Keeping your Dog Safe in Your Motorhome

Taking your pooch along on your motor adventures is a fun and exciting time but there’s a lot to take into consideration. To make sure your lovely pets keep safe and secure on your travels, we’ve compiled this handy guide to help you out!

Securing your Dog in the Vehicle

Having your dog secured when travelling in your motorhome is vital to your dog’s safety, you don’t want them flying forward in the event of sudden braking or a collision. Crates, carriers, and harnesses are all great ways to keep your dog safe on your journeys.

Using a Crate or Carrier 

One of the safest ways to travel with your canine in your motorhome is to use a crate or carrier. This will keep your dog carefully contained and prevent them from being loose in the motorhome while you’re driving.

 

What to consider when buying a crate or carrier

• The size of the dog: Larger dogs will need a crate, whereas you may be able to use a travel cage or carrier for smaller dogs.
• Material: Hard-wearing carriers and crates will be easier to clean and secure.
• The size of your carrier or crate: Is it big enough so that your dog can stand up, stretch, turn around and lie down comfortably?
• Securing crate or carrier: There are many ways you can secure your crate or carrier including bungee cords or seatbelt clips. You should look into the different methods for securing your crate or carrier based on its shape and size.

 

Using a Harness 

Another way to safely secure your dog is by using a harness and seatbelt clip.

The following are some tips on what to take into account when using a dog harness in your motorhome:

• Make sure your harness fits your dog properly – you don’t want your dog slipping out of it while you’re on the road. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to fit two fingers between your dog’s body and the harness, this way your harness won’t be too snug or too loose.
• We recommend purchasing a harness designed for use in a vehicle, preferably one that is crash-tested and approved by safety organisations.
• A seat belt restraint designed for dogs is also a handy tool to have on hand in your motorhome to keep your furry friend secure and sturdy when you’re on the move.

Before hitting the open road test these methods, make sure it is secure and works for your dog. If your dog is not familiar with a crate or a harness, practise at home first and get them comfortable with it – you don’t want your dog to get stressed out while you’re driving.

 

Remove Hazards – Pup-proofing your Motorhome

Before you start up your engine take a look around for any risky or potentially dangerous items or equipment. You don’t want anything falling or breaking while you’re driving especially if it’s in reach of your dog. Also, make sure any dangerous fluids or foods are well out of range away from your dog – we don’t want them ingesting anything that will harm them!

It is also a good idea to evaluate the temperature of the space where your dog will be secured, you don’t want them in areas where it will be too hot or too cold (e.g. next to generators, fans, ac or heating units.) Make sure the temperature in your motorhome is comfortable for your dog, if they are in a hot or cold motorhome make sure it’s not for an extended time. Importantly, it’s also vital to make sure your dog is always in a well-ventilated environment.

And remember NEVER leave your dog unattended in your Motorhome! Keep your dog with you or make arrangements to have someone take care of them.

 

Provide plenty of Food and Water 

Travelling is thirsty work! Make sure your dog has enough food and water during your journey. Use spill-proof bowls and place them in a secure location in the motorhome.

 

Be Prepared for Emergencies

When you’re on your travels you need to be prepared for emergencies and we would advise that you keep a first aid kit and your dog medical record on hand in case of an emergency.

Here are a few items that may be useful to have on hand:

• Gauze
• Non-stick bandages (E.g. Vetwrap)
• Adhesive Tape
• Cotton Balls
• Tweezers and Tick Tweezers
• Dog thermometer
• Paw covers (Used to protect against any paw injuries or during hot weather to avoid burns)
• Dog-safe antihistamine (For insect stings or allergies)
• Pet-safe antiseptic (For sterilising wounds)
• Hydrogen Peroxide (This can be used to induce vomiting if your dog ingests poison)
• Activated Charcoal (Can be used to counteract poison)
• Instant cold packs and hot packs
• Emergency dog medications
• Spare leash and collar

Make sure you get advice from a vet in the event of an emergency for the appropriate information and doses for your dog.

 

Take Breaks 

You should take frequent breaks when travelling to allow your dog to stretch their legs or take a bathroom break. You can use a leash to walk your dog outside your motorhome.

By following these tips, you can ensure your furry friend stays safe and comfortable during your Motorhome adventures. If you bring your pooch on your motorhome adventures we’d love for you to send in your pictures either by Facebook or Instagram message, or send us an email at Info@comfort-insurance.co.uk!