Mary Allen
Do you live in an urban area, on a busy street or are you just afraid that your shy mini tiger won’t find his way home? There are many reasons for not giving your cat unrestricted access. If your cat is only used to living in an apartment and is sufficiently busy, it can usually live happily and appropriately without the “great freedom” under its paws. It is especially nice when she can sniff a little fresh air through a networked window or a secured balcony or an outdoor enclosure. Another option is to walk on the leash with a cat.
Leash Walking with a Cat – is That Possible and Does it Make Sense?
You may now be wondering if a leash walk with a cat is something you could try. Before you buy a collar and start walking, you should carefully weigh up this plan and, if you come to a positive decision, prepare it well.
Fresh Air – But Not Without Ifs and Buts
The thought of walking in the garden or park with your cat on a leash is sure to be tempting. She can breathe fresh air, feel the grass under her paws and gather new impressions. After walking on the leash, your little adventurer is visibly exhausted and sleeps contentedly in his cuddly bed – a great advantage of walking on the leash. With an individually adapted harness, the risk of an accident is lower than in unprotected open air. No question.
Risks when walking on the leash with a cat
Nevertheless, walking on the leash carries various risks that you should carefully weigh up. Keep in mind that your cat will likely quickly get used to the luxury of fresh air around its nose and will be reluctant to do without it again. Perhaps you enjoy your walks so much that they emphatically demand more frequent and longer trips, at least in the mode in which you started. So if taking your cat for a walk is just a fixture, be aware of the additional responsibilities and duties before starting the experiment. Think about how regularly you want to and can do a lap with her – even in times that are stressful for you, because your cat will probably look forward to your trips and do all sorts of jokes if you deny her this fun.
Safety First – with the Right Dishes and Good Preparation
If you have decided to use the leash, make sure you have a securely fitting harness. A simple collar is just as dangerous as an ill-fitting harness. Your mini tiger can transform into a professional Houdini if he is frightened by something or if he really wants to dash in the opposite direction to chase an exciting hand. A harness with a neck, chest, and back section that can be individually adjusted to suit your cat and securely locked is ideal. Also, make sure that you have good padding so that it comfortably encloses the pet’s delicate body.
Slowly getting used to the harness and leash
If you have been able to find a suitable harness, give your cat the chance to get used to it at its own pace with many positive confirmations in your home. To do this, you put the dishes next to you during a cuddle or brush session, let the cat sniff it, and praise or reward it for its curiosity. In the next step, you lay the dishes loosely on her back for a second, take them off, and reward her again immediately. Once she has got used to the new feeling on her back after a few practice units, you extend the duration of the harness and give the reward while the harness is on your cat’s back. Only when it is easy for your cat to endure do you secure one of the locks – also for a brief moment, followed by praise and a great reward. In this way, you can link the harness for your cat with positive experiences step by step. Depending on how happy you are to learn, it doesn’t take long until you look forward to this new opportunity to get goodies. If your mini tiger is shy, it may take longer to get used to it. Give your fur friend the time, because the harness will be your insurance in the open air, which should definitely be worn relaxed.
During your first walks on a leash in the apartment, you both get to know this new type of movement. Your cat may be irritated that it cannot move as freely as usual and you will learn how to gently lead it on a leash – without being able to exert too much influence on its path.
The First Real Leash with a Cat Outdoors
Once you have gotten used to walking on the leash, your first “real” excursion can take place. Allow enough time to stay relaxed if your little explorer stays outside longer than planned. Give the cat the opportunity to explore the new environment, sniff extensively and examine everything carefully. Every now and then, test whether she can still be approached by calling out her name and offering a treat. But resist the urge to constantly want to influence them. Your adventurer wants to memorize everything exactly and you tend to be a nuisance.
The idea that a cat, like a dog, would walk along the path you set on a leash is a rather unrealistic idea. Rather, you will run from bush to bush or leaf to leaf, your cat will always give you a new direction and will only allow itself to be “steered” by you to a limited extent. So prepare yourself for “accompanied exploration” – that is, exploring.
The first walks should be a few steps away from your front door, if possible. Little by little you expand your tour. The more regularly you do your laps and stick to a regular route, the more relaxed the excursions will be. Little by little, your velvet paw will also be able to cope with unexpected noises and movements.
Is it Really the Right Thing to do for a Walk on a Leash?
Finally, it is really important to consider whether a leash is an option for you and your cat. Often people lose interest or the possibility of regular walks with their cats – while the mini tiger demands more and more of them. Carefully weigh up whether you really want to take the risks and possibly even give your cat unrestricted freedom of movement later if your need for fresh air is too divergent. Ultimately, even a leash does not provide complete security. Your cat could squirm in a moment of shock that it escapes with its leash. You should check all of this for yourself and decide accordingly carefully.