This is Sad

[Python]

Spay and neuter. Proper diet. Keep them safe indoors (or at least leash-train or build a cat-run). And have a good, long, healthy life with your beloved cat.
/rant.

Sherry.

I'm a great believer in spaying and neutering. Our cats are better fed than we are. Our Blue (he's 14) has got opening the fridge door down to a fine art! He helped himself to my husband's chicken that he was going to make some sandwiches with!!!

I've never leash-trained a cat before. What's the best age to start harness and leash train a cat? We have two Bengal kittens (9 weeks old) and would like to train them.

[makbike]

I've never leash-trained a cat before. What's the best age to start harness and leash train a cat? We have two Bengal kittens (9 weeks old) and would like to train them.

Start them now. I would recommend a figure-8 harness.

First, just let them wear it around the house for short periods of time. As them get use to it increase the time but never leave them unattended with a harness on for bad things can happen if they get hung on something.

Next, attach a short, lightweight leash to the harness and allow them a drag it around behind them. Again, never leave them unattend for even a brief moment.

Finally, let them walk you around the house. Cats are not like dogs - you should always allow the cat to walk you - let them determine where they want to go and how fast they want to move. Good luck and have fun!

[Popoki_Nui]

I've never leash-trained a cat before. What's the best age to start harness and leash train a cat? We have two Bengal kittens (9 weeks old) and would like to train them.

Nine weeks might be a little young, but 12 weeks or so should be fine. Begin by letting them wear the harness 1-2 hours a day for a week or until they're comfortable in them, then 2-4hrs a day for a week, then longer each day until they can wear them comfortably any time. Then clip the leash on and practice leash-walking indoors a little at a time until they are comfortable. Then, and only then, take your first tentative outdoor walk. Depending on your cats' temperment, it can take from 2-3 week to 2-3 months to leash-train, but in the end it is an excellent compromise.

Let's face it; although cats are perfectly happy indoors, most cats do like the great outdoors. It's the attendant dangers they (and their owners) are unequipped for. Going for a gentle walk in a quiet back yard on a leash is a relatively safe experience for the cat, and another chance for the owner to spend some quality time bonding with their pet. The bird population will thank you too.

Good on ya, Python.

~S.

[SadieKate]

My black dutch rabbit was leash trained and lay on the dog shelf in the camper with the standard poodle and the black lab. Border inspectors were always blown away by these 3 calmly all snuggled up together.

[Lise]

My black dutch rabbit was leash trained and lay on the dog shelf in the camper with the standard poodle and the black lab. Border inspectors were always blown away by these 3 calmly all snuggled up together.

What a great image, SK! L.

[onimity]

I get really sad too when I see animals of any sort hit on the roadside; I've really been amazed at the numbers since I started cycling. The other day I saw a coyote that had recently been hit on the center line of the road. His head and mouth were positioned so that it looked like it was howling and the image sticks with me; I think that they are such beautiful animals and their habitat is increasingly taken over by highways and tract housing around here, very sad. So many beautiful birds killed by cars too, I see several new ones on my commute every day.

I agree that we are too often in a hurry and cycling has really changed my perception of that. I haven't driven since March and I don't miss it a bit.

I have a leash trained cat; she likes to go out in the yard on a leash attached to a stake (you have to watch them though, and keep them out of range of anything climbable!) She likes walks less because she always wants to climb a tree, but if you go for a picnic and give her 10 feet to roam around you she is in heaven. My other cat hates anything new. He got out once without me realizing it and I shut the door. Minutes later there was this awful howling outside and he was desperately howling at the window. He does play piano though...

Anne

[onimity]

My black dutch rabbit was leash trained and lay on the dog shelf in the camper with the standard poodle and the black lab. Border inspectors were always blown away by these 3 calmly all snuggled up together.

Very cute.

There is an act on our local pedestrian mall that involves a dog, a cat that sits on the dog's back, and a mouse that sits on the cat's back. I haven't seen it personally but my sister did recently. She talked to the guy and he said that it was relatively easy to train the dog and the cat...but he goes through a lot of mice!

[DDH]

Not only do some cat owners let their cats run wild, but dog owners do it too. In fact, in my area, I see many more dogs on the side of the road than I do cats. Plus the fact that I live in the country and out here is where everyone thinks it's okay to come and dump their unwanted pets.
I have a stray cat at my house now that someone dumped out there. She is sweet and wants to come in, but I have two dogs that have not been raised around cats and will eat her if I let her in, so out she stays.

[Python]

Over here in the UK you have to keep dogs under control - they're not allowed to run wild. Cats on the other hand are still classed as wild animals. If you run over a dog you have to report it to the police - not so with a cat.

I'm hoping my two Bengal kittens will take to the harness and leash as we have a huge woodland to the rear of our house - out through the back gate and we're right in the middle of it. It's a beautiful area with many protected species of plant - some of which only grow here and nowhere else in the UK.

There are some fields in the middle of this woodland and a stream with a small wooden bridge going across. That should please the Bengals as I believe they like water!!!

They're not going to be happy with me tomorrow - they're off to the vet for their vaccinations. I've no doubt they'll let me know what a horrible human I am - in very vocal terms. Harley especially LOVES to talk to you

Onimity - that's a great video of your cat. Very talented. Should be on the X-Factor

Just a shame one idiot's posted a rude comment.

[SadieKate]

Over here in the UK you have to keep dogs under control - they're not allowed to run wild. Cats on the other hand are still classed as wild animals. If you run over a dog you have to report it to the police - not so with a cat.

There are leash laws here also. But there is a difference between "have to" as required by law and what the owners actually do.

[Dianyla]

Cats on the other hand are still classed as wild animals.

Oh, isn't that the truth!

[Jolt]

Not only do some cat owners let their cats run wild, but dog owners do it too. In fact, in my area, I see many more dogs on the side of the road than I do cats.

Good point. I once saw two little dogs (a pug and a chihuahua) running loose in the street while riding home from the grocery store. I managed to chase them into the nearest yard and then started ringing doorbells trying to find the owner--nobody was home, so I asked a lady who was in her front yard a little further down the street. She knew whose dogs they were but said the people let them run around like that all the time and didn't really care. UGH!!! With that kind of attitude, why even have pets in the first place?

[Tuckervill]

Good point. I once saw two little dogs (a pug and a chihuahua) running loose in the street while riding home from the grocery store. I managed to chase them into the nearest yard and then started ringing doorbells trying to find the owner--nobody was home, so I asked a lady who was in her front yard a little further down the street. She knew whose dogs they were but said the people let them run around like that all the time and didn't really care. UGH!!! With that kind of attitude, why even have pets in the first place?

The only rational thing to do is call animal control to come and pick the dogs up. If the owners are that callous about their dogs, they can pay the fines. In my town, third time's a charm--you have to surrender your dogs.

Karen

[wiseowl]

So sad. That is the one thing about biking I dislike- it puts you front and center with roadkill. A tiny little fawn, still with spots, that was killed on a regular bike route put me in a funk for days.
Our two cats go on leash. I started them young, but know others who started later in life. We use a cat walking jacket (google it) and they start crying when they see it, they are so excited- even when it has been packed away all winter. They do enjoy a trip outside, which seems mostly to be for grass eating, but they are pretty content indoors, too. A well placed bird feeder and toys seems to do the trick.