Cats on boats

Otter-BelleHavenMarina · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 11:08 am Post subject: Cats on boats

I've seen two messages recently referring to C-Brats with feline deckhands on board. Although we take our canine buddies with us on the Otter all the time, I never really thought about bringing Fritz the Cat along. I picture him (a) freaking out underway and climbing to the top of the highest point in the cabin (my head), or (b) dashing off into the woods when we beach the boat never to be seen again. I would like to hear from C-Brats with nautical kitty experience about how they introduced their cat(s) to the boat and what issues if any they've encountered.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 11:41 am Post subject:

Tom-

I'm sure you'll hear a lot on this subject, but it's my understanding that cats are a lot more suitable pets than dogs for liveaboards and persons involved on long term passages and cruising.

This, of course, is partially due to their easily trained "cat box" habits, and they also take up less room that the typical dog.

I'll also bet that historically, they've also been of great utility on cargo ships due do their "rodent control" capacity.

They probably also eat less than most dogs, in general, and can be at least partially fed a diet of fish by a proficient fisherman.

Plus they don't go swiming and come aboard and shake all over you!

They must be able to cope with the boat motion, or they wouldn't be taken aboard and traveled that much.

Don't know about the tendency to wander when put ashore, but most seem to know when they have a good thing (home) going, and don't usually wander unless they're a tomcat set loose in a "love zone" occupied by an affectionate female feline!

Would probably be smarter to introduce a cat to nautical life as a kitten rather than induce a mid-life crisis in an established homebody family member, but bet they can make the change as long as they're with their family (can't use the word "master" in reference to a cat owner for obvious reasons!) Joe.

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 12:03 pm Post subject:

We are taking Nikko the cat out this week-end for the first overnight. We have had her on the boat several times in the driveway so she knows she has already been there. On the 25 the litter box fits where the porta potty would go on the 22.

Just have to keep the doors closed when in port.

Also have to watch that Brock doesn't adopt her, right Catman?

My IRA · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 12:20 pm Post subject:

We took our cat (Tigger a diabetic) on a three week cruise last September and all went well. However, we have since adopted our daughters cat (Ozzy) and have some concerns about about an extended cruise (with the two cats) from Port Townsend to Prince Rupert planned for this June and July.

Any thoughts from those more experienced in cruising with cats (one requires Insulin shots twice daily)?

Catman · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 12:47 pm Post subject:

Fabulous topic, Otter. (Beats sea lions.) I thought Sea Wolf was perfectly correct on all counts, then I read Anna Leigh and My IRA's posts and I guess you're all right.

Still, there's no way I'm leaving the comfort of my house to go get tossed on a small, noisy, loud water craft. I've got everything I need right here, including my favorite down comforter, a 20 inch scratch post, squeaky toys with a little nip in their tummies, my pal Sir Thomas of Whiteness and all the food my guilty human left for me to gorge.
Cat

C-Hawk · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 1:02 pm Post subject:

Who said cats won't go swimming? I used to have a small siamese tom that would jump in the tub every time I took a bath! He loved to swim! Cat

Sneaks · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 1:26 pm Post subject:

Otter-BelleHavenMarina · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 4:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the very interesting and informative replies. I brought the Otter home from the marina for a good cleaning a few weeks ago and left it in our driveway for a week. Fritz was all over it during that week. Seemed to enjoy jumping up into the boat, climbing around the bow, and exploring the v-berth. I think we will have to take him out on a short cruise (without the dogs, to start) and see how he does.

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 4:59 pm Post subject:

Tom, bet if you put a cat life vest on him Cat

, he'll just lay down and not move. When we even tried to put harnesses on our cats (years ago), they seemed to think they couldn't move, much less walk! Disgust

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Charlie

Luna C · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 6:07 pm Post subject:

Our cats don't overly enjoy the "ride", but very much enjoy cabin time! One will hide when we pack - we have had to leave her for a few days - she was happy to go on the boat home that time! We have thought about taking one woth us to boat camp on one of the floats at Stewart in the off season. No ramp for wandring away. The cat that started as a kitten does much better. Even better if it were mor than once a month.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 7:11 pm Post subject:

OH, and another thing about cats and boats-

When we stored boats, particularly sailboats, in our driveway and around the outside of the house with covers over them, the neighborhood cats, curious creatures, loved to explore them.

Many, many times we'd find cats in the boats, exploring or hiding out in them.

More than a few times we found the cats had relieved themselves in the boat.

And one time we had a mother cat and her brood make a home out of a stored boat for about eight weeks or so!

So maybe cats do have some natural affinity for boats or at least the shelter they provide.

We've known a lot of liveaboards in marinas with cats aboard that were great pets and indispensable friends to their caretakers. We understand its much easier to explore the South Pacific for several years with a cat aboard as compared to a dog (and certainly compared to my 175 lb Great Dane, Shadow!!!) Joe.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 7:19 pm Post subject:

OH, and another thing about cats and boats-

When we stored boats, particularly sailboats, in our driveway and around the outside of the house with covers over them, the neighborhood cats, curious creatures, loved to explore them.

Many, many times we'd find cats in the boats, exploring or hiding out in them.

More than a few times we found the cats had relieved themselves in the boat.

And one time we had a mother cat and her brood make a home out of a stored boat for about eight weeks or so!

So maybe cats do have some natural affinity for boats or at least the shelter they provide.

We've known a lot of liveaboards in marinas with cats aboard that were great pets and indispensable friends to their caretakers. We understand its much easier to explore the South Pacific for several years with a cat aboard as compared to a dog (and certainly compared to my 175 lb Great Dane, Shadow!!!) Joe.