Cat On Board

[Free Agent]

19 year old Meiko. Goes everywhere with us.
We acclimate him to new surroundings before we travel with him.
Break in the experience slowly.

[pooinoroa]

Hi, I have been living on board with cats for 11 years. The 1st cat was the same age as yours and a land animal. The dinghy ride in the kitty carry cage was the most tramatic as Tom mentioned, if you can put her on board a dock thats better. We have kept the carry cage on board and it has been needed, so save it.
She addaped very well and we loved having her on board. I put a harness on her and conected a leash to a thrugh bolt and leashed her into the cockpit when she came up. We still do that with the 2 cats we have on board now. It is cruel to keep a cat on board if they get sea sick. I had one that did and I found a land home for her. We have had a total of 5 cats on board in 11 years. I love my feline friends as crew!

[BareFtGrl]

We're getting ready to do the same thing...bring our 3 year old and 15 year old aboard for the first time. Our old guy just takes everything in stride..always has...I don't worry about him, but our 3 yr. old is kinda of a spaz cat. I think she'll do ok once we've got her acclimated but I'm sure the engine is really going to send her for the hills. I guess we should bring her aboard and get her used to the engine sound before we even think about hitting open water.

[Hud3]

Our calico never did get used to the engine, and disappeared whenever it came on. It helps to provide a spot or two where they can "hide". Ours sometimes burrowed under the pillows on our bed, but really preferred to get in the storage compartments behind the settee backs. We put an old towel in there for her to lie on.

[barnakiel]

I am not quite sure cats can tell any difference. The ones around us are perfectly unaware of being on boats. That's why we have at least one COB exercise each month.

Try to make sure your cat does not go overboard (or pissing on other sailors' boats) and I bet both you and your pet will be very happy.

Cheers,
b.

[BareFtGrl]

Trying to just get her into the carrier is going to be difficult enough. That's why I'm making my hubby do it. LoL!

[Amapola]

We've always traveled with our cats. They adapt quickly to life aboard. We always anchor or pick up a mooring so they won't get lost ashore. We're down to one cat now and he will walk on a leash ashore.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I am not quite sure cats can tell any difference. The ones around us are perfectly unaware of being on boats. That's why we have at least one COB exercise each month.

Try to make sure your cat does not go overboard (or pissing on other sailors' boats) and I bet both you and your pet will be very happy.

Cheers,
b.

I have to report this, even though it's disgusting. I live in a marina, so "critters" can find their way on to my boat.

I got crystal kitty litter at the recommendation of someone here, but kept the old litter box. I cleaned them out before putting the cats in a "cat motel" to go out of town. When I came back, the crystal kitty litter was full of bugs. Not roaches, but roach-like. They had no interest in the paper-pellet litter.

YUCK!!!!!