Petting Your Pet Onboard Your MAXUM
Most of us can imagine the cartoon days of yesteryear when pirates sported parrots on their shoulders. Even the peg-legged, patched-eyed blackheart possessed a sense of humanity with his colorful squawking pet.
The reality is that our pets provide for us a sense of family, love and care. For some of us, they are like our own children. So when you're planning an extended cruise on your Maxum, what do you do with Buddy? Do you leave him at home to be cared for through the fence by a neighbor? Do you leave Snowball confined in a cage at the vets while you bask in the sunshine? Many cruisers don't opt for either choice but instead bring their pets along for the ride!
Pet Candidates
The first thing to consider in bringing your pet on a cruise is whether you should or not. Consider the personality of your pet. Is he skittish or well-adjusted? Is she high-strung or even-tempered? If it's a dog, does he bark a lot? Does she get motion sickness in the car? If she does, she won't fair well on the deck of your boat either. Every animal is different, so here are some tips to help you with your decision to include Buddy and Snowball on your next excursion:
Does your pet have the ability to adjust to noise well?
Does your pet have the ability to wait for shore leave before relieving themselves?
Does your pet have a calm disposition?
Is your pet resistant to motion sickness?
Is your pet quiet?
Does your pet like water?
Are you able to relax with your pet onboard and not worry about his safety?
If your answer was "yes" to these questions, then your pet is the perfect candidate for a cruise. However, you may want to test him out on short trips before venturing out on a long one. Dogs typically do better than cats on boats, as do birds. You can train and modify a dog's behavior, while cats have a tendency to jump ship, get lost or get distracted by the fresh smell of fish when docked. A bird kept in a beautifully decorated cage in the cockpit can add spice to your voyage.
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Pet Provisions
The next thing to consider is provisions for your pet. To help them feel more at home, be sure to pack their favorite toys, foods (placed on a non-skid mat in a cool spot) and bedding. You may want to consider investing in a self-feeder, because they contain spills and messes better than open dishes. Establish a sleeping area your pet can claim for their own. One cat lover gave her pet a bath mat because it was non-skid and washable. Cats like cubby holes, too. Dogs will just about take over any of your personal favorite spots, but again, they can be trained.
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Pet Waste Not, Want Not
Another necessity to consider for your onboard pet is waste management. A deep-seated, sealable litter box is best for cats. Cats have tendencies to scatter their litter about when they are onboard. You'll want to seal it during your outings onshore so you don't arrive back to overpowering odors. Buy the scoop-out litter and remove the clumps daily. Neglect this duty and Snowball may neglect the litter box. Keep it in a plastic bag until you arrive at your destination where you can dispose of it in the nearest trash bin. Though some cats are toilet-trained, you may not want to use this method during a cruise. One thrust of the boat's engines, and Snowball may be gone for good.
Plan frequent walks ashore for your dog and don't forget the pooper-scooper. Docking versus mooring has its obvious advantages, no shuttling the dog to shore in a dinghy. Many marinas have an area designated for animals. If you arrive at one that doesn't, be sure to be considerate and find an out-of-the-way grassy area.
Pet Safety
The safety of pets onboard is a delicate thing indeed. Some pet-boaters keep knotted, thick hemp rope over the side of their boat in case their cat falls in the water. (Hopefully, in this case, she hasn't been de-clawed, so she can climb aboard.) Many vets recommend pet life jackets, which are available at most marine supply stores. Just be sure to find a jacket that fits tightly and comfortably. Dogs tend to be more adaptable to life jackets than cats. While dogs are generally natural swimmers, neither cats nor dogs are easy to retrieve from the water, but a life jacket does make it slightly easier while giving you a better peace of mind.
