Bring your pet on holiday with you in these dog-friendly campervans!
We know it can be hard when it comes to planning your holiday when you’ve got pets. Can you ask your neighbour again, or should you put your beloved dog in a kennel? Well, we’ve made it super easy for you as we understand the importance of prioritising your furry friends and including them in your adventures. We have pet-friendly campervan hire throughout the year!
Choosing the perfect pet-friendly van
Embarking on a road trip with your four legged bestie? Selecting the right campervan is crucial to ensuring both comfort and adventure for you and your pet. We understand that every pet owner has unique needs, which is why we offer a diverse selection of pet-friendly vans designed to cater to different sizes, preferences, and styles of travel. Here’s how to choose the best one for your upcoming journey:
Consider the size and space:
Our range of campervans includes everything from compact models perfect for solo travellers and their pets to spacious motorhomes ideal for families. Think about the amount of space your pet needs to feel comfortable and secure.
Review the sleeping arrangements:
After a day of exploring, your pet will need a comfy place to rest. Consider a van with an accessible bed that your pet can easily climb into, ensuring they get a good night’s sleep wherever you are parked.
Seasonal Selection:
Planning a trip during the warmer months? Look for vans with good ventilation and air conditioning to keep your pet cool. For winter adventures, ensure the heating system is pet-friendly and won’t be too hot on their paws or fur.
Road trip abroad with a pet?
The requirements for travelling with your dog (cat or ferret) has changed due to Brexit. If you are travelling to an EU or a non-EU country read the latest guidelines to make sure you know what is required before you travel. In a nutshell, when travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland, your pet needs:
- a microchip
- a valid rabies vaccination
- an animal health certificate unless you have a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland
- tapeworm treatment for dogs if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta
If you’re travelling to a non-EU country you’ll need to get an export health certificate (EHC).
What should I bring on my Pet-Friendly campervan trip?
Here at Quirky, we understand that travelling with your four-legged friend can be stressful, especially during long journeys. Ensure your dogs are as safe as possible by bringing with you a seat belt and/or safety harness. In terms of comfort, most would agree that dogs sleep better on a soft surface and that dogs love a familiar scent, which is why we suggest bringing your dog’s bed from home.
Will my dog be too hot in a campervan or motorhome?
One of the most common concerns about camper van travels with dogs is how to deal with extreme temperatures. In the UK Summer months, temperatures can soar up to 38 degrees!
Of course, you should always limit the amount of time that your dog is left alone in a camper van. We’ve found the following super-efficient for keeping pups cool in the hot weather:
Thermal blinds/screens – This might sound nuts, but actually, the point of thermal screens is to keep the sun out, as much as they work to keep the warmth in. Consider thermal screens in the front of the cab windows, or a screen across a bulkhead gap if you have one.
Roof vans – these are super effective as a way to keep the air circulating in the van and draw the cooler air in. Depending on your battery setup, you are often able to keep these running whilst you are out of the camper van for an hour or so.
Cool jackets – these work by keeping the area around your dog’s heart cool. Soak them in water, leave them in the fridge for a couple of hours, and then pop them on before taking your dog to any kind of activity.
Pavement check – if it’s too hot for your bare feet to stay put on the pavement for less than 5 seconds, then it’s definitely too hot for little paws to be walking on. So, slip your flip-flop off, and check it out before heading off on a walk.
Large water bowl – It’s safe to say that with the increase in adventures and (fingers crossed) sunshine, your dog will be extra thirsty, so make sure you have a large water bowl to hand to keep your dog hydrated throughout your campervan holiday.
What else should I know?
Your chosen campervan will come with everything you need (apart from extras such as bedding and bike racks, don’t forget to add these if you need them) and the price includes insurance and breakdown cover. If you’re bringing your dog into one of our pet-friendly campervans don’t forget to bring all of their favourite things including a bed and toys (as if you’d forget!). All campervans will need to be returned as you found them, if your dog tends to malt, we ask that you clean this up before handing the campervan back.
Finally, when selecting the right van for your next adventure, it is important to prioritise your pup, cat, ferret, or other accompanying pet – however, you also should consider what matters to you! We offer pet-friendly luxury vans which cater to everything you could need when hitting the road, smaller van options for those looking to hit some windy roads or keep things light as they embark on their journey, and all-electric campervans and motorhomes for adventurers looking to minimise their carbon footprint.
