cat on leash outside

Hey Everyone,

I just moved from an apartment into a house with roommates. And at my apartment I used to let my cats go outside on the balcony, and they would be just fine. Now that I'm in a new house with roommates, they do not go outside because there is not area around the porch that is screen off. And I can tell my cats are used to go outside on the balcony and just lying around, and now in the house they just sit at the door and look out. We plan on getting a screened in room, but not sure when. I do take them for walks, but when i go outside and sit on the porch, i would like for them to be out there with me. I was thinking about getting a 12 ft tie up for them. And I have a harness for them as well, so I was going to put on their harness and put the tie up leash on them so that they can be outside with me, but not run off anywhere. And I only planned on doing that when I"m outside, and if I come back into the house for any reason they are coming in as well. Do you think that is ok. You know how you have baby pins for the babies, do they have anything for cats like that, but with a top on it that is not expensive. Thanks for all your advice. I really need it :-)

Nicole

Nicole, my mother's cat was an indoor-outdoor cat that spent her entire outdoor life on a leash. Mom would clip the leash to her and open the door. Terri learned to knock on the back door when she wanted to come in.

You can find find cat enclosures on the net. There is 1 that is a long tube so they can walk around. I just can't remember the site.

It's OK to be on a leash as long as it's 100% supervision. I take my cats outside on a leash, but I don't tie them up. I'm there holding the leash. They can get tangled up too easily. I recommend the H-type harness. The figure-8 harness is pretty easy to get out of. And is has to be really tight. Tighter than the "two fingers" rule.

Here's Tommy, enjoying himself on his leash:

Personally, I would never tie up a cat- you can go to www.kittywalk.com and other websites to find a suitable enclosure for your cat that would be much safer than tying them in your yard. It doesn't matter if you are out with them or not, one swoop from the sky from a bird of prey, or one visiting feral dog or stray and you could have a real mess on your hands.

I agree with Hissy, but I also have one thing to add. I believe any cat that goes outside needs the same preventitive medicaitons as dogs, flea & heartworm.

I'm sorry, I have to disagree with "it doesn't matter if you are out with them or not". Some cat caretakers want their cats to enjoy the outdoors -- the sunshine and fresh air, the stimulating scents, sounds and sights. So if a cat is going to be outdoors, it makes a HUGE difference whether you are there supervising, or whether the cat just runs free. I really think the danger from a predator is just about nil when there is a huge human within six feet. Same with contact with stray cats. Dogs...I don't know. I'd just snatch up the cat if a dog came close.

Your physical proximity, your oversight, and the restraint of the harness and leash offer a degree of safety far above letting the cat run free. The only safer alternative is either remaining indoors or a kittywalk. A kittwalk of any size is extremely expensive. A harness and leash will set you back about $15. And a kittywalk offers no opportunity for you to participate in your cat's outdoors adventures. The enclosure is cat-sized, not people-sized.

In either case, if the cat is going to be outdoors, it needs to be protected against aquiring diseases and parasites that can be contracted by being outdoors.

I reccommend one that goes around their neck, and one that goes behind their elbows, has a connection from the back to neck on top, and one for their chest also.. otherwise the harness, even though tight, can slip sideways and hurt the cat. I have no problems with aerowyn and her harness, so I let it be looser because I couldnt find one with the chest strap.. elliot has to have a small dog harness because he is so large... but I have to have that looser for him because the connection strap on the top is too short, so it is uncomfortable for him when he goes outside. He can pull out of his harness, and he does this when he wants to go inside or wants to go somewhere I wont let him to (the backyard for one) he usually runs galloping with fur up away from me, and rolls in the dirt and waits for me to come to him, pick his fat dirty bum up, and either put him in the house or back on his leash. Aerowyn always stays on her harness. I reccommend a retractable leash also.. I have a 25 foot retractable for each of them, this keeps the leash higher off the ground (because it doesnt dangle) and I can put the handle onto something ( a tree branch) so I dont have to hang onto them.. I got a bit stick and dug a hole and put it firmly in the ground about two feet in, and I just put the handles on the stick and this way they can have a full 360 degree rotation. elliot's goes on top because he is taller, and aerowyn's goes on the bottom. THis prevents tangling each other up. retractables are good too because if you want to make the leash shorter (for example, if 25 feet puts your cat five feet in the road, shorten it to 15 feet or so) I payed three dollars each for them at a liquidators store, but if you buy them at a pet store you will most likely pay alot more..

one more thing

DONT GO FOR THE WIMPY "cat retractable leashes" I saw them at my vets, they are like four inches high, and a half inch wide.. trust me.. a cat could all the sudden start running after something and that would get ripped otu of your hand. GO for the dog ones! Besides, the leash in the cat retractables is very skinny, easier to break/tear.. I know my cats get caught on tree bark all the time that could easily slice up their leashes if they didnt have dog leashes...

Originally Posted by BigOrangeMenace

I reccommend one that goes around their neck, and one that goes behind their elbows, has a connection from the back to neck on top, and one for their chest also..

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This is what is usually referred to as the "H-type" harness. Because it looks like the letter "H", I guess.

Another thing to try but a tad more expensive than a harness is a cat walking
jacket. I can't remember the brand name but it's pretty cool, made out of sturdy nylon. It's wide and wraps and buckles securly around the cat. It's much more gentle and safe on the cat too as it doesn't dig in. It's harder for a cat to get out of. I paid about 26.00 which included shipping and handling. I think if you just looked up cat walking jacket online you would find them. It's great for walking a cat. I think the issue of tying a cat out could go both ways, depending upon the cat. I do know that I wouldn't dare tie my Wallace out. I tried it once and it was a mess immediately as he is a total "Hundini" and was able to get himself all tangled within seconds. I was there and turned my head for just a bit and it did only take seconds. It would probably work better for a more laid back cat and even then, constant vigilance. I would never leave the cat out by himself, even for a minute.

Originally Posted by Grapegal45

Another thing to try but a tad more expensive than a harness is a cat walking jacket.

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Here's a pic:

That's it! Thanks for finding the picture! I definitely recommend this.

thanks :-D, i really appreciate all the advice, i like that jacket too :-D