Walking on a leash
By bdugas
@bdugas (3577)
United States
April 9, 2008 1:21pm CST
Anyone know of a trick to get your cat to walk on a leash, we have a cat that is always climbing up the screen on the patio. So I assumed he wanted out. We have only had him for about a month and a half, so I don't know if we let him out if he will come back or not or if we can catch him to bring him back in. So i got a collar and after the fight of getting it on him, I put him on the leash and this is the way it went: I walked he drug! Now this is the way we had to do the dog when he was first let out on a leash he wasn't moving and I know he got rock burns on his butt but he finally said ok I will walk. Now the cat is at the door and I can't have him tearing up my screens so what do I do with him. Should I let him out on his own will he come back or keep trying the leash till he gets used to it.
7 responses
@zydecokitten (451)
• United States
10 Apr 08
Some cats adapt well to the leash but what is the point. You are just encouraging your cat to like the outdoors. This way you are introducing fleas to your house and there is never just one flea. A flea infestation is horrible. You can treat your cat with Advantage or other like products but it is much safer and healthier to keep your kitty inside.
@bdugas (3577)
• United States
10 Apr 08
I think his one trip outside fixed his need to climb on the screen and want out. We got him from the pound and she said he was walking on the road, but he acts like he has been a house cat. I have decided to keep him inside after I got to thinking about the fleas too. I have a hard enough time keeping them off my dog.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
9 Apr 08
I would keep trying the leash. He will adjust. What you need to do is put his harness on while he is in the house so that he can get use to it prior to going outside. You don't really walk a cat that is on a leash, they walk you LOL They are not like dogs at all.
@bdugas (3577)
• United States
9 Apr 08
You are probaby right when you say they walk me, I had the whole neighborhood watching to see if I could get this cat to walk. Now he will sit in the tub and take a bath, and soon as you flush the toliet he wants to try and catch the water, he always has one wet paw. if I was to do like him, I just lay down and put my feet up. I think he will adjust in time.Or I will put him on the dogs chain and just let him lay out there till he decides to get up and walk him self.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
9 Apr 08
That would work too. Just make sure whatever you do yuo have a harness and leash on him an dnot attach it to the breakaway collar.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
11 Apr 08
just take him little steps until he gets used to it, he is afraid now, that is the problem, but then he will probably love it.
@bdugas (3577)
• United States
11 Apr 08
I just let him lay on the ground seemed that is what he wanted to do, he probably was scared. Some think I should not take him outside, but he is no different than the dog and he loves it outside, I just don't want him to be trapped inside and never get to be outside and I dont want him to run off. He will get used to it I'm sure. I thought we would drag the dogs butt off before he decided it was walk or have rock burns on his butt. lol
@slickcut (8140)
• United States
9 Apr 08
I don't think cats walk on a leash,i have never heard if it anyway...Dogs will walk on a lease but a cat is to indepenant and they do not mind like a dog.....If you had the cat for a month you should have a litter box and then after the cat gets used to you then you can let it out and he will not run off....I always had a litter box for my cat,and then they can be weaned to outside..............
@bdugas (3577)
• United States
10 Apr 08
We have had him a little over a month maybe 2 we have had a litter box from day one, but all the cats I ever had they just went outside when they wanted to or they stayed outside. I wondered if you let him out if he would come back when he got hungry, he is long haired and really a beautiful cat my hubby says some one would pick him up. My daughter got this cat for my hubby cause he lost his in Hurricane Katrina and she was trying to replace what he lost. He is the funniest cat we have ever had love to watch him play with the dog.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
10 Apr 10
I guess it depends on why you want to let him out. If it's just to save your screens, then train him to stay off the screens. If it's b/c you want him to be an outside cat, then let him out on his own. Personally, I don't have an outside cat...there are too many ways for a cat to get hurt if you leave them outside. I would rather have our cat indoors and know that she's safe and sound.
As for the leash, I tried it once with our cat and it was horrible. I put it on her, she dropped to the floor with her legs all sticking out and refused to move. If I'd tried to pull her, I'd have broken her neck (she's a very big cat). So, no leash for her.
[b]**AT PEACE WITHIN** 
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~[/b]
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~[/b]
@wiser2 (237)
• United States
25 Apr 08
I had a cat that only whent out doors on a leash.i started her out on it when she was a baby.yo have to do this every day even in the house put it on her for 10 - 15 min at a time.This should be done a couple of times a day.good luck
@Modestah (11177)
• United States
11 Apr 08
I have never had success with taking a walk with a cat on a leash - we have used them, prefer the harness set up to the collar.... but mostly it would be the cat takes a few steps - and we wait... it takes a few steps, we wait.
not very effective for going for a walk, but fun for the kids anyhow.
