Seagoing pussies

[Metabarca]

I have a new member of the family - a feline tyrant - which I would like to introduce to the joys of sailing. Has anyone positive or negative experiences about taking a kitten/cat on board? Is there a way of easing them into a seagoing lifestyle without traumatising the darlings? I'm not bothered about quarantine rules as I'm in the Adriatic; it's simply the practical considerations I'm interested in.
Thanks!

 

[ruthhobson]

The live aboard forum might have some advice?

Ruth

 

[David2452]

We have a pair of moggies who come with us whenever we are on the boat for more than a weekend. They seem to have more of a problem with the car journey to the boat than when aboard, then they (at least seem) to love it. The wood based cat litter is the best as it smells of pine instead of cat wee and being bio degradable is easily disposed of over the side. Cats do not like changes to their routine but if introduced to boating early in life can certainly add to your enjoyment especially if you do any fishing. Small life jackets are available and you are far more likely to fall over the side than they are.

David

 

[Ohdrat]

I have met a cat that was more at home on the sea shore / and boat than it was on dry land.. it learnt to be a very good rock pool fisherman .. it was introduced to the sea and boats at any early age (kitten) and took to it like a duck to water.. don't think it had webbed paws tho'!

 

[bob_tyler]

Years ago in Chichester Harbour, off East Head, I saw a cat try to jump from dinghy to yacht from too far off and fall in.

It could swim beautifully and even appeared to be enjoying it until pulled out.

Until then I thought that cats couldn't swim.

 

[peterk]

hi m,

I've had several cats sail with me.
The younger they come on board the more naturally they take to it.

Miyako - named after the Japanese island where I got him
fit curled up into one of my hands.
After two days 'Tehani' was HIS...
He LOVED dolphins, too.

Two of my former cats routinely and voluntarily entered the water.
One of them - whenever I rigged up
next to the boat - used to jump on the windsurfer
and sail with me
also voluntarily,
but only in flat conditions, the furry chicken...

have fun !

...peter, www.juprowa.com/kittel

 

[LadyInBed]

They are no different to kids, break them in early, the earlier the better. What you can't avoid is a small amount of trauma, but you will either get over it or learn to live with it, the children / cats will wonder what you are making all the fuss about.