Take your house cat out for a walkWalking a cat is one way to take a house cat outside.Bring the Outside In, like a dog we can take a house cat outside by giving him a walk. Now you cannot just put a collar and a lead on your cat and take him for a walk down the park. Partly because he would not follow you and also because this can be dangerous on your cats neck. However we can take a cat for a walk in our back yard safely and under full supervision. Buy your cat a recommended established cat harness and safely fit it on your cat as per the instructions that come with the packaging. Also buy your cat a lead if it doesn’t come with hit. Once fitted fix the two items together and make sure your cat is comfortable yet also restrained and not able to get away. Firstly try walking him around the house allowing him to get used to the strange new thing on his coat. Your cat most likely would not like the harness but he will soon forget about it once he is outside. Then safely pick up your cat with the harness fully fitted and take him into the garden. Put him down on the floor and let him experience the outside world while safely holding onto him. You can allow him to smell the grass, watch the birds and play with the butterflies in the trees. The first time will most likely be quite daunting but after a few times your cat will become more confident. This can become a regular treat in your cat week or even day and will add excitement and change into your cat life which will stop boredom. |
Train your cat to walk on a leashIf you want your kitty to join you on outdoor adventures, you first need to find him a harness that fits comfortably and teach him to walk on a leash. Leash walking would not only come in handy when you are on the trail, but also when you are traveling or taking your cat to the vet. It is also a great way for your kitty to get exercise, and it can alleviate boredom-related behavior problems. Plus, it can be alot of fun for both of you. Most cats can be trained to walk on a leash, but certain feline personalities are more accepting of new experiences like donning a harness and walking outdoors. The best time to introduce your cat to a harness is as a kitten because he would be naturally more accepting of it; however, older cats can also learn to walk on a leash if you go about it the right way. |
Attach the leashIt may take several days or even weeks to get your cat comfortable in the harness, but once your kitty is used to putting it on and walking normally, it is time to attach the leash. Take your cat into a room where he is not likely to snag his leash on furniture or anything else, and then attach the leash. You may want to let the leash drag behind him as you feed him treats and engage him with toys, but a dragging leash can be alarming for some kitties. If this is the case, it is best to hold the leash and let your cat wander freely. When your cat is comfortable with the feel of the leash, practice following him around your home, keeping the leash loose in your hand. Continue to provide plenty of treats and praise throughout this process. Once you both have some practice with this, it is time to try gently guiding your kitty. Apply a little pressure on the leash and call your cat to you. When he does, reward him with a treat. If you have done some clicker training, you can also use a clicker to reinforce that he is performed a desired behavior. You want to make sure he does not freak out when he feels pressure on the leash holding him back and that he does not wriggle his way out, leaving you holding a leash and empty harness as he dashes off. |
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