Some animals have an innate fear of the water and will never be comfortable on a boat. If your pet trembles at the site of water, you may have to leave him or her home when you go boating. However, if your pet seems comfortable on the boat when secured at the dock, the sound of the engines may drive them nuts. Before leaving the dock, test this by running the engines. If all goes well, plan a short cruise to introduce your pet to the motion of a boat underway.
Pets can get seasick, just as humans do.
Be alert for any signs of fatigue, clumsiness or disorientation. Once onboard, make sure your pet has his or her own life jacket. These are available from marine stores and pet stores located in boating areas. Even if your pet can swim, a sudden dunk in the water may be so frightening or unexpected that your pet panics. Our dog loves the water and boating, but he becomes an attack dog if pelicans land nearby.