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If you think it's not possible train a cat and that domestic cats can't learn tricks, know you're wrong. And in this article we're going to give you some tips to get your cat used to walking on the street with you.
What you should keep in mind is that to reach this milestone in your relationship with your feline companion, it is advisable to start with the training early, from a very young age because, without a doubt, this is the period when cats are most receptive to learning this type of behavior. You will also have to consider that this will take time, it will depend on the cat, and of course we all know how cautious they are when it comes to contact with their body, so adapting to wearing a harness can be a challenge for them. You will also find that a cat collar, if you are going to walk with it, is not a good idea.
Check out this article by PeritoAnimal four steps about how to teach a cat to walk with a guide. However, first of all, keep in mind the following premises that you should pay close attention to in this process: be patient, work with positive reinforcement, and use rewards. We hope it's useful!
Steps to follow: 1For starters, know that the cat collar not a good option if you want to teach him to walk the street with you. In fact, the collar with the lead can even be a dangerous combination for this purpose, as the collar can damage the feline's trachea, hampering its normal ability to swallow, if you are walking it and, for example, it gets scared and want to run away and you pull it hard.
Also, in situations like this, the cat can easily slip off the leash and simply disappear, causing a lot of worry on your part. Therefore, our recommendation is that you buy a harness, since the force that the cat uses to escape, if any, will be distributed between the shoulders, belly and chest, in this way, it will not cause any damage and it will be almost impossible to get out of its bonds.
How to Buy a Harness for a Cat
To take the correct measurement of the feline, you must measure the outline of its chest, write it down and take it into account when purchasing the harness. In the packaging of this accessory there is always the animal size indication for which it is indicated. You will also find it in numerous colors and designs, as well as made from different materials such as nylon or neoprene.
You will also have to make a wise decision with which guide you will be using. Avoid the ones that are normally used with puppies, the retractable ones, as they can hurt your kitten. What you can do is buy a more elastic leash that gives the feline freedom but at the same time withstands pulling.
2 If you want to know how to teach a cat to walk with a guide, we emphasize that, before you even think about taking it out, you will need make your cat feel comfortable (or at least able to tolerate) the harness and the leash.
For this you will need to get him used to the harness in a safe environment. That is, leave the kitten with him for several minutes a day, gradually increasing the time he uses it. A good methodology is to praise him as soon as you put the harness on him and give him a treat he likes as a reward.
Of course, if he can't tolerate wearing the harness that day, don't make the mistake of physically punishing him! You should never mistreat animals and know that punishments leave the kitten confused and this can damage your relationship. Cats will always respond better based on rewards than otherwise, such as punishment.
If you can make him forget he's wearing the harness when he's indoors, will be a success.
When you feel that he is comfortable with the harness, it will be time to introduce the guide. Then you'll repeat the same process performed with the harness: put on both accessories, let it drag along the floor and move freely wherever it wants, giving it snacks, praise and affection. Remember that positive reinforcement is critical.
To finish the process, you must take the lead and again let the cat move wherever he wants. It's very possible that if you try to direct him, he'll be reluctant, so let it move as it pleases.
3 The third step in teaching a cat to walk with a lead is to introduce some tensions to the lead indoors as you will certainly need to walk outdoors. So, when walking in a safe environment, moderately pull the guide to indicate a path only so he gets used to it. At other times, leave the lead a little closer between you and the cat so that there is some tension in it.
4 Our fourth step on how to teach a cat to walk with a guide can take a long time, so patience will be very important. Although the cat looks out the window and seems very interested in the outdoors, when it comes to getting out he can be a little more hesitant. Once dressed in your harness and guide, you can ask him out, but if he doesn't feel safe and doesn't want to, it's better abort the process and try another day. Don't force it because it will be counterproductive to all the good work you've done and it can even traumatize you.
When he finally walks through the door, take the moment to demonstrate that he's doing great. He will gain more confidence and, in the process, offer him snacks and compliments. The first outings should be short, lasting between 5 and 6 minutes so that he gets used to it and doesn't get saturated.
You should choose dry days, without rain, for these first days of outdoor training, as this way the cat will be able to orient itself and be invaded by all smells that are normally found in the environment. Cats have an excellent sense of smell and will use it more outdoors (provided there is no loud noise).
If all goes well, your cat will feel more comfortable walking on the lead outside, so you'll have longer walks and farther away from home, but always. let him go his own way, following the guide's movement with his hand, almost as a mere spectator of the event.
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Recommendations for walking a cat
Here are some tips and obligations that you have to fulfill so that the conditions are right to be able to walk a cat with a guide. If you do everything right, you can even teach him other tricks, like teaching your cat to sit and teaching the cat to paw.
- Before putting a paw outside the door, you should consult your veterinarian about the vaccines with which your cat should be up to date. It is your duty to ensure not only the safety of others, but that of your own pet.
- If the cat receives any stimulus that is beyond its control, it will try to escape the possible danger by all means, therefore, you must be prepared physically and mentally for such eventualities.
- The main objective when wanting to take a cat for a walk is to offer more and different stimuli in a healthy way for it. Don't think that the feline will behave like a dog and that later you'll be able to let go of its lead to take it for a walk beside you and even play with it, is highly unlikely for the cat to reach that point of trust and security.
Now that you know how to teach a cat to walk with a lead, and that the cat collar is not recommended in this regard, we emphasize once again that you should always opt for the positive reinforcement, and not with punishments. That's why we recommend that you watch the following video where we show you 5 mistakes you make when you scold your cat:
If you want to read more articles similar to How to teach a cat to walk with a guide, we recommend that you enter our Advanced Education section.