H ave you ever put a cat on a leash...or chain ...?Not to nessaserilly walk, but to be just outside..close.?

Question

I have a friend that does & it works, but mine kind of FREAKS-OUT...suggestions?????

Answer 1

I had one cat that I was able to put on a leash, he walked with us everywhere. My other cats would never do it. I guess if you were to teach a cat early to walk on a leash it would.

Answer 2

Depends on the age and particular personality of the cat. If you are going to try it be sure and use a harness rather than a coller because it the cat freaks out it could either choke or get out of the collar. The best way is to start with just the harness for a short period of time and increase the time each day until the cat does not mind wearing it ... that should take about a week or so.
After that, the leash should not be too big of a deal. A retractable one that cannot get tangled if the cat is outside and you go inside would be best ... the pet store should have several suggestions. You can either take your cat there to fit the harness or know their weight and how big they are around the chest area.

Answer 3

I had a neighbour where I used to live that took their cat out on the leash several times a day. The cat loved it! I tried it with mine and she freaked right out. She did the twist and twirl thing and tried to climb the bushes! Needless to say, I didn't try it again. I think the best thing in a situation like this would be to leash train from the time you cat is a kitten.

Answer 4

I would use those harness type things, otherwise the cat might escape from it.

Try making it a happy experience when you put it on at first. Give the cat treats and pat him a lot, make him all relaxed and happy. Start by just having the harness touching him and day by day slowly put it on him. When it is on for the first time, don't do it up. When you finally do put it on and do it up, don't actually take him anywhere, just sit there patting him.

Doing it this way will possibly get him used to it and soon enough you will be able to take him outside. Just remember some cats will never like it, no matter how hard you try, so don't be angry at your cat or yourself if it doesn't work.


Also, to the person who said just let your cat outside. Did you know that the lifespan of a cat who gets to roam free outside is only 5 years? This is compare to that of one who isn't, which can be from 12 to 20 years. Cats also kill the native wild life, being feral animals in most parts of the world. Even the tamest house cat, if let out will go and kill something.

By a lot of people in Australia it's considered irresponsible to let your cat outside, no just for your cats safety but also for all the endangered animals it will go around and kill.

Answer 5

Your cat probably isn't use to a leash. What I would do is by a snap realease collar and your cats fav treats. First show your cat the collar, give it a treat, put the cllar on it, then give it a few more treats. Leave the collar on for about a half hour, be sure to play with your kitty while its on. Then take it off after the half hour is up. Do that for about a week, then attatch a leash to it indooors, and let the cat lead you around, be sure to give it treats. After it is used to the leash, bring it outside with you as long as it it warm out, about 85 degrees. Give it a few treats outside. As long as your cat isnt freaking out. stay out as long as you can with it at first. If you want, they have these things that you can buy at Petsmart or Petco that are like a lead for a horse, their about 3 feet long, and you can tie them on about anything, to let you cat run sort a free,
I take my cats outside on leashes all the time and they luv to be outdoors, especially whenthere is something to chase. Hope this Helps!!! Good Luck!!!!!

Answer 6

I think BluePlaty.. gave great advice - except for the collar bit. Not a collar - no - it's too easy for her to escape from (or hang herself by) - try a harness instead ... and yes, if she gets stressed enough she may well escape from that too.

The Bengals I have are fine with a harness. I did the softly softly approach & put it on them first of all inside the house & gave them treats, smoothed them down & make a big fuss of them etc. Progressed to attaching a lead/leash, etc. No real problems with them.

However, I have yet to successfully put my Siamese in a harness. She hates it. She either just lies there or struggles madly & runs into things. She won't accept any treats & she won't be soothed. I've come to the conclusion that it may only be certain types of personalities that get along with harnesses.

I've just noticed that Jungles also had the same problem, with one cat happy & one not.

Hope that the softly softly, gently does it approach works for you.

Answer 7

Some cats like going out on a harness others freak out. You can try slowly habituating the cat to having the harness on for short periods of time (or something lighter than the actual harness at first, there are some thin type harness that are pretty light). It's best to start training cats to accept things when they are young but I do know older cats who have learned, it can take time though.
My cat Lucy loved to go out with the dogs and spend time outside but for many safety reasons we didn't want her out there alone or running free; she quickly took to the harness as soon as she realized it meant she could go outside, it was a piece of cake with her. Her compatriot JJ though never would tolerate having a harness or leash on even though he wanted to get outside with her. Cats are all individuals that's for sure!

Answer 8

Our last cat came from a refuge and had clearly lived in a flat for its three years of life. But we live in the country. So after a fortnight, we put it on a lead and harness and we all went out into the garden.

The cat DID NOT like it. She wriggled. She struggled. From side to side, up and down, until BINGO she was free.

If anyone tells you that cheetas and jaguars are the quickest animals on earth, forget it. That day, our cat broke all known speed records in getting back into the house.

The moral of the story - cats and leashes do not go together!

Answer 9

I bought a harness & lead for my kitten when we got him - mostly because he ran way faster than me! Whenever we went exploring the back yard, he was on his harness/lead. When he got big/old enough, we stopped using it. Now it only comes out for car rides and vet visits, but he's pretty OK with it.

You can train a cat to accept the lead/harness, it's best to start as early as you can. If you want to start your cat now, I would suggest going slow- put the harness on him and let him wear it as long as he'll stand- a little longer each day. Reward him when you take the harness off with yummy treats! As he gets used to the harness, add the lead. Again, just let him get used to it for a few days (with treats), then you'll be able to hold the lead while it's on him- let him lead you for the first day or two, then you can take more control. Don't forgot those treats!

Answer 10

you can get a special body harness for cats, put in for small amounts of time frequently so the cat gets used to it , then gradually put the leash on it, you can encourge the cat to walk by holding a toy etc... in front of face so it follows the object, but do not drag the cat cause this will freak it out. good luck