Pros and Cons of Living Aboard with a Dog!

We all love our furry friends, but do they love the life you are providing?

We have had Jetty on boats since she was a puppy. We moved aboard full-time when she was around two years old. On the hook and in calm seas she loves it! But she is not a big fan of rough water. We always plan our travels with her in mind! Below are the pro’s and con’s of living on a boat with a dog:

Jetty the gypsy exploring Delaware

Pros:

You have your best friend with you everywhere duh! You are never alone.
They provide endless amounts of entertainment! Watching Jetty get the zoomies will have me laughing for hours.
Having a dog keeps us humans more active knowing we have to exercise our sidekicks.
If your dog is with you, you don’t have to worry about dog sitters or finding a kennel.
They get to sniff new smells and mark their territory in so many new places!
They can hear things you cannot whether it be visitors (wanted or unwanted) or your anchor dragging!
Most boats do not have dishwashers, Jetty is a great pre-rinse cycle! She helps us lower our water usage.

Visiting the wild horses

Cons:

The constant worry if they are left aboard during the day. You hear the horror stories of boats catching on fire or sinking randomly and you certainly do not want that to happen with your best friend on board.
Jetty does not like rough water and most pups do not. They are more miserable than you are when the weather changes.
If you have a barker and a close neighbors sometimes those do not mesh well.
Jetty refuses to go to the bathroom on the boat so we will take her off multiple times during the day, this can sometimes be dangerous if the weather is not cooperating.
Getting import permits to new countries can be complicated and some countries even require time in quarantine. Be prepared and informed before you go anywhere new! Check out the import process for the Bahamas here.
Most dogs have a set diet. When traveling sometimes only certain dog foods are available and this could upset their stomach! Make sure you have plenty of food before you go anywhere!

Liveaboard Boat Dog

If you do not plan on crossing any major oceans I totally recommend having a dog onboard. There is nothing better than having your furry friend greet you when you get home or giving you a nice kiss to let you know it is time to wake up. Living on a boat is similar to living in an apartment but you have endless amounts of water to swim in and beaches to run on.

But you must take in to account that all dogs are different. They are also your family first and foremost so you must be willing to adapt to their needs.