As any pet lover who's also a boater will tell you, the idea of living aboard and/or cruising without his or her best friend is unthinkable. The rewards of cruising with your pet simply outweigh any inconveniences.
But how can you ensure your canine companion or feline friend will not only enjoy the experience, but also stay safe? As a veterinary technologist who's also a boater – and who has pets aboard – I recommend following these steps to get started.
THINK BEFORE YOU ACT
Carefully consider bringing a pet aboard before any paws touch the deck. Think about the quality of life you can provide. Most cats adapt well to the smaller confines of a boat, but dogs need shore-side exercise, so make sure you can provide plenty. Although my husband Tom and I considered ourselves "dog people," we didn't feel that our sailboat and our cruising lifestyle would provide the best quality of life for a dog.
BARBARA THEISENDogs need plenty of romps on shore. Be sure that you can provide for this.A few years after moving aboard, when the kids were old enough to help care for a pet, we brought a kitten aboard. He loved cruising, perhaps because we were almost always on the boat, and his life was filled with much love and attention. He enjoyed hiking on remote islands (he followed us like a dog), he occasionally went for a swim, and he was always waiting on deck when we returned in the dinghy. In 18 years of living aboard and cruising to date, we've enjoyed the company of three cats.
Regardless of whether you prefer a cat or dog, also consider things such as size, length of coat, temperament of the breed and the medical conditions that certain breeds are predisposed to. For example, some breeds of dogs – boxers, bulldogs, Pekingese and pugs – are prone to heatstroke, so you'll need to take extra precautions if cruising in tropical areas.
Speaking of cruising areas, some countries and even U.S. states impose quarantine regulations. Coastal cruising in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bahamas doesn't involve restrictions, but Hawaii and Australia, among other regions, do impose some. Do your homework before you leave land, so you know whether you need to submit paperwork or keep your pet confined to your decks.
Last but not least, many cruisers travel on a tight budget, so calculate the extra costs of pet food, veterinary care, etc.
KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY
Once you do select a cruising companion, have him neutered. This can help avoid certain diseases later in life, controls the population and makes your pet less likely to wander off in port. Your pet will be less likely to get into fights, too. Some people believe weight gain is typical after neutering, but if you take the time to provide sufficient exercise, this won't happen.
Once you head out for a cruise, you might find your pet suffers from seasickness, since it affects some animals just as it does some humans. Although puppies are most prone to motion sickness, they usually outgrow it. Dogs generally become nauseated and vomit when seasick, while cats often drool excessively. If you find your pet is prone to seasickness, ask your veterinarian for advice. Most over-the-counter motion-sickness remedies are safe for animals but must be used in smaller doses.
Fleas and ticks are commonly brought back on board after romps on shore, so keep a supply of once-a-month flea medicine from your vet, such as Advantage, which you put on your pet's skin. Don't waste your money on over-the-counter flea shampoos, flea collars or over-the-counter worming medicines. Have your pet's stool checked for worms yearly. Dogs need to be on heartworm-prevention medicine.
In fact, ask your veterinarian for advice and medication for any known medical problems your pet may have. It's a good idea to learn how to administer medicine, trim your pet's nails, clean ears and other routine tasks to keep your pet healthy. Also, keep vaccinations up to date, as you'll need to keep a signed vaccination certificate and health certificate for your pet on your boat.
If you're heading to tropical climates, keep your pets cool by providing shade, adequate ventilation and plenty of fresh water – the same things we all need to keep comfortable in hot weather. The heat is especially hard on overweight animals, so keep your pet at his desirable weight. If heatstroke does strike your pet, immediate action is necessary. Immerse him in cool water or spray with a garden hose, if available.
And just as you do for yourself and your guests, keep a first-aid kit on board for your pets. Include a good emergency-care manual for animals. I recommend Emergency Care for Cats and Dogs by Craton R. Burkholder, since it provides a thorough list of items for your first-aid kit as well as steps for treating urgent situations. These include everything from removing fishhooks and treating eye injuries and diarrhea to bandaging wounds, applying splints and giving artificial respiration.
SAFETY FIRST
Your pet's safety on board is key to him remaining healthy and you enjoying the cruising experience. Keeping your pet actually on your boat is therefore top priority. This can prove harder than you would imagine, especially for cats, but the last thing you want is your companion falling overboard. It's particularly a good idea to keep pets inside the boat in rough waters. If they need to go out, be sure they are wearing a harness that can attach to a tether. You may also want to place netting around the boat. In addition, keep a long-handled fish net handy, as it can retrieve small dogs or cats that have gone overboard.
