When you’re RVing full-time with dogs, you’re constantly exploring new environments—and that means new health risks for your pets.
Back when we lived in Las Vegas, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes weren’t much of a concern. But now that we’re crisscrossing the country, those pesky parasites are part of the landscape. To keep our dogs, Sierra and Ruby, protected, we’ve added flea, tick, and heartworm prevention to our regular routine.
Let’s break down why this matters and how you can protect your dogs on the road.
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The Risk of Heartworm Disease Is Real
Heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states. All it takes is one bite from an infected mosquito to infect your pet. And trust me, heartworm is no joke—it can cause heart failure, severe lung damage, and even death. Treatment is expensive and tough on your dog’s body.
But prevention? That’s simple. That’s why year-round heartworm protection is a must for full-time RVers with pets.
What Is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworms are long, parasitic worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of infected animals. Dogs are natural hosts, which means once infected, the worms can grow into adults, reproduce, and increase in number—some dogs can carry hundreds.
The long-term effects can be devastating: permanent damage to your dog’s organs, especially the lungs and heart. That’s why prevention is always the best plan.
3 Heartworm Prevention Tips:
- Reduce Mosquito Exposure
Eliminate standing water, avoid dense brush, and limit outdoor time during peak mosquito hours (dawn and dusk). - Use Year-Round Preventive Medication
A monthly preventive kills larvae before they grow into adult worms. - Annual Heartworm Testing
Your vet will need to test your dog before prescribing heartworm meds—stay on top of annual checkups.
What We Use: Heartgard Plus
Our vet recommended Heartgard Plus, and it’s worked great for Sierra and Ruby. It contains ivermectin (prevents heartworms) and pyrantel pamoate (kills roundworms and hookworms). Bonus: it’s the only real beef chew on the market, and our dogs love it—no bribing needed.
Heartgard is safe for dogs as young as 6 weeks and protects against:
- Heartworms
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
It’s the #1 choice among veterinarians, and with over 2 billion doses dispensed, it’s earned its reputation.
Don’t Overlook Hookworms and Roundworms
Many dog owners don’t realize their pet can pick up roundworms or hookworms just by walking in contaminated soil—or from licking their paws afterward. These intestinal parasites can cause serious health issues and are often invisible to the eye. Thankfully, Heartgard Plus covers these, too.
Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs on the Road
Fleas and ticks are more than just a nuisance. They can transmit dangerous diseases to both pets and people. And once your RV is infested? It’s a nightmare to get rid of them.
Why Flea & Tick Prevention Matters:
- Health Risks
Flea and tick bites can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and disease transmission. - Disease Transmission
- Fleas: Typhus, cat scratch fever, tapeworms
- Ticks: Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and more
- Home Infestations
Fleas and ticks reproduce quickly and can infest bedding, rugs, and furniture—even in your RV.
What We Use: Bravecto
After trying a few options, our vet recommended Bravecto, and we haven’t looked back. It’s a prescription-only flea and tick prevention that provides up to 12 weeks of protection with just one chew or topical dose.
Why We Love Bravecto:
- Long-lasting: One dose = 12 weeks of protection
- Fast-acting: Kills 100% of attached ticks within 12 hours
- Convenient: Fewer doses to remember (great for travel days)
- Comprehensive: Effective against fleas, black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, and brown dog ticks
Note: In areas with Lone Star ticks (common in the South and Midwest), Bravecto should be given every 8 weeks instead of 12.
Keep Your Pets Safe While You’re Away
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Shop the MarCELL Pro NowOur Routine on the Road
Here’s what our flea, tick, and heartworm routine looks like while RVing full-time:
- Heartgard Plus – once a month
- Bravecto – every 12 weeks (or 8 weeks in Lone Star tick areas)
Both are prescription medications, so we work with our vet to keep scripts up to date. We usually order through Chewy.com and have the meds shipped to our current location. It’s hassle-free and travel-friendly.
Final Thoughts
If you’re RVing with dogs, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention is not optional—it’s essential. Parasites don’t care if you’re on vacation, boondocking in the desert, or parked at a lakeside campground.
Using Heartgard Plus and Bravecto helps us protect Sierra and Ruby without missing a beat in our travel schedule.
Got a favorite flea/tick or heartworm product? Have questions about how we manage pet care on the road? Drop your comments below—we’d love to hear from you.
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