With the rise of the houseboat lifestyle, many people are deciding to take advantage of the benefits of this wonderful way of life.
If you live on a houseboat, you may be wondering if you can have a pet (mainly man’s best friend and cute furry feline) companion. Before you execute this idea, you need to know that every pet and boat’s living condition is not the same. Similar to humans, some people get seasick and some don’t – pets do too. There is no one-size-fits-all approach but the simple answer is yes. Most pets will be fine living the boating life.
Whether you’re planning to bring them on a houseboat or a houseboat vacation, it’s important to know that you may have to make some adjustments in order to make your boat a pet-friendly one. Even if you believe in Noah’s Ark, there are still a few things to keep in mind. So, here are some tips for helping your furry friend adjust to living on a houseboat.
Table of Contents
What to Consider Before Bringing Your Pet
Temporary Houseboats Rental
If you’re looking for a short vacation to live on the water, you’ll also want to bring your furry friends along for the ride. But if you’re bringing your pet along, it’s a good idea to understand the ins and outs of pet safety and regulations of different marinas.
Lake Powell is one of the few places where houseboats are considered pet-friendly by default – without any additional fees or restrictions! About 60% of marinas in the area allow pets on board, so finding one that suits your needs should be easy.
However, be aware that not all houseboat locations are safe for pets and some may be less than ideal for your furry friend’s environment. While some marina requires you to keep them on leash and present proof of vaccinations/immunizations.
Before you bring your pet to live on your houseboat, you should first find and check if that location is pet friendly. If you’re unsure about whether or not a particular location is pet friendly or have any other questions about living on a houseboat with your pet, reach out to the marina directly!
Permanent Houseboat Living
Pet compatibility and their reaction is often the main factor determining whether or not to relocate them permanently. Some dogs and cats have a stronger or different reaction than others, so you will have to be careful when bringing them around to new environments.
You know your pets best when they get scared. Some of their actions include:
Trembling, whining, staying away from the water, increased salivation, and turning green.
You need to learn how they react to the new surroundings first, and then start to get a feel for whether or not they will be comfortable. If yours experience distress, you can start by bringing them on short trips to get them to acclimatize to the swaying and heaving floor they’ve never felt before.
Houseboat Pet Safety
You should take into consideration any other precautions that might be necessary for your dog or cat when venturing out in a houseboat. It is best to get a quality life jacket for them if you intend to have fun with your furry little ones by the water.
The common misconception that all dogs can swim and all cats cannot swim is completely untrue. Every dog and cat is different, and some can and do swim. Not all dogs are comfortable in the water and in fact, some cats can swim pretty well but just detest it. I guess you probably already know their water instinct when you shower them.
The question of their ability to swim or not is secondary. What matters is that you have a plan to get them back on the boat in case they tumble into the water. So, that brings me to my next point, the pet’s access area.
Houseboat’s Pet Access
This is also one important thing to consider when bringing your pet on board. As long as your houseboat has a designated pet fencing area, you should be fine. You wouldn’t want your hyperactive one to dive in when you’re not looking.
As a rule of thumb, it’s always best to have a designated area where your pet can move about safely without worrying the pet may jump into the body of water.
A houseboat with a designated pet area will give you the peace of mind that your pet is safe and allow you to go out for some fun without having to worry about your pet.
Houseboats Should Be Large Enough For Pets To Play Safely
The key to making your houseboat a pet-friendly option is to make sure that it’s large enough for your pets to enjoy. This means that you’ll need to consider the size of your houseboat.
Houseboats can have many different layouts, but you should not lock your pets in a confined space nor allow them to roam the boat without any fencing. I would recommend not leaving them alone during the time on the houseboat.
Pet-Friendly Supplies to Bring Onboard
There are several things you can do to make your houseboat a pet-friendly option.
These can include:
Medications – Prepare medications in case they ever get seasick.
Life-jacket- Keep one on hand if you want to bring them out for some splashing joy.
Lighting at night- The houseboat needs to have proper lighting. A pet will not be happy living in total darkness and this could even lead to an accident.
Heat and Cooling System- This can be a really important one, as many pets will not like it too hot or cold. So keep in mind if the temperature is just nice for your pets.
Toys and Bedding- Toys like balls, bones, or stuffed toys are a way to keep your pets entertained while you’re out for the night.
Bathroom facilities- Of course, it is important that there’s easy access for dogs and cats when they need to use the bathroom! Most houses come equipped with a bathroom or there is one at the marina which you can use.
Safety- Most marinas want to ensure that no pets are hurt while in their care and therefore they always recommend cages, kennels on boats.
Water- Have plenty of fresh water to ensure that your pets stay hydrated.
Final Note
The final step to making your houseboat a pet-friendly option is to make sure that you have a clear understanding of the regulations at your marina. This way, you can avoid any hassles or issues with the marina.
There is a lot to consider when bringing your pet with you on a houseboat. This is why it is important to make sure that you are fully aware of all the risks involved before you bring your pet with you.
I hope this article helps you to understand the ins and outs of bringing your pet with you on your houseboat.