Talking Your Cats For Walks On A Leash
The majority of people who have ever owned a cat would probably get a hearty chuckle out of the idea of putting a leash on a cat and taking it for a walk. Cats are so incredibly independent that it’s hard to imagine the thought of tying a cat to anything and trying to instruct it where to go.
Despite all this, there are cat owners who have successfully trained their cats to walk outdoors while wearing a lead or a leash, much like dogs who wear a leash to go out for a daily walk with their owners. It may sound absurd, but in some cats it can be done.
Training your cat to the leash is best done in small steps. First, allow the cat to get familiar with the leash by placing somewhere it can be sniffed and evaluated. Then, in baby steps, put the leash or walking jacket on your cat.
When you first take your cat out she may get scared. Especially if your cat has never been outside before. Start with some quiet places where there are interesting things to sniff. Make the first few times short, quiet and bring lots of treats.
Remember, this is all new to your cat and can be quite frightening. Taking it slow will pay off.
Don’t buy a leash that is designed for a small dog, but instead look into purchasing a leash or lead that is specifically designed with a cat in mind. These leads wrap around your cat, giving you control of the cat and keeping the cat from choking itself in a frantic attempt to get away.
Once kitty has gotten used to, or somewhat used to, wearing the harness at home, you can try to ad the leash. At this point many cats will have malfunction of their legs… or won’t be able to walk straight. Not to worry, for most kitties the excitement and stimulation of being outside make them forget that they are on a leash.
While persistence and patience pays off in making your cat get used to not only a leash and harness, but also going outside, if it is obvious that your cat is not getting less stressed and is indeed suffering, then maybe you are better off finding some other way for your cat to enjoy the outdoors.
Trying for some time in baby steps is the way to be successful, but there are cats who just won’t have any part of this. Be observant. If your cat gets a little more comfortable each and every time, then continue taking her out. Short trips with lots of praise and treats.
You may find that eventually your cat actually enjoys the walks outside, and gets really excited over the prospect of heading outdoors. It’s a great way to allow your cat to explore without worrying about where it will wind up.
Virginia Sutherland writes enthusiastically about cats and cat health. She has a deep interest in Alternative Medicine For Cats and proven Herbal Treatment For Cat.