Where do pets stay? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Where do pets stay?

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cheryl,

IMHO the cats should travel in carriers in the truck or MH for your safety as well as theirs. If it's not safe for people to travel in a 5th wheel, it's not safe for pets either. There could be exceptions for very well behaved cats in a truck but all you need is one time of a cat getting underfoot for the brake or gas pedal and you have a problem. I'd also recommend that you keep space in mind for the litter box in ANY floor plan you choose.

As to where they'll sleep - anywhere they want to.😄

Sherry

-- Edited by WestWardHo on Tuesday 25th of February 2014 08:41:17 PM

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've seen a lot of RVs where the owners have rigged up outside cage/run system for their cats. They use a storage compartment that also has access to the inside of the RV. The cage/run will come out of the storage compartment and then provide several feet of run for the cats to play in. A couple have been very elobrate and one even included a cat climb structure like you would see in a house.

My experience has been with dogs in a TT and 5th wheel.

We had two Keeshonds... very furry bred for the cold in the Norwegian countries. They didn't like to stay in the house or trailers, and preferred the outside.

With the 5th wheel---
I built a box in the bed of the truck just behind the cab. It was insulated and well ventilated , even had a fantastic fan vent. Both dogs had plenty of room and didn't seem to mind travelling that way. They rode in the box and slept in the box. If the outside temp was above 75 degrees we would bring them into the cab (crewcab) with us and they rode in the back seat.

At our campsite they would be kept on a 10FT chain outside of the 5th wheel, where they could watch the activities in the campground. If we left and were going somewhere they couldn't go, we would put them in the 5th wheel/TT with the fantastic fans on or A/C depending on how hot.

For the TT we had a campershell (cap) on the pickup bed and the dogs stayed in their. It had a pass through to the cab.

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

We travel with two cats. We have soft-sided carriers that we put in the back seat of the truck. They are pretty good, although they complain a bit at first. We adapted a cabinet in the living room for the litter box.

Wherever you decide to have them travel, make sure that you have them in a secure location when bringing slides in or out. There are openings where cats can get into the mechanism area, and I have heard horror stories of cats being killed when the slides are moved.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

We travel with a very spoiled cat. Had two cats when we started. A MH is SO much easier on them - they don't have to move from their home. We tried the carrier with them - both howled like mad. Left the top open, they settled down and the next day just hopped up on the coach - each had their own end - and promptly went to sleep. Motor starts, they settle down to sleep and we have never had a problem. We have enough room in the toilet area for the litter box (just) and we leave the door cracked open with a bunge cord to keep it from being completely open. Use SweatScoop litter - no tracking of clay over the rig.

Barb

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Keep in mind that if a pet is allowed to roam in either type of RV, if one has to slam on the brakes for any reason, said pets will become projectiles. If they are in a position at such a time the longer their capability of being a projectile will mean that they can suffer more serious injuries.

Oh, and its the same with people if they get up an move around in a motorhome.

Terry

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

I promise that no people or pets will be let loose in a moving vehicle! Biggest concern right now is the floorplan and where to put a giant litter box and 3 pet carriers in a very limited space. But first... let's get the house on the market!

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cheryl - where you put the litter box will depend on the layout and furniture. For us it was easy after we got rid of the couch, put in a workbench for Dale and had a corner for the kitty pedastal and litter box. We use a top entry litter box for less mess, etc.

We store the pet carrier in the basement when not in use to save on floorspace, she loves to sleep in it but believe me, she has plenty of other places to sleep in the 5'ver without needing the pet carrier to take up floor space.