The sight of a leashed cat may raise eyebrows here and there, but it is quite possible to walk with a cat on a leash. The condition is that your cat likes this, otherwise it will quickly refuse to walk. There can be many reasons for leashing your cat, for example to get it used to a new environment or because it is impossible or too dangerous to let the cat walk outside on its own. Unlike a dog, you don’t put a collar on a cat, but you use a harness for this.
Cat on a leash
- Cat with harness and line: not common
- Reasons to leash your cat
- Use a harness, not a collar
- Choosing the right cat harness and getting your cat used to it
- Where can you buy a leash and harness for your cat?
Cat with harness and line: not common
When you think of a pet on a leash, you quickly think of a dog or at most a ferret. Some people have never had one leashed cat seen. Still, it is quite possible to go for a walk outside with a cat on a leash, provided the cat is up for it. After all, cats are known for rarely doing things they don’t feel like doing. A cat that enthusiastically follows its owner on a leash is usually a cat that enjoys getting out in that way. Veterinarians will agree that if the cat is fine with it, there is no obstacle to leash it, as long as you do it the right way.
Reasons to leash your cat
There can be many reasons to leash a cat instead of letting it walk outside on its own. You can think of the following circumstances:
Source: Simone Ph, Pixabay
- You have just moved and the cat has yet to get used to its new environment. You want to teach your cat to recognize your house or complex from the outside as well.
- You want to teach a kitten to get used to the environment
- You live in a place where it is dangerous to let the cat walk around outside alone
- You live in a condo, apartment complex, or student room and the cat cannot come back in if you let it out alone
- You have a purebred cat and are afraid of theft if the cat is outside alone
- You have taken over a cat from another owner where the cat was used to being on a leash
Use a harness, not a collar
With dogs you often see that a collar is used. Only a few are hoisted into a harness. However, if you are going to walk your cat on a leash, it is important to always use one harness and never from a collar. Cats usually find a collar unpleasant. The pressure on the neck can also stiffen them and make them refuse to walk any further. By using a harness you can also give the cat better control and the pressure is better distributed over the body.
Choosing the right cat harness and getting your cat used to it
Are you going to be a harness then it is best to choose a cat harness that is adjustable in size. It is important to have these properly connected so that the cat cannot wriggle out but on the other hand it is not too tight. A finger should just fit between the cat and the harness, then you know that this is not too tight. It is also important to get a Belt that is not too heavy. A dog leash is therefore often not useful. Given that cats are generally lighter than dogs, other requirements are also set on a leash. A too heavy leash can pull on the harness and this is unpleasant for your cat. It is therefore best to buy a leash especially for cats. There are also elastic cat leashes.
If you want to get your cat used to the harness, put it on first and let it sit for a while while you’re just inside. This way, your cat is already a bit used to the feel of the harness before actually going outside. As an intermediate step, if you have a garden, you can first go exploring in your own garden. When you first go out with your cat on a leash, it is advisable to choose a time when it is not that busy on the street, for example early in the morning or late at night. If your cat makes it very clear that he does not want to know anything about walking outside on a leash – for example by acting anxiously or meowing very much – don’t force him to do anything. As said, if a cat does not want something, it is and you will have to accept it.
Where can you buy a leash and harness for your cat?
There are various leashes and harnesses especially for cats on the market. These are for sale at various pet stores and web shops. Examples of brands from which these products are available are Beeztees, Adori, Red Dingo, Trixie, Animal King, NBH, Nobby and Karlie Flamingo.
