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You are doing your pet a great service by keeping her
indoors. Cats that stay indoors live longer, healthier
lives than those that are let outside to contend with
traffic, potential predators, parasites and other
hazards.
Millions of indoor cats lead rich, fulfilling lives.
However, even the most confirmed feline homebody still
appreciates the sights, sounds and scents of the great
outdoors. Teaching a pet to walk on a leash is a great
way to provide your pets with a taste of outdoor living
without exposing them to any of its dangers.
However, before embarking on your cat-walking program,
be aware of two basic rules. First and foremost is that
cats call the shots when it comes to walking. You can’t
expect your pet to heel like a well-trained Labrador
retriever when you go outside. The cat is going to have
to determine the pace and direction of the walk. (Of
course, this assumes that you will not let the cat
expose herself to dangers during the walk.) Plus, if
your pet is at all uncomfortable outside, you should
take her home.
The second rule is always have patience. Few cats are
going to embrace the idea of walking on a leash
instantly. Most are going to have to work your way up to
this activity over the course of days, or even weeks. If
you don’t rush things, however, you’ll find that getting
your cat to take walks with you is well worth the wait.
Unlike dogs, cats cannot be walked with a collar. It is
way too easy for a wily feline to slip out of a collar –
and into trouble outdoors. You will have to buy a
special harness designed just for cats. When you bring
your cat’s harness home, you should allow your pet to
familiarize himself with the strange new object. It’s a
good idea to leave the harness by a cat’s favorite
resting spot or scratching post for a few days, saying
nothing, but just allowing him to grow accustomed to it
at his own pace.
After a few days, you should get your cat to play with
the new harness, using it in chase games or putting it
under newspapers for the cat to pounce on. A few days
later, you can put the harness on the cat and encourage
him to walk around in the house wearing it.
Once the cat has gotten comfortable with the harness
inside, you can take him for a walk outside. Unlike
dogs, cats typically do not like to walk long distances,
so keep the walks short, especially at first. Cats also
dislike loud noises and commotions, so walk your pet
during quiet times and in quiet areas. Remember, not all
cats like to walk on harnesses, so respect the wishes of
your pet.
Even though you are walking your cat with the harness,
he should have a cat collar with an ID tag, in the event
that he escapes. Remember, the cat needs a cat collar,
not a collar designed for small dogs. Cat collars will
expand if you get caught in a fence, bush or other
object; this will allow the cat to get out of the collar
without choking.
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