1.Select Appropriate Cat Gear

If you plan to walk your cat on a leash then your first step (after getting a cat) is to acquire a leash and harness. One of the most common questions I get is “what is the best harness and leash to use?”

Unfortunately, answering that question isn’t so simple. Sure, I could recommend you the leash and harness that we use, but that doesn’t mean it’ll work the same for your cat or fit your preferences. Some cats may prefer one type of harness over another or require a harness that is harder to escape. 

If you’re wondering more about cat gear, I’ve written another post that lists useful gear for adventures and explains the different types of harnesses and leashes.

Great, so you’ve found a harness and leash (or maybe a few) that you want to try out. Your next step will be to get your cat acquainted with the gear. 

While your first instinct might be to strap the harness on your cat, I would recommend taking it even slower. Think of it like getting a bowl of soup at a restaurant. Unless you’ve got a tongue of steel, you’re not going immediately start slurping away. Maybe you’ll snap a picture for Instagram, take a moment to enjoy the comforting smell of soup. Knowing that it might be hot, you might scoop a little onto your spoon and then patiently wait for it to cool. Only after all of that will you give it a taste.

Honestly this analogy sucks, but the main takeaway is that you don’t want to rush into things or you might end up suffering for it!

Give your cat some time to inspect their gear and get used to any foreign smells. As they’re examining it, try giving them treats so they have some positive association with the harness and leash. I find that this can really help with the next step if your cat is easily spooked.

If you plan to use a cat backpack, this would be a good time to train your cat to associate it as a safe space as well.

2. Familiarize your cat with the harness and leash

3. Practice Wearing the Harness Indoors

Here’s where things can get a little tricky, especially if this is your first time putting a harness on. When first attempting to get the harness on, try to remain calm as cats can detect when you are stressed or anxious which only heightens their stress.

Keep in mind, there’s no shame in fastening the harness to a stuffed animal as practice before attempting it on your cat; you’ll likely get a little giggle from the end results, too. 

So, how should you actually get the harness on your cat? 

Try to put the harness on when your cat is already in a good mood and in a familiar setting. I find equipping your cat while they are eating works well as some cats will prioritize their meal over trying to fight you. You could also put the harness on and then serve them their food.

Successfully fastening the harness (you don’t want it too loose or too tight) is only part of the battle. Part two of this step requires you to overcome the flop.

It is extremely common for cats to flop over the first few times a harness is secured to them--do not assume that your cat has rejected cat walking altogether and your dreams of having an adventure cat are over. Some cats may also try to lick at the harness or roll around in confusion. These reactions are also normal, but many owners will give up at this point when all they need is a little more patience!

Give your cat some time to realize that the harness is harmless, and then you can take it off. Some people like to equip the harness in a specific spot, such as on a mat by the door on while their cat sits on a stool, and this can help your cat learn to expect the harness.

To accustom your cat to the harness and create further positive associations, feed them treats or encourage them to play with their favourite toys while they are suited up. Keep the harness on for short periods of time and then slowly extend the time as your cat gains confidence. 

Ideally, you should avoid attaching the leash or taking your cat outside at this point. Remember, we’re taking this slowly, step by step!

4. Practice using the leash indoors

So you’ve made it past the first major challenge and now it’s time to introduce the leash. Many people ask why I recommend separating this step from the previous one, and there are a few reasons: 

• Trying too much at once can be detrimental if your cat becomes stressed 

• The foreign sound of a metal leash clinking against the harness can spook some cats

• If your cat is a roller, you’re going to have a tangled mess real quick

• Some cats may seem fine with the harness only to panic with the addition of a leash

• There is a separate learning curve required to keep up with a cat

That being said, I do know of cat-owners who have combined the steps and had success. You can better assess what is best for your cat based on how they react to having the harness on them.

Okay enough about the why, let’s discuss the how. To begin, suit up your cat with their harness and then simply attach the leash to the metal ring on the harness. Allow your cat to get comfortable with their new limitations and let them explore indoors while you practice dodging obstacles (you’ll soon be internally cursing at your chairs and tables). Keep the leash fairly slack to begin so that your cat doesn’t feel overly restrained.

Some cats may try to play with the leash or will strain against it; some cats may appear to regress and flop over. Be patient, provide treats to reinforce good behaviour, and let the cat roam at their own pace. As you continue to practice, consider the limitations and benefits of the leash type you have chosen.

Here’s where I reveal the next secret about walking a cat: the cat walks you. You really shouldn’t expect your cat to follow you around at this point, and even the most experienced adventure cat will have you walking at its pace!

You should never forcefully drag your cat around, but you can get them to learn that a strong tug in one direction means that they need to reconsider their current route. You can practice this after the first few casual “walks” around the house. Speaking to your cat and using different tones of voice can also help them to understand what you want them to do or avoid.

5. Create positive first experiences for your cat

Congrats! You now have a cat on leash and your next step is to transition from indoor walks to outdoor adventures. Before you get excited and try taking your cat to the closest national park, think a little smaller.

The first few outdoor experiences are the most critical, and you need to ensure that you focus on the needs of your cat over your own interests. If your cat has a negative first experience, it can be much more difficult to get them to cooperate the next time.

To minimize any unwanted surprises, select a quiet and familiar space to begin training. An enclosed area like a fenced backyard or small neighbourhood park that’s away from a busy road would be ideal. Avoid open areas to begin and instead opt for places that provide natural hiding spots for your cat (bushes, large rocks, trees). You may want to take a look at my post on car training if you need to drive to a suitable location. 

Once outside, allow your cat to take in their surroundings and amble around. Monitor their behaviour closely and be very mindful of potential problems like dogs, children, traffic, and airplanes that can easily startle a cat and send them into a frenzy.

Be proactive in these situations. If you see someone walking their dog, let them know that you are training your cat and ask that they try to keep a distance. If you see a group of energetic children approaching, consider taking your cat elsewhere or cutting the training short for the day.

These first few outings are not the time to teach your cat to practice handling hazards.

One of your goals for the first few outings should be to make the walk as uneventful as possible! Consider it a success if all you do is watch your cat walk 10 metres and sniff a few bushes. Remember to speak encouragingly and provide treats if needed. Oh, and make sure to snap a quick picture to add to the memory album!

Your first few practice “adventures” should also be quite short, especially for more skittish cats. Our first attempts were only about 10 to 15 minutes long, and we only attempted a new location after about a week when Reinhardt was able to confidently navigate the same park for 30 minutes. With a bolder cat like Perseus, the required practice time was significantly shorter, but later I had to put more effort into getting him to stop resisting as he is a very free spirit.

6. Become an expert about your cat

Alright, so you’re at the stage where your cat is pretty comfortable outside and maybe you’ve even tried out a few new locations. You might be asking yourself “What more can I do?”

Depending on your cat, you could begin to take your adventures a step further, whether that be embarking on a road trip, tackling more strenuous hikes, learning how to paddleboard, or even traveling internationally. 

Regardless of your level of chosen adventure, you need to ensure that you become an expert about your cat. Here are some questions that you should be considering to prepare for surprising situations

• What is my cat’s purrsonality and how does this impact our adventures?

• How does my cat react to loud, sudden noises? To dogs? Cars? Strangers? 

• Is your cat likely to be aggressive towards others? 

• How much restraint does your cat have when it comes to seeing small wildlife like birds, squirrels, or marmots?

• If my cat is scared, how do they behave? Are they the type to bolt? Seek shelter? Freeze up?

• How can you support your cat if they feel unsafe or frightened?

Most cats survive on instinct and will naturally want to act independently when they perceive a threat. You need to work on building trust with your cat so that they know you are a reliable point of safety in the face of danger. Hopefully these six steps will help you leash train your kitty. If you have more questions about cat walking, some of these links may help you to find your answers:

Equipping Your Cat for Adventure

4 Tips for Road Trips with Cats

What are the Benefits of Walking a Cat?

7 Hazards to Avoid When Walking a Cat

And to end, here’s a complimentary message from Reinhardt: RFDrdgvcotpl;z23