I've seen pictures of dogs on board their owner's sailboats. What about cats? I have two and we are getting ready to sail extensively and wonder if we could take them with us - they are liter trained - far better than a dog if you get my meaning! Anyone, and everyone, please send your thoughts and experiences. Thanks, JB
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Tried Once - she hated it!
Depends on the Cat - ours hated being on the boat even at the dock! She is an indoor cat and really doesn't like much change other than her daily routine. I have heard they can adjust and do well but make sure you leave a safety net (they could climb) or float off the back in case they fall off (ie like at nite.).
Depends on the Cat - ours hated being on the boat even at the dock! She is an indoor cat and really doesn't like much change other than her daily routine. I have heard they can adjust and do well but make sure you leave a safety net (they could climb) or float off the back in case they fall off (ie like at nite.).
I've seen them.
I've seen boat cats a number of times in different anchorages. Most of them wear their mini life vests. Keep that in mind.
I've seen boat cats a number of times in different anchorages. Most of them wear their mini life vests. Keep that in mind.
We have done much sailing and cruising with cats
JB, et.al., My wife and I have sailed and cruised for many years with a sucession of cats--some of whom enjoyed sailing more than others. We've only had one cat that did not like the boat at all, however, he did not like leaving our house--he was quite insecure. Ironically his name was Skipper. So Skipper stayed home. We've learned a few things about having cats on board but I am sure we will be in for still more learning. However, here are some suggestions you might like to consider. Before introducing the cat(s) to the boat, have a very good soft sided cat carrier for each cat. Cut up a small baby's blanket that the cat has been sleeping on and place it into the carrier so she knows it is hers. This will be a haven for the cat if things are not going well on board for the moment. Our cats always head for their carriers the moment noise (engine, etc.) is detected. Take you cats on a sunny day to the boat and let them explore. Don't rush things. We have a cat litter box already on board and bring some of their toys so that they understand this is there place too. Also have a flat scratching pad and one that is tall. When cats are comfortable, they want to scratch something. In this introduction part for the cats, we will have dinner on board and will have the cat food available that they normally have. If they go out on deck we immediately put their cat harnesses on--not just rings around their neck but one that goes around the neck and the body (google "walking jackets"). We also have small (20 feet) leashes--the ones that go in and out of a holder. Most pet stores have them. One of our present cats enjoys all this and the other hates the jacket. I think she get use to it eventually. Sometimes at the dock I start the engine while my wife pets the cats. I want them to learn to get use to the noise. Once underway, we try to let the cats move about the cockpit--although one of ours would rather stay below in her carrier. But we also had special Bottomsiders made that fit inside the dodger so they can see what is going on and it is in the sun. Our first cruises of the season are by ourselves--later on we raft up with friends that we know and that the cats know. By this time they are doing pretty well and enjoy the cruising. Have a cat first aid kit. Talk to your vet. We carry a suringe (for medicate through the mouth), bee sting medication, clippers, brush, comb, whatever else the vet suggest. Our vet gave us his home number and allowed us to call anytime of the day or night. We have. We also carry extra towels and rags for the cats. Some of the towels have a plastic backing so if the cat is sick on the seats or bunks, it won't go through. Cats do get sea sick--several of ours would get sea sick at the beginning and then get use to it. But it is no fun bashing into heavy chop and your wife is down below trying to take care of two sick cats. The towels can be use to dry off a cat that has fallen in. Our cats have never fallen overboard although they have scared us from time to time. But we have had wet cats when they have slipped going up the transom from the dinghy and we didn't catch them fast enough. One day we were in our inflatable in very shallow water looking at the sea life walking on the bottom. It was very clear and our one cat was with us watching everything. Suddenly she just walked off the dinghy. She was surprised, we were surprised and she swam over to the oar and climbed back on board. Hence the towels. Another cat (Skipper) who didn't like the boat was once with my wife in a hard dinghy about twenty yards astern of our boat. He leaped off the bow on the dinghy and swam over to the boat, up the transom and was steaking for the sleeping bags when I caught him. He was MAD. I think he got too hot in the sun. We use to take the cats ashore on leash but don't anymore. Too many people want to pet the cats who don't understand cat personalities. It just scares them too much. Our present two cats think the forced air heater is the best part of the boat in the morning. They refuse to move out of the flow of hot air. Hope this helps. If you have more questions, fire away. Oh, by the way, be sure to carry extra kitty litter. It is surprising how many small grocery stores for boats don't carry kitty litter. And I can attest in Desolation Sound there is no sand, really NO sand. I forgot, our two cats get the forward cabin. Spoiled? You bet. My best to you and your cats. Les
JB, et.al., My wife and I have sailed and cruised for many years with a sucession of cats--some of whom enjoyed sailing more than others. We've only had one cat that did not like the boat at all, however, he did not like leaving our house--he was quite insecure. Ironically his name was Skipper. So Skipper stayed home. We've learned a few things about having cats on board but I am sure we will be in for still more learning. However, here are some suggestions you might like to consider. Before introducing the cat(s) to the boat, have a very good soft sided cat carrier for each cat. Cut up a small baby's blanket that the cat has been sleeping on and place it into the carrier so she knows it is hers. This will be a haven for the cat if things are not going well on board for the moment. Our cats always head for their carriers the moment noise (engine, etc.) is detected. Take you cats on a sunny day to the boat and let them explore. Don't rush things. We have a cat litter box already on board and bring some of their toys so that they understand this is there place too. Also have a flat scratching pad and one that is tall. When cats are comfortable, they want to scratch something. In this introduction part for the cats, we will have dinner on board and will have the cat food available that they normally have. If they go out on deck we immediately put their cat harnesses on--not just rings around their neck but one that goes around the neck and the body (google "walking jackets"). We also have small (20 feet) leashes--the ones that go in and out of a holder. Most pet stores have them. One of our present cats enjoys all this and the other hates the jacket. I think she get use to it eventually. Sometimes at the dock I start the engine while my wife pets the cats. I want them to learn to get use to the noise. Once underway, we try to let the cats move about the cockpit--although one of ours would rather stay below in her carrier. But we also had special Bottomsiders made that fit inside the dodger so they can see what is going on and it is in the sun. Our first cruises of the season are by ourselves--later on we raft up with friends that we know and that the cats know. By this time they are doing pretty well and enjoy the cruising. Have a cat first aid kit. Talk to your vet. We carry a suringe (for medicate through the mouth), bee sting medication, clippers, brush, comb, whatever else the vet suggest. Our vet gave us his home number and allowed us to call anytime of the day or night. We have. We also carry extra towels and rags for the cats. Some of the towels have a plastic backing so if the cat is sick on the seats or bunks, it won't go through. Cats do get sea sick--several of ours would get sea sick at the beginning and then get use to it. But it is no fun bashing into heavy chop and your wife is down below trying to take care of two sick cats. The towels can be use to dry off a cat that has fallen in. Our cats have never fallen overboard although they have scared us from time to time. But we have had wet cats when they have slipped going up the transom from the dinghy and we didn't catch them fast enough. One day we were in our inflatable in very shallow water looking at the sea life walking on the bottom. It was very clear and our one cat was with us watching everything. Suddenly she just walked off the dinghy. She was surprised, we were surprised and she swam over to the oar and climbed back on board. Hence the towels. Another cat (Skipper) who didn't like the boat was once with my wife in a hard dinghy about twenty yards astern of our boat. He leaped off the bow on the dinghy and swam over to the boat, up the transom and was steaking for the sleeping bags when I caught him. He was MAD. I think he got too hot in the sun. We use to take the cats ashore on leash but don't anymore. Too many people want to pet the cats who don't understand cat personalities. It just scares them too much. Our present two cats think the forced air heater is the best part of the boat in the morning. They refuse to move out of the flow of hot air. Hope this helps. If you have more questions, fire away. Oh, by the way, be sure to carry extra kitty litter. It is surprising how many small grocery stores for boats don't carry kitty litter. And I can attest in Desolation Sound there is no sand, really NO sand. I forgot, our two cats get the forward cabin. Spoiled? You bet. My best to you and your cats. Les
my cat lived aboard with me for three years
my cat "maggie" was well known around charleston marinas as she was more dog like with walking with me and coming when called. basically, I let her run around the marina within earshot of the boat and she visited everyone and came home when she got bored. the dolphins scared her and she always walked in the middle of the dock! quite cute. she fell in once and only once. after that she walked quite carefully around the boat and docks. all in all, I think she found the environment very stimulating and she liked it, but she didn't really like being on board alone and that breaks your heart when going down the dock to the shower or something and you can hear her calling for you.
my cat "maggie" was well known around charleston marinas as she was more dog like with walking with me and coming when called. basically, I let her run around the marina within earshot of the boat and she visited everyone and came home when she got bored. the dolphins scared her and she always walked in the middle of the dock! quite cute. she fell in once and only once. after that she walked quite carefully around the boat and docks. all in all, I think she found the environment very stimulating and she liked it, but she didn't really like being on board alone and that breaks your heart when going down the dock to the shower or something and you can hear her calling for you.
Cat on Board!
I have an old couch potato/tomcat "Robert" (former champion alley cat before he found a sucker to feed him two squares). Took him to the boat a couple of times a few years ago and he didn't care for it much. After the second time, he seemed to be able to pick up on the sailing signals and would mysteriously vanish. After a month of these vanishing acts I found his hiding place in a closet in a shoe box behind yellowing cloths that Georgia is saving since high school for the day when she can once again wear that cheerleading outfit. I got the hint and while I sail he watches the Jerry Springer show. Jon
I have an old couch potato/tomcat "Robert" (former champion alley cat before he found a sucker to feed him two squares). Took him to the boat a couple of times a few years ago and he didn't care for it much. After the second time, he seemed to be able to pick up on the sailing signals and would mysteriously vanish. After a month of these vanishing acts I found his hiding place in a closet in a shoe box behind yellowing cloths that Georgia is saving since high school for the day when she can once again wear that cheerleading outfit. I got the hint and while I sail he watches the Jerry Springer show. Jon
Four wheel drive is best
when it comes to cats. Jack wants me to put indoor/outdoor carpet on the deck so he can get a grip. He is definitely spoiled but I haven't gone quite that far. He wears a little life vest harness with a handle. The handle is important in case you have to fish him out. They will panic and try to climb your arm and that can be painful. They can also grab onto a big line and climb up that if they fall in. Jack is a Bengal cat which is a cross between American shorthair and Asian Leopard four generations back. He likes water but not the cold. The leopards actually wade around and catch fish in Asia. He climbs me like I am a tree and then he sits on my shoulder. As long as I answer him, he will talk to me. When he really wants something, he makes a really strange purring meow - almost like he is talking. If I do not let him climb, he will jump up to my shoulder. That is really a surprise if I am not ready. It can be painful if I do not wear heavy clothing but he is really considerate about his claws and doesn't scratch me too much now. No small bird is safe around this guy. He jumps six feet into the air to catch his feather toy and does all kinds of acrobatics in the process. If he falls, he just gets back up and keeps on going like nothing has happened. There are other breeds like Pixi-bobs which like water too. They are a lot like dogs and follow their owners around like a dog. Going to foreign countries can be a real hassle as I am told. Canada is not too bad. You have to have some shot records with him. Besides all of that, he can lick any dog around.
when it comes to cats. Jack wants me to put indoor/outdoor carpet on the deck so he can get a grip. He is definitely spoiled but I haven't gone quite that far. He wears a little life vest harness with a handle. The handle is important in case you have to fish him out. They will panic and try to climb your arm and that can be painful. They can also grab onto a big line and climb up that if they fall in. Jack is a Bengal cat which is a cross between American shorthair and Asian Leopard four generations back. He likes water but not the cold. The leopards actually wade around and catch fish in Asia. He climbs me like I am a tree and then he sits on my shoulder. As long as I answer him, he will talk to me. When he really wants something, he makes a really strange purring meow - almost like he is talking. If I do not let him climb, he will jump up to my shoulder. That is really a surprise if I am not ready. It can be painful if I do not wear heavy clothing but he is really considerate about his claws and doesn't scratch me too much now. No small bird is safe around this guy. He jumps six feet into the air to catch his feather toy and does all kinds of acrobatics in the process. If he falls, he just gets back up and keeps on going like nothing has happened. There are other breeds like Pixi-bobs which like water too. They are a lot like dogs and follow their owners around like a dog. Going to foreign countries can be a real hassle as I am told. Canada is not too bad. You have to have some shot records with him. Besides all of that, he can lick any dog around.
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