

Your cat should be spayed or neutered, and they should be microchipped before going outside, just in case. Share your plan of taking your cat on outdoor adventures with your veterinarian, who can guide you through:

Make sure your cat receives a physical exam and is mentally and physically fit for the adventures ahead. Some cats require more patience than others, so take small steps when harness training (and offer your cat lots of rewards along the way). That said, most cats, even older ones, can easily be trained to walk on a leash. The younger your cat, the easier it will be to leash train them. This can be:Ī wand toy you can dangle in front of your catĪ laser pointer that lets you guide your cat RewardsĪlways bring a reward your cat loves, to help guide them when walking on a leash. There are lots of leashes for cats to choose from, and your cat might like a bungee-style leash that has a bit of give to it, especially when you’re first starting to leash train. Some harnesses come with a leash, such as PetSafe Come With Me Kitty. The leash attachment should be at the back of the harness. Measure your cat correctly and, if possible, try a few different harnesses to test which one fits your cat the best. A cat should always be walked on a harness to keep them from slipping out or choking themselves in case they dart. A collar may be useful for a name tag and phone number, but not for attaching the leash. Make sure your cat cannot slip out of their harness. What You Need for Taking Cats on Walksīefore you hit the hiking trails with your cat, make sure you have the right gear. It also helps your kitty combat the dangers of a sedentary indoor life, such as obesity. Harnessing a cat and walking them on a leash lets them explore, enhances mental stimulation, and gives them ample exercise-all while keeping your kitty safe. Because of these dangers, veterinarians encourage pet parents not to let their cats roam freely outside. In fact, outdoor cats live only half as long as indoor-only cats, due to exposure to cat fights, infectious diseases, and injuries. While indoor cats use an average of 40 square yards in their home, community cats are natural hunters who have been known to roam up to 150 acres.īut this far-reaching outdoor life comes with risks. But the sooner you introduce a harness and leash to your kitten, the smoother the transition will be. An adventure cat is a feline who, rather than stay indoors snoozing, joins their pet parents outside on a leash and harness.Īny cat with the right personality and temperament can become an adventure cat. “Adventure cat” is not a new cat breed-rather, the term encompasses a new attitude toward cat parenthood.
