cruising cats ?

[senormechanico]

We had a Snowshoe Siamese with us while we cruised Mexico. He loved the boat, and never got seasick. We mounted a standard plastic litter tray with a cover between our Monitor wind vane rails. The only modification was easily done with a heat gun to make a small dimple in the front end so it would nest with the backstay chainplate. The cat used it even when underway in nasty conditions.

Even at anchor, there was no smell at all. In fact, when one visitor to the boat asked where the litter tray was kept, we said, "You're sitting right next to it."

We used clumping litter with no problem. We did have trouble finding litter in Mexican stores though. When asked, the store clerks gave us a "you silly gringo" look and said, "Cats go outside!"


Steve B.

[MelissaK]

Clumping cat litter has several POISONOUS ingrediants, perfume being one, as well as the magic stuff that expands twenty times with water.

Do not use it!! My kitten has developed problems with his liver because he licked his paws after he used the litter box. His life has been shortened, and I'm so sad!

There's a new product that I just saw called Feline Pine, made of compressed sawdust. Much better! little pellets. Zero dust.

Cheers,

MelissaK

[lazydaysrus]

My husband and I have had a cat on board for 34 years (3 different cats!). We were able to find kitty litter (clumping) throughout Mexico, Central America and Panama. We did carry a lot with us, and we made sure we bought it when we saw it, but it never was a problem (2 years 8 months of cruising). Our cat is a Ragdoll, never gets off the boat at the dock and doesn't mind being underway. Lazy Days

[ZolaSail]

I thought I might revive this thread with a question. My soon to be wife and I are going to the bahamas and Dominican republic around the end of the year. SHe has a 1 year old cat with all its shots etc. but we where wondering what is required to bring the cat into the bahamas and DR. The cat wont be going ashore just on the boat.

Also regarding litter for the box, I had assumed using beach sand and keeping the box clean would be the easiest way to deal with it. I know our cat has no problem using the sand out side or the litter in the litter box inside. This has to be a better option than carrying around 6 months worth of litter?

[Talbot]

I have seen an ingenious litter tray in Fl that had a sensor. When the cat had finished, the litter was combed and clumps placed into a box that was then resealed. This kept the smell down significantly and also minimised the use of litter.

[windsaloft]

Only problem with the sand ---- if you are cruising where you can get fresh sand and clean out the litter box at least every other day and use a mild bleach rinse, if not daily, then you might get away with it --- otherwise, day two in warm temps, your boat smells like cat pee. On longer passages.....phew. Maybe you could add in some baking powder, but.......we've not had a ton of luck with litter alternatives and have actually settled on those 100% crystal things ---- less clogging problems than the clumping stuff, not bad on the tracking issue, and although expensive, one of those cartons lasts a LONG time and have NO odor as long as you deal with the solids daily and keep it stirred. Once we are overseas, access to this stuff might change, but then I hope we have daily sand access! It lets us go a few weeks per box. Try it, you will be surprised. In the small space of a boat, in the heat, the litter box def. needs a good solution.

[CaptHead]

I had to jump in here. I have a large Maine Coon cat and he has been our Ship's Cat for 14 years. I tried all kinds of litter and found the clumping got into the bilge and caused problems. I found the crystal litter when it first came out and really like it the best. It lasts longer, almost no smell ever and is easy to clean up.

My cruising friends warned me about sand fleas and to never use beach sand.

Being on a power boat, the cat box fits nicely in the aft cabin with his food bowls. He loves the boat and anchoring the best where he can run the boat and chase seagulls. I would think Maine Coons and Ragdolls would make the best cruising cats as they are more relaxed. Mine actually wears a dog halter and walks on a leash when I take him on the dock. This turns heads like you wouldn't believe.

[sailmatch]

I had a three year old cat (she is now four) which I took with me on my travels - she took to it straight away and has her cat tray in a locker behind the head with a porthole cut out for her to go in and out of.

So far I have found cat litter to be very cheap and easy to obtain and I dispose of it in the same way as I do all of my rubbish - in a dedicated bin onshore.
My main concern was safety and I have trained her to go inside the cabin when I clap twice - she growls at me if she doesn't want to come in but comes in all the same. It's amazing what a cat will do for a few kitty treats!