Some people sincerely believe that cats are indoor animals. Certainly, our whiskered companions love to lounge and spend their days gazing out the window. But that doesn't make them apartment pets !
Cats can absolutely be walked on a leash, just like our canine friends. Provided you do things correctly and get them used to it little by little!
Do you want to take your cat outside and walk it on a leash ? What a great idea! BFPetfood explains how to do it.
Why walk a cat on a leash?
Contrary to popular belief, cats can actually enjoy walks. Discovering new smells and sounds , observing stimulating elements that enrich their daily life… It's a sure way to take your feline out of its comfort zone, stimulating its curiosity and interest!
And above all, walking a cat on a leash provides physical activity . And as a cat owner, you should know: movement begets movement.
The more you play with your cat, the more he'll want to play. So the more you get him moving, the more he'll want to move: the best way to keep him in good physical shape.
Walking a cat on a leash: start by choosing the right cat leash and the right harness!
Have you decided to get your cat used to walking on a leash ? That's an excellent idea: you'll see all the health benefits for your feline friend . But before you look into the best walks, you need to take the time to choose the right harness and leash .
At BFPetfood, we advise against buying a cat collar . A cat collar can slip off more easily than a harness, increasing the risk of escape if your cat panics. And most importantly, your cat risks injuring itself if the collar gets caught on a branch or fence .
On the contrary, a cat harness covers your feline's entire torso and supports them under the arms, providing a more secure hold . In other words, it's a much more comfortable option for your pet.
When buying a harness, make sure you choose the right size. Most harnesses are adjustable, allowing you to adapt it as your cat grows ( up to a point). If your cat grows quickly, be sure to invest in a larger harness: this is essential to ensure their comfort during walks.
Once you have the harness, all you need is the leash. Here, you have a wide range of choices in terms of length: 1 meter, 3 meters, 10 meters, retractable or elastic leash … It all depends on what you intend to use it for.
For example, if you want to let your dog roam freely in the garden or a field , a long leash will be useful. If it's for walks in town, opt for leashes no longer than 2 meters to avoid the risk of accidents.
5 steps to walking a cat on a leash
All you have to do now is walk your cat on a leash ! But while walking a dog might seem quite intuitive, that's not necessarily the case for a cat.
Make sure you follow these 5 steps patiently before you start walking your cat!
1 – Discover the harness indoors
Cats tend not to like being restricted. To be able to take walks in complete peace of mind, you will therefore need to start by getting them used to the feel of the harness.
To do this, we recommend starting as early as possible, when your cat is only 3 months old: it is at this age that it will be most open to learning . Everything is a discovery!
To help your cat get used to the harness, start by putting it on him at home. The idea is to have him wear it indoors , in a familiar environment. Start with 10-minute sessions, then 20, 30, an hour… until your cat no longer feels the harness.
During the first few sessions, your cat may have trouble tolerating its harness: it might try to remove it, which is normal. Try to distract it ! Play with it, throw its favorite balls , wave its toys like its favorite fishing rod … In short, make sure it thinks about something other than its harness.
Opt for short, regular sessions . And above all, if you see that your cat doesn't like the harness at all and that it stresses him out, don't force him: space out the sessions, and be patient.
2 – Getting used to the harness and leash indoors
Once your cat is comfortable wearing the harness, you can add the leash. You have two options for this:
- Walking your cat : you guide him around the apartment so he gets used to the leash pulling.
- Let your cat walk you around : you let it guide you, and follow it wherever it wants to go.
Please note that this step is very important, as it will establish a routine for your cat. Therefore, be sure to make the right choices depending on the walks you plan to take!
Take him for walks around the apartment or house, and let him get used to the leash. This step can take a few weeks: be patient, to avoid your cat experiencing outings as a chore.
😸 BFPetfood's tip:
It is during this stage, before going out, that you can take the opportunity to test the efficiency and resistance of your equipment.
Make sure the harness is properly adjusted , that the leash is long enough… It's best to check this while you're still at home!
3 – Moving from the inside to the outside
Your cat is now used to the harness and leash and associates indoor “ walks ” with pleasant moments: you can now start to tame the outdoors a little .
The first step will therefore be to open your front door and start walking around your home. If you have an apartment, start by walking in the hallways , then in the lobby .
If you have a house, walk your cat under the porch or in the garden . Always choose places where your cat can return inside if it doesn't feel comfortable.
If your cat rarely goes outside ( or not at all ), remember that anything can be a source of stress: the noise of cars , the proximity of the road , the smell of a bush … Everything is new to him: it is normal that he does not want to venture out right away.
So be patient, and let him wander away from home at his own pace ! Don't rush him. Otherwise, he might see walks as a chore.
😸 BFPetfood's tip:
When you return from your first walks, don't hesitate to praise your feline ! A treat or a reward will help him see the outing as something positive.
4 – Gradually increase the walking radius
Next, gradually increase your walking radius . Again, don't overwhelm your pet with a long walk of several hours far from home. Expand your walking area as you go, to avoid causing stress or anxiety. Your cat needs to feel secure!
Only when your cat is fully comfortable outdoors can you start planning outings to parks , forests , and public places away from home.
😸 BFPetfood's tip:
To start encouraging your cat to wander further, choose pet-friendly areas. And always take their food bowl with you!
5 – Regular walks, always attentive to your cat
Your cat is now perfectly comfortable on walks around your home: he even sometimes asks to go out on his own. All these steps took a few months , but it was well worth the effort!
Now all you have to do is maintain this habit. Take walks close to home, and start getting him used to longer walks.
Get him used to the car , and take him to the forest, to the fields , and everywhere with you. Make sure you have his carrier or a cat backpack with you , so he can take refuge if he gets stressed.
Well done: with your patience and perseverance , you are opening your cat to the rest of the world.
😸 BFPetfood's tip:
In any case, no matter where you go with your cat, make sure you remain attentive to its needs . Observe its body language : is a noise stressing it out? Does it need to rest in its carrier?
Stay alert, while enjoying this moment with him!
Walking a cat on a leash: a new adventure for your feline!
Walking a cat on a leash , besides being very practical for holidays, is a real bonding experience with your whiskered companion. It's an opportunity to introduce them to the outdoors, stimulating their curiosity and interest in everything happening outside your home.
Once he's completely comfortable, you can go on holiday with him ! All you'll have to do is get his cat passport .
And above all, as you'll see, walks are a great way to strengthen the bond between you . If you teach your cat to walk while respecting its preferences , it will trust you more and more, until it can even run freely by your side. A true testament to your feline's love! 😻
