Cats love fresh air. At least most of them do. However, not all of them have the opportunity to enjoy freedom in nature. Especially cats living in cities spend a lot of time indoors without the opportunity to run freely. That is why cat owners may appreciate the opportunity to take their cat out on a leash and be sure that their feline companions will enjoy it! However, a leash can be a challenge for many of them. How to overcome this challenge to make outdoor walks enjoyable for both the owner and the cat?
A tool for the city and nature
Cats face the greatest danger especially in cities or agricultural areas with animals that can present a potential threat to cats. That is why walks with a leash may seem like a great choice. However, you should keep in mind that walking on a leash is much harder for a cat than for a dog. One of the reasons is their nature that makes them more stubborn than dogs, which may complicate a nice walk a bit. For that reason, be patient.
Proper equipment
At the beginning of training, selecting the right equipment is key. Aside from the leash itself, a harness will also come in handy, which will make the cat more comfortable. Here you need to test what size is right for your feline friend. The harness should not be too loose to avoid providing the cat with enough room for unwanted movement, nor should it be too tight. In that case, the cat would feel uncomfortable and walking would not be enjoyable for her.
Thorough measurement
It is ideal to measure the cat before buying a harness to avoid possible complications. Some cats are big enough to fit a harness for a smaller dog. In this area, it is good to be open to all possibilities that could best suit your pet. When measuring, measure the cat’s circumference around the chest and neck, as these will be the most important dimensions for the harness.
Good material
Equally important is the material. Today, the market offers a large number of harnesses made of different materials. However, not all of those are good for cats. You can choose between leather, imitation leather or artificial materials such as nylon. The latter gets the best feedback from cat owners. Nylon harnesses are comfortable and leave enough room for movement, while being easy to maintain and clean.
Comfortable leash
When choosing a leash, make sure that it is long and strong enough. It is also important for the leash to be comfortable for your hands. Leashes that are too thin may get especially uncomfortable, so it is better to focus on thicker variants that are comfortable enough.
Getting used to it all
Once you have everything you need, now comes the process of introducing the new accessories to the cat. It is quite possible that this stage will require more time and patience. Try to leave the harness together with the leash close to the cat’s food bowl. The cat will get used to the new objects, and more importantly, she will have them connected to something that brings her joy – feeding.
We will discuss the next stages of getting the cat used to walking outdoors on a leash in the next article.
Although I sometimes temporarily care of some brown rats, I still consider myself to be a beginner in brown rat keeping. In the beginning of this year, a white lab brown rat ended up in my temporary care. I noticed that Běluše (that’s how I called her...
It sits with great difficulties. It also looks like it is very painful. It seems that any contact of the tail and ground causes great pain. As well as any touch when I try to find out what’s wrong with its tail. We came back from swimming where our dog...
Summer fun begins now. And I can’t imagine a summer without our activities together with my dog. What about you? Plan where you and your doggie could spend time before the temperatures are scorching and not a single branch moves on trees and we all...
Some dogs are already born with sensitive digestion, at some it may occur later in life. Or an allergy for a component of the food they used to like and we considered as suitable may occur. For such cases, meat cans can be a great supplement of normal...
If you decide to head to the streets of your city during a hot summer day, remember that pavements you will be walking on are much warmer that the air. In general, I try to go out with my dog during hot summer days as least as possible but if we go...
That brown rats are social rodents and love and look for the closeness of not only other brown rats but also their owners is a well-known fact. They feel lonely and sad without any interaction
Weekend or holiday is here and you are thinking about what to pack? You definitely shouldn’t forget your first-aid kit. And also the one for your dog! Properly equipped first-aid kit is a must. If you are struggling with deciding what should be...
Our personal experience is what influences us most in our opinions. But if we don’t have it or can’t get it at least from a friend or family member, it is more difficult for us to imagine how living with a giant furry friend looks like. And if it comes...
The best option for living of a small rodent are big aquariums, plastic boxes or cages. And I don’t mean big as high but rather with as big area as possible. Hamsters are naturally running creatures and need enough space. Max has a space of the...
If you are going for your holiday by car, you may be considering bringing another passenger with you. Your dog can be a great companion, so you don´t want to leave it at home. However, your time off by the sea might hide various obstacles, starting...
Turkey, the homeland of angoras and Turkish Vans is almost cats’ paradise. Even though veterinary care is quite expensive here, also cats living outside are taken care of well. Even in large cities like Istanbul and Ankara you can encounter a lot of...
When I was a child, our dog changed my life. He taught me lifetime love for living beings but also responsibility, patience and caring for others. Scientist has found out those are not the only benefits the life with an animal has for children....
