Can I walk my cat?

Author: John Stephens
Date Of Creation: 23 January 2021
Update Date: 15 November 2024
Anonim
Should You Walk Your Cat?
Video: Should You Walk Your Cat?

Content

I'm sure you've ever wondered if you can walk your cat. And the answer is yes, but cats are very special animals and not everyone is willing to do that. Unlike dogs, walking every day is not a necessity for cats, so it is up to you to decide whether you want to take your cat for a walk or not.

To know what to do, in this PeritoAnimal article we will explain the disadvantages and advantages of walking your feline companion, as well as the main things you should take into account when walking your cat correctly. As with all living things, if you decide you want to walk your cat, we recommend that you get it used to it from an early age and teach it to use your harness and collar, so that these objects and daily walks become part of your daily routine.


Disadvantages of walking your cat

Despite the decision to walk your cat or not be yours, to be able to decide you must know the risks and inconveniences that influence when walking your cat on the street:

cats are not like dogs

As much as we want to take our cat for a walk as if it were a dog, the truth is that we cannot do it. First, because they will never have enough security and confidence to walk by our side or even be able to release them without running away. And second because the cats don't have the same needs than dogs, as the latter wait every day anxiously for the moment to go out for a walk to socialize with other dogs and do their physiological needs, on the other hand, cats do not need to go out for that, as they have their box. sand at home and because they don't need to socialize with other animals every day like dogs do. While this doesn't mean that cats don't need to be socialized, so if you want to learn how to socialize a cat check out this article.


can be stressful

Being so solitary and territorial, walking domestic cats down the street can be stressful for them, as it's not just that. meet other unknown cats, do not have their reassuring scent marks and may be easily frightened and want to run away. As with all living beings, when they take us out of our comfort zone we get stressed or nervous, and with cats the same thing happens, because they don't see other cats as play and social companions (as with dogs), but as invaders and we may encounter hierarchical tensions between them.

You must always watch

Of course, if we take our cat for a walk, it is possible that it eats something from the ground that it shouldn't, that some parasite lodges in the skin, that it hurts itself with a tree branch when climbing it or that it steps on something in the ground and hurt. But these are things that pass and we must accept right away if we decide to take him for a walk, because this can also happen even if he is at home, although perhaps less often. The best way to prevent possible diseases or parasites is to have all the vaccinations up to date and keep the cat well dewormed.


It depends on the cat's personality

Each cat has its own personality, which is why we must take it into account when deciding whether or not to take it for a walk. For example, if your cat is very scared and reserved, he is afraid of visitors who come to the house and hides whenever he hears a strange noise, it is better not to take him for a walk because naturally he is not a feline that is predisposed to that. On the other hand, if your cat is very curious and explorer, it will certainly be a very enriching experience for him.

Advantages of walking your cat

Now that you know the inconveniences, you also need to know the advantages of walking your cat so that you can decide correctly:

positive experience

Walking your cat can be a really positive and very enriching experience for your pet and for you, since in addition to strengthening your relationship through the connection with the collar and your hand, the feline will receive various stimuli new ones you are not used to like the smell of flowers or the feel of grass on your paws, and this becomes fun for the curious nature of cats.

Recommended for some cats

Some experts recommend that it is good to take cats walking with tendency to run away from home, so that they can get to know what is beyond the windows of the house, through which they are always looking at the outside and get used to this experience. If your cat tends to run away, then don't hesitate to take him for a walk in some quiet park where he can indulge his exploring tendencies.

A way to exercise

Another of the advantages of walking your cat is that, at the same time it is providing new stimuli, it also helps to exercise differently and much more active than you can do indoors. Thus, especially if your cat is overweight or obese, taking him for a walk will help his health improve and lose weight more easily by exercising outdoors.

the most predisposed

As mentioned before, not all cats are naturally predisposed to wanting to walk outside, so you should take into account their personality and the level of activity they are used to. So, the most active cats, those who show more interest in the outside world (going out onto the balcony or looking at the windows) and those that already go out onto the garden or terrace of your house, are the felines that have the best predisposition and the best candidates when going out to explore new territories for them.

how to walk my cat

Now you have all the information you need to make a decision and answer the question of whether you can walk your cat or not. If your answer is yes, it is important that you follow some tips so that the walk with your cat is as safe as possible.

  • Before walking your cat must vaccinate him correctly and be de-wormed and protected with the use of pipettes or anti-parasite collars so as not to catch any pathology of this type on the street.
  • To walk your cat, you should get him used to wearing a harness and a leash comfortably, which you cannot remove at any time during the walk or serve to direct the cat wherever you want to go. You must let him go wherever he wants, simply following his movements without forcing him to do anything. Remember that you cannot use any type of harness, it must be one specifically for cats.
  • Choose one quiet place without many other animals it is essential to be able to walk your cat and, for it to be comfortable and safe, that is why places with many people, animals and strong noise are totally inadvisable.
  • Start by taking your cat for a few minutes and increase the duration of the tours as you see that your feline feels no inconvenience.
  • He must watch continuously your feline to avoid hurting yourself or eating something you shouldn't, and so don't suffer from any intestinal disorder or accidental wound.