Attacked while ending walks with harness

misterginja

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Hi, this post is for cat owners who walk their cats on leashes.

Does your cat attack you when he has to come back inside? How did you train your cat not to fight you when it’s time to come back in?  

I’m the guardian of a male ginger who was rescued off the street. He was already an adult when I took him in, so am not sure how many years he lived outside (or if he was abandoned by an owner). He is good around people, but gets aggressive around other cats. We’re a one-cat household, so I worry about him getting lonely when I am at work all day.

I want him to have a happy and fulfilling life—he gets much playtime, is on a high quality raw diet, gets treats, love, etc—but we live in the city and it’s not safe to let him run around freely in the neighborhood. There are at least 5 construction sites nearby, dogs often off their leashes, and many cats around here have gone missing and/or hit by cars. So the compromise is to walk him outdoors in quiet parks with a leash and harness. 

He took to the harness very quickly, walks like it isn’t even on him. The thing is, he becomes a different cat when outdoors. Indoors he is sweet, no major problems (except now he cries often to go outside). When sniffing all the scents outdoors, exploring, walking wherever he can go with me in tow, he starts to go primal. This guttural growling I never hear unless he’s outside, and then when I have to pick him up to go back in the carrier, he bunny kicks my arms with claws out, bites, growls like he’s being kidnapped by the worst person in the world. Today I’m tending to my wounds from his latest attack after carrying him to his carrier. I was wearing long sleeves, he managed to get through that even. I realize at the time I’m taking him away from something he’s really enjoying, but it’s not like I’m a stranger or hurting him, to get these attacks. When back inside, he immediately is nice to me again.

I truly want to be able to continue taking him outside, but I also don’t want to be attacked anymore! My hands and arms are getting covered in scars from this, and it is painful when it happens. If anyone on this site knows of a resource or tips for training him to go calmly when it’s time to go inside, that would be life-changing for both myself and my cat. I bought one of those clickers but I don’t even know how to apply it to this situation, since he’s been ignoring treats when outside. 

Basically, walking him on a leash isn’t the problem, it’s just getting him back indoors without so much aggression towards me. I recently watched a nature show where cheetahs were being walked on harnesses without attacking their handlers. If it can be done with a cheetah, there’s got to be a way to make it work with my 13 lb ginger.

Thank you in advance…
 

maddies momma

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My cat is pretty much the same way! He was neutered late in life and had many scuffles as a tomcat. I keep him inside now to keep him safe but he longs to be outdoors, so I walk him. I think the matter of attacking when we try to pick them up is more of a survival instinct then an I don't want to leave thing. they've been through tough times outdoors so when they go outside survival mode takes over. There are so many scary sounds and smells and creatures around that they are on red alert. And being on a harness I think makes them more fearful because they are contained and couldn't run away if needed. Iv found the best way to pick mine up is to scoop him up with one arm along the length of his body and hold him tight to your body. Then use your other hand to get a nice scruff hold for security. You really have to just be confident and go for it.if your getting hurt too much it might be safer to take him for walks in a pet stroller. The ultimate goal for me is to build a nice large outdoor enclosure so they can safely be outside in the best way possible.
Do you find that your cat spooks at things and freaks out? Mine will get spooked and then try to run away. But I have to follow so my running to keep up freaks him out more and then it just gets ugly. He has gotten out of harnesses before. I actually walk him very little now because of this. It has improved since I got him a harness jacket that is more secure and supposedly escape proof. It's from mynwood cat jackets, I'd greatly reccomend them.
Please feel free to share any walking advice that you've discovered.
 
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misterginja

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Hi Maddies Momma, thanks for your response!   

Sorry to hear you’ve had to experience the outside struggles too— I never thought of this as a survival instinct from them, it would make sense since we both have tomcats who lived outdoors. How to work through something that is ingrained in their DNA…

I will try a different holding technique like you suggest, usually I pick him up and hold him close to my body, supporting his back legs on my arm. That technique always works well indoors but not while he’s kicking with claws out. 

In all of our walks, he only got spooked once, and it was from all things a plastic cup blowing in the wind, ha.  Other than that, he just goes about doing his thing, sniffing and walking, very focused. 

He has a pet stroller he enjoys going in, but I’ve only been using it to transport him to the park so he can jump out of it to walk around with the harness. I’m determined to find a way to make this work, and will definitely share any positive developments (if they happen).

Thank you for the harness suggestion, it looks almost identical to what I’ve been using, the Kitty Holster from Crazy K Farm—it’s been great, attaches with super strong velcro which he’s never escaped from, even while bunny kicking me… 

The outdoor enclosure is one of my dreams too, but it will never happen while I’m in a rental. I hope you can do it! :)
 

maddies momma

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Yes the kitty holster seems great too. Any of the jacket ones are much safer than the standard strap harnesses. May I ask what stroller you use? I'd love to try that with my boy.

Yes it will be a long time before the outdoor enclosure dream comes true. I'm still in school so who knows when I will own my own place.
 
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misterginja

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Hi, I’ve been using the Pet Gear Jogger No-Zip Pet stroller…I don’t jog lol  but the tires on this are great, they’re large so it gives a smoother ride on the bumpy streets & sidewalks. It even comes with a hand pump if you get a flat tire  :)   The other cool thing is that the top stays closed with a latch rather than zipper. It has totally prevented him from escaping. If your cat gets spooked, it might be good for you too, can just quickly latch the cover rather than taking 5 times longer to pull a zipper around while the cat is trying to jump out. Only negative is that if I’m alone, I find the stroller heavy to carry down 6 stairs, I know it doesn’t sound like much but add the weight of a 13 lb cat sitting in it :) 
 

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My boy Gary recently passed from FeLV, he was a stray we took in as a kitten. (had disease when we found him) We would walk him for 30 minutes on his leash every day at the same time in the backyard, we found that a routine made it easy for him to "know" when he was going out and coming back in. Though even when off schedule he never resisted coming in. When we would walk with our dogs in the neighborhood we used a stroller as to protect him and other cats due to his illness. (pictures below) I highly recommend a stroller, he absolutely loved it. We have recently taken in a girl stray and are getting her use to a leash, she doesn't fight when it is time to come in but she does give a slight growl to let you know she isn't happy! (hasn't tried to bite or slap)


Bird watching!


Gary letting us know he is ready to walk!


Our newest family member "Chloe" learning to use a leash!

 

maddies momma

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So sorry for your loss! But thank you for sharing your experience. He was a handsome boy for sure, and Chloe is beautiful!can I ask what kind of stroller that is? And if you would reccomend it?
 

amandag

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Thanks, he was my sweet boy and my first cat...It is Top Paw brand, I got it from PetSmart. It has an attachment on the inside that you can attach to the cats harness, I would highly recommend that until you know how your cat is going to react in the stroller. Also, I never put Gary in or took him out of the stroller outdoors....always inside. It does have a zipper but Gary was never able to escape and never wanted to...always too busy watching birds and enjoying being outside! Whatever brand/style stroller you decide to get I would definitely get one!
 
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misterginja

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Hi Amanda, so sorry to hear about the loss of your cat :( Thanks to you he was able to have a loving home & still experience the outdoors, you gave him a good life. Those photos are precious.

This is why I'm trying so hard to make this work, can't stand the thought of my guy spending his life only in the apartment! I'm not judging people who do that, it's just not how I feel comfortable coexisting with my little tiger.

I also thought about keeping a more steady schedule with the walks, it's just been a challenge because of work hours. It's interesting to hear the routine was successful for you. I was thinking, well better to go outside any time possible rather than not at all, but realize this is contributing to his constant begging to be let out. I guess there needs to be more of a routine to our outings. If he had it his way, I think the routine would be at least once an hour :)
 

PushPurrCatPaws

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... We would walk him for 30 minutes on his leash every day at the same time in the backyard, we found that a routine made it easy for him to "know" when he was going out and coming back in. Though even when off schedule he never resisted coming in.
...

...
I also thought about keeping a more steady schedule with the walks, it's just been a challenge because of work hours. It's interesting to hear the routine was successful for you. I was thinking, well better to go outside any time possible rather than not at all, but realize this is contributing to his constant begging to be let out. I guess there needs to be more of a routine to our outings. If he had it his way, I think the routine would be at least once an hour :)

Though my situation is different in several ways from both of yours, I can attest that having a routine for walking your cat on a leash every day is very helpful. Even if it's not every day, at least keeping the time of day consistent helps to give the cat some parameters and something to rely upon.

I began leash-walking my young cat down the long hallways of our apartment building starting last November. She was recovering from knee surgery and needed to do slow, steady walking on a daily basis for her rehabilitation once her two month stint of crate-rest was finished. What helped with my cat (e.g. getting her back into the apartment after her walkies) was to do it (1) the same time-frame each day, (2) when she was a bit hungry so that the enticements of a meal or treats waiting for her at the end of her walk would help her decide to come in the door with little fanfare, and (3) train her that certain words always meant a walkies, a treat, and coming back inside of the apartment.

I realize she was likely less spooked than your kitties since I had her indoors... but the ideas could help you nonetheless. Also, I went to the same "territory" each day, so that she could become familiar with the variety of smells outside of her home. You may not be able to ever get your cat comfortable in the city, at a park... but I read that your cat Gary always walked in the familiar backyard... so he probably smelled the same smells every day. It could be a lot more challenging with MISTERginja's cat in the city. A stroller might be safer in the city.
 

maddies momma

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That is a good point about walking when are hungry. Especially because then if they ever got loose they would come home quickly looking for food, rather than wander off exploring with a full tummy.
 
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misterginja

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Hi everyone, I want to thank you again for all the great suggestions :) 

Have an update, since beginning this post, I’ve taken my ginger out 5 times. He still growls at me when time to return home, but happy to say the last 3 times, no attacks.

Here’s what was different:

1. I’ve been walking him in the same location each day, a quiet area next to my apartment. Maybe he’s getting used to the smells?

2. Our outing times are changed to when I return from work, and weekend afternoons. This way I can stay outside with him for 20-90 minutes instead of having to rush home in the mornings during workdays after only 15 minutes.

3. When I get home, even though it’s been 10 hours since his morning meals, he allows me to put on his harness and go outside together before his dinner. Even with his hungry belly, I still can’t lure him home with the special word I say when it’s dinner time. That’s how much he loves being outside.

4. I bought a book on clicker training and we’ve started on the easy stuff, hoping we can progress to him jumping in his carrier when it’s time to go home…that’s my dream anyway. So far I’ve achieved getting him to put the front half of his body in the carrier when it’s time to leave, only if a treat is placed in there.

SO, this is still a work in progress—now a big challenge is to get him to stop screaming meowing at 5 am to go outside. He used to wait until 7 am to wake me. Ignoring hasn’t worked yet, hoping in a week or so he’ll get the hint…

P.S. Today we were out in the sun for 90 minutes—to see him chasing leaves, crouched down behind bushes chattering at birds, scratching bark on a real tree, and sitting in the sun with eyes closed, sniffing air as breezes blew over him, seeing this makes all of this trying worth it. He looked perfectly content.

Thanks again fellow kitty guardians! 
 

dustydiamond1

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You are doing a fantastic job. Our ex-stray Gypsy has been a full time house cat since she came home limping in Feb. She really wanted to go out when the weather got nice so I picked up a nice 'H' nylon harness from Petco. She did really well but I didn't feel it was secure enough. After considerable research I decided on the Kitty Holster Cat Harness. We feel very safe with her in it.

There are more photos of our outdoor adventures in my albums. :catrub:
She doesn't fight when we pick her up to go inside, just goes limp like a 8lb sack of potatoes.:lol: :lol2:
 

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I read in an article about how to leash train your cat to bring an old towel that you can use to wrap around your cat and bring it inside if it gets spooked. This makes sense but isn't super convenient logistically. Now not only are you the crazy person walking a cat but you are also carrying a towel, lol!

I just started leash training my cat and have gotten hissed at a few times, because he didn't like that I was following him and because he wanted to go under a bush the leash didn't reach under. I was holding him with the leash still on and a loud noise spooked him and he jumped out of my arms and scratched me.
 

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My cat has decided to have an attitude when she has to come inside. In the past, we've stayed in the yard until she heads back to the door, rarely more than 20 minutes. Tonight we were out there for an incredibly long time and I desperately needed a bathroom break. She sat down and refused to move. All attempts to pick her up were met with hissing and attempted biting. Getting her back in the house felt like wrestling an alligator! She fights me when I try to put the harness on, yet once she's outside she doesn't want back in :rolleyes3: It's hardly a surprising response considering she was indoor/outdoor for 10ish years, strictly indoor for nearly 5 years, and now she's being allowed outside leashed. She wants her freedom back! It's never going to happen, but she can dream!
 
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