Taking the cat for a walk.

Mankysteve

Dont lead a lead for our cat he'll just follow you which is pain when rushing for a bus and your have to hush him back.

Give it a try usally rules are start with harness only of shortly increasing the time inside the house moving onto the lead again in inside increasing time then short periods outside.

pawsies

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.

Outdoor cats have a lot more danger than indoor cats. Thefts, cars, dogs, neighbours are all potential dangers.
The OP is being very sensible in taking responsibility for her cat by accompanying her outdoors. You quite frankly are being rude.
I can't stand it when people moan that their cat got run over or the neighbours injured their cat as if everybody else has to tolerate your cat just because to you it's natural for them to live outdoors and decimate local widlife populations although you don't have a problem with that do you?

Cat owners need to shape up and start taking responsibility. It's not fair on the cat to be abused/punished or everyone else outside to deal with a pet they never wanted.

Podge52

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

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.

Thanks for the advice and yes I do think it will take her a while to get used to it. Regarding the other, well, were all entitled to an opinion.

balletshoes

OP if you do decide to try the harness and lead, this might work better for your cat compared to the type of harness you have to put her legs through -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/RABBITS-AND-FERRETS-WALK-LARGE/dp/B004J32886/ref=lp_471557031_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1402789594&sr=1-2

this is what i have for my cat - he doesn't struggle when wearing it at all, it just drapes over his body and fastens with a wide band of velcro under his tummy. Theres an extra neck safety-snap fastening if you need it (we never do) and it comes with a lead too. Get your cat used to wearing it indoors for short periods first before you take her out.

hp3

Topics about whether or not cats should be indoors or outdoors always causes a dibate! Cats will always have a curiosity for the outside world as it's their natural habitat. Keeping them indoors is safest I agree but if the cat really wants to go out its cruel to keep them indoors. I don't think there is anything wrong with owning a cat and living in a flat, you have given a loving home to a cat and are trying to do the right thing by thinking of ways you can let them be outside but still safe. I must say I think harnesses are a geat idea for people such as yourself or if people have cats who have an injury or unable to look after themselves outside. Dogs go on leads for walks and they can be as much of a 'pest' as cats when owners don't pick up their mess etc. All your cat probably wants to do is experience some of the outside smells and sounds. The hunting instict can be done through play inside. As for your walk with your cat, why not try carrying them first then once you have seen there are no dogs about let him down and feel the grass. Lots of dogs are the size of cats nowadays so I'm sure people would hardly notice you had a cat! My girl cat had an accident last week and has to be kept in for a couple of weeks, she is so misserable being inside. Vets said she should be OK to be back outside but if she wasn't I would not hesitate in buying her a harness and taking her out myself. Sod what others think. They are your pets and you do what's best for them and you.

Prothet_of_Doom

My wife's parents used to take "George" on the back of a motorbike, when ever they went visiting for a few days. (I am told he used to sit inside my father in laws leather coat with his head poking out). When they had children and a car, he would sit on the parcel shelf, and at stops, would get out and have a stretch, use the facilities and come back to a whistle). When they got to their holiday destination, (usually my wife's nan), George would come and go as if it were his house.
When it was time to go home, one whistle and he was happy to jump into the back seat, and curl up on the parcel shelf.


They were not so lucky with later cats.

farfromhome

Podge52, I agree with Pawsies, Tiddlywinks has been extremely rude in her posts, and quite unhelpful. I have had cats for over 30 years now, all rescue cats and they are all different. Some like to go out, some - especially the ones with a cruel history - prefer the indoors. All our cats have had a cat flap but some still have stayed indoors, or only ventured onto the doorstep and in the garden when we have been there.

On the continent a lot of cats are indoor cats only, especially in high-rise flats and where, like in Germany, cats have to be kept indoors during the fledgling season. I tried a harness with a couple of cats but it was a disaster; they became very distressed.

I think cats are just like humans, they love fresh air, especially in the summer, it's not so much the going out but having the sun on their backs and different smells.

Have you thought of cat netting on your windows, or one of the windows? There have been previous threads about it but I can only remember one of the recommendations:

http://www.flat-cats.co.uk/

If that is of interest, then I am sure other posters will be able to help with more recommendations.

If you have a balcony, that could be made cat proof quite easily (if that is allowed where you live).

pawsies

hp3 wrote: »

Topics about whether or not cats should be indoors or outdoors always causes a dibate! Cats will always have a curiosity for the outside world as it's their natural habitat. Keeping them indoors is safest I agree but if the cat really wants to go out its cruel to keep them indoors. I don't think there is anything wrong with owning a cat and living in a flat, you have given a loving home to a cat and are trying to do the right thing by thinking of ways you can let them be outside but still safe. I must say I think harnesses are a geat idea for people such as yourself or if people have cats who have an injury or unable to look after themselves outside. Dogs go on leads for walks and they can be as much of a 'pest' as cats when owners don't pick up their mess etc. All your cat probably wants to do is experience some of the outside smells and sounds. The hunting instict can be done through play inside. As for your walk with your cat, why not try carrying them first then once you have seen there are no dogs about let him down and feel the grass. Lots of dogs are the size of cats nowadays so I'm sure people would hardly notice you had a cat! My girl cat had an accident last week and has to be kept in for a couple of weeks, she is so misserable being inside. Vets said she should be OK to be back outside but if she wasn't I would not hesitate in buying her a harness and taking her out myself. Sod what others think. They are your pets and you do what's best for them and you.

Sorry I should clarify I think cats in harnesses are great and fulfills that need to be outside for some cats. People that know their cat will 'never' tolerate a harness should look at some training videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe5vch72pS0

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/teaching-your-cat-walk-leash

http://theurbaneanimal.com/2012/01/clicker-training-with-cats/

donnac2558

These days you let your cat out and about as so many are saying on here.

You want really cruelty this is what can very possibly happen to your pet cat. The days of letting cats out and about are gone. They will be trapped, shaken down from trees and thrown to dogs to rip apart, whilst being filmed for fun.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/wicked-belfast-men-behind-vile-animal-cruelty-walk-free-from-court-30090421.html

A case happen in England not long ago.

Gloomendoom

I worked in Germany for a while a few years back and I used to see people taking their cats for walk on a lead quite often.

Personally, I've not had much success with leads and harnesses. My last cat was as laid back as they come (he used to go camping holidays with us) but if I tried to put him in a harness he used to go all floppy and all I could do was drag him around on his tummy.