Using a Cat Leash

Many cats will take well to leash training particularly if you start training them at an early age. If you train your cat to use a leash when it is 6 to 7 months old, then you will have a higher chance of success. Using a cat leash has many advantages specially when you live in a neighborhood that can pose a lot of danger when you take your pet out of the house. Having a leash trained cat will make it easier for you to exercise your cat outdoors even if there are speeding cars on the city streets.

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How do you choose a cat leash? To answer this, you need to consider some basic cat behaviors. Unlike dogs, cats take some time to develop new habits. The older they get, the harder it is to train them, which is why you need to leash train them early.

For obvious reasons, your cat leash should be made of durable material that will hold the cat securely. When choosing a leash, you should also consider the material that the leash is attached to, which can either be a collar or a harness. Some people prefer to use cat collars because these seem less obtrusive. However, cats can easily wriggle out of collars, and they will try to do so as much as they can. This is why other people recommend using a cat harness. An H-shaped harness that can be fastened at the neck and stomach is ideal, as it allows the leash to be pulled between the cat’s shoulder blades instead of the neck.

Before putting the harness on your cat, you need to get your cat accustomed to it first. You can do this by leaving the harness around the house for a few days so your cat can sniff it and be familiar with its scent. Then for the next few days, put it on the cat for no more than 5 minutes. Don’t attach the cat leash just yet. Just let the cat get used to wearing the harness.

When your cat seems comfortable with the harness, it’s time to attach the leash and start training your cat to walk with a leash. You can begin by giving your cat gentle tugs and calling your cat to come near you while you hold out your hand with a treat. Eventually, your cat will get the idea that by tugging the leash gently, you are letting it know where you want it to go.

After practicing with the harness and leash for a few more days, you can start to walk your cat outdoors. Choose a quiet area in the neighborhood where you will be least disturbed by people, cars, and other animals. Put the harness on your cat, attach the cat leash, and take your pet outside.

Bear in mind that your cat will not walk on a leash the way a dog usually does. Your cat may sometimes stop to explore the surroundings. It may also get excited and try to run after things. When it does, just remain still until your cat calms down, and gently lead it to where you want to go. If you exercise a lot of patience, eventually you will reap the benefits of having a leash trained cat.

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