You might be asking why should a cat learn to walk on a leash in the first place? It doesn’t mean you should go hiking with your cat. However, a short walk might be a great adventure for your cat. And you can’t do that without a leash, especially in a city.
If cats don’t like anything, it’s when someone forces them to do something. And even worse, if they are limited in their movement. They are wild and unfettered animal that love freedom more than anything. Even domestic cats are like that. Give them enough space and time to get used to the novelty and do not force them at all.
The cat needs to get used to the whole thing. Some cats may be already used to anti-parasitic collars or a calm collar. Can that be made use of? Unfortunately, that doesn’t necessarily mean that a leash won’t be a significant problem for them.
It is generally recommended to rather go for the combination of a harness and a leash. Does that seem weird? A harness might be a brand-new thing for the cat (and we all know they don’t like novelties) but the same applies to harnesses and cats as to harnesses and dogs – it is the best solution with regard to their safety.
Before you go outside with your cat, get your cat used to the harness at home. The sooner the kitten gets familiarized with the harness, the less it will protest against wearing it. Put it somewhere and leave it there, so the cat can sniff it and maybe it will successfully ignore it. Trust me, it will know about that new thing at home. And it will be thinking about what you’re preparing.
In a convenient moment when the cat is active during the day, try to put the harness on and observe its reactions. Behave like nothing strange is going on and play with the cat as you usually do. Repeat the experiment the next day. And continue doing this until the cat doesn’t even know it is wearing something. You can try walking on a leash at this moment.
It is very likely that if you put a cat on the leash, it will give you “you’re kidding me, right?” look. Do not make the first experience with the leash longer than necessary and repeat it in a day or two. Similarly to dogs, you can motivate your cat with treats which you might give it before you put it on a leash.
When it is ready to go out, expect that if it’s the first walk of your cat, it will be a bit surprised about anything. The best option is to take it into your arms (or into a crate) – also because of dogs in the neighbourhood which might not be fans of cats and carry it to a safe place where it can explore the surroundings. Avoid places where people walk dogs.
Always use common sense and intuition. If you can see that the cat doesn’t feel very well, it’s better to go home. Even though it is inquisitive, you shouldn’t overdo this. Also, take a few treats with you when going outside. After all, the cat deserves a reward for the courage.
And a last piece of advice for the end. If you start going for regular walks, pay attention to the protection against parasites such as dog-fleas, etc. Then, you can only enjoy your adventures together:).
What about you? Have you tried taking your cats outside on a leash? How did they react?
Sometimes, one dog is not enough and it is better to have a whole pack. Especially if you breed drafting (or also pulling) dogs. Of course, the more dogs you have, the more care and issues it means, but it also means there’s much more joy for the...
The modern world is not only rich in material things but also in the number of dog breeds. There are quite a lot of them, Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognizes 360 different breeds. And they are not only different from each other when...
There are many ways to learn a new thing. One of the most pleasant ones for both the dog and its owner is positive motivation. Thanks to it, a dog learns new tricks in a simple and pleasing way and it also helps to develop a mutual social relationship...
Pregnancy is a difficult time for a bitch in all aspects. The body nourishes more organisms and it needs to be reflected in her energy and nutrient intake. A breeder, racer and sport cynology contestant, Jitka Duffková, gives advice on how to make...
You might be interested in this dog sport but you have many questions before you can decide to start with it. Will my buddy enjoy it? Do I have sufficient physical abilities? When should we start, isn’t it too soon or too late? This article and advice...
A healthy mouth is a very important part of the complex vitality of a cat and we shouldn’t neglect taking care of it. There are many oral diseases our furry friends can suffer from. What can you do to keep your cat’s teeth clean?
Korat is a very rare breed that isn’t very common even in Thailand – the country of its origin. Thanks to its beautiful, soft, silver-tipped hair as well as its special nature, it’s unmistakable. This breed definitely deserves some attention.
Have you ever thought about how the composition of the gut microbiota of your dog companion influences its mood, metabolism or immune system in addition to its digestion? Do you know how bacteria work in guts and how to keep the good ones inside?
Letting furious dogs with only one task – to detain and put you down – bite you is definitely not for everyone. But is it really as horrifying as it may look from the outsider’s point of view? Jan Böhm answers our questions about what it takes to be...
Snakes and scorpions are said to get out on Saint George’s Day. It has been a while since then, so it’s no surprise that we can see a lizard or a snake when on a walk somewhere or in our gardens. They already left their underground shelters designed...
The German Boxer can truly be called a versatile dog. With no doubts, it can be a family dog, a watchdog or a rescuer. It is also good at sports. A long-term boxer breeder, Ing. Michaela Martinů, can confirm that.
Bikejöring doesn’t mean that a dog simply runs next to a bike. The dog pulls the bike when doing this sport, it is similar to dog sledding. A famous Slovak musher, Marcel Dučák, will tell us what equipment you need for it, what dogs it is good for,...
