Marley is just over a year old. He was born feral in my shed and I brought him in about 9 weeks old. I used to let him outside with me on occasion because he loves going outside and he was never left out unattended. Up until about a month ago he did great, stayed right around the house and would come in when called. Well about 3 weeks ago he got pretty brave and wandered the yard for about 3 hours, not wanting me to come near him. He stayed in the yard, we have a really big yard with a huge field behind us. Anyway, he came back inside...that time. About a week later he got out when I was letting my dog out. He stayed out all night. Sometimes he was by the house sometimes he was in a tree, sometimes he was playing in the shed. He finally let me get close enough to grab him the next day when I got home from work.
So...I have a cat harness that I have put on him and twice he has got out of it. When I am out front I have a 20ft lead that I put him on and he can just hang out outside....but he hates it. He doesn't like the harness at all. I've put it on him various times in the house to get him used to it but he still acts like it's the most awful thing in the world to have on. I have tightened it so he can't get out of it now and he just lays down and rolls around and meows like it's the worst thing ever.
When I am outside with my dog, Marley will sit at the door and cry until we come in. I feel so bad for him because when he is outside I can tell how happy he is. I don't want him to be an indoor/outdoor cat for many reasons...fleas, worms, he will one day dissapear or get hit by a car or get in a bad fight with an animal, he will be in my neighbors yard. I can't afford a cato right now and we don't have a screened in porch. I play with him and try to keep him as happy as he can be inside but I think he would be much more content being able to come in and out.
So finally to my question. should I continue to put him on the harness even if he hates it? Will he eventually be able to relax with it on? I feel bad because I know he wants to run and chase bugs but he can't because he is restricted. I've tried to walk with him on it but he won't move.....sorry this is so long, please any advice is welcome!!!
So...I have a cat harness that I have put on him and twice he has got out of it. When I am out front I have a 20ft lead that I put him on and he can just hang out outside....but he hates it. He doesn't like the harness at all. I've put it on him various times in the house to get him used to it but he still acts like it's the most awful thing in the world to have on. I have tightened it so he can't get out of it now and he just lays down and rolls around and meows like it's the worst thing ever.
When I am outside with my dog, Marley will sit at the door and cry until we come in. I feel so bad for him because when he is outside I can tell how happy he is. I don't want him to be an indoor/outdoor cat for many reasons...fleas, worms, he will one day dissapear or get hit by a car or get in a bad fight with an animal, he will be in my neighbors yard. I can't afford a cato right now and we don't have a screened in porch. I play with him and try to keep him as happy as he can be inside but I think he would be much more content being able to come in and out.
So finally to my question. should I continue to put him on the harness even if he hates it? Will he eventually be able to relax with it on? I feel bad because I know he wants to run and chase bugs but he can't because he is restricted. I've tried to walk with him on it but he won't move.....sorry this is so long, please any advice is welcome!!!