One aspect of RVing I love the most is the ability to take my cats with me. I hated always feeling so guilty each time my husband and I wanted to take a trip; not to mention having to cut our adventures short at times. Before we set forth across the country, however, we knew we had to make some RV modifications for our three cats.
If you’re wondering if RVing with cats is even possible, you’ve come to the right place. Below, I share lessons we learned from our 10,000-mile journey from Maine to California and back, and which RV modifications we found most helpful. Keep reading to learn how to RV with cats!
Can You RV with Cats?
It was 2017; right before the full-time RVing craze had really taken over. When my husband, Nate, and I told our friends and family that we were going to buy a massive Class A RV (despite having never owned one), and live in it full-time with our three cats, we received some eyebrow raises. To be honest, we didn’t really know if it was going to work out, either. All we knew was that we had to take the leap.
Now, after living in both a Class A and small fifth wheel for over a year and traveling around the US, I can confidently say is it entirely possible to RV with cats. Not only is it possible, but your cats can be happy in the process and even benefit from the journey.
That being said, it’s extremely important to think about your cats’ individual personalities and needs and adapt accordingly. For example, none of our cats did well with car rides in a kennel, so we opted for a motorhome. Not only that, but we have three cats who don’t always get along. We knew we needed something relatively large despite our personal desires for more minimal travel.
The point is, if you’re committed to traveling with your pets, you might end up with a slightly different setup than you would if you weren’t bringing them. But remember, it’s better than leaving them behind or trying to force a situation that just won’t work. As a result, you’ll all adapt, and most importantly, you’ll be together.
Want some more cat travel inspiration? Check out the Outdoor Bengal.
How Do I Make My RV Cat-Friendly?
Before hitting the road, it’s important to transform your RV into a haven that accommodates your cats’ needs. Remember, this will only make your experience better in the long run. If your cats are happy, you’ll be happy, too.
The RV modifications we found most helpful were:
- Ensuring they had plenty of cozy spots near windows, and
- Providing them with a secure catio they could access through a pet door each time we stopped.
For us, the catio was absolutely crucial. Not only were our cats happier, but it significantly reduced the number of times they tried to escape through the main door. Whenever we stopped, they would wait excitedly at their cat door while we set up the catio. They saw it as their very own secure access to the outside world.
5 Best RV Modifications for RVing with Cats
From cozy resting spots to safe and secure outdoor time, making your RV cat-friendly involves a combination of practical modifications and creativity. Let’s delve into the five best RV modifications to enhance your kitties’ travel experiences.
1. Eliminate Carpet and Protect Leather
Cats love to scratch, and carpet, leather, and faux leather can become a magnet for their natural instincts. Carpeted floors are also extremely hard to keep clean and they hold odors. Because of this, we ended up replacing the carpet flooring with laminate so we could easily sweep up any loose cat litter and wash the floors as needed.
Additionally, consider protecting leather furniture with durable, scratch-resistant covers. This includes any seats, furniture, and your front dash if you have a motorhome.
2. Install an RV Catio
There are many ways to provide your cat(s) with a secure outdoor catio while you RV, it just takes some creativity and working with what you have. When we had our Winnebago Adventurer, we opted to cut a hole for a cat door out the awning side of our RV.
Then, we built a large cage-like structure using cube wire grid storage shelves and square pieces of outdoor carpet for walkways and platforms. When we had to get up and go, we mounted the structure on the roof of our tow car so we didn’t have to completely dismantle it every time we moved.
I’ve also seen RVers screen off a storage bay and install cat a door for their kitties to access a quasi-outdoor space. Others have installed small catios just outside a window for their cat to enjoy on sunny days. The end result is ultimately determined by your RV and what works best for your style of travel.
3. Install Wall-Mounted Trees and Shelves
We opted to bolt down a small cat tree and scratching post near the entrance of our Class A, however, I’ve seen much more creative ideas since. Some RVers install floating shelves around their RV to give their kitties much-needed vertical space. You could even create a “catwalk” that goes from one side of the RV to the other, however, this only works if you have high ceilings.
Others get creative with cat trees, installing secure areas to walk, scratch, and play all through their RV. When it comes to RVing with cats there’s a truly wealth of creative ideas online.
4. Create a Litter Box Area in the “Basement”
A major issue for many RVers with cats is where to put the litter box. In our Class A, we put the litter box underneath the bar area and cleaned it daily. However, in our 24’ fifth wheel, we quite literally had no convenient place to put it. That’s when we decided to install a cat door leading down to a storage bay and placed the cat box down there. It was out of sight, and a little too out of mind. It worked great and our cats adjusted quickly, the problem was remembering to clean it!
Pro-tip: If you’re transporting your kitties in a truck or SUV, they’ll still need access to a litter box. Find out how to manage this.
5. Set Up Cozy Spots Near Windows
Our cats absolutely adored the big windows in our Class A. If you have a motorhome, take advantage of that wonderful dashboard they love so much. However, I highly recommend putting down blankets or a dash cover to protect the leather or faux leather fabric on your dash. Our cats loved to scratch this area, and we realized it just a little too late.
Meanwhile, if you’re in a fifth wheel or travel trailer with large windows, consider setting up cozy spaces near the windows. Maybe you install shelves or a cat tree below any especially enticing views. Either way, you’ll be surprised at how much your cats gravitate towards these areas. Cats enjoy basking in the sun and watching what’s going on outside their safe space.
How Much Travel Is Too Much for a Cat?
While many cats adapt well to RV travel, it’s essential to consider your cat’s personality and preferences. We brought three cats with us, each one with very different personalities, yet all who hated car rides.
Surprisingly, they adapted well to RV travel. When we packed up and hit the road, they each found their own little hiding spot and hunkered down for the ride. When we arrived at our destinations, they excitedly ran to the windows and catio as if to say, “Where are we now?!”. I loved watching them roll in the sand on the Gulf of Mexico and sniff the mountain air of the Sierra Nevadas. The travel added a richness to their lives they wouldn’t have otherwise had.
All that being said, however – how much travel is too much? This is going to differ from cat to cat and rig to rig. We kept a fast pace at times, sometimes moving every two to three days. When we found a place we really liked, we’d stay there for up to two weeks or so. Our cats did well with this.
However, what really irked them was the length of the drives. If we kept travel days under four hours, life was grand. They were happy and adaptable. However, when we tried to get somewhere fast and traveled entire days, they told us loud and clear that they didn’t like it.
A sure sign that your cat is stressed while traveling is if they urinate somewhere they shouldn’t. This happened to us once (on our bed, no less), and we immediately changed plans. We knew we had to slow down for our cats’ sake (and our own!). In retrospect, they had a wonderful way of setting the pace that benefited all of us.
Suggested reading: For more info on RVing with pets, check out the best RV setup for traveling with pets.
Cats Can Be Nomads, Too!
There are a million other things I could write about when it comes to RVing with cats. However, the sentiment I want you to come away with is that it’s entirely possible – and enjoyable – with the right setup and modifications. Never underestimate how wonderful it will be traveling with your furbabies in tow.
You’ll discover new places together without worrying about their well-being while you’re away. The biggest lesson I learned on the road was that my cats just wanted to be with me and my husband, regardless of where we were. Taking them with us is a decision I’ll never regret.
Do you have any questions about RV modifications for cats? Drop them in the comments below!
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