How to Train Your Cat to Walk on a Leash
Most people imagine cats roaming free, skulking along fences and beneath bushes, not walking down the road tied to a leash. In reality, leash-walking a cat is becoming more common, proving the activity is not only possible, but also relatively easy once you know what to do.
While many owners allow their cats to wander free outside, there are circumstances where it can be too dangerous — in the case of wildlife, for example — which means their cat is often stuck indoors. In this case, walking your cat on a leash can be an excellent way to provide outdoor exercise in a safer manner. But danger doesn’t need to be the only reason for wanting to walk your cat. Perhaps you simply want to bond with them or offer an additional way to catch some fresh air and burn off pent-up energy.
Whatever the case may be, if you want to learn how to train your cat to walk on a leash, keep reading for guidance on how to make that vision a reality.
Train Your Mindset
One of the most common mistakes people make is to assume that walking a cat is like walking a dog. For those who are new to feline behavior, you might be surprised to hear that the cat will often walk you, and not the other way around! Be prepared for the possibility that every few steps your cat might sit, sniff, and linger for long periods. Cats are also slower and meditative, so you can’t expect the same kind of boisterous activity that often accompanies a dog.
Therefore, it’s important to first train your mindset to work with the character and nature of a cat. For seasoned cat owners, this won’t be a problem, but if you are new to having a feline member of the household, this shift in mindset can mean the difference between acceptance and frustration.
What’s Your Cats Personality?
Most cats can be trained on a leash; however, it’s worth knowing that not all will be as able and willing. Another thing to consider is the age of your cat. Kittens are usually more energetic and easier to train, but it is also very possible to teach older cats how to walk with a leash. Again, it boils down to the personality and willingness of each individual kitty.
Before you embark on the quest to walk your cat on a leash, it’s worth considering their personality and breed first. While it is possible that your cat defies the rules and still manages to love a leash despite not fitting the profile, it’s good to assess their fit before you put in too much effort.
For example, are they daring? Do they favor the outdoors? Or are they lazy couch potatoes?
To determine whether your cat is the type to take the lead (pun intended), consider whether they are:
- Adventurous
- Bored or showing signs of stress
- Confined to small, cramped quarters
If your cat falls into any of the above descriptions, they may be a good candidate for walking on a leash. Adventurous cats that love the outdoors and who may be striving for fresh air due to their living arrangements, can often benefit from a regular walk with their owner. Conversely though, if your cat shows no interest in the outdoors and loves to laze around on the sofa all day, don’t expect them to excitedly leap at the prospect of a leash walk.
Once you’ve determined whether there is potential for your cat to be walkable, the next stage is to invest in the right equipment.
Harness Training 101
The first thing to do when making your preparations is to select a harness, not a collar. Cats are notoriously sleek and bendy and can easily slip out of a collar if they’re not keen on wearing it. There are specially designed cat harnesses on the pet market, but you’ll want to be mindful of a few key tips before you get started.
Choose the Right Harness
Choosing the right harness is crucial both practically and for safety. You’ll need to ensure that the harness fits the structure and shape of your cat, which means finding the right one could take a bit of trial and error. To obtain a more precise-fitting harness at the pet store, take measurements of your cat’s chest, neck, and torso. The important thing is that the harness is secure and comfortable; otherwise, training your cat to wear it can become an even bigger challenge.
Introduce Kitty to the Harness
Properly introducing the harness to your cat is perhaps one of the most important steps. This stage will demonstrate your kitty’s willingness to reject or adapt to the harness — either gradually or straight away.
To introduce the harness, you want to make your cat aware of it in a safe manner. This could include leaving it by their food bowl, near their bed, or allowing them to sniff and touch it. Depending on the sensitivity of your cat, it may take them a few days to get used to the harness’s existence and to be comfortable around it.
Other ways to introduce the harness can include the use of a clicker (if they’re clicker trained), spraying the collar with a pleasant or calming scent, or by giving them food after they’ve sniffed or interacted with it. You might even want to put treats near or on the harness so that your kitty forms pleasant associations.
Allow Your Cat Some Adjustment Time
Once your cat has become comfortable with the harness in your home, you can try to put it on. Prompt your cat to voluntarily enter the harness by holding it up towards their head with the loophole open. With any luck, your cat will be willing to investigate the harness and you can slip it on. If not, try using treats to coerce them into it. Avoid forcing your cat or pushing them in, no matter how frustrating the process might be. Patience will go a long way here.
When you’ve secured the harness, allow them time to get used to wearing it. There might be resistance or nervousness, or your cat might feel comfortable donning it straight away. Regardless, the response of each cat will vary, so it’s important to be sensitive to how your feline is feeling.
Use treats where necessary and praise them once you’ve taken the harness off so that it maintains the positive connection. If your cat is nervous, don’t force them to wear the harness longer than a few minutes. You may need to repeat this process over a few days until they’re fully comfortable.
Attach the Leash and Practice Indoors
When your cat has given you the all-clear and is comfortable wearing the harness, you can attach the leash and practice walking around indoors. The last thing you want to do is skip this stage and head straight outside, only to find your cat is terrified or incredibly resistant.
Again, exercise patience here if your cat fights the process in any way. Like the introduction of the harness, use treats, a clicker, or other positive associations to encourage your cat and convince them that this leash-walking thing can be a fun activity. Begin the process of guiding your cat with the leash, too, so that you’re not in a game of tug of war once you head outdoors.
Embarking on Your Walking Adventure
Now for the fun part! After many hours, days, or even weeks of training your cat to wear the harness and walk on the lead, you can set about embarking on your outdoor adventure together.
However, before you get too gung-ho, make sure your cat is ready. While it may be tempting to drive miles out to a scenic park or head somewhere in the city, you want to make sure that your cat’s leash-walking experience is a happy and safe one first.
If you have a particularly nervous cat, or one who has required a lot of training, start small and do it in stages. For instance, rather than attempt a long walk, try going around the block first. Both of you will need to get into a rhythm of walking together in this manner. It is a new practice, after all, so it’s best to treat your feline (and yourself) with respect by going slowly.
Cat Walking Dos and Don’ts
As noted above, walking a cat is a completely different affair to walking a dog. Despite following the guidance above, you still might find yourself challenged by your cat’s independence and the slowness of their mannerisms. It’s important to ease into your walks and get used to the newness of it all.
While you’re out walking, there are also a few things to be mindful of in terms of safety and practicality. You’ll likely discover that walking your cat around the living room is vastly different from walking them down an urban street.
Do Carry Your Cat to Your Starting Point
Rather than let your cat run out the door on their own with the leash, carry them first. Not only does it stop your cat from dashing out the door and engaging in this kind of behavior in other places, but it also teaches them some obedience.
Do Learn to Adjust
Even if your indoor walking routine has been successful, you may need to make adjustments when you venture into the outdoors. For example, your cat might respond differently than expected: they could be more hesitant or fearful, or they may resist the leash more than they did previously. For these reasons, it’s important that you remain flexible and adaptable. Try not to force the walk and don’t get frustrated because your cat isn’t walking in the way you want them to.
Do Take Precautions
Cats that spend time outdoors are also susceptible to ticks, fleas, heartworm, and other diseases. It’s always good to talk to your veterinarian to find out any preventative measures you can take such as vaccines to protect your cat.
Do Keep Them Safe
Even though your cat is on a leash, there are still certain dangers to be aware of. This includes dogs or other animal predators, as well as structural dangers such as sharp objects. In urban environments, especially, keep an eye on where you walk your cat and ensure that the potential hazards are limited.
Don’t Overwhelm Them With Noises or Distractions
If you have a nervous or anxious cat, ease them into environments where there is a lot of noise or visual stimulation — or avoid them altogether. Vehicles, barking dogs, or kids on bikes can also cause your cat to be stressed. To prevent them from freaking out, you want to make sure that they’re used to the stimulation or that you can easily remove them if they’re not. It is also a good idea to bring a towel or blanket to comfort them or carry them away should you need to.
Don’t Expose Them to Poisonous Plants
Cats love to explore plants and chew on their leaves. This makes them vulnerable to poisonous elements, so it’s important that you’re aware of the risks beforehand. Toxic plants can cause irritations to the skin, as well as kidney or heart damage. Before you begin a regular walking routine, become familiar with which plants are toxic to cats.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your cat is a member of your family and should be treated as such. If you’re keen to train them on the leash, ensure you’re sensitive to their needs and be patient at all times. And remember, stay relaxed! The more chilled you are, the more your cat will be, too.
One way to achieve this is to imagine how you would feel if the situation were reversed. Wouldn’t you want to be given time to adjust to something new, rather than be forced into it? Also, consider how magnified the outside world can be for your four-legged feline. What seems small and insignificant to you, can be huge and terrifying for your cat.
Being sensitive and empathetic will go a long way towards your walking partnership. Accepting your cat for who they are and understanding their individual primal needs is not only healthy from a leash-walking standpoint, but also in terms of honoring your relationship with each other.
Good luck with your kitty training and enjoy your leash-walking adventure!
