My Pet Specialties

Cats are known to be a little more independent than their household counterpart, the dog.  They are not always quite as accepting of  things as a dog would be.  One example of this is the adjustment to wearing a leash and being walked around.

It can be very risky to allow a house cat to roam free outside.  Traffic and predators are safety risks for any cat, whether they live in an urban setting or a rural setting.

Although it might take a little longer to acclimate a cat to being walked around on a leash, it can be very rewarding for both the cat and the owner.  It allows you and your cat to enjoy the great outdoors together in a safe, controlled manner.

When walking a cat, here are a few things to keep in mind.  A cat collar should be used for ID tags and as fashion accessories only.  Cats have an incredible ability to wiggle out of just about anything, including collars.  Do not try to hook a leash to a cat collar to walk your cat.

Invest in a good cat harness and leash.  A properly fitted cat harness will be comfortable for the cat and will help prevent  escape.  Once you get a cat harness, show it to your cat and then leave it out where he can see it and even play with it if he wants to.  Take your time with each of these steps.  You know your cat better than anyone else.  Do not progress to the next step until your cat is comfortable with the step you are working on.  After a day or two, put the harness on your cat.  Leave it on for short periods of time until he is used to it.  Once he is used to the harness,  attach the leash to it and let him drag that around for short periods of time.  When it seems he has adjusted to the harness and the leash, pick up the leash and walk around inside your house a few times.

Now that he has adjusted to all of that, it is time to take him outside.  Keep your first few outdoor adventures short and close to the door.  As your cat adjusts to walking, you can venture further away.