Cats in General

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Don't laugh, but is there an offshore PFD with lifeline attachments for a pet like a cat? I'd hate to have my cat, Annie, washed overboard and be unable to find her to recover her.

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by Tom Stormcrowe

Don't laugh, but is there an offshore PFD with lifeline attachments for a pet like a cat? I'd hate to have my cat, Annie, washed overboard and be unable to find her to recover her.

There's lots. They do seem more commonly sized for dogs though.

http://www.crittersinflatable.com/

[zeehag]

i keep bubba tethered to places wherefrom he cannot fall over bulwarks. he is tied centrally and below decks--he is able to come up into cockpit--he rarely chooses to do that--sometimes he will peek out to see if seas are big--he doesnt like that as we were pooped over stbd quarter by a quartering sea in gom--he got wet..LOL...so he sleeps below most of time. his leash allows him to get to the lazarette sofa at the helm, and he is cool with that until he sees the approaching following seas.... goood kitty--it only takes once to learn with kats.

[bgriffin]

Originally Posted by Dennis.G

Use spray bottle of water to train

:/

Most things I have read about cats says using a spray bottle is bad. For one, cats are highly susceptible to ear infections so getting water in their ear is bad for them. Secondly, cats don't instinctively understand negative reinforcement, so it's not like you spray them a couple of times and they stop. And they're just as likely to become scared of YOU as they are to stop the bad behavior.

[zeehag]

when bubba was a wee kitten, i would grab him off the thing he was doing naughty and place him where i wanted him to be for that behaviour--isnt the behaviour that is bad, is the location kat chooses to do it--i made scratching posts of all table legs and other pole type objects on board, and he is very good about being a good boy. salmon greenies dont hurt for reinforcement ... he loves em. lil addict.
now he is 6 yrs old, he is allowed to scratch anything that is a knot indoors..and any line outdoors. is a good kitty.

[Dennis.G]

Originally Posted by bgriffin

:/

For one, cats are highly susceptible to ear infections so getting water in their ear is bad for them.

That's why our cats always wear hats when it's raining

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Tori

.... She falls over with a life vest......

We tried out a life jacket on our cats once....they just froze and fell over. One of the funniest things I've ever seen!

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by bgriffin

:/

Most things I have read about cats says using a spray bottle is bad. For one, cats are highly susceptible to ear infections so getting water in their ear is bad for them. Secondly, cats don't instinctively understand negative reinforcement, so it's not like you spray them a couple of times and they stop. And they're just as likely to become scared of YOU as they are to stop the bad behavior.

Worked great for mine, eventually all I had to do was pick up the spray bottle (actually a squirt gun) and he got the idea. I seriously doubt I ever managed to squirt any water in his ears at a distance.

Works for parrots too.

Never had a cat with an ear infection -- dogs get them plenty though.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Worked great for mine, eventually all I had to do was pick up the spray bottle (actually a squirt gun) and he got the idea. I seriously doubt I ever managed to squirt any water in his ears at a distance.

Works for parrots too.

Never had a cat with an ear infection -- dogs get them plenty though.

A spray bottle is the only training tool that ever worked for my cat, ,Annie. Want a laugh? A couple weeks ago, she figured out how to wedge the bottle, aim it and use her weight to trigger the spray. She sprayed my wife.

[Nemo55]

I remember the first time i tried to take one of my cats for a walk in a Harness,,,it was more like taking him for a drag ahahahahah same thing...just fell over and refused to budge..

[zeehag]

with cats the secret to having a leash walking cat is to have the leash come from under the chest, not on the back. cats are smart--they aint beasts of burden.
for life jackets, try critters inflatables. they dont go across the back of the cat so cat wont fall over.
i use a figure 8 harness with the crossover under chest. works wonderfully well--buba has been walking on leash for 6 yrs.....

[angelfish2]

Both of my kitties are leash trained and wear a regular harness, not a figure 8. I think training while they are young helps a lot, although I have trained older ones, also. The leash is clipped onto the harness on their backs, not underneath, so I imagine it will work both ways, with the proper training (and the right temperament. )

My questions to y'all is what do you do with water bowls, food dishes, and litter pans while under way? Especially while heeled.

[Travelnik]

Originally Posted by Dennis.G

That's why our cats always wear hats when it's raining

ROFLMAO

Great picture!

[zeehag]

my boat is a heavy cruiser and doesnt heel much. i use those anti skid thingies under the dishes and i keep the litter pan and dishes on the sole of the dinette for travel. he has run of boat when underway and anchored but not in marinas. under way he will drag his leash so i can find him...lol

when suspended, a figure 8 when placed upside down doesnt choke the cat. is why i use it that way.

when i sailed a sloopwith friend, i had bubba drinking out of a doggie lick bottle placed on a table leg....worked great.

[Amapola]

Over the years, we've adopted several rescue cats. I wouldn NEVER declaw a cat. They need claws for balance as well as defense. All of our cats have adapted well to life aboard. We've had as many as three aboard. I use Feline Pine litter exclusively because it absorbs odors like no other.

My Mickey is on a prescription diet so I load up before we leave the US. We keep Mickey's litter box in his quarters (aka forward/guest cabin). We most always anchor out because given the chance, Mickey would jump ship in a heartbeat. If we take him ashore, he walks with a leash.