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#1
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Training cat on leash
I have a cat around a year old. I want to train it on a leash so i can take it for walks. But when i put the leash on he rolls and jumps, etc crazyly. Will he stop doing this and eventually settle with it, or is it a lost cause since he isnt a kitten ?
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#2
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Is it when you put the leash on or when you put the collar on? If he is not used to having the collar on it is perfectly natural. Personally, I find harnesses to be a better idea than just a collar. Collars are too easy to slip out of when a cat is panicked.
Try starting in short intervals. Put the harness on him and let him spaz. He will settle eventually. Leave it on for another five minutes till he gets used to the feel. The next day do the same. The next day add the leash but don't do anything with it. Let him walk around with it. The day after you can hold the leash but don't try leading him. Let him do the walking around. This is all done inside your house, not outside. When he is comfortable with walking around with the leash and harness indoors then try taking him out. Again, not for a long time. Just short periods to start with. It may take quite some time to convince him he does want to go for walks but eventually he may get it. Last edited by 14+kitties; August 11th, 2009 at 08:34 AM. Reason: grammar |
#3
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Nothing to add to 14+'s suggestions. A harness is much better than a collar to walk a cat.
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Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey |
#4
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He is used to the collar, it dont bother him at all, it is a regular non braking collar. I figured there was no way to train him on a break away. I have trained very young cats on leashes before, but never one this old, wasnt sure if it could be done.
I figured i could use a breakaway in the house, and the non breakaway on walks. |
#5
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I still think a harness will be better for your kitty, not a collar. Cats don't respond well to "control" like dogs do and being an older kitty he may not like the pressure around his neck.
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Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey |
#6
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Quote:
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#7
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Definately go with a harness, there are different types and for the most part, cats don't walk the same way a dog does. When I used to take my boys out, we pretty much went where they wanted to go. If I tried going where I wanted to go then my one cat would lay down and refuse to move, I could drag him if I really wanted to. If I picked him up, then he'd get all snarly with me. As long as we did what he wanted to do, everything was great. And two cats together..forget about it!! They totally want to go in opposite directions!!
The best harness I've seen that's pretty new is by Premier, I think it's called the Come With Me Kitty harness, comes with a bungee leash which is very cool. I have to get bigger ones for my boys. Also make sure it's snug enough around their tummies. It's amazing how quickly they can get their elbow under the strap and then you've got a cat half out of their harness!! Not fun!! This one is not meant to be used for a tie out harness, not that I'd ever do that. Tried it a few times and cats are better than dogs at getting hopelessly tangled up and then you have a po'd tangled up cat that you have to un-tangle!! I tied my first Manx out one time and thought I had him far enough from the fence, well the little bugger tried jumping the fence!! Like ok, that's it no more of that for you!! He had a harness on Thank Goodness!! It was like ok the backyard's just not big enough for you!!! |
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