My Cat Calls Me to Go out with Him at Night

My cat calls me to go out with him at night. He’s just done it. It was about 9:30 pm. I think I am imprinted on his brain as his mother/father. Today I took him for a walk. I walked around the block and then called him and he followed me just like a dog.

Gabriel won the competition between himself and my computer.
Gabriel won the competition between himself and my computer.

He invariably follows me like that. He enjoys it I’m sure. That is why this evening he called me to come outside to do it again. But it was too late. I wanted to go to bed and dictate this short note.

I think I will try and develop this relationship so that I can go out more with him and go further afield as long as I think it is safe.

I remember some videos on the Internet of a man going trekking with his cat. In fact there is more than one person who does this.

I don’t propose to go trekking with my cat Gabriel. However, I might well take him out somewhere safe and then go for a walk with him. I feel that he will follow me closely. I feel it will be safe to do this. Initially I will have him on a long lead just to make sure that all goes well. But he does stick to me like glue. Provided the area is safe and there is such an area near where I live I believe all will be well.

The area is Richmond Park. This is one of the Royal Parks and there’s lots of space with little distraction.

I would like to see whether I can take him with me a bit more to both enhance my life in his but safety is paramount of course.

Have you ever considered taking your cat out for a walk like a dog? Do you think it’s impossible to do this? I think it’s possible but unusual.

11 thoughts on “My Cat Calls Me to Go out with Him at Night”

  1. The author of the best comment will receive an Amazon gift of their choice at Christmas! Please comment as they can add to the article and pass on your valuable experience.
  2. My beautiful Norwegian forest cat Grizzli used to come with me every time I went for a walk. I didn’t have to call him, he would just come, and behave rather like a dog… And I remember many family after diner walks with all of our cats (4 or 5 at any given time) following (and/or preceding) us… And there is nearly always at least 1 of my cats waiting for me on the parking place when I come back from work (I live in a small mountain village in Crete, the cats are safe from cars).
    If a cat is born indoors, has never been outside and doesn’t know anything else, then I’m sure he/she will be happy staying inside at all times. But the idea of a cat on leash… Sorry but cats are hunters, it’s in their blood, genes, DNA, so for me it’s either 100% indoors or 100% free when outside.
    I suppose many will call me insensitive, but I would say this to you, Michael: trust your cat, relax, and you will both enjoy wonderful walks together!
    (I use to live in Richmond by the way…)

  3. I agree. Gabriel is not that bad on a leash. When I first took him outside it was on a leash. Now he sticks to me so well, it surprises me. He likes to run into the undergrowth and ambush me as I walk. He then walks after me. He clearly loves it. I like to walk with him because it truly does enrich his life I feel.

  4. I have very few cats that I would consider docile enough to walk with me on a leash. Even with that, I can’t be certain. My indoor cats were feral or semi-feral when I got them, and some remained or transitioned to the semi-feral status that they are today. In any case, no matter how domesticated a feral can appear to be, I’ve found that they still retain a certain amount of that “wild streak” that will show itself when faced with something intolerable to them. A leash or restraint of any type would be considered intolerable.
    My indoor/outdoor cats wouldn’t tolerate a leash either. Most follow me on my short ventures outside in my yard. I look like the Pied Piper.
    Like a lot of people, it’s all important to me that each cat in my world (ferals included) learns their name and responds to me in some fashion when I say it, even if it’s just a glance.

  5. In order to walk my cats on a leash safely here I would need to carry a gun to dispatch the free roaming and untrained dogs. While I can claim with absolute legality it is my right to walk my cat and protect it I am not only endangering my pet I am risking a turf war with neighbors who are sub par when it comes to controlling their dogs.
    I had the neighbors dogs rip a semi feral I was taming in half when it was laying less than six feet from me on my own porch. They came around the corner of the house in attack mode. The visual will never leave me. The sound was even worse. And not a thing I could do. It was over in a flash. AC of course was worthless.

  6. I would not assume that a public area/park is completely safe, even with a cat that comes when called. I see this as having a degree of risk that I’m not willing to take. I’ve always used a Velcro fabric halter and “red” leash for easy visibility. I do allow her to walk freely in the green belt area behind my mobile home, but I’m always very close. If I see her notice a cat or bird that she’s preparing to run after, I say “Stop!” and step on her leash to halt the behavior. Then I pick her up and re-direct her to another area, while saying “Over here!).

    Many people walk their dogs on leashes (by law) but those dogs can pull away and go after a cat. My neighbor’s cat was attacked and killed by two dogs right in front of her. A visual nightmare she can never forget.

    If you’re willing to forgo the risks, and take the chance of unknown dangers, that’s a personal decision. You might consider putting on a collar with a “key finder” attached, which will help you find your cat in case he suddenly disappears and doesn’t return to you when called.

    Although cats have “9 Lives”, I think they’re actually more vulnerable than dogs in many ways, because of their various sensitivities and inclinations to explore. Cat haters will always be a danger, and they live everywhere on the planet.

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