Tips for Van Life with a Dog
“Van life” is a term that is becoming increasingly popular with younger people who want to travel the country. But, what if you have a furry friend to think about. No worries! Van life is accommodated for pooches as much as it is for humans! Here are some top tips for van life with your canine companion by your side.
What’s Van Life?
Van life is when someone lives in a van that acts as a “tiny home”! These vans most often have a foldable sleeping space to turn into a living space, kitchen essentials, and sometimes even a bathroom.
Van Life With A Dog
Now it may seem hard to picture you and your pup living in small quarters together, but there are tons of pros to think about! Van life is a perfect adventure as you can just about go anywhere together, explore nature, and stop when needed. But, of course, there are practicalities to think about when toting your dog across the country. If your dog is prone to shedding, it’s a good idea to get a travel-sized fur cleaner! Your dog will also need their own travel items like a bed, bowls, and any paperwork.
Van Life Tips
Create A Safe Space
Making sure your van is dog ready is one of the most necessary steps for pooch van life, and it’s not as complicated as it sounds! Making sure your dog has their own space will significantly reduce their feelings of being closed in or anxiety. Getting a crate, bed, or even blanket space that is specifically theirs will do the trick. You can even fill it with their favorite toys or a new comforting toy like this one!
Trial Run
Before you both embark on your van life journey, take a few trial runs to make sure your pup is completely comfortable being in the van for a long period of time. This can be a trip to go camping, going on a road trip for a few hours, or even spending the night in the van. You should also be aware if your dog gets carsick or not as this is something that requires more planning than just hopping in the van to travel! Talk to your vet about recommending anti-nausea medicine for your pooch and any strategies for car travel.
Checking Cooling/Heating
One important aspect many travelers might look over is the heating and cooling of the van. The van should be able to be kept cool, especially when parked as the temperatures can rise quickly and become dangerous for a dog kept inside. A roof vent or roof vent fan are great options to install if you don’t have a set plan on keeping cool during warm months.
A pet temperature monitor will come in handy when traveling as you can ensure your dog stays at a healthy temp while you’re driving or even running errands. Be sure to also watch out for signs of overheating:
- Excessive breathing or difficulty breathing
- Drooling
- Vomiting/diarrhea
- Pale/dry gums
Prepare For Cleanups
Living with a dog can be messy, but it’s the price to pay for such an adorable traveling partner! Being okay with sometimes being messy is something dog-parents just have to come to terms with. But, there are some quick steps you can take to avoid a total dirt disaster:
- Have a collapsable outside container that you can fill with water to clean paws off or keep a hose extension
- Microfiber towels will dry off paws/fur quickly and efficiently
- Washable floor mats make cleanup that much easier
- Dog-safe general cleaning supplies will become essential for cleaning around the van
Plan Dog-Friendly Areas
Planning a trip ahead will save the headache of trying to locate dog-friendly stops, especially if you have a particular city in mind! Some national parks or campgrounds don’t allow dogs, so be sure to check policies for particular areas and trails before heading out! It’s also a good idea to find some dog-friendly eateries around where you are going. Many restaurants that have an outdoor patio tend to be okay for dogs but check before!
Van life is exciting for all, but be sure to take prepping measures to not end up in a circumstance that could be avoided! Check with your vet before traveling anywhere to make sure your dog is up for it and read up on dog-friendly sites/areas/cities. But, most importantly, have fun and make lasting memories with your canine companion!