When it comes to four-footed cruising companions, a cat is not a dog. Their independent nature and natural aversion to water ensure that turning Fluffy into a boat cat is going to be a bit of a challenge. It can be done, but bear in mind that the job will be easier if you introduce your cat to boating early in its life—the younger the better.
Make a cat carrier or crate one of your first purchases. For one thing, it's a simpler matter to get Fluffy onboard from within the confines of a carrier than, say, on the end of a leash or clinging to the top of your head. For another, the carrier can be used at the dock to keep your cat confined to the boat and as a safe place for your cat to hole up if it feels the need, like in adverse weather and/or sea conditions.
In the event you elect not to do so, you'll need to devise some other sort of hidey hole in which your cat can feel secure—a small enclosed space, even a box, with some sort of padding. Or, you can leave your cat to find its own space. The trouble with that alternative is there are just some places you don't want your cat to go should it become stricken with motion sickness, as cats are prone to be during periods of increased wave activity—your berth comes to mind or an inaccessible area of the cabin.
Introducing your cat to the boat for the first time takes some feline diplomacy. A dog familiarizes itself with new accommodations fairly quickly—or at least quicker than Fluffy, who will want to explore every nook and cranny. Let that initial exploration take place while your boat is docked.
When your cat hears your boat's engine turn on for the first time, it could be a hair-raising experience—literally. Idle at the dock until it gets used to the new smells and sensations. Even then, it's best that your first cruise be a short one; over time you can work up to longer jaunts.
Of course, you'll need a litterbox. Position it in an out-of-the-way place, as low in the boat as possible, near the center of motion and secured against motion. A word of warning here, purchase sufficient litter to last for the entire cruise. Replacing it enroute is not always convenient. Walking to a store a half-mile distant might not be a big deal, but hiking back with a heavy bag of litter can be. (The same advice goes for your cat's food. You might get by with feeding table scraps to Fido, but Fluffy most likely won't be as accommodating on that score.)
Be sure to have a scratching post on board and secure it to something that doesn't move. If your cat has been de-clawed, you should probably leave it at home because the risk of it falling overboard increases exponentially.
There are a few other things you need to take along when cruising with any four-footed friend, be it cat, dog or whatever: medical records, including dates of vaccinations; a collar and identification tag—or a microchip—with your contact information; a photograph of your pet in case it gets lost; a pet ramp for ease of getting on and off the boat; a life jacket—and, no, your cat probably won't be pleased by the idea; and non-skid water and food bowls. A harness and leash is not a bad idea, either, if you can get Fluffy to go along with it.
Be sure to keep your pet hydrated. Cats (and dogs) don't sweat, so they can run into problems quickly. Watch out for heavy panting and be sure shade is available. If it's not, keep your four-legged companion inside during the heat of the day.
Finally, if you are cruising outside the continental U.S., be sure to check each country's entrance requirements. A lengthy quarantine could put a damper on your cruise.
– Linda Hoff
