The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [85]
Walk This Way
Q My cat, Sissy, is quite curious and very mellow. I just moved into a nice, quiet neighborhood after living in an apartment with her for a couple years. I would like to take her for walks to give her a chance to be outside. I don’t want to risk losing her, so I want to teach her to walk on a leash. How can I go about this? Will she tolerate being on a leash?
A Your success in training your cat to walk on a leash outside depends first on your attitude. Trust me, cats can see through our bluffs. If you’re apprehensive or unsure about the process or become impatient, your cat will read the message loud and clear.
Second, heed this cardinal cat rule: When it comes to sauntering outside on a tether, cats call the shots. Don’t expect Sissy to start heeling like a poodle who just graduated top in her obedience training class. Sissy leads and you follow.
Third, a leash alone won’t do the trick. You need to fit Sissy with a harness so there is no chance that she could become spooked and slip out of a collar and get lost. Do not use a small dog harness. You need one designed for cats so there is no chance for her to squirm out. The best are the figure-eight designs and walking jackets.
Harness training is best accomplished in the following stages:
1. When you bring home the harness and leash, leave them next to Sissy’s food bowl or scratching post for a few days. Say nothing. Let her approach on her own to check them out.
2. When Sissy is in a relaxed, contented mood, engage her in a little play with the harness and leash. Dangle the harness and let her swat at it. Drag the leash on the floor to entice her to chase and pounce on it. You are associating these training tools with fun and games in your cat’s mind.
3. Next, put the harness on Sissy inside your house and offer lots of praise and a couple of treats. Let her walk around freely wearing it. If she struggles or tries to rub the harness off, calmly remove it and repeat Step Two before trying again. But if she seems okay, let her wear the harness for a few minutes and then take it off.
4. It’s time to attach the leash to your harness-wearing cat. Again, keep this stage indoors and monitor Sissy’s level of acceptance. Not all cats are fans of harnesses, and you have to respect their personal preferences.
5. Once she has accepted walking around the house wearing a harness, you’re ready to head outdoors. Limit your first outing to a safe haven such as your backyard or front porch. Remember, the goal is to build slowly on each success.
6. After a few days, you should be ready to head down your driveway and possibly a bit down the sidewalk. Pick quiet times in your neighborhood to limit possible distractions.
You want to make this a pleasant experience. Unless you have that rare cat who is eager to go for a long walk, keep your excursions short. If you live on a busy street, put your cat in a cat stroller and head for a quiet place like a park where she may feel more secure.
My cat Murphy is a proud harness-wearing, leash-walking feline. I think she gets a bit jealous when she sees me grab the leashes for my two dogs. But when I return, I often bring out her harness and leash and say, “Wanna go outside?” She races me to the front door. With the dogs, it is all about distance, but Murphy prefers a stroll with stops to smell flowers, flop and roll on the sun-kissed sidewalk, and nibble on a few blades of grass. We may not go far, but our brief jaunts prove to be filled with plenty of adventure for Murphy.
Help for My Clinic-Hating Cat
Q I absolutely dread having to take my cat for his regular veterinary visits. Even when I don’t