Taking your Cat for a Walk

Walking is the simplest and easiest form of exercise than anyone or any animal can get and for many dog owners it is one of the main benefits of owning a dog. That has left many cat owners feeling left out but that is no longer the case. You too can take your feline friend for a walk.

You can walk a cat?

Taking a cat for a walk is not really common, after all have you ever actually seen it happen? It can be done and special feline harnesses are made for cats so that they too can get out into the great outdoors and enjoy those same sights and smells that their canine friends get to. Cats are naturally curious and a walk in the great outdoors will certainly be something that they remember. Your cat also loves to smell things, but then anyone with a feline companion knows that and a trip into nature will present them with all kinds of new smells. Rolling around in the grass or dirty will give them all kinds of new experiences that will stimulate them. They can also use real wood to scratch their claws rather than your couch.
Now not all cats will be into this and some may not want to ever leave their comfy surroundings. Cats who are used to being outside or were at one point a neighborhood stray tend to enjoy this more and this allows them to enjoy the outdoors while at the same time their human does not have to worry about them being hit by a car.

Why would you want to walk a cat?

Taking a cat for a walk can also have positive benefits for them. Getting out into the outdoors can help them to build confidence and to (possibly) eliminate the scaredy cat mentality. That does not mean that a cat should be forced into doing this and the place that this is done in should be selected with care. A more out of the way location should be selected since there will be fewer animals as well as fewer loud noises. The cat should also be fully vaccinated before attempting this.

About the harnesses

These harnesses work roughly the same way they do with a dog but this is not a standard leash and collar. Cats are much more agile and can slip out of one of those easily and the only fix for that is to tighten the collar so much that the cat runs the risk of choking. Not a pleasant experience for either the human or the feline. Instead these harnesses have a neck collar and adjustable body wrap that fits snugly onto their body and attaches to the collar with a clip.
Not all cats will be receptive to a harness and it is best to not only start slowly but start at a young age. By starting young the cat will be able to get used to it easier since they will have not been used to having something strapped to them. It can take time to get the cat used to having the harness strapped to them and the amount of time can vary but once you get it on it is a good idea to let them wear it around the house to get used to spending time in it. When the cat is taken outdoors the first few experiences should be done in a safe and controlled environment like a back yard but hopefully soon they could enjoy a walk in the park or through the forest.

Human care afterwards

Like with dogs any trip outdoors can increase the chance of a cat picking up a parasite like ticks or fleas. Besides of course making sure that the cat’s vaccines are up to date it would be a good idea to make sure that the cat is being groomed regularly to check for any abnormalities. It may also be a good idea to take them to see a professional groomer like Doggie DoLittle to keep their coat beautiful and to make sure that they are cleaned up good and feeling good. With a cat excited about getting to see and experience new things a trip to Doggie DoLittle will keep them feeling good and looking forward to the next trip into the great outdoors.

References:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/25/cat-on-leash-harness-train-cats-walking_n_7656754.html
http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/does-my-cat-need-to-go-for-walks
http://www.petmd.com/cat/training/evr_ct_how_to_walk_you_walk_your_cat

It is impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens. – Ben Johnson