Thousands of cruising sailors bring pets along — and most of them would tell you their dog or cat is one of the best parts of life aboard. That said, the challenges are real: motion sickness, deck safety, the astroturf potty station, and the international travel paperwork that can require months of advance planning. These guides cover what actually works, from cruisers who've done it.
Sailing with Dogs: Everything You Need to Know
The decision, breed considerations, sea legs, the astroturf potty station, the dinghy problem, and what actual cruising dog owners say.
- Sea legs & motion sickness
- Deck safety & jackline clips
- Potty training for offshore
Sailing with Cats: Felines at Sea
Why cats can be the ideal sailing pet, the cabin vs. deck question, the litter box solution, the escape problem, and what happens when a tuna appears.
- Litter box solutions underway
- Escape-proofing in harbor
- Seasickness in cats
International Pet Travel by Sailboat: Quarantine, Health Certificates, and Rules
Country-by-country requirements for bringing dogs and cats aboard on international passages — the hard destinations, the manageable ones, and how to plan months ahead.
- Hawaii & New Zealand requirements
- EU & Caribbean rules
- Microchip & rabies titer test
Keeping Pets Safe at Sea: Harnesses, Man-Overboard, and More
The overboard scenario, dog life jackets, cockpit netting, companionway discipline, recovery techniques, and veterinary access offshore.
- Ruffwear Float Coat standard
- Recovery procedures at sea
- Offshore vet kit basics
A Note on These Guides
These articles are editorial resources drawing on the experience of the cruising community. Pet import rules change — always verify current requirements with the destination country's official veterinary authority before departure. For international travel, the 100 Days Offshore website maintains actively updated country-by-country pet import requirements and is the most reliable current resource available.