Traveling by ferry or boat with your cat: what to plan for
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
Yes, a cat can travel by ferry or boat, provided you plan for motion sickness, often worse at sea than on the road, and choose a well-secured hard carrier. All our pointers are in the cat travel and safety section, on the cat page.
Contents · 5 sections
Can a cat get seasick?
Yes: the rolling motion stimulates the inner ear just like road travel does, and some cats vomit, drool or panic during the crossing. A study by Hickman and colleagues, published in 2008 in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, evaluated the safety and efficacy of maropitant (Cerenia) for preventing vomiting and motion sickness in cats, with good results at the appropriate dose. This treatment, prescribed by a vet, can help for a long crossing if the cat is prone to it.
What carrier for a ferry crossing?
Choose a hard-sided, well-ventilated carrier, big enough for the cat to turn around and lie down, with an absorbent liner in case of accidents. Ferry companies almost always require the animal to stay in its carrier or in a dedicated cabin during the crossing: check before booking, since rules vary a lot from one company to another, unlike train or air travel where practices are more standardised.
What paperwork and steps before boarding?
A microchipped cat with up-to-date vaccinations, notably rabies for any international crossing, is essential. The EU pet passport, issued by a vet, centralises this information and is requested at boarding on most routes.
How to limit stress and motion sickness
The same gentle-handling principles as for stress-free grooming apply to getting used to the carrier: let the cat take ownership of it at its own pace, without forcing.
- Get the cat used to the carrier several days before departure, leaving it open at home
- Avoid a heavy meal in the hours before boarding
- Put a blanket carrying the cat's usual scent inside the carrier
- Provide accessible water for long crossings, without a heavy meal just before
- Ask your vet for advice if the cat has already shown signs of motion sickness in the car
Frequently asked questions
Do you need anti-nausea treatment before every crossing?
Not systematically: it's mainly useful for a cat already prone to motion sickness, on a vet prescription matched to its weight.
Can the cat come out of its carrier during the crossing?
It depends on the company: some allow a dedicated pet cabin, others require the carrier closed for the whole crossing.
What documents are needed for an international ferry?
The EU pet passport, microchip identification and an up-to-date rabies vaccination are generally required.
An accessory from our shop for this use: Escape-resistant cat harness + 1.5 m leash (€19.90) · the whole shop
For your cat, at Le Félin (same family, zero commission): Arbre à chat gris (from €79.99)
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Cats universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.