Is the answer, never? I know a lot of people don’t like cats on a leash like a dog. I can understand that. Some of my esteemed colleagues on PoC don’t like them. Perhaps all of you don’t like them. I have to gently disagree on this occasion (rare).
Please give this video time to load! Sorry. It does work but a bit slowly. The video above shows an example of when a cat leash attached to a harness is appropriate. This is a public place and a glamorous cat. One has to modify one’s aspirations of letting a cat roam free under these circumstances.
The cat leash on a harness (as opposed to a collar) allows a person to provide outside enjoyment to a cat where the cat could not normally be allowed out because she is too valuable or simply because there are too many dangers. It is just a question of practicalities.
You could argue that any cat should be trained from a very young age to accept a harness. Then you could attach a leash to the harness and get used to taking a cat outside in the garden or even on the pavement on a leash, if the area is quiet. I remember seeing a cat on a leash in Paris, France in the 1970s. The person must have been very adventurous. Many people looked at her and her cat. I also remember an American lady visitor to the flats where I live walking her Siamese cat around the garden on a leash. She had brought her cat with her from America because she was staying for a long time. She was very successful at it and her cat was comfortable with it.
Early acclimatisation to a harness and leash would allow a cat some safe outside experiences under close supervision. The problem with cats on leashes is that cats don’t really cooperate. Initially, it requires a lot of effort from the cat’s human caretaker. Not many people have the time or the will to engage in that sort of effort.
The key is starting young, making it much easier. Think of the benefits. The millions of full-time indoor cats could smell the outside safely. There would be no reason for not letting your cat outside unless you are paranoid about something I have not foreseen. Isn’t it time to think of alternatives to full-time indoor living under increased urbanization and hazards from road traffic?
It might remove some of the argument for declawing a cat. People who declaw say their cats are full-time indoor cats and don’t need claws. That is obviously incorrect because claws do much more than defend a cat. A cat on a leash outside could justifiably require claws to defend herself.
I am just thinking aloud. I don’t see the big obstacles to placing a cat on a leash but as I say, you have to train a cat to accept the whole experience while young when a cat is much more accepting of a harness and a leash.
Conclusion: the reason why cats on leashes are rare has little to do with the cat. It is because people don’t want to be bothered. I can sympathise but it is not a good reason. Or is it to do with preconceptions about treating cats as cats and not as dogs? Cats on leashes are a big compromise. They are far from the ideal. However, we have to compromise and the need to compromise becomes ever more pressing with increases urbanisation. Another important point is that cat haters would be prevented from complaining and hurting outside cats. In some states in Australia they have a curfew on cats going out at certain times. Wouldn’t a cat on a leash get around that curfew?
Associated:
- Cat leash laws USA
- Some posts on leashes. Finn Frode used to walk his cat on leash. Finn, where are you? How are you? I miss you.
This Savannah is super socialised and domesticated while retaining that impressive wild cat look. She is the famous Magic.
Good advice on how to handle a leash.
I think along your lines. I believe we have to start thinking about alternative ways to improve the lives of our cats. Some imagination is required.
I have always favoured cat runs (enclosures) for peace of mind and absolute security and safety for our cats.
Understandably some people don’t like them, but as you say, times are changing. We have to think of adaptations and compromises.
So a person has to have a cat on a leash if their cat is outside? I didn’t know that law was in place in Florida. Can you point me to the legislation? I would be interested.
I am pleased you are in agreement 😉 I was a bit fearful. I feel the idea of cat leash “training” or getting used to it, is underexplored.
The indoor/outdoor debate would be almost redundant if more people took their cats out on a leash.
The big problem is ensuring your cat walks with you. This is about training and people often don’t like the idea of training cats.
Yes Barbara I’d agree that cat is panting through his open mouth which says he is either anxious or possibly in danger of heat stroke.
It makes me sad that some cats are treated like dogs, it’s not natural to restrain a cat, they are free spirits. I can identify with that because I’m a free spirit too and would hate anyone restraining me. Just you try it …lol …..
Yes I accept cats have to be treated like dogs sometimes for their own safety but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.
The modern world has so many variables and sadly so many cats that need homes, then some flexibility in approach is definitely needed. The welfare of the animal should be paramount. However, the longer we as a species are on this planet, the more we learn about our world and the needs of the species within it, the more we need to learn about different ways of providing good stewardship and sometimes, accept that compromise is fine and animals can thrive because of it.
I’d not suggest anyone who cannot provide good welfare to an animal go just out and accquire any animal, but often (and in my case with all the animals I have ever had the pleasure to care for) they have turned up in need when no one else bothered to help them. Mostly as adults, but sometimes as trapped feral kittens.
The leash anathema is very strong for some. I do understand why that is. But the killing for convenience anathema is utterly abhorrent to me. This is the fate of many cats who do not get homes in the UK. Many, many cats will spend a long time in cages in shelters too. Again, lousy isn’t it?
Every one will have examples of exemplary work done locally to them, just as many will have examples of less than exemplary solutions nationally.
The need for good homes and care for millions of cats is, to my mind, is a priority. The need for education is massive.