Pets on the Boat

BOATING WITH PETS

Many cruisers are now choosing to take their pets with them. Here are some suggestions of how to make the experience more pleasurable for both of you.

- Before you head out --

Put an ID tag on your pet! Information to include:

• Your boat's permanent marina location and slip number
• A phone contact for when you're afloat.
• A secondary phone number (such as a relative, or land based friend)

Consider having an ID microchip implanted in your pet. The chip, which is about the size of a grain of rice, is inserted at the scruff of the neck and contains a number linked to a national registry.

Get a personal flotation device (PFD) for your dog or cat, available at most boating stores for $20 to $80. Regardless of how good a swimmer your pet is, a sudden dunking can cause panic. Tip: get a brightly colored life jacket with a handle on top, this will them much easier to see and retrieve. Get the dog or cat used to wearing the PFD before setting out.

Teach your dog basic safety commands, such as stay, sit, on boat, off boat, or the all time favorite "do your business". If you can teach your cat these commands, well, you're a genius, let us know how!

Make sure there are no hazardous or dangerous materials within your pet’s reach.

Get seasickness medication for your pet if necessary. Some of the same medications used for humans, such as Benadryl and Dramamine, also work for pets, please consult your vet before giving your pet ANY medications.

If you plan to venture to foreign ports with your dog or cat on board your sailboat or power boat, check the regulations well in advance. Many countries have quarantine or health laws that apply to "foreign" animals.

-- Training --

If you haven't already, get your pet used to being around the water.

Introduce them to the boat (and boats noises) a little at a time.
The best way to introduce your pet to boating is to spend some time together on the boat when it’s tied up to the dock. Training goes something like this: An hour on the dock, a few hours and start the engine (to adapt them to the noise and vibration), a quick trip around the marina, a daysail, a weekend overnight, you get the idea...

Dogs Only:
Practice swimming and rescue drills with your dog.
Trained the dog to paddle to a swimming platform or ladder, so they could be helped back on board. Figure out your plan well in advance. "What would I do if. . ." Fill in the blank, then make a plan. Don't forget to practice your drills on a nice day, when it's "fun," so everyone knows the procedure.

Cats Only: While docked, rig up a self-rescue system, such as a coiled line or carpet strip hanging into the water at each corner of the boat, to make it easier for an overboard cat to climb back on. A fishnet with a long handle is also helpful in scooping up a drenched cat or small dog. "

-- At Dock --

• Be extra alert at dock, this seems to be where most accidents happen. Make sure your cat or dog knows not to get off the boat without permission, and other vital dock rules. Keep an eye on them.
• Always carry your pet's rabies vaccination certificate and health records when on land.

--Dogs or Cats On Board the Power Boat or Sailboat --

• If you tether your pet, do it in a secure area, and on a short lead. A body harness with a lifting strap is helpful when your pet is tethered. Never tether a pet at the neck, and never leave a tethered pet unattended on deck or dock.
• Consider your boats traction on deck. Is there anyplace your dog or cat is slipping and sliding? Do something about it. Bathroom throw rugs or outdoor carpet with non-slip backings to help with the dogs' footing are a temporary solution.
• Get steps or ramps if your dog has trouble navigating companionway ladders.
• Exercise them. Play with cat toys, Play fetch with the dog, just get them moving around.
• Make sure your pet has a shady place to sit on deck (fiberglass gets hot).
• Secure the pet's water dish. A large one kept half full will spill less underway.

Bathroom issues:
Dogs: A piece of AstroTurf, or a box of sod can work as a substitute when landfall is not possible. Some people just train their dogs to go on deck, though this is difficult and often dangerous while underway (not to mention, yuck). The problem isn't where to go, it is getting your dog to understand it is OK to go. This can be really tricky to do with an older dog. Start training as soon as possible.

You can guess the drill. Start by putting the piece of fake sod where they normally go to the bathroom, and you know, put some on it. We never said it was going to be easy :) Then start moving the Astroturf in different areas, get them to go on the fake sod. This can take awhile. Bring the fake sod to the dock, get them to go on it there. Until finally you move it on board the boat, and get them to go there. That training command, "do your business", comes in super handy here.

Cats: Use an anchored litter box or use the "head" (the toilet on a boat). Training a cat to go in the toilet requires tremendous patience, but believe it or not, it can be done.

View All Forums