First of all, the cat must be accustomed to using a leash. Arm yourself with patience. So :
- Show him the harness that you will use to take him for a walk. Let him smell it, play with it, and gradually gain confidence.
- Place a harness for him, do not attach the leash to the collar. Ask your vet which model is ideal for your cat.
- If the animal agrees to wear the harness, attach the leash and allow it to move freely.
- Grab the leash and walk beside the cat, without pulling it.
Keep in mind that these steps must be completed gradually, always in an enclosed space and allowing at least a couple of days to pass between one phase and another.
It will also be appropriate to reward the cat with food of his taste, so that he associates the harness and leash with positive events.
Other factors to keep in mind before taking your cat for a walk
Having passed these tests, it is time to take the first walk. Remember that:
- The walk with the cat should be short and take place in a quiet place. Prefer a private garden or park.
- It will be better to avoid the confusion typical of big cities.
- If they come across another cat or dog, the cat may panic and get hurt.
- Before taking him out of the house, check that the animal is ok with the vaccinations and dewormed.
- If the cat shows signs of stress or fear, don’t insist. Return to the base as soon as possible.
- If it is not sterilized, do not take it out during the period of estrus.
A walk in the park
Remember that not all cats are the same and that this affects the way they were raised a lot. As much as a cat is used to going out alone, a walk on a leash could still scare them. This is because he does not have the situation under control.
Other cats, for their part, will prefer to nap in peace and lick their paws, rather than venture into unfamiliar places.
However, as we said at the beginning, a breath of fresh air and a little sun are always good and allow the cat to roll around in the earth or get his nails done on a log.
In this case, forget about the walk. If you do not have a garden or an internal courtyard available or even that of relatives or friends, look for a park with little traffic and take the cat inside a pet carrier.
Some advice to entertain the cat at home
If your cat doesn’t like walking or is stressed too much, give it up. There are other ways to make him feel good at home :
- Play with him every day.
- Get him a scratching post.
- Arrange some “hiding places” in the house such as a box, an open carrier, etc.
But if you still want to go out for a walk with your four-legged friend, why don’t you seriously consider adopting a dog as well?
