Walking a cat on a leash

Question

I'm getting a kitten soon and I want to train it to walk on a leash. I think it's a good compromise--it can be an indoor car and still see the world and explore. Do people think this is a weird thing to do? What age should I start training my cat to walk on a leash. Any tips on how to help my cat adjust to walking on a leash and making it easier to train her would be great. I'd like to hear personal experience from those of you who have it. Thanks a lot.

P.S. I don't want to hear any comments about this being animal cruelty/really stupid. Cats have four legs and therefore can walk on a leash. It's perfectly safe and a good way to keep your cat healthy and expose it to the world.

Answer 1

I have two cats and I have tried walknig them on a leash. You should probably start a couple weeks after you get the kitten. That is if you get the kitten when it's young. and during the time the kitten isn't being trained you can have the leash around it so it learns to enjoy it =) then jsut start walking with it around the house then upgrade to the outside world.  

Answer 2

Letting your cat out on a leash is perfectly safe.

Ensure your cat has been vaccinated and don't go in to wooded areas where there are ticks.  Make sure you don't let go of the leash and you've got a happy, safe cat

Answer 3

I agree with you that its a good compromise for you and your pet.  I have two of my three cats leash trained.  I started with my oldest cat when she was 7-8 months old.  I got a small dog harness (now they make cat harness) and got a small leash and took her outside for a little while at a time.  Just sit with her on the porch for a little bit at first, then slowly start moving further and further from the house until they start walking with you.  I don't think its strange at all.  They want to be curious, its in their nature, but in order to keep them safe, a collar with name & phone number at minimum and a harness with leash should be good to keep them safe.  Also, make sure that your cat has flea/tick medicine to protect them from those insects.

Answer 4

That's a very good idea :) Since it's safe that makes it even better. You're a great owner, I'm sure your kitty will appreciate it. Good for you!

Answer 5

you can use a regular lace  like dog uses

Answer 6

I have a leash and harness for my kitty!  I can never really WALK her like a dog..  What I do is I just take her to the backyard or whatever and let her loose.  That way, I won't always have to follow her around while she stares at butterflies or whatever.  Anyways, if she tries to run away, just grab the leash. =]

Good luck!

Answer 7

first you have to just keep the leash around her to play with so she doesn't get scared of it then try to put it on her for 15 min. Let her eat while she's wearing it after she get used to wearing it try to walk her inside the house and don't put it on her neck. Also dont force her to walk just take it slowly and give her treats if she walks with you. Finally you can try to walk her outside.

hope this helps :)

Answer 8

Good for you! She will learn!  Thank you for planning ahead to be a good pet owner.  Maybe it will start to rub off on others!  

Answer 9

I agree with Fadil.  Also, get a harness - it goes around their body and you can tighten it on their back. My cat has one (he loves to go outside and eat the grass but I don't want him going out by himself).  You most likely won't be able to walk the cat - the cat walks where he wants, but it is definitely a good compromise.  Just don't let the cat too close to woods if you have them to help keep them away from the insects living there (ticks, fleas etc).  It took a few times before my cat got used to the harness, but now he practically brings it to me  because he knows it means he can go outside.  Good luck!

Answer 10

Indoor cats are healthier. When I adopted a cat today, I had to sign a paper agreeing to keep her indoors all the time. Indoor cats live longer, and if the cat never goes outside it'll never know the difference. Indoor cats are healthy cats.

Answer 11

good luck. maybe you have an exceptional animal. If I leash my cats, they go nuts.Talk about strangulation.

Answer 12

Get a body harness-don't connect leash to the collar.