Walking the Cat?

tigeramy · Apr 11, 2005

I was wondering if anyone here walks their cat or has at least tried to?

We have two indoor cats that are a little over a year old. We live in a very secluded, quite and safe neighborhood. There aren't little kids running around, no traffic and hardly any dogs. We thought it would be wonderful to put our cats on leashes and take them for walks but we are afraid of the unknown...

I am not sure what to expect, I would assume they will need flea and tick meds and of course harnesses. I am also assuming that after we start walking them they will want to be outside all the time which could be a problem if they try and sneak out the door without a leash.

They also don't have shots...since they are indoor cats. I don't know if it would be necessary to get all of that since they would only be out for about 2 hrs a week at the most and they would be with us and on their leashes the entire time.

I am hoping someone out there can give me some advice about this.

Thanks!
Amy

sharky · Apr 11, 2005

Originally Posted by TigerAmy

I was wondering if anyone here walks their cat or has at least tried to?

We have two indoor cats that are a little over a year old. We live in a very secluded, quite and safe neighborhood. There aren't little kids running around, no traffic and hardly any dogs. We thought it would be wonderful to put our cats on leashes and take them for walks but we are afraid of the unknown...

I am not sure what to expect, I would assume they will need flea and tick meds and of course harnesses. I am also assuming that after we start walking them they will want to be outside all the time which could be a problem if they try and sneak out the door without a leash.

They also don't have shots...since they are indoor cats. I don't know if it would be necessary to get all of that since they would only be out for about 2 hrs a week at the most and they would be with us and on their leashes the entire time.

I am hoping someone out there can give me some advice about this.

Thanks!
Amy

Yes shots would be nessassary airborn issues..
I have trained two cats to walk on a leash( my snowshoe was the easiest , working on harness training with my 14 month old..

esrgirl · Apr 11, 2005

My cat hates being walked on a leash. We've put the kitten in a harness and leash and walked her around the apartment to see how she handles it- next step she's going outside. The older cat hates being outside, so I think it would just depend on your cats. Just make sure your cats have rabies shots and are on flea medicine- Revolution might be a good bet since your cats may be exposed to mosquitoes and thus heartworm.

nano · Apr 11, 2005

I had a girlfriend who used to walk her cat on a leash. I think the most important factor is the cat's temperment.

If I lived in a less urban area, I'd build a "run" for Nano where she could be on the ground enclosed by fencing. I've done this before with other pets. Put them in this "run" while I'm outside so they are loosely supervised. Might want to consider that alternative?

Someone on this site had a picture of a cat stroller. That might be an interesting option as well.

For Nano, I load her in the carrier and then take her to a place where we can sit outside. She gets some fresh air (and a miniature adventure) while I read a book or have a picnic with girlfriend. She is caged the whole time, though. Nano is anxious for a few minutes once we get settled, but then she calms down and either naps or chatters at birds or does her inquisitive mewing. Clearly enjoying herself.

But yes, any time spent outside means they need shots and some preventative flea treatment.

halfpint · Apr 11, 2005

My Hubby walks are big male Mickey everyday twice, he loves to go out and he knows the only way he's going out is on a leash
We also had a cat a few years ago when we lived in San Diego and he used to walk all the way around the block, and all over the condo complex, he Loved it also

amy-dhh · Apr 11, 2005

Just today I saw some interesting "outdoor" items for indoor kitties -- things that let you bring them outside safely... they were in my Drs Foster & Smith catalog...

you can look here... they have some of them online...
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...?N=2002+113262

sar · Apr 12, 2005

Both my two walk on harnesses and leashes. It takes time to get them used to the harness first, as they tend to get floppy legs (Tibby did, anyway!) So you'll need to do this first, by letting them wear the harness (under your supervision) for increasing times. (comfort them and pet them, too, so that they realise that it's not bad)

Once used to the harness, attach the lead and let the cat walk you around indoors. This will get them used to having someone follow them closely and being attached to a lead. (again, do this in increasing times)

When it comes to going outdoors, choose one door that you will always when taking kitty out. Put the harness and lead on and lift the cat over the threshold. (this way, they begin to learn that they only go out through the one door and when they are taken)

A handy hint is that you don't walk the cat, the cat walks you! You just follow and direct when necessary!!

When it's time to come in, let the cat walk in themselves. This way, they know that if they get into trouble or feel scared then they can get in. When they come in, give them a treat to show that they were good for coming inside. (this worked well for me, as Molly's lead slipped from my hand once and she ran straight back to the safety door!)

My two now run as soon as they hear their harnesses and patiently wait to have them put on to go outside!

I hope this helps a bit and good luck with it! It does take a lot of time and patience!

(if you'd like some more help, send me a PM!)

myfirstragdoll · Apr 12, 2005

I walk my Raggie kitten on a leash he loves it! And I would say yes to Vaccinations, you never know what they might pick up.

tigeramy · Apr 12, 2005

Originally Posted by Sar

Both my two walk on harnesses and leashes. It takes time to get them used to the harness first, as they tend to get floppy legs (Tibby did, anyway!) So you'll need to do this first, by letting them wear the harness (under your supervision) for increasing times. (comfort them and pet them, too, so that they realise that it's not bad)

Once used to the harness, attach the lead and let the cat walk you around indoors. This will get them used to having someone follow them closely and being attached to a lead. (again, do this in increasing times)

When it comes to going outdoors, choose one door that you will always when taking kitty out. Put the harness and lead on and lift the cat over the threshold. (this way, they begin to learn that they only go out through the one door and when they are taken)

A handy hint is that you don't walk the cat, the cat walks you! You just follow and direct when necessary!!

When it's time to come in, let the cat walk in themselves. This way, they know that if they get into trouble or feel scared then they can get in. When they come in, give them a treat to show that they were good for coming inside. (this worked well for me, as Molly's lead slipped from my hand once and she ran straight back to the safety door!)

My two now run as soon as they hear their harnesses and patiently wait to have them put on to go outside!

I hope this helps a bit and good luck with it! It does take a lot of time and patience!

(if you'd like some more help, send me a PM!)

Thank you everyone for your responses. They are most helpful!

I think it is an especially good idea to always use the same door to walk out of, this way I can use our back door (which we never use) and maybe they won't try to get out the front door.

I am not sure if I am going to end up going through with this, there are several other things to consider. Such as;

1. Which shots do they need exactly? Just the rabies?
2. What do you do in the winter? I am not sure how I feel about taking them for a walk in the winter because we get a lot of snow where I am from.

Thanks,
Amy

myfirstragdoll · Apr 12, 2005

Distemper - Rhinotracheitis - Calici and CHlamydia, Rabies This is what I gave Hershey, The breeder didn't think I should give the FeLV ( Feline Leukemia) Or the FIP ( Feline Aids) You can talk to your Vet about those shots.. As for walking in the winter.. I don't talk my cat out in the Winter..

keltednora · Apr 12, 2005

Yes, those are good...I think if there may be other cats that they might come in contact with outside, you'd want the FeLV. I've heard that the FIP just isn't effective. Definately the rabies.

My cats also become "luggage" when my husband walks them. One will only walk with me, the other will go on a leash but wants to go back inside and hide and the third needs more practice. I love taking the really good leash kitty out to petsmart. He gets admired a lot for walking so well.

Just go slow...as for making sure that they don't dart, thinking it's time to go out...mine only leave the house in my arms (if they're on harness) or in a crate. They know they can't just walk out that way--because they've never walked out of the house on their own.

myfirstragdoll · Apr 12, 2005

Originally Posted by keltednora

Yes, those are good...I think if there may be other cats that they might come in contact with outside, you'd want the FeLV.
.

Why mine didn't get the FeLV is that Ragdoll Cats don't do well with that shot. Been many that died from it. Some breeders wont guarantee the kitten if you get that shot.
I don't know how other breeds do with this shot..

sylorna · Apr 12, 2005

I really love the idea of carrying them out of the house. chester has walked out with his leash on, and for a couple of days after he always darts for the door. I figured he'd learn that he can't go out without it on, but the carrying thing just reinforces it! Now if only I could get him to stop trying to climb trees regardless of this big hairless ape attached to him.

tigeramy · Apr 12, 2005

Thanks you guys!

This is all so very helpful.

I will keep you posted on how well they do.

Thanks,
Amy

passiquepersian · Apr 12, 2005

Hi! I walk my Persians outside on a leash. They do very well. Shots are a must because of all the bacteria and viruses from being outdoors....plus I have 2 dogs that are indoor/outdoor and they can bring them in. My kitties always have their shots up to date.

sar · Apr 13, 2005

Originally Posted by TigerAmy

1. Which shots do they need exactly? Just the rabies?
2. What do you do in the winter? I am not sure how I feel about taking them for a walk in the winter because we get a lot of snow where I am from.

I don't know about the shots, as they are different here in the UK.

As for winter, Tibby and Molly still have the opportunity to go outside! They have been out in heavy rain and snow before now! I put their leads and harnesses on, go to the door and go outside. It is up to them from there whether they wish to walk or not. If they want to, I deal with it and if not, then we go back inside! Seriously your kitties will tell you what they decide!

(I do put their jumpers on when it is very cold though!

berylayn · Apr 13, 2005

I just tried taking Ebony out for the first time yesterday. When we got her outside she wasn't much interested in walking around. She pretty much just meowed and cried by the front door until we let her in. Hopefully if we keep taking her out in longer and longer increments she'll get adjusted. I think walking her and being able to take her places would be so much fun!!

mskitty666 · Apr 13, 2005

I must be one lazy person, but with 6 indoor kitties leash training was very difficult. I bought a pet stroller. It's fantastic. The kitties are completely enclosed, inaccessible by other animals and it's great for vet trips. I just remove the carrier, stap it in the seat belt and fold the base. It sure beats lugging two kennels plus my purse and papers. There are three types of strollers available now and two offer double strollers for those of us with more than one cat.Check out the sites if you are interested.
http://www.kittywalksystems.com/kitt...-products.html
http://www.pet-n-go.com/
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&N=2002+62745

sar · Apr 13, 2005

Sylorna, Molly is a fiend for climbing trees!

I have managed to calme her from doing it by removing her from the tree/fence post/trellis... and redirecting her attention elsewhere. Even if you distract kitty to somewhere else - away from climbing - and offer them a treat! I also have climbing things in my home, so she doesn't feel the need to climb outside!

Beryl, I bet Ebony will get used to it soon! Maybe you could place a couple of pots of cat grass outside for her to go and investigate! Do you have any nooks and crannys in your garden? Maybe you could introduce her to those?!
It is so much fun being able to take them out!

mskitty666, they sound quite handy! I think trips to the vets with two would be a lot easier! I'll take a look at the site!

jcat · Apr 13, 2005

I've been taking Jamie outside on a leash every day for over 5 1/2 years (he'll be six at the end of the month). I also only use one door, and Jamie is vaccinated against everything except FIV, as I've found that he's had a lot of contact with the neighborhood cats, whom he attacks. I don't use flea or tick products, because we've never had a problem with fleas (touch wood!), and combing him with a flea comb after every outing has taken care of any ticks. I also take him outside in winter, but I've found that he's ready to go back inside after 5 or 10 minutes when it's bitter cold. You have to be careful that the harness can't be easily slipped off, and I always recommend taking along something to read, as you might be standing in one spot for 10 or 15 minutes while your cats lurks behind a bush in the hopes of catching a bird or mouse.

Walking the Cat?

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