What's one Word of Advice for Animals on Board?

[SailingTerrapin]

If you could give someone one word of advice for traveling with either a cat or dog, what would it be?

We're planning on leaving San Diego going through Mexico, Central America, through Panama and up through the Caribbean towards Florida.

Thank you!

[Stu Jackson]

One word? Don't.

I love pets, but there have been entire books written about sailing with pets. YOU MUST be prepared to deal with all the Rules & Regs. The pet can't fill out the paperwork or go get the shots. Not fair to the pet...too much work.

[Bash]

If the pet has spent years and years living aboard AND SAILING with you, fine. If the pet has been living on the hard and is moving aboard the month before you depart, that's animal cruelty.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Not "One Word" but "Pain in the Ass" sure comes to mind.

We cruised Mexico with a Cat and have many friends with dogs and Cats and at the end of the Day is't just a Big Pain in the Ass.

Want to go on a cool inland trip...nope...who's going to watch the cat on a 100-degs boat?

Want to fly back to the States for something...nope what about the pet.

There will be no problem finding a good vet (for cheap) and the official paperwork from having a pet is no big deal either.

Sure people do it but having done it and watched others do it...when we go back to Mexico the Cat (if he's still alive...I hope so...I Love him) will stay with our folks!

[skipmac]

I would have to go with the "don't" and "pain in the ass".

Do have a slight difference of opinion with Stu. Love animals but not big on pets.

[msponer]

Don't.

I picked up a kitten at an animal shelter in Zihuatenejo (Mexico), then sailed halfway around the world with her. She had a wonderful time and was such a cute little friend. The boat was the only home she knew. She only got sea sick once, and it was very rough. Paperwork was never a problem, even in Australia.

Then I became a landlubber for several years, and brought her back to Boat #2. She hates it. She's seasick on mellow sails. She defecates everywhere except her box-- we've been forced to lock her in the shower when we aren't watching her-- I suspect as active rebellion for hating the boat. Relatives visited and offered to fly her back to America, but the island we are on wouldn't allow her to come ashore to go to the airport.

Taking her has been our biggest mistake of this trip.

[Coops]

My advice would be,"Don't eat the humans, they are full of ****"

Coops.

[SV THIRD DAY]

They will get into your dirty laundry pile on a passage!

[Pelagic]

Great shot Rich

[StuM]

One word for animals on board? "Protein" !

Oh, "word of advice" - "casserole"!

[Tortuga's Lie]

Friends of ours have taken their 3 year old lab on their catamaran throughout the Caribbean. The dog took about 2 months to learn to poop and pee on their trampoline but now does great. The dog loves to join them on hikes and has a nice routine on the boat. Clearing customs varies from island to island but isn't too much of an issue as long as all of the shots are up to date. Some islands require a vet to check the dog out upon clearing in. You'll need to check the requirements for each island/country before deciding if it's worth it.
On the upside, I was certainly more at ease (safety wise) walking around at night in some iffy towns with a big dog with us!

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by Tortuga's Lie

On the upside, I was certainly more at ease (safety wise) walking around at night in some iffy towns with a big dog with us!

This is where things are different depending on the Country you are in.
Our friends with dogs were AFRAID to walk their dogs though town after having the local street dogs attach their dog, while out on a walk. In many of the small towns in Mexico there are local dog packs that wounder around town and I've seen several ugly attacks where it as all the owner could do to literally beat off the pack of 5-6 dogs from attacking his Lab.

On the flip side...having a "yapper dog" aboard, especially at anchor is a great boat security feature! The panga floating quietly throught the anchorage at night looking for something "valuable" on deck will stay well clear of boats with dogs!

[Tortuga's Lie]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

Our friends with dogs were AFRAID to walk their dogs though town after having the local street dogs attach their dog, while out on a walk. In many of the small towns in Mexico there are local dog packs that wounder around town and I've seen several ugly attacks where it as all the owner could do to literally beat off the pack of 5-6 dogs from attacking his Lab.

I can certainly see where other dogs could be an issue, many are just wandering the streets.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Bash

If the pet has spent years and years living aboard AND SAILING with you, fine. If the pet has been living on the hard and is moving aboard the month before you depart, that's animal cruelty.

Yes, you definitely need some sailing time in roughish waters to find if the pet can cope. My best friend Cat couldn't and he stayed with grama while we were cruising.

[zboss]

We have two cats on board. They both poop and barf the first day out. I think its the stress of the engine because as soon as the engine goes off, they come out and are social and eat/drink. In fact, one cat is becoming obese. They have been great companions but have still not figured out the fish thing.. they are both birders. One time, one of our cats was almost taken by a very large raptor of some kind that swept down with claws out.

With that said, if we did not bring the cats with us it would be easier. A great deal of storage space, time, and money goes into the care and feeding of the cats. For example, our entire shower space (we have only one!) is dedicated to their box, food, and extra litter, etc. We really have to go out of our way to find vet care, so there is extra expense in transportation involved with that.

Also, there is fur everywhere. We have to vacuum every single day just to keep up.