My two kittens are about 14 weeks old. We introduced them to collars last week and after a day of tantrums they're fine with them.
I want to harness and leash them so I can take them out into the garden safely (there are a lot of big, rough cats around, and careless drivers, etc) as they're itching to go out and explore, and one of them has found out that it's fun to run away and play 'It' with us!
What would be a good age to put harnesses on them? I know they're likely to hate the harness at first, but they'd soon get used to them when they learn that leash means going outside, so that aspect doesn't worry me.
2006-10-26 00:44:34 · 10 answers · asked by Flossie 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
As soon as they've had all the jabs they need and are safe to go outside, start using the harnesses. I believe you can get your own cat used to anything at any age if you keep trying and are patient.
My cats are very trainable because I handled them A LOT from when I first got them. I use harnesses on them and I didn't introduce them until they were fully grown and they still managed to get use to wearing them. I don't walk them on the leads so much now but they still wear their harnesses when they are out in the garden.
2006-10-26 00:52:19 · answer #1 · answered by Andy M Thompson 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sage was a year old when we took him home from the humane society. We got 3 yr old Cinnamon a week later from Petsmart (we went in there to get food for our fish and came home with a siamese. Go figure!) 8 mth old Pepper came in to our lives 2 months later. They were all at different stages of their lives and we just let them get started on the harness. Wore them all day and night. Played with it for a bit but they just got too involved playing with each other to be bothered enough by the harness. When it was time for a walk, we just attached the leash and off we went. If your cat does not have much of a problem with a collar, he won't really mind the harness much. Just let him have it on all day to get used to it first. Once he's outside for a walk with you, he would be too distracted to notice the harness. Good luck!
2006-10-26 10:58:07 · answer #2 · answered by Lin B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If a harness is what you plan to use, there is no age too early to get them used to it. You are right, they will hate it at first, but, if you start now, they will learn sooner.
I have a 3 year old Siamese Himalayan and he hated being put on a leash this summer, but he likes to go outside. So eventually he learned that when I got that leash out, he would get to go out also.
Your babies will get used to it, and the sooner the better. Good luck with those little guys.
2006-10-26 07:58:10 · answer #3 · answered by SuzyQ9363 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As soon as they've had all their jabs you can take them outside, you could even try and put the harness on inside and let them run around indoors with it on to get used to it.
I've never put a harness on my cat and she has never got lost or injured as their lots of cats in my area and she is only small.
2006-10-26 08:27:13 · answer #4 · answered by Grace H 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In addition to going outside I use the harness/leash as a seatbelt and my cats go on trips with me.
2006-10-26 09:36:09 · answer #5 · answered by travelguruette 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As soon as possable, dont give up like we did,our two kittens hated the collar's and leads they used to roll over all we could do was laugh best of luck.
2006-10-26 09:05:49 · answer #6 · answered by shirley m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to introduce them as soon as possible. When working with any animal the younger you introduce them to something new the better.
2006-10-26 07:57:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you probably need to put them on now because if you wait it'll be harder for them to get used to the harness
2006-10-26 09:20:23 · answer #8 · answered by sexy beast 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i put my siamese on a collar and lead when we got her at 13 wks old, she wasnt sure at first but as soon as she got out in fresh air, she loved it, she has a litter tray but does all her 'toiletting' outside.
2006-10-27 09:01:42 · answer #9 · answered by catwoman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will resent you for it.... so I'd avoid it if its at all possible. Generally I find with felines that its best rather than to restrain them physically merely to move to stand between them and any serious sources of danger.... to block their path and give them their options rather than tying them down and imposing your will on them completely.
Cats do NOT like being controlled... and they WILL hold grudges.
2006-10-26 08:59:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋