Wondering If Its okay to take a cat out on a leash?

So, my cat used to run outside when he was younger, around 4 or 5 years of age. Recently,(hes actually 7 now) I moved and he escaped one time, and was outside for a whole night, and to my surprise, (Sheesh, i was so happy!), he was still hanging around. Now, whenever i take my dog outside, or go outside overall, he acts as if hes aloud out too. He just walks to the door, acting as if he can go outside. He has been a indoor cat his whole life, besides before when i got him. (He and his brother had been abandoned as kittens, very young, around 2 week or 4 weeks maybe)

SO I'm asking if it would be okay for me to try out a leash on him, or could something happen? He has been traumatized before, but acts as if he is a champ when he attempts at getting out. He gets frightened easily, but maybe is i started out slow, and built him up to it, because i would really love to get my cat outside with me for walks!

Thanks, Chance.

He should be just fine if you take the time to acclimate him to the leash first.  If he doesn't generally wear a collar, that is that first order of business.  Get the collar on him and let him wear it 24/7 for a few days.  Once he's happy with that, attach the leash.  Expect a hissy fit or two.  Don't try to lead him, just let him drag it around and fight and hiss and moan for a while.  He'll eventually realize that his new "tail" has no nefarious plans for him and settle down.  Once that is done, you're ready to take  him out.  Look, walking a cat is not quite the same as walking a dog.  The cat walks you at first, and sometimes forever.  Just get him out the door, and follow him around as he explores.  Do this for several days.  Then, and only then, begin to gently tug on the leash to get him headed in a direction that you have picked.  But realize that he's going to want to stop and explore.  You don't generally walk a cat, you kinda meander with them.  It's very zen once you both get used to it.

OH...get all his shots up to date before you start.  You are taking him out where all sorts of stray/feral/neglected cats might be leaving microbes.  And if you live in a very warm area, and plan on being outside with him on a regular basis, ask your vet about adding heartworm treatments to his health care. I'd also microchip if you haven't yet.  I have Hekitty leash ready, but won't take her out until she's chipped next month.  I don't think she'll get loose, but better safe than sorry!   Expect an increase in flea activity, and be ready.

Good luck!

the only cat that should be on a leash is "cat woman"

Hahaha!

shanx8 said:

 
the only cat that should be on a leash is "cat woman"

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While I agree that Cat Woman probably should be leashed, and I also agree that in a perfect world, cats would not need to be leashed, the sad fact is that free-roaming cats' lives are shortened from a (indoor cat) lifespan of 13-18 years to a mere 3-5 years.  There are too many dangers for most of us to allow a beloved pet outdoors without supervision...and it's darned hard to supervise a free cat.  And many cities have leash laws that include felines.  Better outside on a leash than never feeling the grass under one's paws.

That said, if you manage to get Cat Woman on a leash, I'll pay to see it!  ~wanders off to giggle in a corner at the visual on that one~

Well, my cat has lived inside for the last 7 years and hes always wanted to go outside, so that why i have been asking about this, so he can go complete his life's dreams!

Good that you asked.  And people do disagree about it.  But I'll stand by my feeling that it's better to be outside on a leash than never feeling the grass under one's paws.

I'll also stand by the statement that I'd pay to see Cat Woman on a leash, as far as that goes.

We have a cat that absolutely loves to go outside on a leash. Please do not use a collar with the leash! Cats can get out of collars very easily and escape. It is better to use a harness or a walking jacket like my cats both have.  My cats love to go outside on a leash and had no problem getting used to it. Be sure to start training him to wear the harness indoors, then to walk on a leash.

With my kitten, I had to actually take her outside in both before she was willing to feel like wearing them was actually worth it. Outdoor things inspired her to move and explore rather than flop on the ground pretending the harness was killing her.

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This is my older cat, happy as a clam outside.


Kitten getting used to her walking jacket.

NewYork1303 said:

This is my older cat, happy as a clam outside.

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• NewYork1303
• Oct 23, 2015

Kitten getting used to her walking jacket.

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You're absolutely right, and I never even thought about the walking jackets...and I actually have one on order for the Divine Ms. H (AKA Hekitty).  I've walked cats successfully with collars for years, but there is always that chance that something could spook kitteh and disaster would ensue.

I have walked my kitty Oliver on a leash with a harness. He loves it. He had been an outdoor cat when we adopted him and it helped him transition to being an indoor kitty. He has had an outdoor enclosure for many years so that he can enjoy the outdoors safely.

      I have been walking my cats with a harness and a leash for years. This is the best and only way to let you and them enjoy the outside. The walking jackets are probably very comfortable for your cat also. Everyone who has replied so far are all giving the best advice .  You and your cat will love being able to be outdoors without having to be worried that kitty will get away. The cats will get used to being on a leash sooner than you think. Enjoy every walk you will take.

NewYork1303- A harness would probably be much better, good to know. Thinking of it now, my cat would be out of a collar when i put it on him... Your cats are so cute!

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions! All have helped me out big time!

Gangsta Chanca said:

 
NewYork1303- A harness would probably be much better, good to know. Thinking of it now, my cat would be out of a collar when i put it on him... Your cats are so cute!

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions! All have helped me out big time!

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No problem. One thing to consider with any type of harness or collar is that nothing is completely inescapable, especially for a cat. Make sure to keep a close eye on the cat at all times and never leave the cat out tethered to something. Cats can get out of harnesses much more easily when backing out of them against a taught leash.

@Gangsta Chanca

I've been taking my cat on walks since he was a kitten, and I second NewYork1303's good advice -- a harness is the way to go. I got a kitten harness when Bud was a baby, and had to buy a larger harness late last year when he was 6+ months old, but it was worth it.

The biggest thing: Be patient. It can take a LONG time to get your cat used to wearing the harness in the first place, nevermind walking with it. I started by putting the harness next to Bud's food bowl and leaving it there for a week or two, so he'd get used to seeing it and would hopefully associated it with happy times like eating.

Then comes putting the harness on. Bud really doesn't like wearing things. He went crazy when I tried to get him to wear a collar when he was younger. So I had to gently put the harness on him, reassuring him the whole time, and every time he wore the harness I would give him treats, again to create that positive association.

Then leash training, which is basically getting your cat to come to you and follow you. I did this inside, on the good advice of CatManToo (Youtube guy, professional animal trainer), and trained Bud to come to me by using treats.

Then I brought him outside. At this point you'd think he'd be ready to walk on the harness, yeah? Unfortunately, no. I realized pretty quickly that he went into sensory overload when I brought him outside, and everything I'd taught him went out the window. He wasn't even interested in his favorite treats when I brought him outside! So even more time was dedicated to bringing him out regularly, getting him used to the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors, and letting that sensory overload ease down. I started to see a clear progression when I brought him outside, from initial fear and uncertainty, to curiosity, to tail-up and happy usually after about 20 minutes.

So finally, after getting Bud used to the harness, and accustomed to wearing it, and training him to follow me, and getting him acclimated to outside, we were ready. And even then, it took some time before we were really walking the way you'd expect to walk a dog.

Hope that helps. It's not as daunting as it sounds, you just need patience and consistency. Good luck!