Can a pet cat be leash trained?

Question

It is generally safer for a cat to be kept indoors rather than allow it to run wild outside. I know cats are independent and don't like to be told what to do. But, I'm sure some owners must take their pet pussy cats for walks on a leash. Am I right?
I've seen pictures of beautiful women walking domesticated big cats on a leash, but I've never seen anyone walking a pet house cat. Can this be done?

Answer 1

Hi there...most domestic house cats can be leashed trained. However, it's dependent on the cat's individual temperament/personality and the appropriate training techniques used. Any cat can learn at any age, however leash training is much easier for kittens. This is a great alternative to consider if you have cats who enjoy outdoor excursions when the risks are too great to let them roam unsupervised. However, cats who are leash-trained they take you for a walk rather than they will walk with you unlike dogs.

Here are a few websites that has instructional tips on how to leash train house cats:
http://www.hdw-inc.com/leashtraining.htm
http://cats.about.com/library/howto/htwalkleash.htm
http://www.catsplay.com/thedailycat/2002-04-01/mind_training/training_leash/training_leash.html

Answer 2

Cats can be peculiar animals. I have seen people with cats on a leash and the cats were handling the idea of being restrained pretty well . I tried it once with one of my cats and she would have nothing to do with it. Try introducing your cat to a leash while he/she is very young. Or, if you have the outdoor space, you could make a little enclosure with some light wire mesh fencing. That way, your cat can enjoy the fresh air and stay safe at the same time.

Answer 3

Ive never seen a cat on a leash (successfully) and I've owned cats for 45 years. It is, of course much safer to own an indoor cat. They usually acclimate to the inside and some I've owned had no desire to go outside.

Answer 4

Absolutely yes. I trained one of my cats to a harness leash and took her for walks every day for years. Start them as young as possible. Start indoors by just putting on the harness until the cat is used to it. Then attach the leash and go outside. Go a little further every day. The cat loved it and so did I. You do attract the attention of the neighbors. :-)

Answer 5

Yes, but you will want an H-Harness, rather than a figure-8 harness. With the figure 8 leash, the cat will get free easier. They also make little vest-like harnesses for cats, that make getting free difficult, as well.

Answer 6

Certainly this can be done, but you need to train it when it is young. They have special harnesses and leashes for cats. I tried that with the 1st cat that I owned, but she was an adult cat and wasn't too keen on the idea, so I just gave up and made her a complete house cat, and she was a great cat.

Answer 7

Yes - they can be trained to walk on a leash. I take my cats on "walkies" wearing halter and leash. The older cat actually "trots" along with me on the sidewalk like a little dog - cracks everyone who sees us. The younger one will venture only as far as the back yard (which is huge). There are sites that teach you how to train your cat to walk on a leash if you are interested in this option. Persoanlly I think it is a great way to exercise your cat, make the outdoors accessible to them without risking any injury to them.

Answer 8

Yes, My mother trained our three Siamese cats to walk on a leash in our back yard. They were even allowed to climb trees altough they were declawed. I still reccommend Cat Fancy for any info on such things and lots of other answers.

Answer 9

I tried walking my cat on a leash, but she just did not take to it. Maybe some cats would be ok with it, especially if started out as kittens.

Answer 10

I dont know about taking them for walks but my neighbor has 3 cats and they always have em outside on a leash when they gotta go to the bathroom ,i find it a lil wierd and i think ill keep my cat inside but to each thier own...