Cat walking jacket?

foxfire

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Some time ago I came across a website where you could order a kind of walking jacket for cats, but I've since not been able to find it. This jacket looks like it'd be more comfortable than a harness. Could anyone let me know where and how you might find these jackets?

I want to get my boy going on a leash so he can start enjoying the great outdoors.
 

callista

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Heh... I don't know how you guys get your cats to walk on a leash... with mine, it was always "get the cat used to the leash so it won't roll and try to get the harness off, then walk where the cat wants to go"! I never quite got to the point where the cat would actually follow me arouund on a leash...
 

jcat

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Originally Posted by Callista

Heh... I don't know how you guys get your cats to walk on a leash... with mine, it was always "get the cat used to the leash so it won't roll and try to get the harness off, then walk where the cat wants to go"! I never quite got to the point where the cat would actually follow me arouund on a leash...
Umm - you have to follow your cat around, generally. You might be able to coax a cat to go in certain directions, but cats simply aren't going to "heel" like dogs.
 

soka

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I use a dog harness as well. Its made for puppies and very small breeds of dog. It fits her nice and I'm currently trying to get her used to it. She doesn't mind the harness now. Its the leash she has a problem with.
 

coaster

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The "petite" size dog harness -- 14 inch "H" style harness -- works just fine with a cat.
 

kittycleo

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I'm not sure anything would work with Cleo. She yearns to go outside, so I attempted to put a harness and a leash on her so she could walk outside safely. But as soon as I got the harness on, she plopped down and wouldn't move.
 

ashleynicole

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Originally Posted by Kittycleo

I'm not sure anything would work with Cleo. She yearns to go outside, so I attempted to put a harness and a leash on her so she could walk outside safely. But as soon as I got the harness on, she plopped down and wouldn't move.
I think most kitties do this at first. Just keep putting it on her for short periods of time while you are inside with her. After she gets used to that add the leash inside, then venture out. This tactic that I learned here on TCS worked very well for Marlee. Just the day before yesterday we had our first 'successful' venture outside. The first time or two I took her out she was very skittish and wasn't sure what to do. But this last time she did great! She wondered around, smelling stuff, and having fun!
 

zissou'smom

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AshleyNicole, I'd been wondering how your game of "Follow the Kitty" was going! I'm glad to hear it's going so well!

I also like the "H" harness the best, but I've seen those walking jacket things. I think they'd make the cat even more annoyed, since they cover more of the body, and they'd get hotter.
 

ashleynicole

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Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

AshleyNicole, I'd been wondering how your game of "Follow the Kitty" was going! I'm glad to hear it's going so well!
Thank you!
It's actually going much better than even I expected, much to my happiness! Plus I get to gloat to my BF b/c he thought it just wouldn't work to take a cat out on leash!
 

frodo

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Hi foxfire,

I got a walking jacket for my cat from an outfit called Cat Walking Jacket - just checked the url and rather helpfully its http://www.catwalkingjacket.com and I can definately say it has worked 100%!

I was pretty sceptical before, as I had heard of taking a cat for a walk before but certainly didnt think it would be suited to my cat. He's very strong willed (and a bit agressive sometimes!) so I was thinking it was a big no-no.

I live in Oz near to a beach, in bushland public reserve, where there is loads of lovely wildlife wandering around. I didnt want to let him out anymore after he came back with a parrot one day (and it wasnt sitting on his shoulder, if you know what I mean) From that day on he became a house cat... I was so paranoid about him dragging back another parrot or worse still a venomous snake or spider.

Anyhow, I got this jacket thing about 6 months ago. At first, he did NOT like it! Rolling around on the floor, and generally being a total wuss about it. I found if I just left it lying around on the apartment floor he would play with it and get used to it. After a few days of that, he wasnt interested in it, and he seemed to get used to it being around.

Moved on to putting him him in the jacket and then taking him onto the patio outside. Its odd, not really like walking him as such, more he decides where he wants to walk and I follow... :-) Being a cat, he doesnt really understand the idea of being walked! He does enjoy the beach tho, digging holes etc!

Amazingly, though, it works! He gets to go out and I get to avoid the hassle of cleaning up dead parrots. Result!

Hope this helps you
 
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