Take a cat with a leash: good or bad idea?

Take a cat with a leash: good or bad idea? It can be tempting to take your cat on a ride when you want to share with him a pleasant moment and "make him see the landscape". But cats are not dogs, and sometimes it is difficult to set up serene outings with his cat! Before taking this initiative, it is important to weigh the pros and cons by taking into account the character and needs of his animal and understand why walking a cat on a leash is not as easy as one would think...

The benefits of walking a cat on a leash

In the absolute, the benefits of an outing with her cat are numerous . First of all, if you live in an apartment and your pet never has the opportunity to go out, you could consider the leash ride as an opportunity to offer him a moment of freedom framed that would please both of you . From a human point of view, this argument may seem quite well-founded, but be careful not to make anthropomorphism: indeed, the cat is a territorial animal capable of stressing on unknown ground! We will come back to this point in more detail.

However, as the cat is a very curious animal by nature, confronting it with new stimuli and environments as part of a "supervised freedom" can be a rewarding and positive experience for him. Outside, he will be able to discover unknown sensations like new sounds and odors that could be interesting stimulations for him. However, it will have to be used gradually, without ever forcing it, so that it is not a moment of stress.

In addition, taking your cat on a leash can be an effective solution for animals that tend to escape the house frequently. Some experts recommend it as a way to satisfy the curiosity and need of discovery and natural exploration of the cat. But again, it depends on the temperament of your cat, his desires and his needs. Predisposed cats can find a real fulfillment. Finally, offering strolls to your cat is a good way to get him to exercise and improve his physical condition.

The disadvantages of taking your cat outside

Since cats are solitary and territorial, walking outdoors can be a huge source of stress and aggression for some of them. By taking him out of his comfort zone, he is exposed to stimuli that can be both negative and positive for him: passers-by, noises, cars, dogs, and especially congeners who can be perceived as rivals... The external environment can be synonymous with many potential threats to an animal that is not prepared for this experience. Furthermore, the cat does not have to be aware of "human" dangers such as traffic and objects on which he could be injured. C 'choose the right place for the ride.

How to prepare your cat to go on a leash?

To begin, each cat has its own personality that must be taken into account before taking him on a ride. For example, if he is rather fearful even at home, hides during visits and runs away when he hears an unknown sound, it is probably wiser not to attempt the experiment. On the other hand, if it is curious and sociable with the visitors and the other animals, comes easily to be caressed and take the arms, answers your calls and goes naturally towards the new objects and people, there is the chances that this be a real little adventurer!

Even if you think that your cat is predisposed to enjoy a go on a leash, it is essential to make a first test gently to test its reactions. First and foremost, you need to make sure your vaccines are up-to-date and properly protected against parasites. It is also essential that he be identified in case he comes to escape during the walk.

After you have made sure of these formalities, it will be necessary to accustom your cat to the harness and the leash. For that there is no secret, it should be used to it from an early age. If this is not the case, you can gradually accustom him to it at home, first with the harness alone and then adding the leash. Note that you should never use a simple collar to get your cat out: if he panics and struggles, he may get hurt but also get out of the collar and run away!

Well organize the first outing outside

Once your cat is accustomed to the harness and leash, you can consider his first outing. It must take place in a quiet place with few traffic and noise. If the place is far away from your home, take it safely to your usual transport crate, already equipped with a harness. Once there, do not let him out before putting the leash on him and take him first in your arms so he can observe the surroundings. Then, gently place him on the ground and let him look around, sniff and move at his own pace. Do not force things and do not shoot at the leash.

If he panics and returns to his box, it's because he's not ready yet: do not insist and repeat the experience another day. Always take him to the same place and gradually he should begin to explore and venture himself a little further. You can then reward him by caressing him. In the beginning, do not exceed 15 minutes of walk, of which you will be able to lengthen the duration. If you do not observe any improvement after a few tries, it's because the confrontation with the outside does not suit him and you have to give up the idea. Remember to be careful at all times so that it does not hurt or eat dirt.