Does any one walk their cat?

Question

We walk our cat on a leash. He loves going outside and it's the only way he gets to go out. We recently moved to a small town and have been getting some weird looks from people. I don't mind the looks I'm just curious how many other people do it. He's really good at it and mostly stays on the sidewalks. He's actually better behaved than some of the dogs around here.

Answer 1

I have walk cats before with leashes and without.
I also saw someone walk an otter before, I was driving and I had to turn around to confirm it.

http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/training/walking_your_cat.html

Answer 2

I have known of 2 other people to walk their cats, so it seems rare to me. One lady did it at the soccer field, every time she was there so was the cat on a leash. It is a good way to take them out yet keep up with them. I hate wondering cats. My one sister has a 3 legged cat that she walks on a leash, now that should get some strange looks. I even asked her how she got Abby in the harness since she was missing one of her front legs. But go for it! Enjoy your time with your cat however it is!

Answer 3

When my husband and I got our kitten my mom mailed me a harness and a leash. We started using it right away and from then on we could use for when we would take him to the vet or if we would take the dog for a walk. It took him a while to actually WALK on the leash. People always gave us weird looks and most would stop and talk to us and ask about Kitty. We just had to be careful when there was a possibility of meeting other dogs because then he would use whoever was closest as a tree!

Answer 4

Yes... my 8 yr old neutered male likes to go with me on "walkies" on the sidewalk wearing a halter and leash. He trots like a dog and yes, I do get incredulous looks from the people who see it for the first time. Some are amused. But some uneducated people may think it is cruel to leash your cat but then, put that down to exactly waht it is - ignorance. I know my cat enjoys his nightly excursions and I know that on a leash, I can keep him safe. One night, I came accross a woman while walking my cat. She said in an incredulous voice: "Your cat is on a leash?" I said, Yes - go call the ASPCA and report it." She looked abashed.

I say, walk your kitty proudly... lots of cat guardians will actually envy you.

Answer 5

My grandma walks her cat on a leash. The cat loves to go outside, but she does not want her to run away. She also has a enclosed play set in the backyard the cats goes in. She plays for hours. It's not something you see often, but I'm sure many people walk their cats. They even have cat and dog strollers.

Answer 6

I have seen many people walking their cats on leashes - I think it is great. There is an elderly couple in my neighborhood whose cat accompanies them every evening on their walk. The little calico isn't on a leash, but she stops and sits when they stop to chat with people. When they start walking again, she follows - a few paces behind as always.

Answer 7

My neighbours back where I used to live took their cat out on a leash all the time. The cat loved it!

Answer 8

I don't walk mine on a regular basis but on long trips, we put her in a harness and leash and walk her in rest stop dog areas. She's part Manx so she's actually protective of us and will growl at strange dogs/people she sees (which she doesn't do at home). Of course we get strange looks from the dog owners but she enjoys it and it gives us a reason to get out and stretch our legs.

Answer 9

Often people use a harness, you can get small ones for cats.
Some cats hate them and fall over when they are put on , but others tolerate them.
Its getting more common in Australia to have indoor cats and to walk your cat due to our declining native animals in suburbia.

Answer 10

Hahaha!!! That's great, actually my next door neigher has a kitten she's doing that with. I prefer not to have outdoor cats, too many issues with disease and accidents, but as long as she's with you on the leash enjoy it!!!