Tips for Boating Safely With Cats
Domesticated cats aren’t exactly known for being fond of bodies of water. However, cats were kept on boats throughout the ages because of their fantastic and instinctive rodent-catching abilities.
While cats aren’t needed much these days to keep critters off boats, they can still make great boating companions. However, bringing cats along for boating trips requires a bit of preparation, especially since they’re not exactly natural-born swimmers.
When it comes to boating with pets, people tend to think more about bringing along dogs rather than cats, since the former are generally good swimmers while the latter ... well, are not. We’ve published a couple of articles on boating with dogs, but why should canines get all the love? Let’s give our feline friends a little attention. Here are some tips for boating safely with cats.
Buy a Life Vest for Your Cat
Even if your kitty can actually swim, you should have a pet vest for them to wear, because no matter how strong their balance and reflexes are, even cats can fall off a boat.
There are pet vests designed specifically for cats, but because their isn’t exactly a high demand for them, you might need to get an extra small pet vest for little dogs. Once you have the vest, make sure not only that it fits your cat snugly, but also that your feline friend gets used to wearing it before they go boating. Look for a vest with a back strap you can use to pull “Felix” out of the water.
Get Your Cat Some Swimming Practice
Can you teach a cat how to swim? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean your kitty can’t learn to swim on their own with a little practice in a pool, lake or small pond.
Your cat should get swimming practice both with and without the vest. But ultimately they need to get used to swimming with the vest they’ll be wearing on the boat. Remember, even cats can fall overboard, but because of their penchant for chasing after moving objects, they might also jump in to chase after fish or something else in the water.
If your cat is too scared to swim or panics in the water and doesn’t adapt to swimming, don’t take them boating. Only if you can get your cat to wear the vest and swim in it should you consider them ready for the next step …
Bring your kitty onboard and encourage him or her to explore the deck and the cabin. It can take a cat a while to get comfortable on a boat before it’s ready to go sailing. One way to get your cat acclimated to your boat is to bring food, water and litter box onboard. Offer the cat treats to come onboard, and put its bed and some toys in the boat for extra incentive. Allow your cat time to wander the boat and smell everything to become familiar with it before taking the next step …
Take Your Cat on Short Trips
Once the cat can swim, and has become familiar and comfortable with the boat, it’s time to put to the test whether they can handle actually being out on the water on a moving vessel.
Start by taking your cat on a few short trips to see if they can handle the motion of the boat. If they prove capable of a few short treks, then you can try taking them on day trips and eventually overnight trips. Just don’t rush your feline companion or force them to go boating if they don’t want to. Not all cats will react the same way to being on a moving boat. Some get scared, some don’t, so take your time and let them feel it out.
Keep Seasickness In Mind
Humans aren’t the only ones who get seasickness, so it’s recommended you take your cat to the vet before each trip to make sure they’re healthy enough to go.
And even if your cat is healthy, they can still get seasick on board, so ask your veterinarian if they have any motion-sickness medications for pets. Whether your vet has meds or not, get your cat physically examined to find out about any medical conditions you should know about before you take them out on the water.
Hang Extra Ropes and Nets
Cats are natural-born climbers, and can get back on the boat easier if there are extra ropes, ladders and nets hanging over the side for them to grab onto.
While some cats can climb metal ladders, these can get slippery when wet and make it hard for a feline to scale up. For that reason, you should hang some nets, rope ladders, or extra ropes you don’t use for dock lines or fender lines as extra options for cats to climb back onboard if they fall or jump off the boat.
Get an Enclosed Litter Box
Of course your cat needs a litter box onboard to pee and poo, but it’s recommend using an enclosed litter box to prevent kitty litter from flying around the boat while it’s in motion.
Training your cat to potty onboard might be challenging if they’re used to going at a certain spot in your home. This is why you should make an enclosed litter box your cat’s main box at home. Then, bring that same familiar-smelling litter box on the boat for your cat to follow the scent and get used to doing their “doody” onboard.
What to Pack for Your Kitty
Before setting sail, make sure you're prepared by putting together a list of your cat’s needs to bring along for the trip, including:
- Leash and harness to bring your cat on land or to keep your cat from falling in the water.
- Collar and name tag with your phone number and home address in case your cat gets lost.
- Food and water bowls, plus plenty of food and fresh water to put in them.
- Mat or rug to give your cat a comfortable spot to lie down, especially when it’s hot.
- Pet first-aid kit with specific supplies for just your cat.
Your cat’s familiar household items should also be brought along. This includes their daily bed (for recognizable scent), scratching post (to keep them from clawing at your boat seats) and favorite toys (to keep them entertained).
Finally, if you moor at a marina or somewhere else with other boats, let your neighbors know about your cat. That way if your kitty wanders off or tries to climb aboard somebody else’s boat, they can know it’s your pet and not some stray cat they need to shoo away.
