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 Design Center to find a wide variety of budget-friendly RV upgrades 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 floor 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 watching TV with us with their blankets on the couch! 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 its own, especially in an RV or travel trailer. A blanket is often just the thing that they need to provide that source of comfort we all long for. We like using a blanket on top of their dog beds to catch any dirt and fur and then wash the blankets regularly to naturally control pests 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 have a retro decorative touch that 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
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 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.
- Roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use more flour as needed.
- Use a cute cookie cutter to cut out the desired shape and place it onto a baking sheet you have already prepared.
- Bake in your preheated oven until the edges are golden brown, about 25-30 minutes.
- 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 the 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.
We take out the bowl and empty water on travel days, 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.
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.
RV 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 picking out a cover that matches your color scheme, measure your RV couch to ensure you’re purchasing a sofa cover that fits. Be sure to measure length, width, and depth.
Storage Bin
Keeping mess to a minimum is important in a recreational vehicle. 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 collapsible storage bin 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 recently lost our dog Digby, we knew that our time together through the years was invaluable. We are confident that Digby always felt comfortable in his home on wheels, no matter where we traveled. 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, gates, 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. Speak with a Camping World Design Center specialist today about remodeling your RV with a few updates your dog will love.
How have you updated your RV’s interior to make it more comfortable for your furry companion? Let us know in the comments below!
I also highly recommend the Neater Feeder pet bowls or feeding station. It keeps my slob of a dog from making a mess but also doesn’t make a mess when we accidently kick the bowl which happens frequently since there is no safe out of the way place for the bowls. It is well worth the money!
Thanks, Sharon!