Taking the cat for a walk.

Podge52

Does anybody have any experience of this. The reason I ask is I live on the ninth floor of a high rise. I can't have the windows open wide because as much as I love her, she is as daft as a brush and would be out of the window chasing flies.

I do have the windows cracked open by about an inch and she always seems to have her nose there smelling the outside world. I feel that I am depriving her and I think I would like to take her outside but I'm unsure as to how she would react.

She's a very nervy cat and get's startled quite easily.

If anybody could post their experience of taking a cat out on a lead I would much appreciate it.

puppypants

Years ago, we used to take our cats on walks on a lead with a harness, to a local forest. We even took them camping with us. Great fun!! x

DomRavioli

I used to walk my cat; he loved it. He couldn't go out on his own as he had back leg problems and was pretty slow (physically and mentally!) when he needed to move from a car or other danger.

He lived a happy and full life; you can only try them with it, I'd start with putting the harness on in the flat and seeing if your cat gets on with it - it might take a bit of patience.

Tiddlywinks

How able will you be in protecting your cat?

What will you do when the local hard man with his asbo dog makes a bee line for your cat? Animals are quick when presented with 'prey'... you'd need to be quicker.

Was your cat an indoors cat before you got her?

Anatidaephobia

It depends on the cat. None of the cats that I've ever owned would've been content to walk on a lead.

LouLou

About twenty (!) years ago, I was in a similar situation, though only two floors up, and really wanted my cat to roam outside and discover the world beyond the window.

Amongst my friends, it caused much hilarity and ribbing when I bought a lead for my cat. Unfortunately, he was such a nervous creature, when we did venture into the big bad world, he trembled in my arms and didn't want to walk alongside me.

I tried a few times but decided eventually it just wasn't for him. I did have a verandah that allowed him to get fresh air/sit outside, albeit in a concrete box.

Don't worry about other people's reactions: your intentions are good. It may or may not be to your cat's liking but at least you've given it a try. Good luck

Podge52

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

How able will you be in protecting your cat?

What will you do when the local hard man with his asbo dog makes a bee line for your cat? Animals are quick when presented with 'prey'... you'd need to be quicker.

Was your cat an indoors cat before you got her?

I'm agile enough to react quickly if that's what you mean, but certainly not able to take on the hard man.

My concern was more, what if we come across an untethered dog, would she run to me or would she finish up wrapping the lead round my legs while trying to avoid the dog.

I got her as a kitten because I knew she was going to be a house cat, I was thinking that she wouldn't miss what she hadn't had, and although she is not missing the outside it certainly attracts a lot of her attention.

Podge52

LouLou I feel she will react very much as your cat did, but then on the other hand she is very doglike in that her favorite pastime is playing fetch, which she will play until she is exhausted, then when she has recovered she brings her toy to me to start all over again and she wags her tail when she is getting attention.

I just feel so sad for her when I see hear picking up all the passing scents and being unable to explore them.

Tiddlywinks

I can't understand why anyone would get a kitten and then force it to live indoors. How would you like to be kept inside forever? It's like being in prison... without the chance of parole.

Living in a high rise, then a cat was not for you (unless it's one that specifically needs medically etc to be kept indoors).

Your cat is showing an interest in the outside world because her instincts want to take her out.

Going for a walk on a lead in an urban area is no substitute to walking freely in the shadows hunting or whatever.

A lead is likely to be really stressful as a cat's instinct is always to be free to get away from danger.

How would you like to be tied up and taken out with the chance of other animals attacking you? The again, is that preferable to being locked indoors forever?

Just because you wanted a cat didn't mean you should have got one.

Podge52

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

I can't understand why anyone would get a kitten and then force it to live indoors. How would you like to be kept inside forever? It's like being in prison... without the chance of parole.

Living in a high rise, then a cat was not for you (unless it's one that specifically needs medically etc to be kept indoors).

Your cat is showing an interest in the outside world because her instincts want to take her out.

Going for a walk on a lead in an urban area is no substitute to walking freely in the shadows hunting or whatever.

A lead is likely to be really stressful as a cat's instinct is always to be free to get away from danger.

How would you like to be tied up and taken out with the chance of other animals attacking you? The again, is that preferable to being locked indoors forever?

Just because you wanted a cat didn't mean you should have got one.

I dread to think how big the stick would have been had I said I got her as a three year old who had lived outside all her life.

Although you do have some valid points.

dandelionclock30

Hi, My cat is a cat that goes both outside and stays in a bit too. Hes not allowed out past 7p.m as I believe my old cat was taken by a fox.
Anyway when I first got him as an adult he stayed in for a few weeks and then I took him out on a string for a couple of weeks in the garden, he was fine and didnt try to bolt or to strangle himself either. I kept the lead quite short so I could see what he was doing. Anyway intresting enough after a few weeks I started taking him out without the string and he used to wait for me and meow at me on the step to come with him.
Going back to your situation, get a decent harness and lead and start taking your cat just out of your flat at first and then take her outside with you for a few minutes each day and build her up. I think she will love it but she will need to get used to it as well.
At least you have offerred a cat a home, dont listen to people who are nasty.