Can’t bear the thought of leaving your furry friend behind? Read on for our top tips for taking your pooch onboard your yacht!
If your charter experience would feel incomplete without your furry friend, luckily there are some pet-friendly superyachts that allow dogs onboard. After all, pets are part of the family!
However, bringing a dog onboard is not exactly straight-forward and there are a lot of factors to consider – from vaccinations to hefty security deposits, not to mention the practical aspects of travelling to the destination country, taking your pet onboard is certainly not easy. Nonetheless, with the right guidance and preparation, you could be bringing your pooch onboard your next yacht charter in no time!
First and foremost, it’s important to consider your dog’s wellbeing: how would they cope with the confinement? Will they get seasick? Where would they do their daily business?
If your dog is the perfect companion for your luxury yacht charter and none of these factors pose an issue, the next step would be to find a pet-friendly yacht charter vessel. This is no easy feat by any means: sharp claws scratching the decking, wet fur against oriental rugs and expensive upholstery, and pets with no potty-training are just some of the many reasons why pooches are rarely set sail.
If you manage to find a pet-friendly yacht, such as 55m M/Y TALEYA, 60m M/Y KATINA, or 73m M/Y LAUREL where your dog’s needs will be catered to by providing features such as patches of artificial grass or even barriers along the yacht at dog-height to prevent your pooch from accidentally slipping overboard.
Make sure you follow our top tips below for the family charter of a lifetime.
Better safe than sorry
Ensure that your dog has an international microchip as well as a fitted lifejacket to keep them safe onboard (crucially, the life jacket should not hinder your dog’s ability to swim). A GPS Locator is also an essential gadget for your yacht charter – take for example the Raymarine LifeTag, which can easily be attached to your dog’s collar and alert you if your dog happens to fall overboard. It is also essential to carry a basic pet first aid kit and ensure that the crew are trained to deal with a range of injuries and illnesses until you have access to veterinary care.
Hydration is key
Buy a pet-friendly water bottle to keep your pooch hydrated. It is essential to make sure that your dog is well-hydrated during your charter, especially in tropical climates where your pooch can easily become dehydrated in the heat. Also remember to pack hypo-allergenic sunscreen for your pooch – humans aren’t the only ones to suffer from sunburn and heatstroke! Keep your dog in the shade during hours of intense sunlight and keep them cool with frequent swims. Cooling pads and wet towels will also help keep your dog cool in hot weather.
Dealing with seasickness
Like humans, dogs can also suffer from motion sickness. Although there aren’t many cures for seasickness, there are some steps you can take to manage it. Chunks of green apple can help soothe your pooch’s stomach, while synchronising your pet’s meal times with your cruising can help ensure that they aren’t moving on a full stomach.
Pamper your pooch
Before beginning your yacht charter, make sure you take your dog to the salon to be groomed. Shorter fur minimises the amount of sand and salt that will be dragged through the yacht, while bringing a brush and nail clippers will ensure that your pooch stays groomed throughout your charter.
Don’t forget the paperwork!
When planning for a yacht charter it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. However, it is absolutely essential to prepare the necessary documents so that your charter can run as smoothly as possible. If you are travelling internationally with your pooch, make sure you check the rules and regulations for each country regarding vaccinations for your dog and relevant quarantine periods. Different countries have their own laws regarding bringing pets onboard due to the risk of spreading diseases – it is important to check the laws of each country you plan on travelling to and to bring the relevant health paperwork.
Despite the challenges, bringing your pet onboard your charter can be an incredibly memorable and enriching experience!
