Pros and cons of taking your leash-trained cat to public places for walks

I’d like to provide my input first and secondly I have added the experiences of others with their thoughts and advice.

Whether leash training and taking your cat for a walk in a public place is good or bad depends on a variety of factors, the most important of which is the character of the cat concerned. Also their current lifestyle plays a role.

Woman takes her cat for a walk in the evening in suburbia

For a confident, full-time indoor cat, taking them out on a leash attached to a robust harness would probably be hugely beneficial for the cat. A chance to smell the outside, smell nature, feast their eyes on the natural world in contrast to the human environment would be great for many cats. But not all.

Some people might say that leash training a cat and taking them for walks is cruel. in general, I disagree but it does depend, as mentioned, on the cat. A timid cat used to the indoor life would probably find the whole experience of walking on a lead very stressful. No fun at all.

Whether it’s a success must also depend on where the leash walks happen. A quiet country walk or a walk in a place like Richmond Park where I live which is huge and where you rarely meet people would also be good or perhaps great. But obviously a busy, smelly and noisy walk down a sidewalk in an urban environment with lots of people and vehicles would frighten most cats.

Home range

Then there is the ever-important cat ‘home range’ (their territory) to factor into the equation. A domestic cat might feel comfortable walking on a leash but only so far as it is within their home range which might be a radius of about 500 yards (or metres) around their home.

There is an invisible barrier beyond which they’d be reluctant to explore but once again the response depends on the cat’s character. The more confident the better.

Leash training is really for confident cats to explore the outside safely and under supervision.
Michael

Timid cats

That said you could argue that the timid cat would benefit from patient leash training followed by equally patient and respectful outside walks as the experience would help to give them confidence and open up their world; to enrich it. Cat caregivers have a duty first to keep their cats safe and then to make their lives as enjoyable as possible.

Dealing with dangers

I think the cat owner needs some sort of method to deal with foreseeable dangerous situations before which the cat can be placed in a bag or backpack to protect them until the danger passes.

Jade, who takes Figaro for walks on a lead uses a gym-style bag for Figaro to jump into. But he loves the whole experience she says.

I have written about Jade and Figaro so I won’t repeat the story here. You might like to read about them by clicking on this link. She has MS and it has changed her life as well as her cat’s.

Below are some more pros and cons from a search of the internet.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of leash training your cat and taking them to public places for walks:

Pros of Leash Training Your Cat:

Exploration and Enrichment:
- Outdoor Experience: Leash training allows indoor cats to explore the great outdoors safely.
- New Sights and Smells: Cats can enjoy new sights, sounds, and smells, enriching their sensory experiences.
Bonding Opportunity:
- Walking your cat provides quality time together, strengthening your bond.
- It’s a chance for shared adventures and mutual exploration.
Controlled Access:
- A leash ensures controlled, restricted access to outdoor spaces.
- You can monitor your cat’s movements and keep them safe from potential hazards.

Cons of Leash Training Your Cat:

Stress and Discomfort:
- Lost Independence: Cats are independent creatures; a leash limits their freedom and may cause stress.
- Fear and Anxiety: New outdoor experiences (smells, sounds, people, animals) can frighten cats.
Territorial Behavior:
- Cats view their home as their safe territory. Leash walks take them into unfamiliar areas.
- Unlike dogs, cats don’t necessarily see their owners as their safety zone.
Flight Risk:
- If a cat escapes the leash, they may bolt in fear, risking encounters with cars or other dangers.
- Cats won’t necessarily return if the leash is dropped.
Predators and Dogs:
- Dogs with a high chase drive may pursue a leashed cat.
- Cats are vulnerable to threats they’d naturally avoid.
Privacy and Toileting:
- Cats prefer privacy for toileting. A leash restricts their ability to find suitable spots.

Conclusion:

While leash training isn’t inherently cruel, it’s essential to consider your cat’s temperament, stress tolerance, and safety. If your cat enjoys it and you choose to walk them, opt for quiet areas away from busy roads and unleashed dogs. Remember, every cat is unique, so observe their comfort level and adjust accordingly! 🐾🌿

For indoor cats, there are alternative ways to keep them entertained. If you haven’t let your cat explore the outdoors yet, consider doing so safely with gradual introductions.

Sources: Catster, Blue Cross, Your Cat, The Cat Site and more.

Trending aspect of cat caregiving

It would seem that leash training a domestic cat and taking them for a walk in public places is a trending method of caregiving which I am pleased about by the way. It may be trending because there are more full-time indoor cats than they were in the past. Cat caregivers, under these circumstances, want to offset the downside of keeping their cat inside full-time in the human, non-natural environment, by taking them safely to the outside where they can enjoy the smells and sounds of nature.

RSPCA advice

There was a time when the RSPCA were against walking cats on leads because they believed that it might cause them distress. However, they have updated their guidance in advising cat owners to introduce a harness in a “slow, gradual and positive manner”. Common sense I would say. And if a domestic cat is uneasy and frightened of the whole process them obviously the caregiver should stop or go more slowly and respectfully. It does, indeed, depend upon the cat’s personality and of course it might take longer for a full-time indoor cat, unaccustomed to the sensory impact of the outside environment.

An example, Anita Kelsey

Anita Kelsey, a London-based cat behaviourist, confirms what I’m saying namely that if leash training suits a particular cat, it must be a great thing to do. And it’s not only about the cat. It’s about the cat caregiver because they can enjoy the company of their cat in the outside environment.

There will certainly be some spin-offs because other pedestrians will want to engage in conversation with the cat owner. I would say that would almost be a certainty.

Anita Kelsey regularly takes her two cats on walking holidays around the UK. Her cats took to leash training and walking like ducks take to water and they love every minute. They go to the Lake District but she admits that this isn’t the norm.

She said that:

“Most cats like to remain in a familiar environment close to their home. The problem is that people see these exceptional cats online and try to emulate what is happening causing their own cat distress. If the cat is timid, scared or shows it does not enjoy going outside or hates the harness it can cause stress and fear. This could lead to all sorts of unwanted behaviours such as urinating outside of the tray, depression, anxiety and over grooming.”

I think she is slightly exaggerating because the anxiety and stress will be related to walking on a lead and not to something which is happening inside the home. Once they get back inside the home they should be calm and very pleased to be there and therefore I don’t think they will express their anxiety through inappropriate elimination within the home but it might happen.

Also this is about making timid cats more confident.

Purebred cats

Cat leash training and walking is particularly suitable for expensive purebred cats who are liable to be full-time indoor cats. They are more likely to attract attention however and I think this must be factored in because it means a stranger approaching the cat and the owner to a point where their presence might be unnerving to a cat.

Frightened cat on a leash

Another factor is this: when a cat in a harness becomes unnerved and frightened, they might try to wriggle out of the harness. This is possible because cats are very strong and very flexible. The owner should be aware of this potential and make sure they have bought a very effective and safe harness. I don’t think cheap ones are adequate.

Mark Tucker – another example

Mark Tucker is another cat caregiver who regularly takes his cat out on a lead. His cat’s name is Nemo. Nemo becomes visibly excited when he sees his leash. He runs over to be harnessed. He is a purebred Ragdoll. This cat breed is regularly kept inside full-time because of their value, their glamorous appearance and the fact that they are selectively bred almost for the full-time indoor life. That’s not to say they can’t benefit from some outside experiences.

Tucker and his partner decided to take their cat walking in woodland in Bristol and Nemo “took to it straight away”.

He added that:

“Nemo is pretty fearless and isn’t frightened of dogs or anything when we are out. He climbs trees and just wonders about, which is nice to see as I think it’s a bit sad to keep cats indoors all the time. He sleeps well after a long walk and gets a bit too energetic in the flat when we haven’t been out for a while.”

That’s a very good point. It’s a chance for an indoor cat to exercise themselves. Exercise is good for health both human and feline. And it will help to manage weight. There are too many overweight indoor cats in the Western world. This is a known fact.

Tucker makes another good point which is that cats don’t just walk alongside you normally because they are solitary animals as opposed to pack animals like dogs. Although that said, my cat likes to walk beside me along the sidewalk which makes him ideal for leash training.

But Tucker added that “Cats don’t walk alongside you, you have to make the lead quite long and just follow them.”

Final warning from the RSPCA!

The RSPCA also added that, “Cats have very different personalities and preferences and some cats might be frightened by the experience of being on a lead. A sense of control is very important to cats but being walked on a collar or harness prevents them from having their control. It may be more difficult for them to be able to move away or hide from situations which might scare or be highly stressful for them. Like being approached by a dog which is off the lead. We understand that social media has helped fuel the trend of walking cats on a lead or harness but it’s important to consider whether this is the right thing for your own cat.”

Good points but don’t let them put you off if you are thinking about leash training your cat. You just have to do it with a great deal of respect for the cat.