Woof! Dogs Aboard

It’s a boatload of fun to travel with your canine companion. To keep that tail wagging, follow our boater-tested tips:

Dogs can suffer from seasickness just as humans do. Make the first trips with Fido short ones.
Feed your pooch lightly on longer trips until you know there’s no queasiness.
Reserve a cool shady spot on the boat with a light-colored pad or towel for comfort.
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.
Provide clean water at all times in a no-tip bowl (change the bowl often).
If you can’t take your dog ashore as often as necessary, place a pee pad down or create a box with some real grass or artificial turf.
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.
Does your dog take medication daily? Bring along extra doses in case of a delay. If the medicine requires refrigeration, bring along a separate cooler or chill pack marked “FOR THE DOG.”
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.
All dogs should wear a fitted doggie life vest, even capable swimmers. Buy a life jacket with a lifting handle — a wet dog is a heavy dog.
If it’s sweltering, your dog should be sheltering at home unless your boat has A/C. Don’t leave a dog in a hot boat while you explore the shore.
If the water is cold, the temperature may shock a dog that goes overboard. If your canine was in cold water more than a few moments, dry and wrap him or her in a blanket and get to the nearest vet as soon as possible if you see any signs of hypothermia (some symptoms are dilated pupils, decreased heart rate, lethargy and/or weakness).
Prohibit your pup from swimming in areas with algal blooms, pollution, and/or jellyfish. If the authorities close a beach to swimmers, the waters nearby are off-limit to pooches, too.
Prevent your dog from ingesting saltwater (it can be harmful). Don’t toss absorbent fetch toys and balls overboard for him or her to retrieve, as squeezed out water is as bad as direct gulps.
Keep canines on the leash when ashore; bypass reeds and brush where ticks reside.
Do a once-over for ticks during your outing and again at the end of the day. Even if you don’t spot anything, stay vigilant for fever or signs of lameness, among other symptoms.