Sailing with your furry friend can be a very rewarding and joyful experience. After all, your treasured pet feels more like a member of your family than a loyal and affectionate companion. You’ve probably asked yourself, “Should I bring my dog sailing? How could I ever just leave him behind?” or “My cat will be lonely if I leave her behind.”
Your pets are a part of your family, and if you’re frequently boating without them, you may be missing out. All sorts of animals have accompanied their human companions on all types of boats for hundreds of years. So, it’s no surprise that many boating enthusiasts bring their beloved critters into their boating adventures, whether sailing or fishing.
After all, having them around poses a lot of benefits and outweighs the cons of having them onboard. Plus, they could also benefit from the activity as well.
Is It A Big Hassle to Bring Pets?
Bringing dogs on a boat is usually easy, and cats (surprisingly) will also enjoy the experience. Cats are more easily adaptable to new environments than you might expect them to be and may find boating adventures an enjoyable experience. Plus, your feline friends can also protect you and your boat from smaller invaders like mice and other unwanted pests.
If you have birds, reptiles or other small pets, it may be possible to bring them boating as well, just be sure you can provide a safe, comfortable environment for them. If it’s not possible to provide this safe space, or if you have certain exotic species of pets, it may be best to leave them at home.
If you need some more convincing about bringing and letting your pet into your Quintrex boat the next time you go boating, we’re here to list out all the benefits and advantages of bringing your pet with you.
A New and Curious Environment
Both dogs and cats, as well as some other types of pets, enjoy feeling the breeze and fresh air and love basking in the warm sunshine. You’ll be enriching your pet’s life with outdoor exposure and a sense of adventure. Unless your pets are skittish, your pets may also greatly enjoy the sights and sounds of interesting wildlife or meet the pets of other boaters in the area. This is especially stimulating for dogs as they are very social and sometimes vocal with other dogs.
If your pet is a more cautious creature, this is a great opportunity to expose them to a new environment. Be gentle with them as they investigate and explore their new surroundings warily until they get comfortable and more confident. However, don’t force your pet if they won’t budge or they hide away in fear. Maybe reconsider bringing them along next time and work on how you can make your pet less anxious.
Spend More Quality Time
Most pets thrive on attention and human interaction, especially with their family. Taking your dog boating with you means you won’t have to leave them alone all day. You won’t have to pay for expensive dog walkers or pet sitters to take care of your pets while you’re away.
Forge Connections With Others
Beyond just pure fun, another benefit of boating with pets is that they can be a great conversation starter with other boaters and travellers. Having an animal with you is a fantastic icebreaker and an easy way to make new friends with like-minded folks.
Zestful Outdoor Play
When you bring your pets on boating adventures, you may find you have even more fun playing with them in and around the water. Dogs often enjoy swimming and running around beaches when the boat is docked. Dogs are wired to be playful and they love to do all sorts of activities involving physical exertion. Bring along a frisbee, or a tennis ball, or just find some sticks to play fetch with. If you want to play with your dog while swimming or wading, you can use specialised toys and accessoriesdesigned for water play, including floating fetch toys and water loungers. Cats can also enjoy lounging around the beach and would even venture into the water if many minuscule fish are swimming near the shore. Just make sure your pets are wearing life vests at all times. You can purchase them in your local marine boat stores.
Provide Security
Pets that serve as guard dogs at home can also protect your boat, belongings and family out on the water. These protective pets can help keep intruders and thieves away from approaching your boat. Cats, as mentioned before, will catch pests that could damage your boat’s interior and bring diseases to you and the other boaters. Your pet could become a valuable member of your boating crew.