Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Leash
Did you know that it is possible to train your cat to walk on a leash? You will need some patience and a few easy rules to make it fun for you cat. Through trial and error, I have found that a cat harness is much better than a collar and lead for cats. Most cats object to the feeling of having their collar jerked by a lead while walking. Jerking could also damage the delicate muscles and bones in their neck. A simple cat harness is best and ideally should be loose and comfortable for your cat. You should be able to fit two fingers between the harness and your cat’s body.
As with any training, start while your cat is still at the kitten stage so the cat harness will be something natural that she ‘grows up with’ and is used to. It is possible to train an older cat but this requires much more time and patience from you and your cat.
First, allow your cat or kitten to play with the cat harness as if it is a toy. Dangle it in front of her, jingle it so the buckle makes a noise. Make a game of this as it will help her get used to it. By playing with her and make it a fun item, it won’t be something to be frightened of. When she is comfortable with it, drape it over her so she gets used to the weight. Again, make this a game. Once she is happy to walk around with it draped over her, put the cat harness on but don’t try to do it up. Make sure she can’t trip over the straps by rolling them up. Let her walk around the house wearing it for as long as she wants but take it off immediately when she has had enough. When you feel she is comfortable and happy wearing it, start to tie the straps but keep them loose (though not loose enough to trip her up). When she appears ready, start to buckle the straps properly and let her get used to walking with it. If your cat balks at any stage, simply go back to a previous step and try again. Patience is the key for both of you. Never force any step, always go slowly and repeat often.
Once you have your kitten or cat comfortably wearing the cat harness correctly for significant periods of time, attach the lead and let her drag it around for a while. Make a game of walking with her with you holding the leash. She will pick up on your feelings and if you are calm and happy, she will have nothing to fear. Once she is comfortable with this, start gently guiding her to where you want to go. I would start to introduce commands at this point, rather the way you would when training a dog. Again, keep it fun and if she balks stop immediately and try again later. She will soon get over her fear.
When the time comes to tackle the great outdoors, practice in the back yard first. Don’t allow the leash to be too long as there is a danger of her dashing off to investigate new smells and sights. You don’t want her getting tangled with bushes, trees and other objects when she graduates to walking down the street.
Having your cat on a leash should be a fun activity for both of you. Walking your cat instead of your dog will give you both exercise, will draw interested looks from other walkers and become a talking point for your neighbors. Don’t overdo it however, remember your cat has soft pads on her feet and won’t be used to walking on sidewalks or footpaths.
Your cat is like a member of your family so treat it the way you would treat your children – with love and gentleness. The love you get back from your cat will give you joy for many years.
