Taking a cat for a walk

[Reesha]

I was at the humane society website today, poking around and ended up in their store. They sell a gentle leader for cats!!!

Before I moved to St. Louis, I lived in Lake Placid, NY and my cat Monkey would roam around outside fairly close to the house. She was incredibly happy spending afternoons outside and the rest of the day in. She'd bring me butterflies as presents, eat grass to her heart's content, chase bugs. When I first moved to St. Louis, Monkey and I moved in with a dog. Berrin was a very friendly, happy, harmless dog, but he loved to chase Monkey and while Monkey actually enjoyed provoking him into chasing her, she never went into the back yard as that was his territory. Now I live in a loft with no deck and she stares out the window with longing.

I often think-- wouldn't it be nice to take Monkey on walks-- just because she's a curious cat and she'd enjoy the new scenery. I could take her to some of the parks downtown, away from other people and dogs.

Anyway, do any of you cat owners take your cats for walks? Have you ever heard of anyone doing it?

[OakLeaf]

My next door neighbors leash-trained their cat, a rescued feral kitten. He hated the leash at first, but he eventually got used to it. He understands that it's the only way he's allowed out of the house, and he enjoys his walks around the neighborhood.

Training an adult cat to a leash might be harder, but you've got nothing to lose by trying!

[Biciclista]

you do have to train them to appreciate it; otherwise they just consider it another torture their human thought up.

[tulip]

There are many people who believe that cats should be kept inside all the time for their own protection. There are just as many other people who believe that cats should be allowed outside to do their cat thing.

I'm not sure about a leash, but I guess it would really depend upon the particular cat.

[Reesha]

I figure it's worth a $15 investment to find out... if she did like it... she'd LOVE it. I would probably drive her to Forest Park and then put her leash on her. So many things she could chase!

[tctrek]

Cats can get used to almost anything if you do it slow and they think it's their idea . I would start very slowly introducing the leash, maybe give her favorite treats at the same time, lots of love and praise. Maybe open a window and put a chair or a cat tree next to it so she can equate the outside air and all it's pleasures with the leash. Just kinda work up to it.

I used to compete with purebred cats in championship cat shows. I gave them 7-step bathes and blew them dry with an industrial strength blow dryer. I trimmed their eyelashes and shaved their nose leather. Then I took them to the airport, took them out of their carriers and walked through security with 1 or 2 cats in my arms. Their carrier went under my seat in the airplane. I made several trips to France, Austria and Switzerland with my top show cats.

In my 10 years of showing cats, I saw many cats on leashes and they loved it. I have cats that fetch and beg like a dog. I have one cat who grabs my hand with her paw and puts it on her head so that I will scratch her head!!

So, you absolutely can teach a cat things, if they think it is their idea and they really love to do it.

[badger]

I think it depends on the cat. Morley, my fearless wonder has no trouble walking on a leash. Scout, my scaredyboo will likely have a heart attack.

When my dog was still alive, Morley would come out with us in the courtyard and would walk with my dog until we exited out of the compound. He'd wait for us and walk back with us. When my dog died, Morley was beside himself not having that routine anymore so I had to take him out for a walk every night. He follows me so I stopped using the leash.

Having said all this, I think it's easier to start them as a kitten rather than on an adult cat. But you can always give it a try, he may catch onto it!