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Old 17-02-2010, 20:26   #1
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Silly ?

I know this sounds kind of silly, but I was wondering whether anyone had opinions on pet life jackets for cats. We'll be taking our cat to the Bahamas this spring and my daughter is wanting us to buy her a PFD for the crossing. She worries about her. I'm wondering whether the money wouldn't be better spent on a soft sided collapsable kitty carrier instead. Thoughts? Are those PFD's worth it? She'll be staying on board at all times.
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Old 17-02-2010, 20:28   #2
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We have found having a cat walking jacket like Walking Jacket for Cats, Cat Toys, Free Articles on Cats and Dogs or similar (Google) and a leash to be very useful. Much more comfortable for cat than the carrier, and keeps her on the boat near the companionway.
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Old 17-02-2010, 20:39   #3
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I have seen them and even used one for my dog. It was excellent, and gave me an extra handle to help her get back on board. But for a cat?
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Old 18-02-2010, 11:07   #4
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Practical Sailor did a review on pet life jackets a few months back, so your not the only one thinking of this. I guess there is some good ones out there....
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Old 18-02-2010, 17:08   #5
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We aready have a harness and leash for her. The walking jackets look kind of silly but they do look more comforable for the cat. I guess I'm wondering what is the chance of her falling overboard and how much we would actually put it on her. Skook, how often did your dog wear one? Did he/she wear it around the boat as a matter of course or just during dingy runs?
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Old 18-02-2010, 18:04   #6
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Tried one on our cat, but she wouldn't stay in it. She would get out of it in less than 30 seconds. She's fallen overboard and swims quite well. Fortunately it has been while were anchored. She gets sea sick and found that the lower she gets in the boat the easier it is on her stomach, especially if she gets in a tight place where she cannot see any apparent motion. This means that when were underway she tends to find a cubby hole well down insde the boat.
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Old 18-02-2010, 23:48   #7
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So far mine sleeps through just about everything. She came up in the cockpit today and looked at the water going by and thought nope I'll go take a nap. She is old though and sleeps a lot anyway. Even at dock she shows no interest in getting close enough to the toerails to be in any danger. I guess every cat is different. Some years ago I moved somewhere and thought collars might be good for her and her mother (who is dead now). Her mother could get out of her collar as soon as my back was turned and the one time she didn't I found her with her leg through it. I gave up on it. Kitty on the other hand acted like she had been given a beautiful bit of jewlery and would prance around showing it off. Go figure.
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Old 19-02-2010, 01:13   #8
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I know of two cats who have fallen overboard: one was miraculously recovered; the other wasn't. Our small dog always wears her PFD when she is in the cockpit and a tether on deck. She probably wouldn't fall overboard, but who wants to take the chance.

I suggest some form of restraint—leash, kennel, whatever—when you are underway.
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Old 21-02-2010, 14:12   #9
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Ive a friend who keeps a big braided hunk of rope hanging off the stern when in port so the cat can get back aboard if she falls off, which sounds like a wise precaution for people too, come to think of it. Cats do seem to like boats. There's a rather sweet resident cat aboard the Kalimar Nickel (the State ship of Delaware) that wanders around ashore when in port but seems to automatically know when the ship is going to set sail and climbs back aboard.
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Old 21-02-2010, 15:10   #10
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Why not have a new cat for each passage? There are so many homeless (boatless) cats that it may be the way to go when you think economy-wise.

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Old 21-02-2010, 15:41   #11
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urg

Quote:
Originally Posted by barnakiel View Post
Why not have a new cat for each passage? There are so many homeless (boatless) cats that it may be the way to go when you think economy-wise.

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Old 21-02-2010, 15:52   #12
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You can always tell when a cruising boat has a cat because of the bit of carpet or macrame hanging off the transom.
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Old 21-02-2010, 15:54   #13
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C'mon, wildshore!

;-)

Judging from my sailing friends' stories cats are very single use pets aboard.

Implicit: DO USE A LIFE JACKET ON YOUR CAT.

Otherwise you will need another one very soon.

Many cat lovers will also do the following:
- leashing,
- netting,
- caging.

This is probably because not all animals take to being dressed up. And just imagine how hot it can get if you wear a fur AND a life jacket on top. Why do it to you pet?

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Old 21-02-2010, 16:00   #14
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I almost ended up with a cat on board, in Mauritius.

Mauritius is considered a place where all religions co-exist in peace, but sure it is a hell to street cats. I could not get any help for a stray kitten from local "humans". Then I run into a French sort of 'veterinarians-sans-frontiers'.

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Old 21-02-2010, 20:15   #15
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Tried one on our cat, but she wouldn't stay in it. She would get out of it in less than 30 seconds.
Same here. We ended up just getting a big net to scoop him out if he falls in.
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