A question about leashes for cats

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Upscale - 24 May 2007 03:40 GMT

I've got a 2 year old house cat who has never worn a leash so far. I'm
thinking of getting her one in case she gets out. I was wondering if anyone
had any tips for starting off an adult cat with a leash. I know she will
struggle with it in the beginning, so I'm looking for any tips to make it
easier for her to adapt.

Thanks

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Noon Cat Nick - 24 May 2007 04:04 GMT

>I've got a 2 year old house cat who has never worn a leash so far. I'm
>thinking of getting her one in case she gets out. I was wondering if anyone
>had any tips for starting off an adult cat with a leash. I know she will
>struggle with it in the beginning, so I'm looking for any tips to make it
>easier for her to adapt.
>

I've trained adult cats to use a leash and halter several times. It can
be done and done successfully. But remember: a cat cannot be trained the
same way as a dog. There are different rules for leash-training a cat.

This Web page describes the method I've always used:

http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/training/walking_your_cat.html

HTH.

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William Graham - 24 May 2007 07:33 GMT

>>I've got a 2 year old house cat who has never worn a leash so far. I'm
>>thinking of getting her one in case she gets out. I was wondering if
>>anyone
>>had any tips for starting off an adult cat with a leash. I know she will
>>struggle with it in the beginning, so I'm looking for any tips to make it
>>easier for her to adapt.

You mean you would make her drag a leash around the house all day, on the
off chance that she gets out? - Why on earth would you do that? Wait until
you are going to take her for a walk, and then put the leash on her, even as
you would a dog....After a while, she will anticipate going out for a while,
and be happy to get leashed, just as a dog does.........

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Upscale - 24 May 2007 08:07 GMT

"Noon Cat Nick" <chatdemidiSPAMBEGONE@hotmail.com> wrote in message

> I've trained adult cats to use a leash and halter several times. It can
> be done and done successfully. But remember: a cat cannot be trained the
> same way as a dog. There are different rules for leash-training a cat.

Thanks for the information. Unfortunately, I didn't word my questions
properly. I "meant" to ask about how to get my cat used to a collar. Then if
that goes without too much difficulty, I might start taking her out on a
leash.

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oldhickory - 24 May 2007 15:09 GMT

For a collar I'd recommend Beastie Bands, safe and lightweight, cats don't
hate them. http://www.harleyshope.com

For walking, a halter only. They will pull against a collar and either get
out of it or, if it doesn't stretch or break loose as it should, hurt
themselves. Perhaps after much experience walking with a halter you could
switch to collar but....

Good luck!

Signature

ie
ride fast, take chances.

> "Noon Cat Nick" <chatdemidiSPAMBEGONE@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> that goes without too much difficulty, I might start taking her out on a
> leash.

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Kathy - 24 May 2007 19:50 GMT

> I've got a 2 year old house cat who has never worn a leash so far. I'm
> thinking of getting her one in case she gets out. I was wondering if anyone
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Thanks

My cat knows she has to wear a collar to go out. She only tolerates when
she thinks she can go out - at least now....
Kathy

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Shadow Walker - 24 May 2007 21:44 GMT

Cats that are inside or out should always wear a safety collar with tags in
case they ever get lost. It is not recommended that you leash a cat by it's
collar. Use a cat harness. Cats fight and fight hard when restrained in any
manner. They are predators but they are also prey and that reflex is strong
in the domestic cat because they have not been bred to not be. Cats are bred
for looks, personality traits but have not been bred for instincts like
dogs, example, hunting by scent, sight hounds, guarding etc. So they are
still fairly raw when it comes to instinctual responses.

> I've got a 2 year old house cat who has never worn a leash so far. I'm
> thinking of getting her one in case she gets out. I was wondering if
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Thanks

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