Harness Training Cats

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Most cats, given the opportunity, enjoy being outdoors.  Unfortunately, letting them loose outside is unacceptably risky.  Cats with free access to the outdoors are much more likely to be exposed to viruses, diseases, poisons, predators, and speeding traffic.  Keeping your cat indoors is vital to their health and safety.

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Indoor cats need environmental enrichment, and one way to broaden your cat's horizons is to give them a taste of the outdoors while staying safe on a harness and leash.  Training your cat to walk on a leash is not always easy, but it can be done.

 

Remember that your cat’s motivation for being outside is likely different from yours.  While you may envision your cat walking down the sidewalk to play at a park, they are content to chase bugs for a moment and then lie in the dirt and sun bathe.  Do not expect cats to walk with purpose to a location.  Plan on zig-zagging around a small area and lots of lying down.

 

Always pay attention to your cat.  Their body language will tell you if they’re feeling stressed or scared.  Look for signs like flat ears, body low to the ground, lip-licking, meowing, or nervous tail-twitching.  When you see these signs of stress, either move away from whatever is making them nervous, or head back inside.  Take it slowly, and you'll be en joying the out doors with your cat on a leash in no time!

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10 Tips for Training Your Cat to Walk on a Harness and Leash

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1. Know your cat.  Most cats, and especially kittens, can be trained to walk on a harness and leash.  Most will appreciate the opportunity to safely explore a new, exciting outdoor environment, but not all.  If you suspect your cat would never be agreeable to walking on a leash, you're probably right.  But it can't hurt to try.

 

2. Purchase a proper cat harness and leash, do not use a collar.  If your cat runs up a tree, a standard collar could strangle them, and a breakaway collar will detach.  Because cats are extremely flexible and able to fit through tiny spaces, they often slip out of collars.  There are harnesses designed for cats, like the “Come With Me Kitty” harness, as well as walking jackets that when fitted properly prevent them from escaping.

 

3. Start slowly, take baby steps, and expect setbacks.  Most cats respond to treats, verbal praise, and affectionate head and face scratches.  Do your training sessions before feeding your cat, and break treats into very small pieces.  Your cat's level of cooperation will decrease in direct proportion to how quickly their tummy gets full.

 

4. Get your cat used to wearing the harness and leash inside before you try outside.  Put the harness on your cat, snug but not too tight, and immediately give them a treat.  If they take a step in the harness, give them a treat.  Repeat the treats and praise if they continue to move about in the harness.  If the cat drops to the ground, wait to see if they move, and give a treat.  If they seem frozen in place, or if they run and hide, remove the harness and give a treat as a peace offering.  Try leaving the harness near your cat's food bowl at mealtime or near their favorite napping spot for a few days so they associate it with good things.  You can also hold the harness and give a treat when your cat sniffs it.  Then hold the harness against their body and offer a treat.  As your cat learns to tolerate the harness and leash for longer periods, give them a constant stream of verbal praise, face pets and treats while they’re wearing it.  When they tire of a training session, remove the harness immediately.  Make sure to end each short session with your cat feeling confident and in control.

 

5. Once your cat is walking around in their harness and leash in a normal manner, you can step outside the door.  Depending on your cat's temperament, you could easily spend the next month just getting down the front walk and onto the grass.  Or you could be taking your cat on nature walks in under 30 days.  It all depends on how easily your cat adjusts to being outdoors.

 

6. If your neighborhood has a lot of traffic noise, dogs, or other distractions, try taking them to a quieter area where they’re less exposed to frightening sights and sounds.

 

7. Coax your cat a little farther on each outing.  When they’re eagerly exploring a new area with their tail up, take another baby step.

 

8. Make sure your cat doesn't pick up anything in their mouth or lick anything, and do not allow any tree climbing; it's too dangerous.

 

9. Never tie your cat's leash to something and leave them outside, even for a minute.  They are unable to get away if they’re threatened by another animal or person.  Your cat should never be outside unattended for any reason.

 

10. Expect setbacks.  Your cat may be comfortable in a new area on Monday, but then completely terrified of the same area on Tuesday.  Step back to the last place they were comfortable, and start moving forward with baby steps again.