When it comes to the practicalities of leash training, you should be aware that walking a cat is nothing like walking a dog. Firstly, cats should never be walked on a collar, as most collars allow crafty felines to wriggle out and run away. Walking a cat requires a leash and a proper cat harness. Secondly, you must assess your outdoor environment before considering taking your cat outside. If the outdoors is too frightening, if you live in an unpredictable city environment with too many cars, dogs, and people, a trip outside is more likely to cause your cat stress than provide enrichment. This is also the case in a country environment with too much wildlife close by, especially if we are talking about a cat’s natural predators, such as coyotes, wolves, and bears. Your cat will immediately pick up on the scents left behind by such animals, resulting in increased anxiety and stress instead of a positive, enriching experience. Lastly, cats are curious creatures, so familiarizing yourself with any toxic plants, leaves, and berries outside your home is also necessary. Indoor cats don’t always know what to stay away from and might accidentally ingest something harmful.
If, after all that, you conclude that your cat will be safe outside with you, the next step requires patience. You cannot simply strap on the harness and immediately take your cat outside. Cats need to get used to the harness first, which is best done inside over several weeks. This is also the case if a cat needs the harness to go flying with you. Once you are ready to start the walking itself, it must be on the cat’s terms. Often, cats will prefer to be in the lead, and walks may include lots of stops and U-turns along the way. When trained correctly, however, your cat can learn to enjoy the walk as much as any dog does, thereby opening the door to endless adventures for you and your feline friend
