Costs of Cats on Boats?

TheCruisingKitty · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011

Any other costs of cats on boats that I've missed? Here are all the ones I can think of...

Regular living costs:
food, water, kitty litter and tray, vet fees

Safety equipment:
harness, boat hook, long handled scoop net, rope ladder

Travel costs:
customs/import permit/vaccination fees for country entry requirements

Is there anything else I should budget for?

St Anna · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011

Sounds OK, although many countries do not allow pets in. So check out Noonsite to see regs.
cheers

wingNwing · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011

Whatever you'd do with cat when traveling away from your boat, inland for exploration or flying "home." Kennel costs in developed countries, or a bottle of wine to thank a neighbor who has looked after your cat while you're gone.

norsearayder · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011

the cost as usual is just a little piece of your heart! arrgg...like any family member u pay what u have to to keep him healthy.......

carl762 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-27-2011

Get one of those flashers for kitteh's collar in case it manages to get overboard. Make sure it's on the back so it doesn't activate when kitteh is drinking.

rikhall · #6 (**permalink**) 10-27-2011

Captain Hook has spent the past two summers on board with us. No extra costs other than what we would have spent at home. Value, priceless. A constant source of fun and a wonderful companion. He swims really well but hates it (see August 2011 Blue Water Sailing). Actually cheaper with him on board as we seldom pay for dock space as he wants to explore every boat there. Hence, we anchor or take a mooring.

Go for it!

Rik
(Cats leave paw prints on your heart)

TQA · #7 (**permalink**) 10-28-2011

Cat litter I used beach sand which got recycled to the ocean. Stingo has trained Cooking Fat to use a big bowl of marbles. [ Note to self remember NOT TO PLAY with his marbles.]

Food I always carried dry food as a back up but my two mostly lived on the small fish I would catch of the back of the boat. [ One started chittering when the rod came out ]

In the 90s if you told customs that you will be anchoring out and the cat never will be ashore then most just ignored it and no fees were payable. I think this is still the case.

Always have a piece of netting over the side and over the side of the dinghy. [ This assumes that the cat still has it's claws ] I had a cat of no brain and he went in about once a fortnight and would climb back on board and come to me for a fresh water shower. N.B. You MUST do this. if the cat licks itself dry there is a high risk of kidney damage.

Mine came aboard as kittens and were well adjusted to boat life but we needed an extra line on our pre tack checklist.

Locate cat and tack cat if on boom.

From September 12, 2011

dogsailors · #8 (**permalink**) 10-30-2011

read cruising with bull dogs forum

bljones · #9 (**permalink**) 10-30-2011

Cats- the other, other white meat.

(Ooooooh, I am going to get so much hate mail for that one.)

Chris12345 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-31-2011

Well, you might have to budget for the cost of a new cat now and then...

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCruisingKitty

Any other costs of cats on boats that I've missed? Here are all the ones I can think of...

Regular living costs:
food, water, kitty litter and tray, vet fees

Safety equipment:
harness, boat hook, long handled scoop net, rope ladder

Travel costs:
customs/import permit/vaccination fees for country entry requirements

Is there anything else I should budget for?