Keeping Your Pets Safe On The Boat

Dogs are man’s best friend, so it’s only natural we want to take them everywhere with us! Whether you are duck hunting, fishing, or just hanging out on the boat with family, your dog will have fun. To ensure your pet has fun you need to ensure that they are safe. New things can be stressful for dogs at times and they might need time to adjust. To make sure you and your dog have a smooth transition into your new adventures together, here are the top 11 things you can do to prepare!

 

• Make sure your dog has been introduced to water before taking them on a boat for the first time. It is very important to see how they react to water and how well they swim. Don’t make your dog’s first boat trip a long one. It is also important to see how well your dog does with the boat rocking so you can see if they get motion sickness.

 

• Purchase a dog life jacket. Dog life jackets are good to have even if your dog is a good swimmer. Most life jackets have a handle attached to the top so you can easily lift your pet from the water if they jump in, go overboard, or are simply having too much fun and don’t want to get back in the boat when it’s time to go.

 

• Make sure to have shade on the boat and plenty of water to prevent your dog from dehydration and heat stroke. LaPorte Products’ Aft or Bow Boat Shade Kits are a great source of shade. They are easy to install and take down even with a four-legged friend running around on the boat with you.

 

• For dogs that are picky about where to relieve themselves or if you plan to be on the water for a while before stopping, you can create a portable system for your dog by getting a square cut of turf to keep on the boat. This way your dog will have somewhere to go to the bathroom and you keep it contained to one area for everyone’s own hygienic health. All you have to do is spray off the turf and they can reuse it.

 

• Take a leash and/or harness for if you stop anywhere. This keeps your dog safe and others around you safe. Remember, not everyone likes dogs and stopping at a sandbar or a restaurant on the water with your dog can make some people uncomfortable. Most public places require animals to be leashed as well.

 

• Keep a pet first aid kit with your regular first aid kit. If you know where your main hangout spot is going to be for the day, look up the closest veterinarian office just in case something happens.

 

• Bring something your pet likes to chew on. When your dog is excited for their adventure and won’t sit down while the boat is moving, give them their favorite thing to chew on to distract them until you stop again.

 

• Take an extra towel with you to dip in the water and put on the deck of the boat. The deck of a boat can get very hot and high temperatures will overheat and burn your dog’s paw pads. To check the deck temperature press the palm of your hand into the deck for a few seconds before your dog boards the boat. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for them. 

 

• Do some basic research on the breed of your dog. Some dogs are more inclined to like water and swim better than others. The breed standard on water is not the end all be all, so you still need to train your dog and help them adjust accordingly regardless of the breed. Knowing more about your dog’s breed can help you see what problem areas you may have to put extra work into. Retriever breeds have webbed-feet and excel in water, other breeds such as boxers, pugs, or any breeds with short snouts and flat faces do not take to water as well since it’s easier for water to get in their nose.

 

• Make sure to read your local legislation’s rules about animals on boats. Different areas may have different rules.

 

• If your dog has thin, very light fur or you can see their pink skin you should invest in dog sunscreen. Their skin will burn just like ours does! Dog sunscreen comes in multiple application forms so you can find what your pet will do best with.