The new Spirit of Tasmania ferries will offer expanded facilities for travelling with pets: there will be 18 cabins where you can stay together with your animals, 45 cages in a dedicated climate-controlled pet area, as well as an open deck where pets are allowed.
Despite the improved infrastructure, specialists emphasise that a successful journey also depends on preparing the animal in advance. Behaviour expert Sam Morris explained on the Hobart Breakfast programme that the constant hum of the ship’s engines and the large number of people and other animals can cause stress for dogs and cats.
According to her, owners should work ahead of time on desensitisation and socialisation: getting the animal used to background noises similar to the ship’s hum, as well as to the presence of unfamiliar people and other dogs, since in the cage area pets will be looked after by crew members and other animals will be nearby.
Morris warns against the common practice of immediately going to the vet for sedatives before the trip. She notes that sedatives dull hearing and smell, which animals rely on to a great extent, and this can increase anxiety rather than reduce it.
Instead, the expert recommends using simple and inexpensive methods of preparation at home: playing quiet, monotonous sounds, gradually introducing the dog to people in formal clothing similar to the ship’s crew uniform, and rewarding the animal with treats for calm behaviour. Such steps, she stresses, will greatly improve the chances of a calm and comfortable journey for your pet.