Boating with our canine companions is a lot of fun, but keeping them happy and healthy means making sure they are comfortable and protected.
Comfort starts with the weather report: if it’s too hot to leave dogs outside for any length of time, it’s too hot for them to be on the water. I’ve heard people say that they leave their dogs in the cabin enjoying the air conditioning while the humans explore a harbor town. That’s dangerous, as power lines have been known to be unplugged on docks! It’s best to leave canines in their cool homes on brutally hot days.
If the day is tolerable and you want the family all together, dedicate an always shady spot on the boat for your dog. Make it soft, too, and use a non-spill water bowl to hold fresh, cool water at all times.
Bring along treats that your dog loves, or maybe special ones she only gets aboard (the same goes for toys). Even if you plan to be back home before canine meal time, it’s best to bring along some food — every boater has experienced that excruciating delay in returning to the dock or mooring, but how will you explain it to a very hungry dog? This advice goes for medicine, too. An extra dose should always be along for the ride.
Unless you have an ultra-fancy yacht, you’re unlikely to have a grassy park aboard to encourage doggie elimination. However, you can create one on any size vessel — be careful if choosing an artificial grass oasis, as most get hot — or check out pre-made potty set-ups designed for hi-rise apartment dwellers. If your dog is used to long walks or roaming around the yard, it may take time plus treats and plenty of praise to get her to go on a tiny plot, but it is worth it!
Canine protection touches many areas, from health to the environment. Start by looking at the route to the boat and how to get on and off it. Are there steps (perhaps literal ones) that will make doing so easier? Next, doggy-proof areas on the boat including stairs and gunwales — add gates, railings, and/or other barriers to prevent falling down or over.
Dogs cannot all naturally swim, and even those with ability might be hurt or grow exhausted in the water. Buy dogs properly fitted, brightly colored life jackets with handles; get them used to wearing the jackets at home or by the shore before heading out. Life jackets can be hot, restricting, and awkward, so patience is required to make sure your dog associates fun on the boat with wearing a jacket.
Sunscreen is as vital for dogs as it is for us. Apply canine-safe sunscreen (no zinc oxide or other toxins) to sun-sensitive areas including the ear tips, skin around lips, nose, belly, and groin areas. Reapply every two hours if out in the sun.
Our furry friends depend on us to keep them safe from tick-borne illnesses. Kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and trailered boats often launch from areas ringed with reeds, brush, and grasses — the places ticks hang out. Responsible pet owners think tick collars, sprays, and other topical treatments repel the ticks, but they don’t. They can still embed for about 24 hours, emitting toxins, before the treatments kill the ticks, so give your canine companions a tick check during your outing and again after returning home. Even if you don’t spot anything, think ‘ticks’ if your dog runs a fever or shows lameness days later.
Other threats to dogs include harmful algal blooms in waters usually recognized by their greenish hue. The blooms alter ecosystems and produce toxins, so keep dogs away from such areas. Also avoid waters known to host jellyfish or be polluted (if the authorities close a beach to swimmers, the waters nearby are off-limit to pooches, too).
Saltwater poses a threat to dogs’ internal organs and tissues if they swallow too much. It’s not just a matter of drinking in large gulps as they dive or swim — repeatedly retrieving a waterlogged toy can be harmful as well. Owners must limit the amount of time dogs spend overboard and push their pooches to drink lots of fresh water when aboard.
Ask your pet’s vet to recommend a topical antibiotic ointment, an anti-nausea treatment, and an allergic reaction medication. Write the correct dosage for your dog’s weight on the boxes or labels and mark “FOR THE DOG” before adding to the first aid kit. Add in extra bandages, gauze, and a muzzle.
Recently moved or changed phone numbers? Update your dog’s ID tag and microchip to be on the safe side. Finally, if you’re taking a long day trip or traveling overnight, note the numbers of emergency veterinary services close to shore along your route and at your destination.
First aid for a choking dog
