How to Rent a Pet-Friendly RV

RV camping is a “grrreat” way to travel in style and comfort. And luckily, thanks to pet-friendly RV rentals, you don't need to own an RV to embark on a road trip with your feline and canine compadres in tow.

However, with hundreds of RV rental companies across the country, finding the "pawfect" pet-friendly RV rental can be tricky. We'll compare a few of the best RV rental companies and provide some tips for renting an RV that will keep your pup's tail wagging from point A to point B!

RVezy

RVezy is one of the top-rated RV rental companies in North America, thanks to its comprehensive insurance, easy-to-use app, 24/7 roadside assistance, and top-class customer support. 

Outdoorsy

Offering everything from retro campervans to huge Winnebagos, Outdoorsy is trusted by independent RV renters across the continent. Rentals through Outdoorsy are fully insured, and there are no membership fees, making it ideal for casual campers.

RVshare

RVshare has been around since 2012 and is the largest peer-to-peer RV marketplace in North America, with over 60,000 owners on its network. RVshare's size means that you shouldn't have any trouble finding a pet-friendly RV regardless of your location.

Cruise America

Cruise America operates a one-way RV rental experience. Renters pick up their RV from one of Cruise America's 132 centers and return it to a center at their end destination. While the one-way rental means you don't have to drive your RV back, it can cause a few problems, especially if your end location isn't close to a Cruise America center.

Pet parents looking for a comfy ride for their fur-babies should look no further than RVezy. RVezy's recently updated app makes picking the right campervan for your pet a breeze. Just download the app, enter your location, and filter by pet-friendly results for a simple, stress-free booking experience. 

Renters can rest easy knowing that RVezy has one of the best insurance plans, covering collisions, theft, and vandalism. Plus, with 24/7 roadside assistance, you can report a problem with your rental anytime, anywhere.

After you've picked the best company for your pet-friendly RV rental, it's time to start considering which motorhome or trailer is right for your hound. There are 9 different types of RVs, which come in different sizes, shapes, and styles. While the type of RV isn't necessarily important, there’s plenty to consider when booking a pet-friendly RV rental.

The first thing to consider when booking a pet-friendly RV is the size of your pet. If you're traveling with a Great Dane or a Newfoundland, you'll want to book something bigger than a tiny travel trailer. Meanwhile, cats and small dog breeds like Chihuahuas might not mind snuggling up in a small camper.

When you book a pet-friendly RV, consider how many people it sleeps and the dimensions. All RV listings include clear pictures of the interior and info on the length of the rig so you can get an idea of the size before booking.

Not all flooring and fabrics used inside an RV are ideal for pets. You'll probably want to avoid carpets as dogs and cats can easily damage them. Cats especially have a habit of pulling at upholstery if they don't have a scratching post. 

The best types of flooring for cats and dogs are tile, vinyl, and laminate. If your pet tracks mud onto the floor or has an accident, you can clean it up quickly and easily. 

Clean up any dirt or spills immediately. Most RV owners will charge an extra fee if a rig comes back with stained upholstery.

Temperature control is essential to a pet-friendly road trip. Say you're traveling from Michigan in winter — you'll need to ensure your rental has heat. On the other paw, renters visiting Arizona in the summer will want to make sure their campervan has AC. 

Insufficient temperature control can be dangerous, especially if you have a dog breed that doesn't deal well with the heat or cold. For example, Bulldogs and other flat-faced breeds tend to have trouble breathing in high humidity. Meanwhile, short-haired and hairless breeds, like Greyhounds and Chinese Crested Dogs, have more difficulty keeping warm.

RV owners sometimes offer pet-friendly extras to help their RV stand out, which can make a big difference to your camping adventure. A pet ramp can make an RV more accessible for a senior pet, while built-in pet safety features make a day on the road a little less stressful. 

Some RV owners even go the extra mile — pun intended! — and provide essentials like crates, food and water bowls, and more.

Before booking a pet-friendly RV rental, check whether the owner provides any accessories to make your pet a bit more comfortable. If you book your RV through RVezy, you can ask the RV owner a question before finalizing your booking.

Consider your dog's temperament when choosing an RV. Pet parents with a dog or cat that's anxious or nervous may want to take extra steps to keep their pet happy. Otherwise, your dog could act out by chewing the RV's furniture. Or your cat could become fearful and lash out. 

Keep your pets happy by providing plenty of mental and physical stimulation throughout the day. If your pet doesn't like being away from home, bring along their favorite blanket and toy so they have something familiar they can snuggle up to while on the road. 

Before you hit the road, check out our guides on how to give your dog mental stimulation and how to turn your cat’s food and treats into fun games!

Before hitting the road in your pet-friendly RV rental, you should consider your canine or feline's training and temperament. Being cooped up in an RV for hours isn't for every fur-baby. Here are 3 things you can do to keep your pet happy and comfy on the road.

Take your pet for a vet check-up before your next road trip. Your vet will confirm your pet is safe to travel and doesn't have any underlying health concerns. Plus, if you're traveling to a different region, your pet could encounter viruses or parasites. Make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations, dewormer, and flea treatment before setting off.

While each rig is thoroughly cleaned between rentals, your pet has a keen sense of smell and may be able to sniff out the RV's previous animal occupants. To help calm your fur-baby, consider picking up a pet pheromone spray. These sprays release calming pheromones that help reduce anxiety, nausea, and restlessness.

While tricks like "sit" and "stay" might prove helpful, desensitization training will go a long way toward ensuring a stress-free trip. 

Many pets associate car rides with one thing: visiting the vet. This negative association can make them afraid of traveling, especially in a large and unfamiliar RV.

In the lead-up to your trip, get your pet used to traveling by taking several car rides. Start slow, then gradually increase the travel time and distance. For example, once your pet is comfortable with short journeys around town, try driving an hour to a nearby state park. Repeat the process until you're confident your pet can cope with traveling long distances.

Finally, plan to visit some pet-friendly destinations along the way. This will not only help eliminate any negative associations with vehicles, but it'll also ensure your pet's vacation is every bit as fun as yours.

Obedience and crate training are integral for a successful pet-friendly RV camping adventure. Crate training gives dogs a safe and comfortable place to rest and prevents undesirable behaviors due to overstimulation.

Obedience training is an essential part of responsible pet parenthood and proper RV camping etiquette. A dog who barks at all hours of the night may get you in trouble at a campground. Likewise, a dog who doesn't respond to commands could distract the driver, potentially causing an accident.

Wag! is proud to partner with RVezy, the largest and safest RV rental company in North America. We share a common goal of making pet parenthood easy, affordable, and — most importantly — fun! Start searching for the perfect pet-friendly RV rental and planning your “unfurgettable” adventure today!