Camping With Cats: Bring Your Kitty RVing!

One of the many great advantages of traveling by RV is that the whole family can come along, pets included. Being able to travel with pets is a wonderful privilege. We’ve done several posts now that focus mostly on dogs or pets in general. But in today’s post, we’re talking specifically about camping with cats.

So, let’s take a look at some of the things that make traveling with feline friends easier and more pleasant, not only for them but for their owners as well.

Is It OK to Take a Cat Camping?

Absolutely! Cats make great traveling companions as long as you’re well prepared to keep them safe. That involves a bit of planning and a few extra items to pack, but if spending time with your cat when you’re traveling is important to you, these are small concessions to make.

Let’s take a look at a few things that will help you to enjoy camping with your cat. But before we do, here’s something we knew little about until we started conducting a little research for this post…

What Are “Adventure Cats”?

We kid you not — this is an actual thing! Adventure Cats are feline companions who accompany their owners on outdoor adventures such as hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, camping, and even climbing!

So, while this post is really about camping with cats, if yours enjoy adventures like being out on the water, you may need to consider an extra item for your feline explorer:

What to Consider When Camping With a Cat

There are a number of things to think about if you’re planning to take a kitty camping. Let’s take a look at some of the most important considerations.

What’s Your Cat’s Personality?

If you’re planning to bring your cat on a camping trip, it’s worth considering his or her general personality. If they’re typically in a sticks & bricks house with few people around and rarely go outside, you may want to take a short test run before heading out on a major camping trip.

If your cat is easily spooked by new or loud sounds such as dogs barking, people laughing, children playing, or even the sounds of wildlife, it may take some time for him or her to become comfortable in a camping environment.

What Kind of Camping With Cats Are You Planning to Do?

If you’re planning to leave your cat inside the RV much of the time, then the most important thing you’ll need to do is make sure you have a way to keep your feline family member cool, comfortable, and safe inside the rig. We highly recommend reading our recent post: RV Pet Monitor: Keep Your Pets Safe on the Road.

If you plan to do some tent camping with your cat, you’ll need to seriously consider things like whether they’ll need food, water, or even a litter box inside the tent. (Ewww.)

On the other hand, if your cat is cool about using the great outdoors as a litter box, there are important considerations there as well.

No matter where you are, be sure to clean up after your cat just as you would with a dog. Cat feces sometimes carry a parasite that can be infectious to any warm-blooded species, including humans. The parasite, T. gondii (toxoplasma gondii or toxoplasmosis), can be harmful, especially to pregnant women.

No matter what type of camping you intend to do, you’ll need to make sure your cat is leash trained. You can’t just let a cat roam free at any type of campsite.

In private campgrounds, this wouldn’t be allowed. And if you’re boondocking, it almost certainly won’t be safe to let your cat roam free. Not only could they eat something that could be harmful, but they could be harmed by wildlife or even by things like a cactus.

Are the Campgrounds Where You Plan to Stay Cat Friendly?

Remember – not all campgrounds and RV parks allow pets. Always confirm in advance that your cat will be allowed at your campsite. In addition, ask your campground hosts for any specific rules you’ll need to respect while there.

Every national park, for instance, has separate rules about pets. So it’s wise to consult each park’s website while in the planning stages of your trip.

Make sure you’re taking your cat to pet-friendly areas unless you’re prepared for him or her to safely remain inside your RV.

Beware of Ticks

Remember that cats can pick up fleas and ticks when adventuring with you in the forest or at pretty much any campsite. Keep a keen eye peeled for ticks and remove them immediately should one catch a ride on Fluffy.

Here you’ll find lots of information from PetMD about cats and ticks.

Important Gear for Camping With Cats

If you’re planning to take your cat camping, you’ll need a few things to keep them safe and comfortable. The gear you’ll need really depends on how you intend to camp and what you plan to do with your cat.

But we’ll lay out some of the most common pieces of gear most cat owners are likely to need.

Food & Water

This one should go without saying but we’re saying it anyway. Make sure to pack the foods your cat is used to eating, as well as sufficient fresh water (very important). Cats can contract bugs like giardia (and others) when they drink from streams and rivers and these can be life-threatening.

So, make sure you have plenty of fresh water available for your cat. It’s also a good idea to have water-purifying tablets on hand should you run out of water and need to allow your cat to drink from a natural source like a river or stream.

Better yet, how about using safe drinking water from a UV-LED purification system, like the Acuva unit we installed in our own RV.

First Aid Kit

It’s very important to carry a pet first aid kit if you travel with pets. And if you’re camping out with a pet, this is even more important.

This is a basic first aid kit for anyone who travels with a pet. It’s wise to carry a kit like this in your car if your pet ever accompanies you on long rides away from the RV.

If you’re a hard-core hiker and you plan on taking your “adventure cat” into the great outdoors, a more robust first aid kit may be in order. Choose your first aid kit in conjunction with how you travel with your pet.

This one is a first aid kit for your entire family, pets included.

Harness and Leash

A harness and leash for your cat are very important if you plan to take them camping with you. There are many different types on the market and, depending on your cat’s size, you’ll need to choose the type that works best for them.

Your veterinarian can also be an excellent source of information for gear like this.

And if your cat isn’t used to a leash & harness, be sure to practice with him or her around your property at home before heading out on a camping trip.

Cat Carrier

If you’ve got a cat and you’re a traveler, you’ve probably already got a cat carrier. If you don’t, though, you may want to bring one along if you plan to RV with your cat.

Whether you’re camping in a tent or in an RV, a carrier may help a cat feel safe in their own small space.

Also, we never know when an emergency will arise and it’s good to be prepared. Should you need to take your cat into any place that won’t allow them on a leash, (hotel lobby, hospital, etc.), you’ll want to have a cat carrier on hand.

There are several different types of carriers available. We’ll link to a few popular ones, and you’ll know which type is best for your feline bestie.

And remember that you can walk and hike with your cat in a backpack carrier. Just remember to always connect the leash so they can’t jump out to chase a squirrel!

Sleeping Bag or Pet Bed

If you’re camping in cool temperatures, a sleeping bag for your cat may help to keep him or her warm and feeling safe.

If you’re traveling with your cat in your RV, bringing their favorite bed along (or a special bed just for travels in the RV) is a great idea.

We could go on and on, really – but at this point, you probably get the idea. Camping with cats? Sure! Bring your kitty RVing!

Don’t forget their favorite toys or blankets, and remember that your cat’s safety and comfort is most important of all.

Be sure to check out our other posts on RVing with pets. We’ve got one on RV pet fences and one on pet-friendly RV rentals that may interest you. Most important of all, though, be sure to see our post on RV pet monitors to keep your pets safe in your RV.

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