Cats often love outdoor activities, and they will be more excited if you walk them outside to enjoy the breeze and sunlight. If you train your cats correctly, you can walk them on leashes. However, the training will not be so easy and fun.
So, how to get your cat to walk on a leash? Keep reading this article, and you will find out some steps and tips about training your cats to be walked on a leash. Let’s enjoy the article right now!
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Which Cats Enjoy Leash Walking Outdoors?
Adventurous Cats
These cats will show some signals that they are interested in going outside. For example, cats trying to bolt when you open the door or cats spending much time looking out the glass doors or windows will love to be leash walked outside.
Cats in Small Apartments
The small space in some apartments might not be enough for cats to play. Although some owners will create a lot of indoor environmental enrichment, cats still want more.
Cats Showing Some Signs of Stress and Boredom
You can observe some signs, such as aggression, over-grooming, urinating out of a litter box, or destructive tendency around your house. Even if owners try to make a more stimulating indoor environment, it would not be sufficient for these cats. Besides, some of these signals can relate to underlying medical problems.
Cats from Outdoor to An Indoor Environment
Several cats will suffer from transitioning lifestyles. To be more specific, they might be in the switching process, or they have made this switch already.
Cat Leash Training
First of all, you need specific equipment designed for cats. They are a lightweight cloth or nylon leash and a well-fitted harness for cats. Then, you can start your leash training with the following steps.
Step 1: Wear the harness for your cats indoors to help them get used to it
At the first step, you put the harness on the cat and do not attach the leash. After that, you give your cat some food before taking the harness off slowly. Keep in mind that you give treats only when your cat is wearing the harness. Repeat this process and increase the time your cat wears the harness simultaneously.
Step 2: Walk your cats on the least without tension indoors to help them be accustomed to it.
After your cats feel comfortable with the harness, the leash can be attached. It would be better if you begin walking your cat with the leash loose. Keep walking your cats around for a short time, then remove both the leash and harness. A few days later, you repeat this process until your cats can walk freely and relax.
Step 3: Now, use the leash tension
Drag the leash behind your cats and supervise them move around your house freely. This helps your cats get comfortable with a bit of leash tension. Only leave a harness or leash on a supervised cat.
Step 4: Walk your cats indoors
Place the harness and leash on your cats. The cats might walk a little bit; after that, you should try to lead your cat gently in another direction. If necessary, you can drop treats on the floor or hold them to attract your cats. Another way is to reward them as a form of praise if they walk on their own.
Step 5: Walk your cat outdoors
Choose a dry and warm day to walk your cats outside. You open the door and encourage them to go out. A useful way to lure your cats is to toss a treat outside the door. In case your cats are still hesitant and frightened, you should not force them to go out. It is prudent to stop and try another day.
Another thing to remember is to bring treats when walking outdoors. A few lovely minutes will be an ideal time to spend outside for your cats. When coming to training, it should end up with a positive note.
How To Get Your Cat To Walk On A Leash?
Choose the Appropriate Leash for Your Cat
You should choose the leashes that are lightweight and 4-6 feet long. These seem to be ideal for training cats on a leash. Longer leashes or retractable leashes are good to use when your cat is successfully trained. However, it is better to stick to a manageable leash weight and length in the first place.
A Lot of Treats
Treats and praise should be involved in the training activity initially, which helps cats get used to the leash more quickly. For example, right at the time you put the harness on your cat, a treat should be rewarded. Even when the harness is still on, your cat does not squirm out, and you should reward him or her every few minutes.
Let Your Cat Lead You
When walking on the leash, you should follow your cat’s lead until he or she gets accustomed to it. Pulling your cat on a leash aggressively will make him/ her hate it more. So, it would be best if you let your furry friend walk around your house with the leash behind them first. Then, pick him or her up and try to guide them.
Prepare Essentials to Carry Out with You
Before going out, you should check if that place has a lot of activities or check the surroundings for something that can frighten your cats, such as excess traffic, loud noise, and dogs.
It is also crucial to wear your cat a collar with an ID tag. Besides, make sure the microchip information is accurate. If your cats tend to escape or get lost accidentally, you can find them based on this information. One more thing is that you have to ensure your felines update all vaccinations, tick, flea, and heartworm prevention.
Do Not Leave Your Cat Unattended
If you have to walk away for a few minutes, you still should not tie your cat’s leash to anything and leave. Your cats might be tangled in the leash then injure themselves. Besides, in case some wildlife may approach, they cannot escape as well.
Protect Your Cat During Outdoor Walking
Before becoming explorers, there are a few things to know to keep your cats safe during expeditions.
Discover Some Dangerous Flowers and Plants
As you might not know, if your cat licks a lily just a little bit, he or she might catch acute kidney failure that can lead to fatality. Apart from the petals, the lilies’ stems also can poison the cat’s kidneys. This is a typical example of dangerous flowers that you can find at public parks or in your neighborhood easily.
Besides, you should know some other toxic plants, such as tulips, sago palms, and azaleas. They can result in toxicity or diarrhea, vomit, and worse.
Bugs, Parasites, And Risk for Infections
Heartworm
Mosquitoes come from heartworms that are tricky to detect when they are infecting your cats. However, there are effective and safe heartworm preventatives available on the market these days. Before using them on your cat, make sure you learn about cats, heartworms, and preventatives you will use.
Fleas
Fleas seem to be the biggest issue with pet owners as they cause a bad itch, anemia, or tapeworms. Luckily, you can find some flea medications for cats recently. You must not use the dog flea medication for your cat as there will be some dangerous case of pyrethroid toxicity. Plus, keep in mind to read labels cautiously before purchasing.
Intestinal Worms
Hookworms and roundworms are known as intestinal parasites. These parasites will easily and quickly infect cats venturing outside at higher risk. You can find eggs of these two intestinal worm types in mud, dirt, and many outdoor surfaces. They also can stick on your shoes’ bottoms. Fortunately, you can get them vanished with the aid of heartworm preventatives.
Other Predators Apart from Parasites
The outside places might be dangerous and scary for cats, especially those not used to go out. More specifically, your cats can be attacked by coyotes, dogs, other cats, or other larger predators, even if they are on a leash. These are some risks that you might face up when choosing places to walk your cat.
Additionally, it would help if you keep your cats close in case the risk occurs; you can scoop them up easily. That is why you also should avoid retractable leashes.
The Verdict
Training your furry friends to walk on leashes will be advantageous for both cats and owners. This activity provides enrichment for your cat’s life, extra exercises for you and your cats. It is also an excellent bonding opportunity with a stimulating experience.
Through this article, you now grasp some knowledge about how to get your cat to walk on a leash. The most important aspect is that you have to be immensely patient and know your cat’s behavior well. If it works, your cat will feel the freedom and the wind in his/ her fur in a controlled and safe way.
