Do you walk your cats?

[The Cat Factory]

The only cat of mine that will walk on a harness and leash is Vader. I take him for walks sometimes

[emily_the_spoiled]

I have decided to try and train Tanner to walk with a lease. So last night I bought a harness and a lease and hooked him up. We only stayed on the patio for aobut 5 minutes, but it was absolutely hilarious to watch him. For the first little while he was trying very very hard to get out of the harness. He then realized that he could not see and smell things that he never had before and his curiousity was working overtime. He just had to check out all of those interesting places where my porch kitties spend time...

Cheryl

[bluekat]

Thanks for all the replies.....
I've decided that I should let them get used to the outdoors before letting them actually walk on the ground, so yesterday I brought Blueberry out, and he got so scared he was shivering. Well, I think he was scared, or maybe the cold? I just have to wait awhile for warmer days.

[carole]

i think they will eventually get used to being taken for walks, but if it turns out to be stressful for you both then i would can it.
I took lexie out on a lesh for the first two weeks here every day just in the section to get her used to her surroundings, she had never been on a leash, and she was not too bad really, she did not love it but she did not hate it either, was a bit trying though if she got a scare and she is the scaredy cat kind, she would bolt and nearly get strangled, but needless to say we both survived it, and i dont regret doing so, she is now very comfortable in her new surroundings without the leash,. good luck.

Inka likes it!


Maya hates it!

[Anakins mom]

Ember and Mystery are allowed to keep me company in the gardens.
They each have a harness and a 'flexi-leash'.

This is how we go outside:
I put a tall garden stake in the ground in an area that is half shade and half sunshine. And located where I can see them as we have hawks that will pick up a cat in my area!

Then I go inside and get their harnesses and leashes on.
Karissa holds the door open for me and I carry both of them outside.
Once outside I drop the flexi handle over the tall garden stake and they can wander around in a huge circle watching me and rolling and exploring and bug hunting to their hearts content safely. (I also stake them were they can see the birds, but not get at them.)

Just have to make sure the stakes are far enough apart that they don't get tangled.
I also put out a bowl of water for each of them.

This year we have to teach Miss Indy about the harness and leash and then Asia when she gets bigger. I never use a collar for our outings. The harness is safer. I take the cordless phone outside or turn on the answering machine. They are never ever out of eyesight!

[veegan]

Yeah Felicity is so laid back, that I wasnt surprised it was easy to put her harness on. Shes only worn it a few times now. I would like to just have her wear it all the time, so she learns that the harness doesnt always equal scary car rides. lol And hopefully she will learn to enjoy the car rides! lol But after it has been on a while she starts to try and get it off. I was thinking about taking her to petsmart today, but Im just sooo afraid she will get scared and wiggle out of her harness!! :'( :'( :'( I would never forgive myself if that ever happened. :'( I cannot even think about it. So after she gets used to the car (if that ever happens.. lol Must be patient! :/) then I will consider taking her into petsmart. Ill probably start taking her on walks in the summer too. Our street is a dead end, so we get NO traffic, except the people who live here of course, and theres this AWESOME field across the street, (its hard to explain), and it has a pond, and tons of trees and bushes lining it, and theres a section in the middle of protected land. So anyway, Id love to take her back there cause its right across the street (close to home), theres no loud traffic, and its away from the street.

in the car: