My Cat's Fifteen - What Are the Chances ?

[rockerdar]

We headed out sailing four years ago when our cat was 11. He's always liked to travel, and I won't go anywhere without him, so he wasn't given a choice of whether or not he was going. He's done two trans-Atlantic crossings on the boat, along with two on a plane, has an Italian pet passport, and would be very unhappy if we left him behind.

You'd never know he's 15. He doesn't act it and has no known health problems other than some arthritis in a back hip. When he hears the motors fire up & the anchor coming up, he goes inside & into our room. When he hears the anchor going down, he's in the cockpit all excited. We [U]do[U] have a catamaran, so he has a lot more room than on a monohull. He doesn't like high seas & bad weather, but neither do I! He just goes to our room and doesn't eat. My secret to keep him hydrated is to open a can of tuna in spring water & give him the water. He's too picky & won't eat canned tuna (he's been lucky that we're good at catching him fresh!), but he loves the water off of it.

Some of his longevity I believe is due to genetics, and some is due to the good life that we live. When we're not on the boat, we're in the mountains. So he doesn't have to live an 'urban' lifestyle.

[First Mate]

hmmm - maybe I'll bring the cat on the boat in March

[emmo]

Hi all,
Set up the litter box, and it has been used.
Next I need to buy a carry crate and take her round the block in my little diesel truck. The trip to the yacht takes nearly an hour, So I'll take her for a drive each night.
Cheers, Emmo

[aegean adrift]

Love it!

Before using the crate for transport, it might be worth investing a little time letting her get accustomed to it as a comfortable, safe den.

Please keep us posted on your progress.


Perhaps useful:
How to Crate Train Cats | eHow.com
Free-Access Crate-Training (FACT) for Cats
Air Travel With Your Cat