Noah's Ark
Boating is a whole new adventure when your furry friends join you for a fun day on the water.
by Sandy Lindsey
January 1, 2005
The American Pet Association reports that there are 44.8 million dog owners in the United
States who own a total of 62.9 million dogs. Add in 76.6 million domestic cats and you get a total
of 139.5 million pampered pets. More than half of American dog owners, the report continues, are
more attached to their pets than to at least one other human being. There are 16.2 million people
who think of their dog as their best friend; 8.3 million treat their dog as they would a child; and
5.4 million say they love their dog as much as their spouse. With these strong numbers, is it any
wonder that if you sit along a waterway on any given day, you'll probably see more than a handful
of hounds riding by on the bow of center consoles, or wagging their tails in the cockpits of
cruisers?
Dogs and cats make some of the best boat guests. It may seem like a clich', but it's true.
They're affectionate, grateful, and never steal the last drink from the cooler on a hot, thirsty
day. But quiet and uncomplaining as these creatures may be, there's more to taking them out on a
boat than just setting out food and water, and, if appropriate, a litter box for guaranteed smooth
sailing. With a little forethought, and maybe also a short 'road test,' your pet can become an
excellent first mate.
What To Pack
Be sure to bring along your pet's regular pet food. Any change will only exacerbate any
stomach problems you may encounter. Fresh water should be on hand at all times to keep the animal
hydrated and cool in the summer. Proper shade is a necessity as well, especially on hot days, as
both heat stroke and sunburn can be a concern. If your pet is on any medications, pack a sufficient
supply. And don't forget their favorite toys. An entertained pet is one who's not trying to jump on
the boat driver and steer. Old towels will come in handy to clean up any unexpected messes or
spilled water bowls, to create a comfy impromptu pet bed, and to dry a pet who has been swimming
around.
Speaking of swimming, fit your dog or cat with the proper size personal floatation device
(PFD) before they set a paw on board. The PFD should hold them snugly, without being too tight. The
animal should be able to move around on deck, while receiving adequate floatation in the water
without cramping its ability to swim back to the boat. A pre-boating water test is a good idea. A
handle on the back of the PFD isn't essential, but it does make it easier to lift the animal out of
the water and back on board, especially if it's small and lightweight. Like with human PFDs, bright
colors and reflective tape will make the animal easier to locate in any type of impaired-visibility
situation or high seas.
Lastly, you'll want to get an additional I.D. tag that's made for Rover, one with the boat's
contact info on it and/or a cellular phone number. This ensures that should your pet get lost, its
rescuer isn't leaving messages at your empty home while you scour the local docks for it.
Once On board
Make sure your pet has its own 'quiet space' to tuck into. You could, for example, place its
regular bed on the cabin floor next to yours. Wherever it is, check that the location is shaded and
cool. This will go a long way to making the animal feel at home on board.
Often a dog or cat will suffer from a brief bout of seasickness at the start of a voyage,
but quickly get their sea legs under them. If this is the case with your pooch or kitty, don't feed
it for six hours prior to setting off. Unless the animal is overly thirsty, or it's very hot out,
don't give it water for two hours before leaving the dock. Feed and water the animal as soon as it
appears to have acclimatized to the boat motion.
To keep your cat from coughing up hairballs all over your boat, give it a small amount of
mineral oil once a month to settle its tummy and make hair exit the natural way. (Note: It's best
that you begin this practice well before you start your boat trip.) To keep your cat from shedding
on board, wipe it down daily with a sponge dipped in water and baking soda solution to remove loose
hairs.
Don't forget to walk your dog every time you dock or provide a convenient litter box for
kitty, as the case may be. To keep your cat's litter box odors inoffensive, mix a full box of fresh
cat litter with 16 ounces of baking soda and 4 teaspoons of dried mint. To keep things neat when
cleaning out the litter box, slide the box into a large, sturdy garbage bag before dumping it
directly into that same bag. This will eliminate mess and the choking dust cloud as you shift the
litter around.
Protecting Your Pet And Boat
The following are some wholesome alternatives for keeping your pet out of areas where it can
do damage. Mix 1 teaspoon of black pepper and 1 tablespoon of paprika with 1/4 cup oil of cloves to
make your own Puppy Away. A stamp moistener bottle makes for a convenient applicator. For a puppy
or kitten whose new hobby is scratching on a certain piece of cabin furniture, attach a piece of
sandpaper to the spot where it likes to scratch securely with double-sided tape. This should
prevent both further damage to the area and shorten the puppy's nails. Scratching cats can often be
're-routed' by the sight of a nice big scratching post. If your cat continues to scratch your
wooden furniture, wipe down the wood with chili sauce and blot dry. The odor isn't perceptible to
humans but will seriously deter your cat.
To prevent your puppy from chewing and urinating on board, scent the areas it's damaging
with oil of clove. The odor isn't perceptible to humans but is very offensive to dogs. And all of
the above are environmentally friendly to the waters you boat over. To remove existing dog urine
from deck and cabin carpeting, sponge the stain with lukewarm mild soapsuds; rinse with a clean
cloth soaked in cold water. Then soak a second cloth in a solution of 1 part ammonia to 5 parts
water. Hold it on the stain for 1 minute. Rinse with clean water.
To keep a persistent dog or cat off your cabin furniture, place aluminum foil over its
favorite spot. The crackling noise and ensuing confusion your pet will encounter when jumping up on
foil should make him seek a new nap spot.
There are many things to consider prior to bringing your pet on board. Having the
appropriate gear and knowing how to make your boat pet-friendly are essential for your animal's
safety and your sanity. So the next time you go cruising, consider letting your pet tag along.
Humans aren't the only ones who can enjoy a fun day on the water.