Leash Training

Teaching your cat to walk on a leash can be a good idea for several reasons. If you have indoor cats, leash training can provide you with a great way of enriching their lives. Cats usually love the outdoors, and it can be a sad sight to watch them gazing longingly out the windows. Learning how to behave on a leash can give your cat access to the outdoors in a safe, controlled manner.

 

In other situations, putting your cat on a leash becomes a necessity. If you plan on taking your cat flying in the cabin with you, for instance, most airports require you to remove your cat from the travel box when going through security. Cats are bound to find that frightening, and if you simply hold them, they might struggle to escape your embrace. On a leash, running away would not be as easy.

 

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

If you would like to teach your cat to walk on a leash, Smiling Kitty can help! We can advise you on the best training techniques and give you tips on the safest cat harnesses and leashes, poisonous trees, flowers, and plants, and help you assess your outdoor environment. Book a Cat Care Consultation with us to discuss your needs further!

 

If you live in the Stamford CT area, you can also book a Kitty Spa Day through Smiling Kitty and have our expert cat behaviorist train your cat. Read more here!