Your Cat on A Leash? You May be Surprised…
The majority of people who have ever owned a cat would probably get a hearty chuckle out of the idea of putting a leash on a cat and taking it for a walk. Cats are so incredibly independent that it’s hard to imagine the thought of tying a cat to anything and trying to instruct it where to go.
Despite the independent nature of the cat, many cat guardians have successfully taught their kitties to walk outdoors. While it is a natural thing to take a dog for a walk, it really can become a natural thing for a cat as well.
Getting your cat to accept the leash or harness may take some doing on your part. Going in baby steps will reward you. Rub the harness with catnip. Let kitty sleep with the harness before you put it on. Patience will pay off.
When you first take your cat out she may get scared. Especially if your cat has never been outside before. Start with some quiet places where there are interesting things to sniff. Make the first few times short, quiet and bring lots of treats.
All the new sights, sounds, and smells are bound to be quite overwhelming to your cat, and this is where your immense patience has to come in.
Don’t buy a leash that is designed for a small dog, but instead look into purchasing a leash or lead that is specifically designed with a cat in mind. These leads wrap around your cat, giving you control of the cat and keeping the cat from choking itself in a frantic attempt to get away.
Once kitty has gotten used to, or somewhat used to, wearing the harness at home, you can try to ad the leash. At this point many cats will have malfunction of their legs… or won’t be able to walk straight. Not to worry, for most kitties the excitement and stimulation of being outside make them forget that they are on a leash.
You need to be persistent when trying to get your cat to accept the leash or lead. It should become obvious to you after a few tries whether your cat is going to ever develop an acceptance of the lead. If your cat is just as agitated and upset about the fourth or fifth venture outdoors with the lead as it was the first try, then it may just not be in the cards for your cat to ever accept this situation.
If you have been patiently trying, taking small steps, taking your cat to a quiet place with interesting things to sniff and she you see no improvement in her comfort level, then, maybe walking on a leash is not for your cat.
You may be surprised that before long your cat will absolutely adore her outside adventures ans will get all excited any time you go anywhere near her leash… just like a ,,, er,,,dog 
To read more health oriented authored by Virginia Sutherland, such as Heath Care For Cats and Transient Feline Diabetes just click on the links.
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