to shop around.
For some locations your dog may need to be treated against tapeworm before you go – check before you go, as the list of countries may change over time. Great Britain also requires this before a dog enters our borders, even if they’re returning. The treatment must be performed at least 24 hours and no more than 5 days before arriving in the UK, and you’ll need paperwork permitting it.
There’s a lot to think about when you write it all down like this, but most of it are things you’ll be checking well ahead of your trip. Unless you’re going overseas, even a spontaneous holiday isn’t too challenging so long as you stay ready. If you’d like to make sure your professionally converted campervan is suitable, why not drop us a line?
