Camping with a Dog – relaxing travel for people and animals

For many campers, a holiday without Rocky or Waldi is unimaginable – and for many four-legged friends, especially dogs, camping is the ideal holiday: close to nature, with plenty of freedom and quality time with the family. But: travel stress is an issue! How do you best prepare for a camping holiday with your dog? We’ve gathered some practical tips for you.

The essentials at a glance

Taking dogs on holiday: camping is one of the best options
Packing, trial journeys, pitch selection – key factors for a successful trip
Tips for a well-stocked travel first aid kit for your dog

Tips for a Successful Holiday with ‘Wow’ Effect

Camping is a fantastic way to enjoy a relaxing and adventure-filled holiday with your four-legged companion. Whether it’s walks on the beach, sightseeing, or swimming in the sea – enjoy the best time of the year with your dog, far from hotel stress and strict holiday apartment rules! While cats, budgies and other pets might also go on holiday with you, statistically speaking, dogs are the number one companion on camping trips.

Boston Terriers Sirius and Osito are a great example: Along with their owners Andrea and Dieter, they love trips to the sea and also enjoy hikes and sightseeing. In this blog post, the family shares their personal tips and experience of camping with dogs.

What’s different about a holiday with a dog? “The level of organisation! It starts with researching the destination thoroughly, checking: are animals – in our case, dogs – allowed there? Is the campsite dog-friendly? What activities are possible in the area?” recalls Dieter, who has years of holiday experience. Only if both you and your dog feel equally at home will you have a relaxing, enjoyable trip together.

Below you’ll find many practical tips – from planning the trip to getting your dog used to the vehicle and proper conduct for both people and animals at the campsite.

Finding the right campsites

Dog-friendly campsites stand out by offering dog showers, off-lead exercise areas, dog beaches or agility courses. On sites where dogs are only allowed, there may not necessarily be extra facilities for dogs.

Online you’ll find many listings for campsites with a range of dog facilities, for example at hundefreundliche-campingplaetze.de. Camping portals such as Pincamp and camping.info also provide information and search options for dog-friendly sites. The guide to dog-friendly campsites from the online magazine CamperStyle features options in various European countries.

Start your preparations early

Part of good travel planning is checking early on whether your dog will need travel documents, if their vaccinations are up to date, or if there are any regional health risks at your chosen destination. Several weeks before your departure, speak with your vet to see whether preventative measures or medication will be needed for your upcoming trip.

Note: For travel outside the EU, or re-entry into the EU, you’ll often need special health documents which must be issued within certain timeframes. The same applies for possible parasite treatments. For further information, check the respective country’s websites. An overview of documents and treatments required for travel within the EU can be found here: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/pets-and-other-animals/index_de.htm.

Packing Properly for Your Pet

Food, toys, crates, blankets, buggy: you’ll soon realise when packing that dogs need a lot of luggage! If you’re not yet experienced with packing for dogs, or if it’s your first time with a pet, a detailed checklist included in your trip planning can be a lifesaver. In any case, don’t forget the travel first aid kit for both you and your dog!

Travel first aid kit for your dog

Gabriela Schmid is an animal naturopath in Augsburg and loves travelling with dogs herself. She recommends the following basic equipment for the travel first aid kit – always taking into account what your dog likes and tolerates!

Bandages
Tick remover
Medicinal clay (for vomiting and diarrhoea)
Deer tallow (for dry, cracked paws)
Traumeel* ointment for dogs (for joint complaints, sprains)
Valerian tea (for restlessness): Note: brew lightly, allow to cool, offer in addition to water bowl!
Onion juice (for insect bites): Do not apply near the eyes, nose or inside the ear!
Olive oil (for ear mites): Use a pipette to drip the oil into the ear.
Aloe vera (for sunburn): The best option is a fresh plant – apply gel directly from the leaf. Alternatively, use ointment. Collies and white cats are especially at risk of sunburn.
Saline solution (for conjunctivitis): Mix a tablespoon of salt into a litre of hand-warm water and stir well. Carefully rinse out the affected eye. Avoid draughts and cold air (especially at the sleeping place and during travel).

Familiarisation journeys before the trip

If your four-legged friend isn’t a keen car traveller, it’s worth gradually getting them used to travelling. For one thing, a motorhome engine can be much noisier than a quiet car. Start practising several weeks ahead so you have enough time for training (if necessary, with a professional dog trainer). It’s important that your dog has a safe space in the car or motorhome – both in terms of comfort and physical security: a comfy spot with a seat belt or a fixed crate.

Equipping your motorhome and caravan properly

Space and comfort are always important considerations in motorhomes. Depending on your destination and travel time, the size and number of dogs, and your personal preferences, the following optional extras may be worth considering for your motorhome or caravan:

Air conditioning
Additional suspension system for greater driving comfort
Hydraulic levelling system for a secure and stable pitch for panel vans, motorhomes and caravans
Anti-snaking system for safe towing with the caravan
Manoeuvring system for easy parking of the caravan
Extra theft protection, e.g. with a wheel clamp

Dieter has also upgraded his caravan for travelling with Sirius and Osito: “Without our MAMMUT manoeuvring system from AL-KO, we’d have been lost several times – whether it’s extremely tight pitches on the campsite or steep slopes where manual manoeuvring isn’t possible. There was even one pitch where the access was so tight that we had to detach and move into place with the MAMMUT! He also always takes his PROSAFE wheel clamp along: ‘The PROSAFE gives us peace of mind, especially when our home on wheels is left alone on a campsite, which does happen from time to time.’”

Safety while driving

By law, a dog in the car is regarded as cargo. Exactly where you place them in your car, panel van or motorhome is up to you. The main options are:

Travel crate in the car or rear garage
Dog crate in the motorhome (note: risk of projectile – make sure it’s secured!)
Securing with harness and seat belt.

And don’t forget: Schedule plenty of breaks for yourself and your four-legged companion!

Holiday at last! Behaviour on the campsite

Once you have arrived at your destination, choosing the right pitch is crucial for a relaxing and restful holiday – for both people and animals. Ideally, choose a plot where your dog can decide for themselves whether to find a cool shady spot or soak up some sun. If the plot is towards the edge, with more peace and less foot traffic, that's an added bonus.

For a safe and stable position, level your motorhome. Depending on the ground conditions, you may need a support system such as a hydraulic levelling system for your motorhome or your caravan. If your vehicle is securely and stably positioned, it ensures a peaceful night's sleep and restful breaks for you and your four-legged friend alike.

In most European holiday destinations, it is mandatory to keep dogs on a lead or tether on the pitch, out of consideration for other campers. You should always familiarise yourself with the campsite rules first to check what is or isn’t allowed. Recommended for tethering are ground anchors screwed into the ground. Or use mobile ground stakes, or a suitable tree – the main thing is to ensure it is firm. For hard ground, there are plates with eyelets placed under the motorhome wheels. If dogs are allowed off-lead, you may wish to use a dog fence so they can move freely around the pitch – but not end up at the neighbour’s coffee table.

And even if your furry friend isn’t keen on film nights, they will certainly appreciate a cosy spot in the evening or an air-conditioned motorhome on a hot day: Our electronics portfolio has a wide range of products – from control panels to solar controllers – for smart, connected technology with app operation.

Have you set up your little holiday home on four wheels? Then you can now enjoy plenty of family time with your four-legged companion. Want to lavish them with even more attention during your break? Animal naturopath Gabriela Schmid has put together tips on mindfulness – for an even more “wow” holiday!

Insight: Mindfulness and Care for Your Four-Legged Companion

Give your four-legged companion an extra dose of attention every day. Make a note of anything unusual and take photos if necessary – if you later visit an animal naturopath or a vet, your records can provide valuable clues for a diagnosis.

Coat: Check your dog’s coat closely: Are there bald spots? Is the fur dull? Do more hairs come out than usual when grooming certain areas? If the coat is dull, you can add two or three drops of olive oil to their food. It will give the fur a healthy shine again.
Paws: Before letting your dog out of the vehicle when you arrive – especially on hot days – check the ground’s temperature with your hand. Your dog’s paws are sensitive, and the temperature often feels much hotter for them than it does for us. If your dog has dry, cracked paws, care for the pads in the evenings using a deer tallow roll-on. They’ll soon be soft again.
Claws: When walking on the ground correctly, claws will wear down naturally. Regularly check whether they are evenly worn. Irregular wear might indicate issues with your dog’s movement.
Ears: Gently lift your dog’s ears and look inside. Can you spot any uneven areas? Lumps or abscesses? If you see small black dots, it could be faeces from ear mites. Especially if your dog shakes their head due to itching, this is a sign. Use a pipette to put one or two drops of hand-warm olive oil in the ear – it will kill the mites in a few days. Warning: do not scrape off scabs inside the ear! Never use cotton buds or your finger in the ear canal!
Teeth: Check your dog’s gums and mouth. Do you notice any abnormalities or abscesses, lumps or redness? Most dogs develop tartar build-up, which you can gently “pick” off with a fingernail. Using special dog toothpaste with a soft toothbrush can also work wonders. For bad breath, chop up some fresh parsley into their food.

Gabriela Schmid is a certified business economist and animal naturopath in Augsburg. Contact: fellnasana@e-mail.de