On Mon, 02 Feb 2004 20:10:04 +0100, Tristan Miller
wrote:

Greetings.

Every day it doesn't rain, I take my ferret for a walk, either with a leash
in the city or without a leash in the forest. As I mentioned in a previous
post, I'm thinking of getting a cat too, and was wondering about the
feasibility of it joining us for the walks.

I have seen some people taking their cat for walks on leashes. I've tried
to do the same with my grandparents' cat but didn't have much success. Can
all cats eventually be trained to do this, or is it something only certain
felines take to? If the former, what's the best technique of teaching
them? I plan on getting a kitten, so I'm hopeful that teaching it from an
early age will help.

I had good success one time with young cats - the older one wanted no
part of it. Some cats never adapt to a harness.

Suggestions for training generally involve letting the cat get used to
wearing the harness for a week or two, for longer periods each day.
Then a light leash is attached and the cat is allowed, again of a week
or more, to the leash being attached to the harness, but not to
anything else. Eventually the leash can be held for ever longer
periods until the cat gets used to the idea of being restrained. Then
comes the fun: taking a terrified indoor cat outside, leash or no
leash, the cat will probably try to runn away and hide (or climb you).


Also, is it at all feasible to take a cat for a walk in the forest without a
leash, or will it run off or get stuck up a tree?

I take my cats for walks in fields and woods, but they already know
the territory from having explored it on their own. They will follow
me into new areas and not get lost or stranded, but they are already
familiar with similar areas closer to home and can be counted on to
find their way back. Indoor cats are a completely different matter
and have to be protected and guarded by their human. Indoor cats are
best left indoors, except for excursions on enclosed porches or
carefully supervised balconies.


T.E.D. )
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