Dogs may get a lot of attention at the campground, but they aren't the only four-legged companions who can enjoy RV life.

More RV owners are discovering that RV camping with cats can be a great way to travel without leaving their feline friends behind. An RV gives your cat a familiar home base while allowing you to explore Washington destinations ranging from the Pacific Coast and Olympic Peninsula to Lake Chelan and the Cascade Mountains.

The challenge? RVs aren't designed specifically with cats in mind.

Limited floor space, screen doors, litter boxes, climbing needs, and safe access to the outdoors can all require a little creativity. Fortunately, you don't necessarily need a huge renovation to make your travel trailer or fifth wheel more comfortable for your cat.

Inspired by Travels with Ted's RV modifications for cats guide, we've put together a Tacoma RV Center guide to creating a cat-friendly RV that's comfortable for both you and your camping companion. The original guide highlights clever solutions such as window perches, catios, wall-mounted furniture, dedicated litter areas, and improved screen-door security.

Here are some ideas to consider before your next Washington RV adventure.

Why RVs Can Work So Well for Traveling With Cats

Cats generally appreciate familiar surroundings, which is one reason an RV can offer an advantage over constantly changing hotel rooms or vacation rentals.

Once your cat becomes comfortable inside the RV, the same bed, food dishes, litter box, toys, blankets, and hiding places travel with you.

Your campsite changes.

Their home doesn't.

However, cats also need opportunities to climb, hide, scratch, watch their surroundings, and get away from activity when they want quiet time. In a relatively small RV, planning those spaces becomes especially important.

The goal isn't necessarily to give your cat more floor space.

It's to use the space you already have more effectively.

1. Create a Cat Window Perch

If there's one activity many cats could happily do for hours, it's staring out a window.

Campgrounds provide endless entertainment: birds, squirrels, people walking past, neighboring RVs pulling into sites, leaves moving in the wind, and plenty of other activity.

A window perch can turn an otherwise unused area into prime feline real estate.

Travels with Ted highlights an RVer who converted a floating shelf beneath an RV window into a custom perch.

For your RV, you could consider:

• A secured window hammock

• A properly mounted shelf

• A compact cat bed positioned near a window

• A small platform built into existing furniture

Choose a window that doesn't interfere with emergency exits, blinds, shades, or everyday movement through the RV.

A sunny window perch can become your cat's favorite spot at camp.

2. Take Advantage of Vertical Space

Floor space is valuable inside any RV.

Vertical space, on the other hand, often goes unused.

That's why wall-mounted cat furniture can make sense in an RV. Small platforms, scratching surfaces, hammocks, and climbing steps can provide enrichment without putting a full-size cat tree in the middle of your living room.

Travels with Ted specifically recommends wall-mounted solutions for smaller RV spaces.

There is one major RV-specific consideration:

Know what's behind the wall before drilling.

RV walls aren't the same as residential walls. Wiring, plumbing, structural components, and thin wall materials can make seemingly simple modifications more complicated.

Never assume you can mount something anywhere simply because the wall looks open.

If you're unsure about making a permanent modification, ask an RV service professional before cutting or drilling.

Before drilling, cutting, or making permanent modifications to your RV, it's worth understanding how alterations could affect your coverage—read our guide to RV warranty protection before starting a major DIY project.

3. Build a Safe RV Catio

Your cat may be fascinated by the campground outside your window.

That doesn't mean allowing them to roam freely is a good idea.

Campgrounds can have vehicles, unfamiliar dogs, wildlife, dense forests, and countless places for a frightened cat to disappear.

A catio can provide fresh air and outdoor stimulation while keeping your cat contained.

One creative example featured by Travels with Ted uses an RV's basement storage area. The owner created access from inside the fifth wheel and screened the exterior storage opening so the cat could safely enjoy outside air without roaming the campground.

Other options might include a portable enclosed pet tent or secure outdoor cat enclosure placed beside the RV.

Whatever design you choose, make sure:

• Screens are secure

• There are no escape gaps

• Your cat can't access moving RV components

• The enclosure has shade

• Temperatures remain comfortable

• Your cat is supervised

• The enclosure doesn't interfere with neighboring campsites

Never leave a cat outside unattended simply because they're inside an enclosure.

4. Give Your Cat a Dedicated Space

Imagine living in a small space where every room belonged to everyone.

Sometimes you would want somewhere that's just yours.

Your cat probably feels the same way.

A dedicated cat area can be as simple as:

• A bed beneath the dinette

• A cubby in unused storage

• A small condo beside a window

• A blanket in a quiet corner

• A carrier left open as a familiar hideaway

If your RV floorplan includes furniture you rarely use, you could even rethink that space.

Travels with Ted describes removing part of a dinette setup and using the newly available area for a cat condo and feeding station.

You don't necessarily need to remove furniture, but the idea highlights an important point:

Your RV should fit the way you actually camp.

If a feature rarely gets used but your pet needs more room, adapting the space may make RV life more comfortable.

5. Find a Better Place for the Litter Box

Let's address one of the biggest questions about RV camping with cats:

Where does the litter box go?

In a house, finding a private corner isn't usually difficult.

Inside a travel trailer? Every square foot counts.

Bathrooms, shower stalls, under-bed areas, unused cabinets, or specially designed furniture can potentially work depending on your floorplan.

Some RV owners get much more creative.

Travels with Ted highlights fifth-wheel owners who created access through interior stairs into basement storage, allowing the cat to reach a litter box housed outside the main living space. Another example used a pet door to access a dedicated litter-box room built within a storage compartment.

It's an ingenious use of space—but this type of modification requires extra caution.

RV stairs and storage areas may contain:

• Electrical wiring

• Plumbing

• Heating components

• Structural supports

• Mechanical equipment

Don't cut an opening until you know exactly what's behind it.

For many campers, a simpler removable litter solution will be the better choice.

6. Cat-Proof Your RV Screen Door

One of the greatest pleasures of camping in Washington is opening the RV door and letting fresh mountain, forest, or coastal air inside.

Unfortunately, a screen door can also become an escape route.

Some cats quickly figure out RV door latches. Travels with Ted recommends adding an interior screen-door lock when necessary to prevent cats from opening the door themselves.

Even if your cat hasn't attempted an escape before, don't assume they never will.

A squirrel running past the campsite might be all the motivation they need.

Check:

• Screen-door latches

• Window screens

• Gaps around slide-outs

• Damaged screens

• Entry-door operation

Also establish a routine before opening the main door.

Know where your cat is first.

That tiny habit can prevent a huge problem.

7. Create Scratching and Play Areas

Camping may be exciting for you, but your cat will still spend significant time inside.

Bring familiar enrichment items such as:

• Scratching pads

• Small toys

• Puzzle feeders

• Favorite blankets

• Compact scratching posts

Rotating toys can help keep things interesting without filling every storage compartment with cat supplies.

You can also make playtime part of your campground routine.

After returning from a hike or day of sightseeing, spend a few minutes playing with your cat before settling in for the evening.

A mentally stimulated cat may be much happier sharing a smaller living space.

8. Make Your Cat's Carrier Part of the RV

Don't hide the carrier deep inside your storage compartment after arriving at camp.

Instead, consider making it part of your cat's everyday environment.

Leave it accessible with familiar bedding inside so it becomes a normal sleeping or hiding location rather than something that only appears before an unpleasant car ride.

This also means the carrier is immediately available if you need to evacuate the RV unexpectedly.

Washington RV trips can include everything from wildfire conditions to severe weather, and having a secure carrier readily available can make an emergency much easier to manage.

Traveling Safely With Your Cat

A cat-friendly RV is only part of the equation.

You also need to think about travel days.

Never allow a cat to roam freely inside a towable RV while you're driving. Travel trailers and fifth wheels aren't designed for passengers to occupy while being towed.

Your cat should travel securely with you in the tow vehicle using an appropriate carrier or restraint setup.

Before attempting a long Washington road trip, introduce your cat gradually to:

1. The parked RV.

2. Short periods inside the RV.

3. The tow vehicle and carrier.

4. Short drives.

5. A nearby overnight camping trip.

Jumping immediately from home life to a week-long Olympic Peninsula adventure may be overwhelming for a cat that has never traveled.

Start small.

Introducing your cat to camping for the first time? Start with a shorter getaway using our guide to RV campgrounds within two hours of Seattle before attempting a longer road trip.

Tacoma RV Center's existing campground guide specifically highlights destinations within easy reach of the Seattle area, making these shorter trips useful for testing a new RV routine.

Prepare for Washington's Changing Temperatures

Never rely on the weather outside to determine whether your RV interior is comfortable.

A closed RV can heat up quickly in direct sunlight.

Cold temperatures can create their own problems.

If you're leaving your pet inside the RV while visiting an attraction where pets aren't allowed, carefully consider:

• Interior temperature

• Air conditioning

• Power reliability

• Generator restrictions

• Weather forecasts

• How long you'll be away

A campground power outage can turn a climate-controlled RV into an unsafe environment much faster than expected.

For that reason, technology such as a remote temperature monitor can provide additional peace of mind—but it shouldn't replace responsible planning.

Pack a Cat Camping Kit

Before your first trip, create a dedicated supply kit for your cat.

Consider packing:

• Food

• Extra food

• Water

• Bowls

• Litter

• Litter scoop

• Waste bags

• Carrier

• Bedding

• Toys

• Scratching pad

• Cleaning supplies

• Harness and leash if your cat is trained to use them

• Current identification information

• Any necessary medications

• Veterinary records for longer trips

Keep important supplies somewhere accessible instead of burying them in exterior storage.

Choose a Floorplan With Your Pets in Mind

If you're currently shopping for an RV and know your cat will be joining you, pet-friendly features should be part of your buying decision.

Look for floorplans offering:

Large windows: Great for feline sightseeing.

Open floor space: Provides room for beds, scratching posts, or litter-box furniture.

Basement storage: Particularly useful in fifth wheels if you're considering a carefully designed pet area.

Residential-style living areas: Helpful for longer trips.

Easy-to-clean flooring: Because litter happens.

Separate rooms: A bedroom or bunk room can provide a quiet retreat.

Storage: Food, litter, carriers, toys, and pet supplies require more room than you might expect.

Don't shop based only on sleeping capacity.

Think about how everyone—including the cat—will actually use the RV.

Keystone Cougar Bunkhouse Travel Trailers

Keystone Outback Travel Trailers

Venture SportTrek Travel Trailers

Alliance, Brinkley, Keystone and KZ Fifth Wheels

Toy Hauler Floorplans

If you're deciding which RV style provides enough room for you and your pets, compare travel trailers and fifth wheels to see which layout better fits your Washington adventures.

Bunkhouse RVs Aren't Just for Bunks

A bunkhouse can also be surprisingly useful for travelers with pets.

Depending on your needs, an extra bunk room can provide a dedicated location for pet supplies, carriers, beds, and other gear while keeping the main living area less cluttered.

Tacoma RV Center's existing bunkhouse guide highlights the extra sleeping zones and storage that make these floorplans versatile for groups—and that same flexibility can be useful when you're traveling with pets.

Don't Forget RV Maintenance Before Traveling With Pets

Preventative maintenance becomes even more important when your pet is along for the ride.

An unexpected breakdown isn't just inconvenient when there's an animal inside your tow vehicle.

Before your next camping trip, check:

• Tires

• Wheel bearings

• Brakes

• Batteries

• Air conditioning

• Electrical system

• Roof seals

• Water system

• Propane system

• Exterior lights

You especially want confidence in the systems responsible for maintaining a safe, comfortable RV interior.

Before heading out with your four-legged camping companion, use our summer RV maintenance checklist to help make sure your trailer is ready for the road.

Tacoma RV Center already maintains RV maintenance resources alongside destination and ownership content on its blog.

Cats vs. Dogs: Different Pets, Same RV Adventure

Traveling with a cat isn't exactly the same as traveling with a dog.

Dogs may enjoy campground walks, beaches, and hiking trails, while many cats are happier observing the adventure from a secure RV window or catio.

Both require planning around:

• Campground pet rules

• Temperature

• Food and water

• Safe transportation

• Identification

• Wildlife

• Exercise and enrichment

If your camping crew includes both, you'll want to plan for each animal individually.

Traveling with more than one kind of four-legged adventurer? Check out our RV camping with dogs guide for pet-friendly Washington destinations and additional tips for taking your entire crew on the road.

Tacoma RV Center's dog camping guide is already part of its Washington-focused RV content library.

Get Your RV Ready at Tacoma RV Service Center

Thinking about making your RV more comfortable for your cat?

Before making permanent modifications involving walls, cabinets, storage compartments, electrical components, or plumbing, consider talking with an RV professional.

The Tacoma RV Service Center can also help keep your RV prepared for upcoming adventures with inspections, routine maintenance, repairs, and other service needs.

Schedule your service online today before your next Washington camping trip.

Tacoma RV Service Center

8507 Pacific Hwy E
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 455-7837

Find a Pet-Friendly RV at Tacoma RV Center

The right RV isn't just about where you want to travel.

It's about who's traveling with you.

If your adventures include a cat—or several pets—pay attention to windows, storage, floor space, furniture placement, climate-control systems, and flexible areas when comparing floorplans.

At Tacoma RV Center, our family-owned dealership offers travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers for all kinds of Washington adventures.

Our non-commissioned sales team can help you compare layouts without the pressure of being rushed into a decision.

Bring your camping wish list.

Think about your pets.

Imagine where the litter box will go.

And yes, figure out which window your cat will claim before you've even left the dealership.

Because when your RV works for everyone traveling inside it, camping gets a whole lot better.

Your cat might not care whether you're parked at the Pacific Ocean, Lake Chelan, or beneath the Cascades—but they'll definitely appreciate having the best seat in the RV.