what breed of cat can be trained to use a collar and lead?

Question

i want to be able to take my cat travelling so need it used to walking on a lead. i will get a kitten so it can be trained from a few weeks old. it will also need to be comfortable in a basket when in a vehicle. the french take their cats on holiday so i am sure it can be done. any tips gratefully accepted

Answer 1

Any breed can be taught- you need to start them as kittens and do it often so they get used to the harness/lead. Bribery with yummy treats won't hurt, either! Good luck

Answer 2

You can train any breed of cat to walk on a leash, provided you start them on it when they're young and gently build up to the lead. You could also try using a harness like the ones used for small dogs.

Start by first showing the cat the collar and letting them sniff it and get used to the smell of it. Then try putting it around the cat's neck for five minutes when it's nice and relaxed and sleepy. Be sure to pet the cat and give it lots of praise while you do this. If the cat doesn't struggle or fight it, try putting it on for 15 minutes at a time.

Let the cat get used to the idea of the collar, or harness, and when they're totally comfortable with it, put it on full time (if it's a harness, you can let them wander around in it for three hours or so, but don't leave it on permanantly, because the cat won't be able to clean itself).

When the cat is used to the collar, introduce the leash the same way. When the cat is comfortable with the leash, let it drag the leash around the house, but watch carefully, because it could snag on things, which will cause the cat to freak out. Once it's used to the extra weight, start leading the cat around gently, but mostly let it follow it's own path.

Remember, take it slowly, and give lots of praise and positive attention to the cat. Don't yell or pull aggressively on the leash. It's a cat, not a dog, and that will only make the cat resent you.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I read that all breeds can be trained. here is a how to guide and some tips.

1. Purchase a comfortably-fitting harness and lightweight leash with a secure clip. Do not use a collar, as the cat may be able to slip out of it. You want the leash to pull from the chest rather than the throat. The cats' Walking Jacket is a fine alternative to a harness, virtually escape free, and with the leash attached mid-back, for comfort.
2. Put the harness and leash somewhere near kitty's sleeping area and leave it there for several days to accustom him to it's appearance and smell.
3. Wait until just before his normal mealtime, then put the harness on the cat. You should be able to comfortably slip two fingers between the harness and his skin.
4. Immediately feed him his favorite meal and praise him when he is finished.
5. Let him wear the harness for awhile. If it seems to bother him, distract him by playing with a favorite toy.
6. When your cats seems to be accustomed to the harness, take it off.
7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 for several days, leaving the harness on longer each time.
8. Next, attach the leash to the harness and let kitty walk around the house, dragging the leash. Watch him carefully that he doesn't get tangled up around furniture.
9. Praise him for being such a good cat, and give him some loving hugs.
10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for a few days, until the cat seems to accept the harness and leash.
11. Now, let him walk around as usual, but pick up the business end of the leash and follow him in his wanderings. Keep the tension slack, so as not to restrict his movement.
12. Practice step 11 for a few days.
13. Teach kitty to follow you by talking to him in a cajoling manner and lightly pulling on the lead. Don't fight him. Leash-training should be a pleasurable experience for the cat, not an adversarial one. On the other hand, if he tugs at the leash, simply stop until he relaxes, then move on.
14. You're ready to move outdoors now. Do it gradually, and take your first short excursions in your own back yard, or in a quiet area.
15. Gradually increase his exposure to the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors. Soon, the two of you will be able to enter walkathons together.

Tips:

1. Patience, patience, patience. Stay tune to your cat's reactions and let him guide you at his own pace. Don't let this training become a battle of the wills, because you will surely lose.
2. If you have more than one cat, it may actually be easier to train the second one, because she will want to follow the first.

What You Need:

* Sturdy Harness
* Lightweight leash

Answer 4

It's better to buy a harness, it goes under and around the cats front and back legs and has a collar and leash attached...much safer than just a leash...ask in your pet shop...you can train any type of cat to walk with one but with a collar and Leash alone, a cat can wriggle free, speaking from experience....i think it is a good idea to take a pet carrier along to with favourite toys and comfy blanket.....maybe sprayed with cat-nip, which cats love....

hope you and kitty have a great time......

Answer 5

First, ignore/ignore with regard to the comments made with the help of the "coach" and through some members in right here. How does a lengthy leash artwork interior the residing house is previous me...tangled round chairs, tables, human beings and so on, because the canines is operating... to make sure that a canines to end a habit which it unearths to be relaxing, the compulsion/aversive used should be a lot larger. you want an electric powered collar on the canines, it ought to end the BS cat chasing in some days, in case you do it good. See in case you'll come across someone there that ought to actual practice you procedures to apply one.

Answer 6

My Maine Coon cat was able to do this. At first he just went where he wanted to, but eventually he would just walk right with us.
You may be able to do it to most cat breeds with some training. I think it's a good idea to get a kitten and train it.

Answer 7

any kind of cat can be trained with alot of pashints and love. There relay not all that different from dogs, I have 8 cats, a few "help" me do dishes and sit on the tub wile I take baths. They want your approval just like any other pet.

Answer 8

All cats can be trained all my cats are leash trained But I started them out as kittens to get them use to the harnes..It,s great to see people stare because they never seen a cat on a leash

Answer 9

Contrary to many people's beliefs, cats are smart and trainable! Check out sites on training kittens for various things. Any breed can be trained it just takes time and patience!

Answer 10

pretty much any cat will do this if you do it at an early age , but dont stress the cat when you are training it just give it gentle persuation and it should be okay . make sure it knows when it has done it well . there has to be something in it for the cat

Answer 11

Any cat can be trained if you start at an early age!! I had a cat that used the toilet and knocked the door to come in!!! he was a ginger moggie called Floyd but someone ran him over!