Leashes and Walks???

I think Sammy wants to go for a walk. I KNOW he wants to go outside. Since Sammy is a tolerant cat, and it's his birthday on friday, and it's SUCH a nice day here, AND I love him, I'm gonna go spend my last $20 on a harness and leash for him. Any tips on walking a cat???

No tips as I haven't tried it on either girl yet. But my best friend walks her boy, Azrael. She said it took a lot of patience just putting the harness on him. Don't expect the kits to love it right away; it'll take patience and baby steps. I wish you luck!!!

I got the harness on Mik but then he lays down.

You may have to just put the harness on and let him wear it for small amounts of time around the house until he gets used to the feel of it. It will take time and patience.

Walking cats is a whole other subject - they pretty much walk you where they want to go rather than you direct the walk.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by Leli

I think Sammy wants to go for a walk. I KNOW he wants to go outside. Since Sammy is a tolerant cat, and it's his birthday on friday, and it's SUCH a nice day here, AND I love him, I'm gonna go spend my last $20 on a harness and leash for him. Any tips on walking a cat???

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Learn to run fast when they take off there's no stopping them! We used to walk my mum and dad's cat when I still lived at home and he used to come on holiday in their touring van. He was the star attraction wherever they went! He used to love going for his walk.

But - make sure the harness fits snugly - Lily wriggled out of hers on Sunday. Keep the leash fairly short whilst they're getting used to it. Then you can get close to them and pick him up if he starts to bolt or tries to wriggle out of it.

Initially get someone to help you put the harness on if you can - one to hold kitty and one to put the harness on.

It does take them a while to get used to it.

Originally Posted by Yosemite

You may have to just put the harness on and let him wear it for small amounts of time around the house until he gets used to the feel of it. It will take time and patience.

Walking cats is a whole other subject - they pretty much walk you where they want to go rather than you direct the walk.

Have fun.

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I can't add much, other than that you should take some reading material outside with you, as it can be a bit boring when your cat decides to hunker down behind a bush for half an hour in the hopes of catching a bird!

Thanks guys. He seems to be cool (more or less) with the harness, so we're gonna try a walk now. I'll let you know how it goes!

Don't be surprised if he becomes a "boneless kitty" the first time outside, out of sheer fright.

We're back! Ok, really we were just in the backyard, but still. Sammy did pretty well. Didn't know quite what to make of the leash, but he still played around in the leaves and whatnot. He would just occasionally try to roll over and play with the leash . When I brought him back up to the door, he didn't want to go in. I think I'll take him out at least once a day and just let him do what he wants as far as walking around goes.

Originally Posted by jcat

Don't be surprised if he becomes a "boneless kitty" the first time outside, out of sheer fright.

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No boneless kitties here! Sammy's pretty brave. He even likes watching the vacuum and thunderstorms. Plus, he's been outside before since he has escaped on a couple of occasions.

Yay! Good stuff! Now if only Mik would stand up insteading of laying down flat when I put the harness on him.

Nice day out there... Nice and sunny though cooler than yesterday.

Originally Posted by Leli

We're back! Ok, really we were just in the backyard, but still. Sammy did pretty well. Didn't know quite what to make of the leash, but he still played around in the leaves and whatnot. He would just occasionally try to roll over and play with the leash

. When I brought him back up to the door, he didn't want to go in. I think I'll take him out at least once a day and just let him do what he wants as far as walking around goes.


No boneless kitties here! Sammy's pretty brave. He even likes watching the vacuum and thunderstorms.

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I used to harness Miss K.C. years ago. She loved it! She was a stray at one point so she loved the outside and didn't freak. If your cat is used to being outside or has been there before he should take to the harness okay.

Originally Posted by Leli

No boneless kitties here! Sammy's pretty brave. He even likes watching the vacuum and thunderstorms. Plus, he's been outside before since he has escaped on a couple of occasions.

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Yeah, Bijou is like that - he actually lets me vacuum him with the central vac. Mika is more tentative.

Originally Posted by vespacat

Nice day out there... Nice and sunny though cooler than yesterday.

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It was heavenly yesterday! It was actually warmer outside than inside our house. Wooohoooo - spring has sprung!

Originally Posted by Yosemite

Yeah, Bijou is like that - he actually lets me vacuum him with the central vac. Mika is more tentative.

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Lola is WAY more sketchy with stuff like vacuums....who am I kidding, she's way more sketchy than Sammy concerning ALL things.
By the way, I think Mika is a lovely name! And of course, Bijou is quite a jewel of a name too