Weird and Wonderful RV Pets
Having a companion on the road can make the adventure more enjoyable. Many RVers are choosing pets over people for this role. Having an RV pet, however weird or wonderful it is, can enhance your travels. While there are plenty of RVers with dogs, cats, and even an occasional reptile or two, today, we want to look at some unique RV pets you might not have considered.
What Makes a Good RV Pet?
Whatever type of pet you choose, it needs to be compact. A pet that requires a lot of space or a lot of toys and gear will eat up precious RV space. Storage space fills up quickly in an RV, so adding lots of toys or pet supplies can be a strain.
A good RV pet can also handle being alone while you’re off adventuring. You’ll encounter many places where pets aren’t welcome. Many national parks don’t allow pets on trails as they can disturb the natural environment. So a good RV pet will be self-sufficient for short periods.
Your RV pet should also travel well. Not all pets can handle life on the road. Many dogs and cats don’t handle traveling well and suffer from motion sickness. Make sure your pet is compatible with your traveling style. The stress on a pet when living stationary in an RV will be very different from the stress of constant travel.
Weird and Wonderful RV Pets You’ll Want to Take on the Road
We have nothing against dogs and cats for RV pets, but they’re a dime a dozen. Today we want to look at some unique RV pets that we think you should consider.
Ferret
1Tale4Paws travels with several ferrets in their RV. They initially started RVing with their first ferret back in 2015. They loved that their new pet could explore outside on a leash, much like a dog, and continued to add to their ferret collection as they fell in love with RVing.
Ferrets generally are confined to a cage, which can easily fit inside an RV. However, ferrets are much like dogs or cats, and they enjoy roaming about when not in their cage.1Tale4Paws shares how their ferrets roam about their RV anytime they’re home and relaxing in their RV.
Capybara
While many try to keep rodents out of their RV, the capybara might be an exception. It’s the largest living rodent and could make a great RV pet. A capybara is a great RV pet because they like warm weather. Many RVers travel seasonally to wherever it’s warm. Traveling with a couple of capybaras gives you yet another excuse to RV in warmer environments.
However, Capybaras can weigh up to 170 pounds and thus require a large amount of space. To make matters worse, they thrive most when living in pairs. So you’ll likely be looking at having two massive rodents living in your RV.
Skunk
You may have caught a whiff of a skunk’s spray and crossed them off your list of potential RV pets. However, skunks can be great pets, especially when it comes to RV pets. Once skunks are comfortable around people, they often enjoy playing and cuddling. It’s important to note that skunks as pets often have their scent glands removed. This eliminates any chance of getting sprayed.
Having a skunk in an RV can be similar to having a cat or dog in an RV. Put them up when you’re not home or plan to be outside. Skunks will eat from a bowl, similar to cats and dogs as well. So while having a skunk as a pet may not be your first choice, they can make great RV pets.
Pygmy Goat
You’ve seen plenty of hikers with dogs, but what would you think about one with a pygmy goat? Happy Tails shares that one of her favorite pastimes is hiking with her pygmy goat. Much like the capybara, this is a herd animal, and pygmy goats should be kept in pairs. While you’ll need some outdoor space for your goats, they can be great RV pets if you’re stationary.
Chameleon
If you’re not looking for a hiking buddy but still want a pet, a chameleon may be a great option. Chameleons are perfect for RVs because they don’t take up a lot of space. You can build custom enclosures to fit almost any space in your RV.
Another advantage of chameleons is that they can be self-sufficient for extended periods. You won’t have to worry about them overheating while you’re away from your RV, as they thrive in warmer climates. They’re relatively easy to care for and require minimal effort aside from routinely feeding them.
Fennec Fox
The fennec fox, with its massively oversized ears, isn’t a common pet. Despite looking something like a small dog, owners should never forget that these are wild animals. These animals are nocturnal, so they’re best for RVers who are night owls. Fennec foxes enjoy lots of space, which means you should give them room to run outside. While they’re indoors, they’ll behave like cats, climbing and jumping on everything.
When it comes to potty training, a fennec fox, much like a cat, can be trained to use a litter box. It takes some time and effort, but if you truly want to have one of these animals as a pet in your RV, it will be necessary.
Chinchilla
A chinchilla is a rodent that resembles a mouse with large ears and a bushy tail. They’re another nocturnal pet, which means they’ll be more active while you’re trying to get some sleep. They take up a relatively small amount of space and can do well in an appropriately sized cage, but it’s best if the cage is tall and has plenty of room for climbing. This will help mimic their natural habitat and keep them happy.
Caring for a chinchilla is much like caring for a hamster or mouse. They enjoy chewing on toys and running on wheels for exercise. If you have any previous experience caring for these types of animals, a chinchilla may be another great option for you to consider for an RV pet. Chinnie Chronicles even gives some tips for traveling with a chinchilla.
Squirrel Monkey
If you’re traveling full-time in your RV, a squirrel monkey can be another excellent option to consider for an RV pet. Squirrel monkeys require a substantial amount of attention. Because full-time RVers are typically retired or work from home, this arrangement works out. This is another pet that enjoys living communally. It’s best to have more than one squirrel monkey if you’re looking for a pet. This will keep them happiest.
Owning a squirrel monkey can be very demanding for the owner and animal. Owners should be forgiving and remember that an RV or home is not a monkey’s natural habitat and that the animal is naturally born to live in the wild.
Pot Bellied Pig
Many embrace these adorable swine as pets because a pot-bellied pig can behave much like a dog with the proper attention and training. Like a dog, pot-bellied pigs thrive when they have a space of their own. This can be a large crate or designated room in your RV. Having a space of their own will allow them to calm down when stressed and have a place to retreat to when uncomfortable.
While pot-bellied pigs require a decent amount of exercise, they’re trainable. This means you can hook them up with a harness and leash and take them for a walk, much like you would a dog. If you’ve always wanted a pig, this could be your chance.
How to Prevent Travel Anxiety in Pets
If your pet struggles with travel anxiety, it will make it incredibly difficult to continue to travel. You’ll need to choose between the traveling lifestyle or your pet. This isn’t a decision that anyone wants to make, but sometimes it’s necessary. Ensuring your pet travels anxiety-free can prevent this.
Provide your pet with a safe space during travel days. Make sure they’re as comfortable as possible when it comes to traveling. For some pets, this may mean holding off feeding to avoid upsetting their stomach. For other pets, this may mean they need a generous amount of exercise before hitting the road. Find out what works best for your pet’s unique situation.
Why You Should Get a Pet to Go RVing with You
Having a pet along for the journey can enrich your RVing life. This is especially true if you’re traveling solo and looking to share your experiences. They can fend off loneliness and become a companion you treasure.
No matter the type, a pet can provide companionship during times of frustration or loneliness. If your pet can’t come with you on your adventures, it’s always refreshing to know that someone will be waiting for you when you return at the end of the journey. If you could have any pet in your RV, which would you choose?
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