A campervan with a dog.

Our trips are better with a dog. They get us out walking first thing, they meet everyone on the campsite, and they never complain about the route. A campervan with a dog does need a bit more planning though, and most of it comes down to two things: heat and safety on the road.

Heat: the biggest risk

A van is a metal box with big windows. On a sunny day it heats up very fast, and it does not have to feel hot outside for that to happen.

The RSPCA says that when it is 22 °C outside, a car could reach 47 °C within an hour, and that parking in the shade or leaving windows open does not make it safe. Dogs Trust says dogs should never be left in vehicles, and that on a 22 °C day the temperature inside a car can rise by eleven degrees in ten minutes. A campervan may have more insulation than a car, but it is still a vehicle in the sun, and we treat it exactly the same.

Plan your days around it. In summer we do supermarket runs one at a time while the other stays with the dog, pick dog friendly cafés and pubs, and choose shaded pitches. Dogs Trust advises walking early in the morning or late in the evening in hot weather, carrying water, and checking tarmac with the back of your hand for five seconds before walking on it, since hot surfaces can burn paws.

Dogs Trust lists flat faced breeds, older dogs, puppies, overweight dogs and dogs with health conditions as being at higher risk. It also says exercise is a major trigger for heat-related illness in UK dogs. Beach days need particular care: Dogs Trust and the RNLI warn that exercising dogs in temperatures as low as 21 °C can cause heatstroke.

Signs of heatstroke

Dogs Trust lists these warning signs:

• Heavy or continuous panting that does not stop when the dog rests
• Bright pink or red gums
• Lethargy or wobbliness
• Collapse

If you see them, Dogs Trust advises stopping activity, moving the dog into shade, offering water, cooling them gradually, and contacting a vet straight away. Know where the nearest vet is when you arrive somewhere new. We look it up as part of setting up.

If you see someone else's dog in distress in a hot vehicle, the RSPCA says to call 999.

Restraint and Highway Code rule 57

Rule 57 of the Highway Code says that when in a vehicle you should make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. It names a seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard as ways of restraining animals.

In a campervan that usually means one of these:

• A crash tested harness clipped to a seat belt on a forward or rear facing travel seat that has a proper belt.
• A crate or carrier secured so it cannot slide or tip. Bolting or strapping it to a fixed point in the van is far safer than leaving it free.
• A dog guard where the layout allows it.

A dog loose in the living area, on the bed or in the footwell is not restrained. Breaking the Highway Code does not always mean breaking the law, but insurers may take a dim view if an unrestrained dog was part of an accident, and it is a risk to the dog. Check your policy, and check before you go.

Setting up a campervan with a dog

• A bed of their own, in the same spot every trip, so they settle quickly.
• Washable covers on seats and the bed. Wet sand gets everywhere.
• A towel by the door and a rule that nobody comes in muddy.
• Water in a non-spill bowl while parked, and stopping for water breaks on long drives.
• Ventilation and shade when you are all in the van on warm days. Reflective screens on the windscreen help a lot.
• Somewhere safe for the dog when the door is open, such as a lead tied inside or a door gate, so they do not bolt across a campsite road.
• A plan for cold nights. Dogs feel the cold too, especially small and short coated ones. See our campervan in winter guide for keeping the van warm.

Campsites, beaches and walks

• Check the dog policy when you book. Some sites limit numbers or breeds, charge a fee, or have dog walks and wash areas.
• Check beach rules. Many UK beaches have seasonal dog restrictions over summer. Local councils publish them.
• Keep dogs on a lead near livestock and ground nesting birds, and follow local signs in National Parks and nature reserves.
• Pick up and bin it properly. Bags left on paths are a real problem in popular places.

If you are wild camping, the same rules apply, with more responsibility because there is nobody else to clean up after you.

Dog kit list

• Bed, blanket and a familiar toy
• Lead, spare lead, harness and long line
• Food, bowls, collapsible water bowl, water bottle
• Poo bags (more than you think)
• Towels and a drying coat
• Any medication, plus vaccination and insurance details
• Tick remover
• Cooling mat for summer, coat for winter
• Crash tested harness or secured crate for travel

Our main campervan checklist has the rest.

Questions

Can I leave my dog in a campervan?

Not on warm or sunny days. The RSPCA and Dogs Trust both warn that vehicles heat up fast and that shade or open windows do not make it safe. In cool weather, short periods may be fine for some dogs, but think about how quickly conditions can change.

Does my dog have to wear a seat belt in a campervan?

Highway Code rule 57 says animals should be suitably restrained so they cannot distract you or be injured if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, carrier, cage or dog guard are the examples it gives.

What are the signs of heatstroke in a dog?

Dogs Trust lists heavy panting that does not stop at rest, bright pink or red gums, lethargy, wobbliness and collapse. Cool the dog gradually and call a vet straight away.

Where can I take my dog in a campervan in the UK?

Most campsites accept dogs, but check the policy when you book. Beaches often have summer restrictions, so check council signs.