Cat Harness and Leash: Can You Walk A Cat?
For dogs, a leash and a harness or collar are an absolute must. They are part of the basic equipment and no owner can do without it. Cat harnesses and cat leashes, on the other hand, are different. Some people might not even know that these products exist.
Find out below whether it is worth buying a cat harness and a cat leash and whether it actually makes sense to walk a cat.
Cat harness and leash – the main points at a glance
- Unlike with dogs, taking cats on a leash for a walk is not recommended.
- In certain situations, cat harnesses and leashes represent a risk of injury that should not be underestimated.
- Leashing a cat can make sense, for example, when it is introduced to a second cat or for outdoor cats after moving house.
- When buying a cat harness please make sure that it fits your four-legged friend well.
- Most cats take some time to get used to the harness and leash.
Not every cat can be an outdoor cat
Unsupervised trips into the great outdoors are not possible for all cats. The risk of accidents is particularly high in larger cities with a high volume of traffic. Many cat owners therefore decide to keep their four-legged friend as an indoor cat.
In this case, taking walks with the cat on a leash are meant to serve as an alternative to forays without human supervision and to provide some variety in the everyday life of the four-legged friend.
Walks on a leash are not suitable for cats
In theory, it might sound like a good idea to walk your cat on a leash and give them the opportunity to exercise outdoors. However, you can expect that your four-legged friend will not be very enthusiastic about this project.
After all, cats are not dogs and it's not in their nature to walk alongside their human on a leash. When your four-legged friend has the opportunity to go outside, they wants to explore the environment independently and not have to follow you.
In addition, the cat leash and cat harness carry a certain risk of injury. For example, if your cat is startled and wants to flee, the leash might well injure the animal.
When can a cat harness and leash be useful?
Although taking your cat for a walk on a leash is generally not a good choice, buying a cat leash and cat harness can be worthwhile under certain circumstances.
This applies, for example, if you want to get a second cat and the two felines have to get used to each other. In this case, it may make sense to leash the cat that has already been living with you during the introduction. In this way, you remain in control and can intervene quickly if it attacks the perceived intruder to defend its territory.
In addition, it can also make sense for young cats that are to be kept outdoors, as well as for adult cats after a move or a serious illness, to initially let them explore their surroundings under supervision on a leash.
Cats can take a long time to get used to a cat harness and leash
There is hardly any cat that just slips into the harness and easily accepts the leash. If your four-legged friend has not yet come into contact with a cat harness and a cat leash, you can be pretty sure that they will be very sceptical at first.
You will therefore probably need a little patience and a few cat treats to get your cat used to it. It may well be that you need several weeks before your four-legged friend gives up their resistance and accepts being harnessed and leashed.
Patience and consistency are the keys to success. Never try to force your cat, even if it is for their own good. Instead, be gentle and give the animal all the time it needs.
What to look out for when buying a cat harness
When buying the cat harness, you have the choice between models that consist of a waist belt with a collar or a chest belt. Of course it is very important that you make sure that it fits your four-legged friend well and is neither too wide nor too tight.
Ideally, you should therefore use a harness that can be adjusted and thus optimally adapted to your cat's body.
Our conclusion on the subject of cat harnesses and leashes
As you can see, taking your cat on walks on a leash is not something it will be pleased about. You certainly mean well, but you should rather facilitate varied cat games at home to provide sufficient activities.
Only leash your cat if it is necessary for their own safety or that of another animal. Even then, the cat harness and leash are not suitable as a permanent solution, but should only be used temporarily.
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