How To Get Your Cat To Walk On A Leash

While most of our felines today are indoor cats, the majority of our kitties would like to get a glimpse of the outside world. And, if your kitty is new to the outdoors, we cat parents would never let them out to explore on their own as we would be afraid of the repercussions. Therefore, wouldn’t it be great to take your cat out walking on a leash where you can supervise? 

While this seems like a nearly impossible task, with time, patience and practice, you can have your cat walking on a leash outdoors with you! 

Below are some tips to help you and your cat to succeed in the leash walking process.

1. Purchase A Leash Designed for Cats

There are harnesses designed for cats with a leash attachment toward the middle on these harnesses and not the neck which is less stressful and safer for your kitty. If your cat runs up a tree or gets caught somewhere, a standard collar could strangle him, and a breakaway collar will detach.  As we know, cats are extremely flexible and able to fit through tiny, awkward spaces. It isn't uncommon for cats to find a way out of their collars. You don't want this worry while you're outdoors with your cat.

2. Start Slowly And Bring Treats With You

Make sure to do your training sessions when your cat is hungry and maybe right after a nap.  Break up the treats into very small pieces as your kitty's cooperation will decrease in direct proportion to how quickly her tummy gets full. Cats don't have a desire to please their owners like dogs do, so food treats are their primary incentive.  Try limiting treat-giving to training sessions so you don’t overfeed your cat.

Start slowly with kitten steps. As anyone knows who has tried to train their cat, most cats tend do what they want and when they want to, for however long they want. But kitties do actually respond to food treats, verbal praise and praise in the form of love, rubs and kisses.

3. Start Indoors For Your Practice Sessions

It’s important to get your cat used to wearing the harness and leash before going outside. Carefully place the harness on your cat, making sure it's just snug enough, but not too tight so your kitty can breathe. The second you've placed the harness on your cat, make sure to give your kitty a treat. Repeat the treating and praising if she continues to move about in her harness.

If your cat seems frozen in place or completely hates it and runs to hide, remove the harness and let your kitty retreat where he or she needs to. Try leaving the harness near your cat's food bowl at mealtime and near her favorite napping spot for a few days to get her used to seeing it in places she associates with good things.

4. Praise Your Cat As She Learns to Accept the Harness

As your cat learns to tolerate the harness and leash for longer periods, give her a constant stream of verbal praise, head pats and food treats while she's wearing it. When she's done with a training session, meaning she's dropped to the ground, her tail is switching, remove the harness immediately. You want to end the session with your cat feeling confident and in control.

5. Step Outside With The Harness & Leash

When you think your cat is comfortable in the harness and leash, you can take a step outside the door. Depending on your kitty’s tolerance, you might spend the next few weeks getting down the front walk or onto the grass. Or, if your kitty likes it out there, you could be walking in a week or so.

If your neighborhood has a lot of traffic, dogs’ barking, or other loud noises and distractions that your cat views as threatening, try taking her to a quieter area where she's less exposed to frightening sights and sounds.

6. Take Your Cat A Little Farther Each Outing

Try to take your cat a little farther on each outing. When your kitty's eagerly exploring a new area with his tail up, take another baby step. 

It’s important that you remember that cats are not dogs and you should never place or tie your cat's leash to a tree or post and leave her outside. If something spooks your cat, she could get tangled in the leash. If she's threatened by another animal or even a person, she can't get away. Your kitty should never be outside unattended for any reason. See how your kitty adjusts, and you will know how long you can stay outdoors walking.

Cats Are Fickle And There Might Be Setbacks

One day, your cat might be fine walking out on a leash and the next day, he or she won’t budge. It’s better to start from the last place when your cat was comfortable and move forward with baby steps. And unless your kitty is in harm's way, resist the urge to pick up your cat if something spooks him. It's better for your cat’s confidence if you can leave him on the ground at his own pace.

Final Thoughts

Not all cats will take to a leash, but if you have a cat that is a little more open to new experiences, than leash walking might be your cat’s new favorite activity!