I bought a harness and leash for my cat.....?

Question

i bought my cat a Harness and a Leash.
does anyone have suggestions on how to train him on using one...and is there anyone who uses it regularly...?

Answer 1

I also have a harness and leash for our cat, Pharoah, but of course the cat walks us instead of us walking him. It is good that you did buy a harness, as it's harder for your cat to wiggle out of a harness and it won't choke him/her either. Pharoah loves his leash though and if I shake it, he'll come running cuz that is the only time he is allowed outdoors (he has to have "adult" suprevision - ha ha). Training will take some time but eventually your cat will walk on the leash just like a dog - like I said though, Pharoah walks us - as we know cats "run" the house and they are "our owners" not vice versa, speaking of cats, Pharoah is calling for some attention....Best of luck with the leash/harness.

Answer 2

I have used a harness and leash with three of my cats by way of introducing them to the outdoors and their territory around my home. Cats find their way home by smell not by sight. The animals trainer at the humane society told me that they know the individual smell of every other animal in their territory - each deer, each fox, each individual raccoon.

You put the harness on the cat inside the house first. The cat will plop down and not move at all. So you let the cat wear the harness inside the house when you are there until it is moving freely around with it on. Then you can attach the leash and go outside. Be sure to do it when it is "quiet" outside - no loud traffic noises, no intrusive dogs etc. A "spooked" cat can pull the leash out of your hand in a nanosecond. Wrap the leash around your wrist several times.

The cat will take YOU for the walk so be prepared to get caught on the wrong side of a tree! The cat will think you quite stupid that you can't keep up with him as he explores and he will learn to have patience with your ineptitude. Have fun!

Answer 3

I put my cats on a harness and leash to take them outside and they don't mind it at all. Just make sure it's a cat leash and not a bulky one, otherwise they'll hate it. If they can feel the leash on them they don't like it, that's why it should be a very light cat one. They won't like the harness very much and will be kinda stiff, but if you leave it on them they'll get used to it. Also, if the leash is very long it'll help as well, because when you have your cat outside on it he/she will just want to run around and play, and if the leash is short, it'll just cause your cat to be scared when it gets pulled back, and you'll end up just having to take him/her back inside.

Answer 4

The younger you start your cat, the better luck you will have. Let him walk around in it in your apartment/house first to get somewhat use to it (he will probably slink). Carry him outside and around the area you are going to be walking him in before you put him down (always check for dogs!). Understand that very few cats will walk along a side walk or in the direction their owner wants. Generally speaking, he will just investigate by sniffing everything around him (be patient, this takes forever the first few times). As he gets more comfortable, he will want to explore further. Know where your cut-off point is (where you do not want him to go past). If possible, do this only around your house or apartment building. Do not cross streets or parking lots - this way, if he ever gets away from you he will be less likely to run under cars & into traffic. He will get use to not being far away from you. You might eventually let him drag the leash behind him (with you close behind to step on it if needed). If he does well with that you can even get to the point he goes out without a leash but only in your presence (you MUST have a safe enclosed environment to do this). My cats now go out into the backyard, do not jump the fence, and come when called. I try not to leave them out for longer than 10-20 minutes, and NEVER have them out when I am not home. You will find what you are most comfortable with. I would highly recommend a collar & tag, as well as a microchip ID (@ $25) in case he gets away).

Answer 5

Unless your cat is a very young kitten it will probably not adjust to a harness and leash. They need to be trained for the start or they will go wild when you try to put one on it.

Answer 6

Most cats won't tolerate it well in the beginning but they will get used to it if done properly and you are persistant about it. I see several people in my neighbor that walk their cats at the same time as walking their dogs. It's great for exercise! Here's a site to give you some tips on leash training:

http://www.peoriahs.org/catleash.html

Answer 7

No way... I had this idea too. I soon realized that my cat was too scared, because he feels unsafe on a leash, he wouldn't move, and when he panicked he was perfectly capable of getting off the harness-although I thought it was safely fastened- and run away. so it is not safe if you don't want to lose your cat, and it is not pleasant for him. Let him inside, he prefers that.

Answer 8

I only ever had one cat that would tolerate the leash and harness! that is something to start when they are tiny kittens so they get used to it. Good luck!

Answer 9

Honestly im not sure if thats normal to have a lease for a cat but its your choice. Ok you can get treats and put the lease and harness on then give him 1 or 2 treats. Then take it off, If he asks for more treats dont give him any. Do this process about 5 times, once each day.

Answer 10

I used to, but my cats didn't like it much. You have to start by puting him in the harness a few times. He'll probably flop over on his side a few times, but you just have to get him used to it.