Travel with Pets - Can your cat SWIM?

We are thinking of getting a small boat (cabin cruiser). As our cat is fairly adaptable and likes being with us all the time, I envision him on this boat :p

DH assures me that the cat can SWIM. I, on the other hand, keep saying that I need to put him in the water so I know he can swim and see that he can get out.

I think about my Sister and her backyard pool. Each dog she has had, she put it in the pool and made sure it knew how to get out. She even got a tiny ramp thing for her Yorkie's because the pool doesn't have steps ;)

So.....who is right? Me or DH? Do domestic cats naturally swim? Should he get the swim test? :)

:)

All cats can swim --it's whether they want to or not!
And how much he'll love you after the first lesson!

And how much he'll love you after the first lesson!He'll forgive me....after some fresh roast chicken :p

He'll forgive me....after some fresh roast chicken :pHe may forgive you... but when he shoots out of the water, you don't want to be in his path. If you are thinking of using your sister's swimming pool for this swim test, does it have a vinyl liner? If so, come up with another plan (unless your cat has been de-clawed).

Personally, I think you should trust DH on this.

If you are thinking of using your sister's swimming pool for this swim test...I was 'thinking' that maybe I should put him in the water near the boat so he knows about the swimstep at the back.

OK....maybe this is a bad plan... Maybe he will be fine without a swimming lesson :)

So.....who is right? Me or DH? Do domestic cats naturally swim? Should he get the swim test? :)
I know of two cats who drowned in backyard pools, so no, not all cats are natural swimmers. I think the cat should wear a personal flotation device, such as this. (http://www.mypetspecialties.com/p-13-fido-float.aspx)

And, yes, I would swim test him before the first boat ride.

There's also the chance he may get seasick; we had one cat who got violently carsick.

There's also the chance he may get seasick; we had one cat who got violently carsick.HOPEFULLY, since he's fine in the car he'll be fine on the boat. Thanks for the suggestions.

This cat can scuba dive! :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN1VcgRrEM8

My cat can walk on water - I tried bathing him once and he was outta there in two steps. :D

Why do I just have visions of the cat scratching the OP if the cat is tossed into the water? :D

My cat can walk on water - I tried bathing him once and he was outta there in two steps. :DTooooooooooo funny :p

Why do I just have visions of the cat scratching the OP if the cat is tossed into the water? :DMy vision is somewhat different. I see the OP taking an unplanned swim herself to rescue the cat when it goes down for the third time. I'm pushing for the cat pfd. :)

My vision is somewhat different. I see the OP taking an unplanned swim herself to rescue the cat when it goes down for the third time. I'm pushing for the cat pfd. :)

:) When we take Cobaka to the doggie swimming pool, even though she can swim, and has demonstrated it, she still wears a doggie pfd. :)

HOPEFULLY, since he's fine in the car he'll be fine on the boat. Thanks for the suggestions.

Maybe your cat is a dog but trapped in a cat's body? :D My 2 cats are absolutely afraid of car rides and whine and cling on to me for dear life the entire ride. It takes 3 people to give one of my cats a bath and they are petrified of the glade air freshener spray can.

Maybe your cat is a dog but trapped in a cat's body? :D Partly true ^ Abyssinians have allot of dog characteristics

I've seen many cats happily aboard boats. I guess the ones who were unhappy only went the once :D

Please, though, at night hang a securely anchored towel or some such over the boat and into the water. This will give puss something to climb up should the nocturnal wanderings end up in a "cat overboard" situation. I've seen the scratches on a boat from a cat trying to re-board. In this situation it did, but the end result could have been very different.

at night hang a securely anchored towel or some such over the boat and into the water.Good idea -- I recently read that suggestion somewhere ^ DH has vetoed the 'swim test'....he thinks it will unnecessarily stress the cat...