The first week of October is Walk Your Dog Week. What about walking your cat? It’s become more and more common for people to let their kitties get outdoors, stretch their legs a bit, and perhaps even chase a butterfly or two. Is this safe? Is it a good idea? An Ellicott City, MD vet offers some advice on this below.
Gear
We recommend using a harness, instead of a collar. Fluffy can often squirm out of collars. They’re also more dangerous if she were to get tangled up in something. Choose a piece that fits well and seems comfy. You should be able to fit two fingers beneath it.
Training
Don’t expect to just snap that harness on and head out the door. Give Fluffy time to get used to it first. Start by letting her wear it inside the house. Offer lots of treats, catnip, and praise, so she forms a positive association with it. Your kitty may be uncomfortable at first, but she should get used to her new outfit before long. When she seems to have accepted the harness, attach a leash and try walking her around indoors. Let her drag the leash around behind her. Supervise your feline buddy closely, so she doesn’t get tangled up.
Precautions
Before taking Fluffy out, make sure she is current on her vaccinations and parasite control. Your kitty should also be microchipped, and wearing a collar with current ID tags.
Heading Out
At this point, if all lights are green, let your tiny lioness get a taste of the outdoors. Many cats really love the stimulation, exercise, and change of scenery walks provide! Just put safety first. Stay away from trees, traffic, and areas with dogs or other potential hazards. At this stage, it’s also important to pay attention to Fluffy’s reaction. If she seems scared, she may just be better off staying indoors.
Walks
At this point, you’ll have a good idea as to whether your kitty likes being walked. A word to the wise: some furballs like walks so much that they basically start demanding them. Don’t be surprised if Fluffy starts meowing loudly for her strolls. If there’s one thing we know about cats, it’s that they are very, very good at getting us to spoil them!
Is your kitty due for an appointment? Contact us, your Ellicott City, MD vet clinic, today!
