Taking an animal on the boat
In some countries in Europe, Germany, for example, there are over 8 million dogs and almost twice as many cats. We don't know exactly how many four-legged boaters there are or have been, but it certainly must be quite a few if you only take a look at the marinas, harbours and berths around the world. Boating with a dog or a cat on a sailing boat is part of everyday maritime life. The question ‘Can you sail with a dog?’ is therefore a no-brainer, the evidence speaks for itself.
Why more and more boat owners are taking their pets with them
Can you take your dog on a boat? Is it ok to take a cat on a sailing boat? Both valid questions and worth looking at in more detail. Dogs are pack animals and feel comfortable where the pack is. So if you go sailing, you're not doing your dog any favours by leaving him at home, alone. Of course, a dog on a sailing boat needs exercise. But sailing with your dog also means discovering new places and walking on unspoilt beaches. A dog can protect, gives you exercise, and is also the best alert system you can have on board. Having a cat on board is also not unusual. In seafaring, a cat on a sailing boat is also considered good luck. After all, cats are great mouse catchers for the galley.
Which animals are suitable for life on board?
If you believe the old Hollywood films, the captain of the ship would have a parrot to go with his wooden leg. The reality is, of course, that today, mainly dogs and cats are the animals we tend to find living on board many yachts. However, not all dogs are suitable. A St. Bernard on a small sailing boat would probably be a challenge. A husky is also not suited to Mediterranean summers on the Mediterranean or in the Caribbean. Small to medium-sized breeds that are easy to train, have a calm disposition and a good sense of balance are particularly well suited to sailing with dogs. A dog on board should also be a good swimmer. However, even if your dog is very strong in the water, you might still be wondering ‘does a dog need a life jacket“? The answer here is definitely yes.
Animals on board – preparation & safety
Anyone planning a boat trip with a dog should prepare carefully. Some dogs feel right at home on board. Others need time to adjust to their new, unstable environment. Just like humans. It is important not to stress the dog on board, give it time and allow a place for it to go to rest. The skipper also has to consider a few questions: Does the dog need a life jacket? Is a dog toilet a good idea? What is the best way to secure a dog on board? Once all this has been sorted out, nothing stands in the way of a relaxing boat trip with your dog.
Getting the animal used to the boat
The younger a dog is, the easier it is for it to settle in on board. A puppy will playfully explore the boat. The movements of the boat at sea will soon become normal for him. Every dog on board needs a place to retreat to. Favourite blankets or toys from home can help make the new surroundings feel more familiar. It's probably not a good idea leaving a dog basket in the middle of your living space, as it could move around when the sea is rough. Kapok cushions, on the other hand, are light and soft and provide a comfortable place for animal friends to rest. More often than not, your dog or cat will be able to find a place by itself. They have incredible intuition and can usually seek out the perfect spot by themselves. This is usually in the middle of the boat, where there is the least movement. If this is your dog's first time out at sea on the boat, don't set sail before letting him get used to the new experience slowly. All the new sounds and smells, movements could scare your dog. A tip: In the harbour, start the engine, let the sails flutter and the winches rattle. The most important thing when sailing with a dog, however, is to remain calm. If you are stressed, feel unsafe, or are scared, your dog can sense that. If you are relaxed, the dog will feel more relaxed too.
Safety equipment (life jackets, nets, resting places)
When taking your dog on a boat trip, your furry friend should be treated like a crew member, which means safety must be ensured. The best possible protection can be provided by guard rail netting that is strung around the boat. It also makes sense to make your pet wear a dog life jacket. It will keep him on the surface of the water and is a good visual marker to help you see him. It's not easy spotting a dog in the water if it's not wearing a life jacket. Another big plus for you and your dog if it is wearing a life jacket, is that because most are fitted with some kind of sturdy handle, you can easily hoist him out of the water and back on board.
Emergency measures (going overboard, first aid)
If a dog goes overboard, quick action is required. People can draw attention to themselves if they fall in the water by signalling, calling out or whistling. A dog, however, must be seen at all times to ensure rescue. In this case, the dog can be pulled out of the water by the handle of the life jacket - by hand or with a boat hook. Smaller dogs or cats can be 'caught' using a crab net or a fishing net. It gets more complicated with larger animals. You can use standard rescue equipment such as rescue buoys or rescue systems, but you'd have to have trained this with the dog beforehand - Ideally in calm conditions in an anchorage bay. To winch a large dog on board, either a halyard must be attached to its life jacket or a stretcher must be floated under the swimming dog. Another option is a dog ramp or dog bathing ladder, which is attached to the stern of the boat. To save a dog with water in the lungs, first open the mouth and remove the water, then place the dog on its side, keeping the head slightly lower than the body to allow the water to drain from the lungs. If the dog is not breathing, mouth-to-nose resuscitation must be performed. Close the mouth and carefully blow air into the nose.
Guidelines for keeping you all happy
Boating with a dog requires discipline. From you the skipper, but also from the dog. It is important that both keep calm, especially in rough seas. The dog should at least be able to master basic commands such as Sit!, but above all: Stay! Because no dog should be running around on deck when the waves are high.
Everyday life with animals on board
Sailing with a dog can be a challenge, but also an asset. Depending on the area, a dog on board not only determines the daily routine, but also the route. You'll find yourself needing to find out where are the best beaches to romp around, where are dog-friendly marinas and restaurants. This extra challenge can make your sailing experience more fun!
Feeding, water supply and hygiene
Boating with a dog requires good preparation. Dry food is ideal for a dog on a sailing boat. However, it is important to seal the pack airtight. Otherwise, you leave the door open for vermin to enter your boat. It is also important to always have enough drinking water for the dog on the boat. The salty sea air not only makes you hungry, but also thirsty. Salt water in combination with sun and wind can lead to complications when boating with dogs. The salt water removes the natural oils from the coat, making it brittle and shaggy more quickly, which in turn can lead to skin irritation. Regular rinsing with fresh water and brushing can help. Special care sprays and oils help its coat replenish moisture. Apart from the boat, your dog will also feel quite at home on the beach. Make sure your dog is therefore always be protected against sand fleas. You can do this with powder, flea collars or preparations that are applied to the coat or administered orally.
Exercise and activity in confined spaces
If you want to take a dog on a boat, you need to ensure sufficient exercise, especially on long voyages. A dog on a sailing boat needs activity. This could be an extra bone to chew on or a dog toy, but in any case the dog needs to be entertained. An old piece of rope is great to play with, or you could practice training commands or tricks to combat boredom. Dog-feed toys are also great for providing variety.
Jens' tip: Preparation, safety & living together
How to live together with a dog & cat
We couldn’t sail without a dog. We've done almost 30,000 nautical miles on our Dilly-Dally, always with a dog on board. Çingene, our first boat dog, was eleven years old when she learnt to love sailing. At first she got seasick when there were a lot of waves and was reluctant to do her business on deck. But she quickly got used to her new home. We made sure the boat was safe for her by fitting a guard rail net, bought her a life jacket and a distress beacon to provide her with the highest level of safety.
She soon got used to life on board, and even when we crossed the Atlantic, a permanent smile was etched on her face. She felt comfortable and safe - even when she went blind in old age. She knew every part of the boat as well as the back of her paw. She died in the Bahamas at the age of 15. It took three months until we got another dog. The time between was very empty, something missing. Especially because we had been so used to having a dog on board, or seeing a dog on board. It felt like every other boat in the Dominican Republic had a dog living on it. Sometimes two on catamarans and even three on a trimaran. One dog per hull, was the joking rule of thumb. So, we took a trip to an animal shelter and it wasn't long before we also had another furry crew member - a lively puppy. We gave him the Turkish name Miço - meaning ‘light sailor’.
Life jackets, guard rail nets, Kapok cushions
Legal & health aspects
Sailing with a dog in European waters is easy. Outside the EU, on the other hand, it is more difficult. If you want to take a dog on a boat, you should be aware of this. There are countries that only allow dogs to enter after a lengthy procedure or even not at all.
Entry requirements, vaccinations & documents
An international vaccination card with the required vaccinations, an implanted microchip and a so-called titer test are mandatory. A good overview of the requirements can be found in the travel brochure ‘Travelling with dogs and cats’, which is available online. If you want to take your dog on a boat and sail to the Caribbean, you need to be prepared for a few things. Each island has its own vaccination regulations, many require an import permit for the dog before travelling, which must be applied for online.
Protection against illness and risks on board
Anyone planning a longer boat trip with a dog should definitely consult a vet and have all the necessary vaccinations carried out. The dog also needs a special first-aid kit, which should include at least iodine, ear drops, special plasters and bandages, tick tweezers and anti-parasite medication. Depending on the area, emergency medication should also be on board, for example against poisoning or diarrhoea. On every boat with a dog there are dangers lurking. Fishhooks might look nice to chew on, but are of course dangerous, and a courageous jump from the cockpit could end badly. A tip: Pet clinics offer special first aid courses for animals.
Can dogs get seasick?
Yes! Dogs are little different from humans in this respect. Even the signs of seasickness are similar: yawning, restlessness or trembling, loss of appetite, vomiting. Most dogs get used to the movement over time, while others are always suffering from seasickness. Over-the-counter medicines for seasickness are ginger or Cerenia, a medication specially developed for dogs to combat nausea and vomiting. Dimenhydriant, an antihistamine, also helps against travel sickness. Stronger remedies must be prescribed by a vet.
Recommendations for longer voyages
Anyone travelling long distances with a dog will have to deal with where and how the dog relieves itself at some point. This raises the question: Is a dog toilet a good idea? Most sailors use a plastic mat that they place on deck. Dogs are often reluctant to do their business at first, which is why it is important to get them used to the mat and treat it with appropriate scents. A boat with a dog should also have blades of grass on board in case the dog needs to vomit. A bowl of cat grass is ideal. If the dog vomits below deck or is not yet house-trained, absorbent pads that resemble nappies are ideal. They are also ideal for oil changes - laid out in the engine compartment.
Jens' overview and personal tip
You might not always find that people take an animal on board a boat far out to sea. However, many boats in anchorages do have dogs or cats. And there are reasons for that.
Unexpected challenges & solutions
Many people don’t understand why you would want to go sailing with a dog. You often hear people saying that dogs belong on land. But by that rationale, people shouldn't be allowed to sail either. Others complain about paperwork, saying there is too much red tape in taking a dog on a boat. While that may be true, every problem can be solved with the appropriate preparation and travel planning. Others criticise the veterinary care when travelling and tend to think it is not as good as at home. I'd disagree though. We have travelled to 23 countries and found good vets almost everywhere. And because the dog needs a health certificate at almost every change of country, boat dogs are probably the most carefully examined animals.
Key findings at a glance
Walking the dog is a daily challenge, especially because we are usually at anchor. There are days when I would just prefer to stay where I was. But because of the dog, I have to get off and take him for a walk. The walks are good for me, as when you live on a boat, you often suffer from a lack of exercise. A dog is the best therapist. We also wouldn't have explored many beautiful spots, missed many a glorious sunrise and wouldn't have got to know some of the people we now call friends. What's more, a dog is the best alarm system on board. Anyone approaching the boat gets barked at. Thieves tend to stay away from that!
Final recommendations
Can you sail with a dog? A resounding YES! Even if having a pet on board always means having to make compromises. Those who are prepared to do so will certainly not be disappointed. Of course, it is important to ensure the best protection for your four-legged friend. By investing in safety and medical care. But that should be a matter of course for every crew member. And that includes an on-board dog - or cat.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
About Jens:
Jens Brambusch, born in 1972, worked as a reporter for the Financial Times Deutschland and the business magazine Capital. He has been living on a Moody 425, the Dilly-Dally, since 2018 - initially in the Mediterranean, and in 2022 he set off for the Caribbean with his girlfriend, dog and cat. Since then, he has travelled almost 30,000 nautical miles. Brambusch has written several sailing books, is a regular contributor to Float magazine and publishes videos about his sailing adventures on the YouTube channel ‘Sailing Dilly-Dally’.