Is it ok to take my cats for a walk?

Question

I have two Bengal Cats and I think they would really enjoy going for a walk every once in a while. I know they have little kitty harnesses and leashes.
Since cats clean themselves, would it be harmful if something happened to stick to there paw or they laid in the grass?
Will they constantly be trying to go out?
Could they get fleas or ticks?
Could they develop health problems from being outside?
What should I be concerned about?
Thanks.
Sloane

I live in Las Vegas so I think the fleas and ticks would be less of a problem. Although I may be moving soon. If I do decide to take them out I think I will get them used to the harness around the house first. They are both 1 year old. I also have another cat that is 7, but I assumed she would most likely just be scared. But the two Bengals are very adventuresome.

I know outdoor cats don't live as long as indoor cats. Will just taking them for a walk effect that?

Answer 1

Here are some leash/harness cat-training tips from www.petplace.com. I found them to be really helpful. Hopefully you will, too!

Purchase a harness instead of a collar. Cats can easily slip out of a collar, and a harness will enable you to control your cat without accidentally choking her. There are three types of harnesses for cats: the figure eight, the H-harness and the V-style harness. “The figure eight harness is one of the best for walks outside,” says Christine Church in Housecat: How to Keep Your Indoor Cat Sane and Sound, (Howell Books, 1998), “since it tightens if the cat pulls, therefore preventing the cat from slipping out.”

Not all harness types are available in all pet stores, so if you can't find what you want, check pet supply catalogs, Internet pet stores or cat magazine classifieds. Buy a harness in a lightweight material such as nylon or cotton. Avoid leather since the bulk and stiffness may be uncomfortable for your cat. A harness should be tight enough to prevent slippage, but loose enough for you to get two fingers between the harness and your cat's body. Whatever type of harness you select, find one that is adjustable so it fits your cat properly and will expand if she does.

Purchase a nylon or cotton lead that is 6 to 8 feet in length. Avoid chain leashes as they are too heavy to use with a cat. Because cats may prefer to wander a bit, try using a lightweight flexible lead intended for a small dog once you've successfully acclimated your cat to a regular leash. Be careful not to allow the flexible lead to rewind quickly as it might frighten your cat or pull her unnecessarily, and be careful not to let the lead slip out of your hand. Manufacturers of flexible leads have not yet made the handles of rubber to increase grip, and, as a result, the leads can slip out of your hand more easily than a regular leash.

Before taking your cat outside on the harness and leash, let her wear the harness indoors so that she becomes acclimated to it. Samkoff tried to put a harness on Chester as soon as she brought it home. “I did the wrong thing,” said Samkoff. “Chester immediately made himself scarce.”

A friend told her to place the harness on the floor and allow Chester to familiarize himself with it on his own. “After a few days of Chester sniffing it, I brought it closer to him and started talking about it,” Samkoff laughed. In about a week, Samkoff was able to slip the harness over Chester's head without him freaking out. “Now he comes up to it when I hold it out before a walk,” said Samkoff.

Let your cat wear the harness about 10 or 15 minutes a day indoors for a week or more so that she is comfortable with it. When you place the harness on her, give her some favorite treats and praise her so she associates wearing the harness with something pleasurable.

Hide some treats at various locations around the house. Attach the leash to the harness and let your cat walk around the house with the leash dragging along behind her on an indoor treasure hunt to find the treats. After she seems comfortable with the leash attached to the harness, hold it loosely and let your cat walk around the house wherever she wants to go with you at the other end of the leash. Follow the same routine of hiding treats so she associates something positive with the indoor walk.

When your cat is comfortable walking with the leash inside, take her outdoors for short jaunts of no more than 5 minutes at a time. Take a treat or two with you and give it to her as you walk. If your cat wants to just sit once she is outside, sit with her and let her take things at her own pace. She may ultimately prefer to just sit outdoors and watch the world go by, so don't force her to walk if she doesn't want to. Gradually increase the time you spend with her outdoors.

Before taking your cat on walks, make sure she is up-to-date on her vaccinations and is protected from fleas and ticks. Be sure to avoid neighborhood dogs that might frighten your cat and set your leash-training back to square one. When your cat is on a lead, stay with her. Leaving her outside on a tether without your supervision leaves her at risk from dogs, coyotes, and even humans who might harm her accidentally or intentionally. On your walks, keep your cat from eating grass that may have been sprayed with lawn chemicals.

Answer 2

I have a cat that loves to walk on a leash outside.
Your cats probably will want to go out all the time if they enjoy being outdoors. The one cat who i walk will stand at the front door and paw at it continuously while meowing until we let him out.
They can get both fleas and ticks. Try using Revolution, Advantage, or Frontline to kill fleas and ticks and also prevent them.
If you do take them out, be careful if they walk on cement. I got my cat home after a walk one day and he was tip-toeing around and was in a lot of pain. I looked at the bottom of his paws and he had skinned them up pretty bad. I cried when I saw them because I felt like such a bad parent for letting that happen. So that is one thing to watch out for. But if they are walking in the grass, they should be fine.
They will probably eat the grass though which will more than likely cause them to puke it up later.

Answer 3

humm...taking cats on a walk would probably be an interesting task because cats are more independent and probably would not be too comfortable on a leash...but if you can get around that then you are fine...just get your cats some frontline or something to prevent them from getting fleas and ticks. I really dont think you will have a problem with them taking a rest i the grass, actually they will probably LOVE it! and there really arent any health problems that cats can get just from being taken on walks outside...they may have some outdoor allergies that you arent aware of because they have been in the house but all that will do is make them sneeze. and your cat wont die any quicker from occasionaly going outside, it will probably more beneful that anything consitering they will get to exercise and play outside in the sun...oh and i would suggest i harness rather than a collar and leash...they can get tangles easier and more frustrated because they arent used to it

Answer 4

It's my understanding that Bengal cats are much easier to be leash trained than other cat breeds.

In regards to leash walking cats in general, it can certainly be done. Not all cats will take to a harness, though. Some other cats take a while to get used to it, but eventually do. Just to note, you always want to use a harness in conjunction with the leash with a cat. They can wriggle out of a collar much too easily.

My female cat loves to go outside with her leash and harness, though she doesn't do much "walking". She prefers to roll on the sidewalk, or in the grass. She doesn't spook as easily as my male cat, but if a stranger approaches too closely, than she'll try to get away. Usually, we stay right in my front yard if other people are outside to avoid that. She's fine if they keep their distance.

There is always a possibility of fleas or ticks if an animal goes outside, whether they are on a leash or not. The risk is smaller, though, if they stay out of the normal flea/tick habitat. ie dense foliage, overgrown grasses, etc. As far as ingesting something while grooming, it is possible. Stay away from grass that has been treated with pesticides, or other chemicals. If there are fleas in the grass, they could ingest those and get tapeworm. I really can't think of any other health problems, unless the cat escapes from you. In that case, all of the normal dangers associated with the outside would be applicable.

Having a cat on a leash doesn't mean that they will be totally safe outside, but it is a much safer alternative than roaming free.

Answer 5

I have a indoor/outdoor cat, who is outside most of the day when I'm at school. She hasn't stepped on anything hazardous or what not. And she seems pretty healthy for being semi-outdoor, despite her eating too much and being a fat lazy butt.

If you're supervising your cats to make sure they don't go into a thorn patch, their paws should be fine. With ticks and fleas... My cat hangs out with the neighbors cats and she gets fleas, but never ticks. Though a bit of flea medicine on her shoulders keeps fleas off for a couple months.

I say if your cats like to do it, no harm could really come of it.

Answer 6

My father used to walk our dog every night, and often the cat would go with them (no lease for the dog or cat because we lived near bushland and it was no problem).

Cats are not really obedient, and don't have the pack mentality that make dogs such a pleasure to walk.

This means, when things scare your cat, it wiill climb under something or jump up a tree. It is unlikely to want to follow you around as such (unless well trained). Generally cats don't come when they are called (I cats that happily do this, but it is rare, and they won't do it under stress or if they are feeling lazy), so if they get off the lease they may be gone for good.

I know it seems a pity leaving your cat inside all day and you would like to give it some freedom, but realistically it can't be done.

Cats don't really need to walked to keep them fit, and I am trying to think of some interesting ways to help them exercise.

I think would prefer to just play, with a ball or string. That is more than enough exercise and more suitable to their playful personality.

When I grew up, we had a large yard, and our cats could go out and play. Climbing trees, chasing birds. But not going for long runs or walks. Our dog would happily jump the fence, and run off into the distance, so he would love long walks.

Answer 7

Laid in the grass? Why would grass harm them, unless by grass you mean weed - and even then I'm sure it wouldn't hurt them. Ha!

Cats love grass, eating it and rolling in it is fine. Unless gum stuck to their paw, I wouldn't be worried.

No health problems, they shouldn't constantly try to go out if you teach them that they only go outside with you.

They could possibly get ticks or fleas, but only if they come into contact with another animal that has them, or if they roll through a bush. Just walking through the grass won't cause any problems.

Answer 8

You can take them for walks, but there are some good reasons not to:
Not all cats tolerate harness.
It does increase the risk of fleas and ticks.
It may spoil them into trying to run out when the door is opened.
They can get attacked by other animals even when you are with them.
There is always a chance they can escape, get lost or get hit by a car.

They probably would enjoy going outside, but I would be worried that they would try to run out the door more often.
Alot of people do walk their cats on leashes and don't have any problems.
I prefer to open my sliding glass doors or a window to let my cats sit by and enjoy the fresh air, birds and squirrels in the safety of their own home.

Answer 9

I see nothing wrong with taking your cats out. It is true they could get ticks or fleas, just try to keep them out of the tall grasses if there are any. If they get fleas just treat and take some time off from walking them. Good Luck and happy cat walking.

Answer 10

Personally, even though I've never done it myself, I think it's a great idea.

But, keep in mind, you're not walking a dog(s)...dogs can be trained to obey the leash, while cats...not so much.
You probably are going to have a struggle as the cats will want to chase, run to, run from, climb up, smell this and smell that and they are not going to simply walk a "straight line" up and down the sidewalk.

Could anything harmful stick to their paws...POSSIBLY.
Could they pick up fleas and ticks....CERTAINLY.
Could they develop a health problem...I DOUBT IT...not anymore than they would if left to roam outside. (I hope yours are INDOOR cats).
Could a dog in the neighborhood try and attack or chase after your cats while they're on the leash...QUITE POSSIBLY.

My suggestion would be to let them out in your yard while you watch them and keep them corralled or, take them (on the leashes) to the nearest park and let them play around in the grass for a while...this would probably satisfy them plenty.

Answer 11

Some cats can be trained to walk on a leash. You need a harness because they will slip right out of a regular collar. Practice first in your back yard before going anyplace else and be prepared to pick your cat up if a dog comes anywhere near you.