Training kitty to use a harness?

Question

I recently got my 2-year old cat from a shelter; he is really overweight and could use the exercise and fresh air...the only problem is that he won't budge when I put his harness on.
Is there anyway to train a cat to wear this?

Answer 1

Hi there...certainly. I will include the lengthy leash training in detail as well as to help slowly reduce the weight safely too. The instructions are quite long so you may wish to copy and paste to print out. :-)


To begin leash training it is suggested to change to a scheduled feeding. Active adult felines should be eating per day 3/4 – 1 cup total (dry food) so feed 50% of the ration in the morning and then other 50% in the evening. You’ll take a part of that total ration with treats so those numbers will change to a smaller portion to balance with the treats. It’s difficult to train animals if they are not food motivated, which is very common with a free-fed animal. The amount of servings suggested too will also help to maintain a healthy weight as too many of our kitties are becoming overweight, which causes diabetes and other unhealthy injuries/diseases as well.

The steps below to train will be highlighted in blue...with animals it’s important to remember that everything must be done in very small steps (micro sized) to help kitty learn. I should also stress training should always be done inside the home until you reach the final stages of leash training.

Equipment: make sure you’ve chosen a figure-9 type harness (sold at PetSmart/PetCo if you're in the US) made for a cat rather than a small dog where kitty cannot accidentally back out of in the event he’s frightened or you’ll have a lost or injured kitty in the future. The harness should fit securely without being too restrictive where it isn’t choking kitty but snug enough for it to prevent him backing out of it. For training purposes it’s best to make the harness loose and then slowly tighten it later. The lead/leash should be no longer than 6 feet with a loop handle to wrap around our wrist so that if there’s danger you can secure the line or pick it up if it’s dragging behind him.

Throughout training, you may use food rewards; later, you will phase out the treats entirely. Food rewards that work well include very pea-sized bits (something that can be quickly eating in seconds) of lean chicken or a dry food that is not your cat's regular food. Cats never should have to work for their regular meals - only for special treats. Be prepared to spend some time training kitty to walk on a leash. He may need several weeks to adjust to the harness and lead, and you'll need even more time to teach him to walk with you. Cats are intelligent, sensitive creatures, you never should use force in training.

Before you can leash train kitty, you must persuade him to accept the harness. First, prepare some food rewards for him. Then introduce the harness to kitty and let him sniff and play with it for a couple days. Use it as a toy and wiggle it around on the floor and then slide it around his body so he becomes used to it touching him. Whenever he allows you to leave it laying “on” him offer him the special food treats. Eventually, he’ll begin to associate that thing is actually worth something of value to him because he’s also getting treats.

After you feel he’s become comfortable doing this a couple days... at another time play with the harness but this time drape a part of a larger loop over his head so he can take easily off if he wants. Be sure to always give him the tiny bits of treats each time it is actually on him. Keep doing this for a couple more days until you are able to fit the head-sized loop (leave it loose for the time being) over his head and reward him with the treats. When he appears to be alright with it hanging around his head you’ll then want to play with him with your fingers and touch the harness and his body where it will secure behind his arms and back. He should slowly become comfortable with you reaching around and restraining him with your hands. You want to ONLY reward him for remaining calm and NOT while he’s squirming when you’re doing this. Eventually you’ll want to hook the last part of the harness closed and also give him more treats while doing this. Keep giving him treats if he’s being accepting of the process. Now that you’ve got the harness on him what’s next! :-)

Kitty may fall over to one side and refuse to budge, or it may lie down and crouch. In either case, don't worry. Offer him a treat and wait for awhile. When he stands up and walks toward you, give him a treat. He may stand up immediately, after 10 minutes or after a few sessions. Don't rush it. Leave the harness on for up to 10 minutes at a time, two to three times a day every day for at least several days offering him a couple treats each time. Once kitty is comfortable with the harness, which could be within the week you’ll begin playing the same fun squiggly games with the lead. Quickly snap on the lead and then take it off and offer a treat while it’s on for just a brief moment. He may again drop down or slink around with the leash attached as it adds a little weight than he’s become used to. Keep offering him treats when it’s attached and play with it while it’s on him too. Do this for a few more days several times a day. Eventually leave the lead on him for 10 minutes a day several times a day to walk around on his own. Later begin picking it up and follow him around.

Let’s begin walking! While holding the lead offer kitty some treats to lure him to take a couples steps with you. Then walk a little bit again and offer him a treat again. Keep doing this so he gets the idea that when you walk and he moves he’ll get a treat. Remember to not pull him as he’ll just only resist. A gentle quick tug and luring him forward with a treat will help him understand what he needs to do. This can be a pain in the back for you having to bend over each time, but after a couple days you won’t need to do this part as you can gradually phase out the food rewards. After you’ve spent a couple weeks practicing walking around the home and he’s consistently following you’re ready to try walking out the front door.

Generally, it’s wise to begin outdoors in a quiet secluded area so kitty will not be distracted and somewhere he’ll visit often rather than infrequently. Also if you live near a busy street or there are other animals in the area this may make it more difficult to get him to focus, which is why a quiet area is more suitable. Cats are territorial and prefer familiarity so they will feel more safe close to home as they are not like dogs who can go anywhere comfortably. So if you walk somewhere away from home regularly then you can introduce kitty to that area since you’ll be there often.

Keep in mind walking a cat is never like walking a dog. Cats are sensitive to everything in their environments, and if they aren't scared, they may stop often to smell things. Remember cats always walk us rather than us walking them like one does with a dog. Instead, walk slowly, have fun, and kitty will have fun, too. Be prepared for much stopping, starting and wandering. Just be sure to not let kitty nibble on the grass (even though they will always try) because there are parasites or toxic pesticides which are in an most areas that will harm him.

Answer 2

Lilly is right. They just plop down like someone had shot them.

Just leave the harness on and go about your business. Don't let the cat have the harness on when you are not around as it could get caught on something and hurt him.

Have him wear the harness for an hour or two each day and he will soon be moving about with it on. Then you attach the leash to go outside.

Also the poster is right about the exercise not being the best way to take off weight (although a having a cat take you for a walk is a great experience)

Most cat foods are loaded with corn. Corn is used to fatten slaughter animals who have no more than a two-year life span. You must go to the more expensive foods with NO corn. CA Natural is chicken and rice, Natural Balance has a venison and pea. NB has a chicken and a duck I believe that has brown rice in it. Some carbohydrate is necessary in the dry food manufacturing process. Life's Abundance has no corn. It is a small company in Florida so if you are on the East Coast shipping is not too expensive. It is a good idea to rotate around these foods to prevent development of allergies to any particular protein source.

Your cat will loose weight in the best possible way --slowly over the rest of his life until he reaches his optimum weight. He will stop gaining and that's a plus, so don't be discouraged or impatient.

A special thanks to you for taking an older shelter cat.

Answer 3

Well I got 3 overweight cats and when I take them outside I put a harness on them and they know where they are going, at the beginning it was hard because cats don't like stuff on their backs, for some reason they will crawl if you put something on their backs, so he will just have to get used to it, let him associate the harness with going outside and he will eventually forget about the harness. Another great way to make your cat do some exercise is get him a cat tower, they love it and as long as he climbs up and down he will get the exercise, have you consider getting a bamboo stick and play with him, my heaviest cat is 18 pounds and that is the only way I get him out of the couch I show him the bamboo stick and he is up running like crazy!

Answer 4

Cats aren't like humans - they don't jog or get on the tread mill. However, they do sell food for less active cats. The biggest problem with overweight cats is inappropriate food and overlarge portions. Make sure you measure out the correct amount of food the vet tells you to.
If you want her to be more active, indoor cat toys wouldn't go amiss.

Answer 5

No, I've never seen a cat put up with one. If he needs exercise, just play with him. Wad up a ball of aluminum foil and toss.

Answer 6

2 is old to learn. Specially if he never learned something before.

Just keep doing it and go out. One day he may start to like it.

Answer 7

make her wear it all the time so she will get use to it. She will fight it, but she will eventually get use to it:)