I would check the harness to see if it is too tight on top. Also, don't lock
it into place. Attach the leash gently and then when secured take him
outside and the put him down on the ground to get the feel of the leash with
the harness.

blkcatgal <blkcatgal@comcast.net> wrote in
rec.pets.cats.health+behav:

The weight of the leash being attached is just too unusual to cats, I
think.  I don't think the retractable leash is workable on a cat,
either, because cats generally don't pull the way dogs do.  Kami
adapted quickly to the harness for our roap trip, but the leash made
her walk funny like "what in the hell is on my back?"  I think your
kitten is having the same, though slightly more exuberant, reaction.

Don't have an answer to your question, but wanted to let you know I'm in the same
situation and did the same. I have the Top Paw smalles retractable leash and take my
kitten out while I read in the pool area. My kitten get scared but tolerates the thing and
is glad to get back home. I plan to get a collar with address tag and let him get used to
being outside more.

My guess is your kitten needs more time to get used to the leash.

Adam

He doesn't understand the pulling sensation.
Get a light line first (clothesline will do if you don't want to buy a
light kitty leash), not a retractable. ONLY in the house, attach it, and
let him get used to it. Then, gently pull on it WHILE you are holding
him or petting him. Make it a game. Laugh - they know laughing means
something is supposed to be fun (crazy, but it helps my kids). Pet him.
Give him treats. Play with the end of the line with him - make it FUN.

Do not attach a retractable "flexi" lead until you can literally pull
him 2 feet or so and he just looks at you funny. Or even better, he
responds by coming towards you. He should not be upset by the pressure
caused by pulling. If he hits the end of the Flexi and feels a lot of
pressure and freaks out while he's outside, that would be bad. Flexis do
not offer control and you can't grab them without getting your fingers
nearly sliced off.
If he is at all upset or put off by that feeling of pressure, don't put
a flexi on him. Keep working with the light line.

Do not try to go too fast - he isn't a dog. The process of getting used
to the pressure sensation can take a week or more.

Honestly, I'd be hesitant to use a Flexi at all on a cat until I was
confident that they weren't going to flip. I've used one with my Rowan,
but she's been going out since she was a baby. I didn't like it - she
likes to roll when she's outside and the Flexi gets all mudged up.

Just try a plain old light weight leash.  Perhaps your kitten saw the leash
retract and that bothered her.

--
  Barb
  I can only please one person a day.
  Today is not your day.
  Tomorrow doesn't look good either.

He doesn't like it, Sue. That's all there is to it. Probably akin to
some type of phobia. We took ours to the beach on one of those things.
My wife thought he would "like the birds." He never even looked at
them. Even when the seagulls came right in to attack him! He just
twisted and spun against it, and tried and tried to get into his kat
karrier. That told me all I needed to know, so I went ahead and put an
end to the wife's family beach-blanket folly.

                           IBen