We chose the RV lifestyle for one important reason: we wanted to spend more time with our dogs!

And because our lives are centered around everything full-time RV and dogs, we want our dogs to be comfortable in their home on wheels too. Having a comfortable RV interior is just as important as where we park it. So we recently made some RV interior updates with our dogs in mind. A full RV makeover isn’t necessary to give your coach a cozier feel for you and your pet. Put Rover in the car and head to your nearest, dog-friendly Camping World location to find some of these budget-friendly RV enhancements your fur family will love.

Stair Hugger Rugs

As our dog Brickle has gotten older, he is more unsteady. The inside RV steps into the bedroom have proved to be a challenge for our senior dog. Simply adding carpet runners to the stairs make it easier for Brickle’s paws to grip, and provides him with more stability and confidence. An added bonus was that now we won’t slip when we get up in the middle of the night! Yes. That has happened. The stair hugger rugs are easy to install, securely fastening to most stair surfaces. It also adds a classy, decorative touch to your RV interior as well.

Blanket

I am all about being cozy in my home on wheels. Chilly nights call for a dog or two on the couch and my favorite blanket. Brickle and Fruitycake love to watch TV on the couch with us with their blanket too! But a blanket has to be almost as cute as our dogs! They are certainly happy campers when it comes to their blankies. Your dog needs a spot to call their own, especially in the RV. A blanket is often just the thing that they need to provide that source of comfort we all long for. We also like using a blanket on top of their dog beds to catch any dirt and fur and then wash the blankets regularly to control pests naturally without chemicals. Make the space even cozier with matching throw pillows.

Cookie Jar

Treats are a requirement in our RV for persons and dogs alike! Keeping the treats accessible for us yet out of reach of the dogs is important. We love our cookie jar to keep our peanut butter cookies and Fruitycakes fresh. Adding Velcro to the inside of the canister for added security during moving days is easy and secure. Our favorite cookie jars are those with a retro decorative touch that really highlights the appeal of camping throughout the years!

The 2 Traveling Dogs Cookie Treats Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1 ripe banana, mashed well (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (make sure unsweetened with no artificial sweeteners)
• 5-6 strawberries, hulled & diced
• 1 egg, beaten well or 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine the flour, oats, mashed banana, peanut butter, strawberries, and egg or flaxed together until well combined. Add more flour if needed. 
Knead the dough 3-4 times until it is well combined.
3. Roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use more flour as needed.
4. Use a cute cookie cutter to cut out the desired shape and place it onto a baking sheet you have already prepared.
5. Bake in your preheated oven until the edges are golden brown, about 25-30 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

Never serve hot food to your dog. Store in your cookie jar for up to 5 days! Yes, you can share!

DIY Elevated Dog Dish

Home isn’t home for us until we get to crafting. We made an elevated dog water dish for the boys for fresh water and health reasons. Dishes that are elevated make it easier and more comfortable for your dog to eat and drink. Elevating the bowl off the ground puts it closer to your dog’s mouth which means your dog doesn’t have to bend their head down to the floor.

After collecting souvenirs on the road over years, we artistically put them to good use! Made out of turquoise-colored bottles for the legs bought at a craft store and quarter-inch plywood for the bowl base, we made this right at our campsite. Food-safe resin-covered seashells provide decorations but are also safe in case the dogs lick the base.

If you don’t want to make your own, purchase one! Elevated feeders come in many different shapes and sizes. Some RV kitchens come with a designated low-to-the-ground pull-out drawer for dog bowls and food. There are so many designs that you are sure to find one to match your style. On travel days, we take out the bowl and empty water so we do not have spills. We found a bowl that matched our artistic vibe, so choose one that you love too, or ask your dog.

Do you like crafting too? Follow our instructions for how to make your own herb garden in your RV.

Pet Food And Water Bowl Mat

Our dogs are messy drinkers and eaters. We don’t want to step in a puddle after they are done drinking, so a stylish mat for under their bowls keeps the mess contained and it just looks adorable. We like to use mats for moving days as well to keep items from slipping! Like everything in our RV, everything must serve a few purposes.

Furniture Covers

This one simple RV interior update will clean up the look of your house on wheels! Couch covers look better and function better than all the sheets we used to use! We like the reversible and waterproof styles and have a few on hand (and paw) for wash days. Furniture covers protect against fur, spills, and scratches. We love non-slip backing because our dogs always have a way of rearranging our decor. Before you pick out your favorite cover, make sure you first measure your RV couch to ensure you’re purchasing RV sofa covers that fit. Be sure to measure length, width, and depth.

Storage Bin

Keeping mess to a minimum is important in an RV. But we also want our dogs to have access to their favorite plushies and toys. When we travel, knowing where all the toys are so that they don’t get caught in our slide-outs is helpful and saves a lot of time and repair expenses. A storage bin that is collapsible has so many uses for our RV lifestyle. Besides putting their toys in it, we have additional ones to hold our dogs’ medicines and supplements. They fit into our cabinets when we are on the road to keep everything safe and organized as well.

The RV lifestyle definitely allows us the opportunity to spend more time with our dogs. When we lost our dog Digby recently, we knew that the time we spent together thru the years was invaluable. One thing we are confident of is that Digby always felt comfortable in his home on wheels no matter where we traveled to. And we want that still for Peanut Butter Brickle and now Fruitycake.

Just a few RV interior updates like comfortable dog beds and rugs can make a big difference for your dog, especially the older puppies.  Also keep pet safety in mind for your RV with dog fences, gate, and containment for areas you would like to keep your dog away from. Try portable pet steps to make it easier for your pet to climb into bed. Keep the pet hair to a minimum with a pet wedge that grabs hairs from fabric and carpets.

These improvements aren’t time-consuming or too hard on the budget. Comfortable RV living with your pets doesn’t require intimidating RV renovations. A few minor improvements will make your dog excited for trips in your tiny home on wheels.

We all know that time is precious and our dogs are precious. Make the time you have with your dog fun, comfortable, and stylish!

By: Rachael Johnson
Title: RV Interior Updates Your Dog Will Love
Sourced From: blog.campingworld.com/the-rv-life/rv-pets/rv-interior-updates-your-dog-will-love/
Published Date: Wed, 09 Mar 2022 14:00:13 +0000

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