NationStates Jolt Archive

Why not just let the cat outside without one?

Another day, another stolen OP.

Has anyone succeeded? I know it's possible, I've seen other cats walking calmly on leashes. We're trying to train our cat to do so, but with minimal success. She's figured out that wearing the leash means she gets to go outside, which she adores, but she's not so keen on the whole 'walking where the humans walk' thing. Ideas?

Just stick a fuckin body harness on her.

Why not just let the cat outside without one?

I seem to have done it again.

We're trying to get her to walk along with us. Preferably in time for Border War, because you need to make an effort to stand out in the SCA, and having a cat on a leash would do it. ;) Well, that and she need to start exercising, and so do I. But she's not an indoor/outdoor cat, she doesn't even have her front claws anymore (not something we did, she'd been declawed when we adopted her.).

We're trying to get her to walk along with us. Preferably in time for Border War, because you need to make an effort to stand out in the SCA, and having a cat on a leash would do it. ;) Well, that and she need to start exercising, and so do I. But she's not an indoor/outdoor cat, she doesn't even have her front claws anymore (not something we did, she'd been declawed when we adopted her.).

I was going to make fun of you until I read that...yeah, can't really let a cat roam the outdoors without its front claws, so what else are you going to do to let it get some sunshine...that's a pickle.

I'm still going to make fun of people who put their dogs in strollers to go on walks, though, cause thats silly. (I had to make fun of someone, I was all loaded up...)

Just stick a fuckin body harness on her.

Tried. Didn't work. It got... ugly. She likes to chew on things.

I was going to make fun of you until I read that...yeah, can't really let a cat roam the outdoors without its front claws, so what else are you going to do to let it get some sunshine...that's a pickle.

I'm still going to make fun of people who put their dogs in strollers to go on walks, though, cause thats silly. (I had to make fun of someone, I was all loaded up...)

We're really trying to be responsible pet owners - she's a bit overweight, and so am I, and I just think walking together would be an ideal solution. I just need to convince her of that.

Feel free to make fun of idiot dog owners - I'm right with you on that one.

Tried. Didn't work. It got... ugly. She likes to chew on things.

If the harness fits properly (remember, you should be able to get a finger under it so it's not cutting into the animal) it should be more difficult to get at. Putting the leash on the harness is better in that if she pulls or yanks, the force is spread across her chest, not strangling her at the throat.

Try simply switching to a harness inside until she gets used to it.... then attach a light lead and let her drag it around inside the house. It will take a LONG time before she's happy on a lead (easier to train kittens, I should think) but it's worth a shot.

As for letting a cat outside, even with their claws -- not a good idea. Big dogs can still kill them, other cats can hurt them (mine came home once with her head laid open to the point where you could see the flesh) and they are no match for cars, or petnappers who may keep them or sell them for experimentation to labs.

Actually, this site says that collared leash-training is NOT appropriate for cats at all.... have a look: http://www.peoriahs.org/catleash.html

Evil(my cat) would destroy me if I attempted such a thing. :p

A cat on a leash? Sounds cruel. And would be next to impossible to control it anyway.

Leash train a cat? Training a cat is extremely difficult in any event, for any kind of activity, even a natural one. It is very unnatural for a cat to heel to a human like a dog does. They don't walk that way, are not group joiners, and not crowd lovers. Leave your cat at home for the planned event, or it will probably end up trying to have you killed for revenge.

I had a cat who liked to walk on leashes, once, but I did not train her to it. She was just naturally confident and aggressive enough to march down the sidewalk like a miniature lion, and I just followed her. I was just dumb-lucky that she never decided to climb a tree or anything.

Of other cats I've had, some tolerated a harness and leash and others did not. None of my other cats ever went for walks the way that one did, though. The only purpose of the leash was to prevent the cat from running out of the back yard and into heavy street traffic.

So the answer is, if your cat does not automatically take to the leash and go for walks down the street on its own, then you will not be able to train it to do so.

Also, if you insist on traumatizing your poor cat for the sake of your own desire to show off, then use a small dog harness. Cats can easily twist out of regular collars and escape. Which might not be a bad thing if your cat is owned by people who would disrespect its dignity like that.

If the harness fits properly (remember, you should be able to get a finger under it so it's not cutting into the animal) it should be more difficult to get at. Putting the leash on the harness is better in that if she pulls or yanks, the force is spread across her chest, not strangling her at the throat.

Try simply switching to a harness inside until she gets used to it.... then attach a light lead and let her drag it around inside the house. It will take a LONG time before she's happy on a lead (easier to train kittens, I should think) but it's worth a shot.

As for letting a cat outside, even with their claws -- not a good idea. Big dogs can still kill them, other cats can hurt them (mine came home once with her head laid open to the point where you could see the flesh) and they are no match for cars, or petnappers who may keep them or sell them for experimentation to labs.

Actually, this site says that collared leash-training is NOT appropriate for cats at all.... have a look: http://www.peoriahs.org/catleash.html

Thanks for the link, very informative. And no, we don't let her outside unless we're with her. She loves being outdoors, that's one reason we decided to try to train her. She's very sweet and good-natured, and she likes people (and the attention people give her, the vain little hussy). I think that once she gets used to the idea of walking where the people walk, instead of where she wants to, she'll enjoy herself.

We're really trying to be responsible pet owners - she's a bit overweight, and so am I, and I just think walking together would be an ideal solution. I just need to convince her of that.

Feel free to make fun of idiot dog owners - I'm right with you on that one.
It would be extremely irresponsible, in my opinion, to try to force your cat to do something it doesn't want to do and which is not natural to its instincts. I also have an overweight cat. Control what you feed the cat to keep its weight under control, and give it things to kill and things to climb if you want to encourage it to exercise.

You know, the thread about hamster shredding just gave me an interesting idea:

http://www.riskmanagementinsight.com/media/images/weblog/hamster_ball.jpg

Cat ball anyone? :D

Edit: A crude prototype:
http://www.sentex.net/~mwandel/built/geodesic_cat.jpg

:D

Considering how difficult it is to train cats, I think your time would be better used to train your cat to use the toilet instead of a litter box. So much easier to keep the house clean that way, and much more impressive trick.

You know, the thread about hamster shredding just gave me an interesting idea:

http://www.riskmanagementinsight.com/media/images/weblog/hamster_ball.jpg

Cat ball anyone? :D

LOL! Some neighbors of mine had one of those once and you could hear their little guy rocketing around their hardwood floors. Hilarious.

Of course, a good way to exercise a cat would be to get a hamster and give it one of these running balls. That would definitely keep a cat energized. ;)

Also, if you insist on traumatizing your poor cat for the sake of your own desire to show off, then use a small dog harness. Cats can easily twist out of regular collars and escape. Which might not be a bad thing if your cat is owned by people who would disrespect its dignity like that.

That was a joke. I thought the wink afterwards would be sign enough. And I want to walk with her because we both need the exercise, and she loves being outside.

It would be extremely irresponsible, in my opinion, to try to force your cat to do something it doesn't want to do and which is not natural to its instincts. I also have an overweight cat. Control what you feed the cat to keep its weight under control, and give it things to kill and things to climb if you want to encourage it to exercise.

Lord and Lady, people, would you read what I've said before you accuse me of being a bad kitty human? Please? We are controlling her eating, we do play with her, but since she loves being outside so much, we decided to see if she'd like walking with us. If, after a few weeks, she really doesn't like it/isn't so inclined, we'll get her one of those long tie up lines (with a harness) and bring her into the back yard while we're gardening.

IF you train it from a young age, it'll accept it.

That was a joke. I thought the wink afterwards would be sign enough. And I want to walk with her because we both need the exercise, and she loves being outside.
Oh, sorry, but you'd be horrified at what people try to do with their cats, thinking its "cute" or "fun." I've known plenty of nuts who, if they see one cat that likes to show itself off on public streets with its owner, think they can make their cat like it too. My cat who walked on the leash and another cat I once saw, who rode on his owner's shoulder everywhere he went, are extremely rare exceptions to typical cat behavior.

The fact remains, though, that walking -- the way humans and dogs do -- is not the natural behavior of cats and therefore not the best way to exercise them. Taking them outside -- but not letting them out on their own, especially in urban environments -- may be a pleasant adventure for them, but my experience has been that most are content to explore their own yards and then go back to their comfy cushions for their naps.

EDIT: Cats are not runners or long-distance stalkers. They are climbers and pouncers. Invest in or build a really good "cat condo" with multiple layers to encourage your little beast towards natural forms of exercise.

Get a dog, or a goldfish there good on a leash, what about some kind of amphibian?

You know, the thread about hamster shredding just gave me an interesting idea:

http://www.riskmanagementinsight.com/media/images/weblog/hamster_ball.jpg

Cat ball anyone? :D

Edit: A crude prototype:
http://www.sentex.net/~mwandel/built/geodesic_cat.jpg

:D

Lunatic Goofballs: we're glad you and your wife have seen fit to pass on your genes -- bringing joy and OMG he did NOT just do that, did he?! to future generations.

The world would be a lot more boring without you!

Lord and Lady, people, would you read what I've said before you accuse me of being a bad kitty human? Please? We are controlling her eating, we do play with her, but since she loves being outside so much, we decided to see if she'd like walking with us. If, after a few weeks, she really doesn't like it/isn't so inclined, we'll get her one of those long tie up lines (with a harness) and bring her into the back yard while we're gardening.
Fine already. :D But if you don't want to be lumped in with pet-morons, you should be careful when saying as a joke the same things pet-morons say seriously.

In any event, if your cat is already an adult, you will know very quickly if she will ever enjoy walking. If every "walk" is five feet from the door to the nearest bush, followed by five hours of you standing next to the bush with the leash disappearing into it, then your cat is not a walker.

However, even with the long lead idea, keep your eye on your cat. Since they have little instinct to stay near you (as a dog would) and since they are far more flexible and have smaller bone than a dog, it will be much easier for her to escape even a body harness if you are not watching her. After several weeks, you will see if she is likely to just relax on the grass while you garden, but even then, you should check her frequently.

And remember, relaxing on the grass is great for cats, but it isn't exercise.

I used to "walk" my cat, but it was more of a case of letting him roam and keeping up. He'd love to scratch around the neighbourhood for hours before walking home to his comfy pillow and eats.

The trick wasn't to get him to go where you went, but to go where he wanted. Funny thing was, he was much more willing to explore on the leash; the couple of times he got out at night he stayed in the yard, and once he yowled until we came out to let him in! I guess having one of us with him bouyed up his courage.

Has anyone succeeded? I know it's possible, I've seen other cats walking calmly on leashes. We're trying to train our cat to do so, but with minimal success. She's figured out that wearing the leash means she gets to go outside, which she adores, but she's not so keen on the whole 'walking where the humans walk' thing. Ideas?

I have had better luck getting them walking tunnels (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16126&cm_mmc=Shopping%20Portal-_-NexTag-_-Cats-_-Fun%20Run%2017%22%20dia%20x%2062%22%20long&ref=3665&subref=AA).

I did have a cat who would walk on a leash once but she wore a harness.

Considering how difficult it is to train cats, I think your time would be better used to train your cat to use the toilet instead of a litter box. So much easier to keep the house clean that way, and much more impressive trick.

Not that impressive. They sell a trainer catpan to make it easy to do. (Just don't forget and go to use the toilet when it's on!)

Now, teaching it to FLUSH.... ;)

(oh wait, there are humans that haven't mastered that one yet.....)

Following the advice on the Peoria Humane Society's page, I hauled out the old harness and readjusted it to fit properly. She seemed... well, not okay with it, but she did come when we called her, and seemed to enjoy snarfing the treat she got as a reward. So, progress. A little.

Yes, our cat comes when I call her. All the time if I have a treat, about 75% when I don't. One of the reasons I thought she'd be leash trainable in the first place, if you can get a cat to come when you call them, you should be able to leash train them, right?

I have had better luck getting them walking tunnels (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16126&cm_mmc=Shopping%20Portal-_-NexTag-_-Cats-_-Fun%20Run%2017%22%20dia%20x%2062%22%20long&ref=3665&subref=AA).

I did have a cat who would walk on a leash once but she wore a harness.

Okay, that tunnel is frelling brilliant. We'll probably also get her one of those mesh sided enclosures designed for big dogs, assuming we have any money and she's actually trainable when Border War comes around...

Not that impressive. They sell a trainer catpan to make it easy to do. (Just don't forget and go to use the toilet when it's on!)

Now, teaching it to FLUSH.... ;)

(oh wait, there are humans that haven't mastered that one yet.....)

:D Too true.

Okay, that tunnel is frelling brilliant. We'll probably also get her one of those mesh sided enclosures designed for big dogs, assuming we have any money and she's actually trainable when Border War comes around...

you will have to put mesh on the top, a determined cat can climb just about anything, I used to have one that would climb about 3/4 of the way up my screen door and hang there for hours until I got home from work.

Following the advice on the Peoria Humane Society's page, I hauled out the old harness and readjusted it to fit properly. She seemed... well, not okay with it, but she did come when we called her, and seemed to enjoy snarfing the treat she got as a reward. So, progress. A little.

Yes, our cat comes when I call her. All the time if I have a treat, about 75% when I don't. One of the reasons I thought she'd be leash trainable in the first place, if you can get a cat to come when you call them, you should be able to leash train them, right?
No. Cats are not like dogs.

I have had better luck getting them walking tunnels (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16126&cm_mmc=Shopping%20Portal-_-NexTag-_-Cats-_-Fun%20Run%2017%22%20dia%20x%2062%22%20long&ref=3665&subref=AA).

I did have a cat who would walk on a leash once but she wore a harness.

:eek:

Cat Ball is starting to look more feasible! :D ((My idea! *runs to patent office*))

you will have to put mesh on the top, a determined cat can climb just about anything, I used to have one that would climb about 3/4 of the way up my screen door and hang there for hours until I got home from work.

LOL... My sister had a cat who would jump up onto the railing of the deck, then launch herself at the screen on my bedroom window. She would then proceed to cling there and meow piteously until I got up, stumbled to the back door, and let her in. I hated that cat, she rude, nasty and imperious. She'd climb up your leg (pray your were wearing jeans or pants when she did it...) to your shoulder, sit the for a second, then jump off. Not a thank you nuzzle, not an acknowledgment...

Our current cat is very sweet and personable, but she's not a lap cat. Her favorite thing to to is jump up on the bed at 6:30 in the morning, and lick my husband's face until he gets up and gives her her morning feeding.

Originally Posted by Kbrookistan
Okay, that tunnel is frelling brilliant. We'll probably also get her one of those mesh sided enclosures designed for big dogs, assuming we have any money and she's actually trainable when Border War comes around...
you will have to put mesh on the top, a determined cat can climb just about anything, I used to have one that would climb about 3/4 of the way up my screen door and hang there for hours until I got home from work.

Any outdoor space you build for your cat must be enclosed on all sides and the top, and must include a hiding place so the cat can go out of sight if desired, and must have elevated surfaces that can be jumped and climbed to because cats like view their territories from above. EDIT: Some of the elevated spaces should have hiding spots as well. Tunnels are very good. Cats like tunnels.

No. Cats are not like dogs.

I know, the logic doesn't follow, but I can hope, can't I? And despite common folklore, it is possible to train cats, you just can't expect them to respond with one hundred percent reliably like dogs. I'm happy if Mikaido comes three quarters of the time when there's nothing in it for her except some chin scritches.

I just googled 'cat enclosure' and the lengths people go to to provide a safe fun environment for their cats are nothing short of amazing. Check This (http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-enclosures-2.htm) out!

Any outdoor space you build for your cat must be enclosed on all sides and the top, and must include a hiding place so the cat can go out of sight if desired, and must elevated surfaces that can be jumped and climbed to because cats like view their territories from above.

true. I used to have a ramp in my house that went up to a "perch" near the ceiling for one of my cats, she loved it, she would fold her feet under and sit up there for hours it seemed.

Any outdoor space you build for your cat must be enclosed on all sides and the top, and must include a hiding place so the cat can go out of sight if desired, and must have elevated surfaces that can be jumped and climbed to because cats like view their territories from above. EDIT: Some of the elevated spaces should have hiding spots as well. Tunnels are very good. Cats like tunnels.

Thanks for the advice. That might be a good summer project for my dad and I.

Edit: Typing aroun a purring kitty? Not as much fun as it sounds.Esp. when she tries to help.

I know, the logic doesn't follow, but I can hope, can't I? And despite common folklore, it is possible to train cats, you just can't expect them to respond with one hundred percent reliably like dogs. I'm happy if Mikaido comes three quarters of the time when there's nothing in it for her except some chin scritches.
Anecdote: Penn Gillette told a story about how he found a certain Las Vegas act for this show he and Teller did for a while. He and some friends were driving to a stripper bar for lap dances and steaks, when someone mentioned a new trained cat act in town. Penn says, "Who cares? Lion acts are a dime a dozen in Vegas." To which the guy says, "Not lions - housecats. This guy has trained housecats." Immediately, Penn hits the breaks, turns the car around and speeds towards the theater where the cat act is being shown. "But what about the strippers? What about the steaks?", his friends object. "You can get strippers and steaks anytime. This is trained housecats!!" And sure enough, the guy was booked on their show. Some Russian guy with a troop of trained housecats going through a typical circus routine. I have no idea how he did it, but I suspect he didn't spend much time watching tv. ;)

All that said... I'd still urge against taking your kitty to the Wars -- there are so many people and so much chaos I'd be afraid she'd be frantic and miserable, or lost and miserable.

I just googled 'cat enclosure' and the lengths people go to to provide a safe fun environment for their cats are nothing short of amazing. Check This (http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-enclosures-2.htm) out!

That is the coolest home improvement I've ever seen!! Kbrookistan, take notes and get down to home depot. :D

Anecdote: Penn Gillette told a story about how he found a certain Las Vegas act for this show he and Teller did for a while. He and some friends were driving to a stripper bar for lap dances and steaks, when someone mentioned a new trained cat act in town. Penn says, "Who cares? Lion acts are a dime a dozen in Vegas." To which the guy says, "Not lions - housecats. This guy has trained housecats." Immediately, Penn hits the breaks, turns the car around and speeds towards the theater where the cat act is being shown. "But what about the strippers? What about the steaks?", his friends object. "You can get strippers and steaks anytime. This is trained housecats!!" And sure enough, the guy was booked on their show. Some Russian guy with a troop of trained housecats going through a typical circus routine. I have no idea how he did it, but I suspect he didn't spend much time watching tv. ;)

I think I might have seen this guy with the Cole Bros. Circus two years ago. He had cats run a slalom on a raised bar where literally, they had to wind their bodies around a series of upright bamboo poles, as well as featf of jumping, balance, etc.

Their last trick made me nearly have a heart attack -- his kitty jumped from what looked like an impossible height (as in, halfway up to the tent roof, if I recall) into his trainer's arms (well padded by a big pillow).

It was the one trick that made me think, "Oh shit!"

Border War is smallish, compared to Pennsic or Estrella. And we get lots of kids, she loves kids. But you may have a point. We might try something smaller and one day first. The Baronial Althing is coming up...

and typing with a purring, shedding cat in your lap isn't so much fun, either.

Do not, do not -- I repeat, DO NOT -- take your cat to public events away from her accustomed territory. She is not a dog. She will not like it. You will either lose her or shorten her life by the stress you will inflict on her. Do not do it.

All that said... I'd still urge against taking your kitty to the Wars -- there are so many people and so much chaos I'd be afraid she'd be frantic and miserable, or lost and miserable.

Border War is smallish, compared to Pennsic or Estrella. And we get lots of kids, she loves kids. But you may have a point. We might try something smaller and one day first. The Baronial Althing is coming up...

and typing with a purring, shedding cat in your lap isn't so much fun, either.

I think I might have seen this guy with the Cole Bros. Circus two years ago. He had cats run a slalom on a raised bar where literally, they had to wind their bodies around a series of upright bamboo poles, as well as featf of jumping, balance, etc.

Their last trick made me nearly have a heart attack -- his kitty jumped from what looked like an impossible height (as in, halfway up to the tent roof, if I recall) into his trainer's arms (well padded by a big pillow).

It was the one trick that made me think, "Oh shit!"
Perhaps, though I think there are now two or three housecat acts touring about.

That is the coolest home improvement I've ever seen!! Kbrookistan, take notes and get down to home depot. :D

I'm not sure the landlady (grandma) would go for something that big. Our backyard is teeny, but that's pretty damn cool!

I'm not sure the landlady (grandma) would go for something that big. Our backyard is teeny, but that's pretty damn cool!

Build it in your bedroom, then. You might have to forego the water features, but oh well. :D

You're no fun! <pouts>

Haha, i'll bet your cat would disagree.

OK, Jolt really needs to do something about itself.

Do not, do not -- I repeat, DO NOT -- take your cat to public events away from her accustomed territory. She is not a dog. She will not like it. You will either lose her or shorten her life by the stress you will inflict on her. Do not do it.

You're no fun! <pouts>

Haha, i'll bet your cat would disagree.

I'm sure she would. Especially since I kicked her out of my lap before she could jam the keyboard with her shedding. I swear, we rake her coat out every day, and it just keeps coming back. I've given up on trying to get it out of my black clothes - I just wander around, an advertisement for living with a long haired white cat. (okay, she's only long haired because of her coat structure. She's really more medium haired, but that's academic when you have fur bunnies running around that are big enough to form another cat.)

Lunatic Goofballs: we're glad you and your wife have seen fit to pass on your genes -- bringing joy and OMG he did NOT just do that, did he?! to future generations.

The world would be a lot more boring without you!

Just remember you said that; one of us might need character witnesses. :)

UPDATE: After a few days of "training" (taking her outside and telling her to walk next to us), Mika walked with us to the house two doors down. And this was in a light rain, which she hates, and the ground was soaked. I'm not claiming success yet, but it's a good sign! :D

house cats are completely trainable. if a cat grows up with people who say there is no point in trying to train it, it will be untrainable - a self-fulfilling prophecy.

cats can be very smart animals.
cats can be dumb as a rock.
the smarter the animal, the easier it is to train.

The best way to get a cat leashed is to get it used to the harness (never use just a collar - must have a harness snuggly fit but not constrictive) by having it wear it often. Eventually it will get used to wearing it and not even seem to notice it. Then add a light leash now and then. Start taking it for walks around the house and yard if you have one. Remember to be patient and reward good behavior (be wary of punishing - the carrot is useful, the stick is not). Eventually it will get used to that as well.

Get yourself a little noise-maker; something that makes a little clicking sound is good. train it to follow the clicks - cats are more likely to take to having a click or squeak or something to remind them to heel. dogs can just follow along, cats lack the attention span.

Take it slowly. Once it is used to you taking it for walks around the yard (or hallway if in an apartment) you can slowly take it farther and farther from home.

This is great for apartment dwellers, after a little while you can take your cat down for a walk in the park (though dont be surprised if it climbs you like a tree when a big dog decides to come say hello).

house cats are completely trainable. if a cat grows up with people who say there is no point in trying to train it, it will be untrainable - a self-fulfilling prophecy.

cats can be very smart animals.
cats can be dumb as a rock.
the smarter the animal, the easier it is to train.


Mikiado is amazingly smart - it took her one whole day to figure out that the leash means she gets to go outside. As soon as the harness goes on, she's bolting down the stairs to stare at the door. And she's doing well - the noisemaker sounds like a good idea, because she needs a reminder that she actually needs to be following the humans, not rolling in the dead leaves.

Has anyone succeeded? I know it's possible, I've seen other cats walking calmly on leashes. We're trying to train our cat to do so, but with minimal success. She's figured out that wearing the leash means she gets to go outside, which she adores, but she's not so keen on the whole 'walking where the humans walk' thing. Ideas?

Pathetic.

I'm sorry, but I have little respect for the "cat on leash" thing.

Unlike dogs, cats will not be molded the way you want them. They know that you're going to be restricting their freedom, and cats really don't like that.

My cat's 10,he's been going outside by himself all his life, and as a result is in excellent shape. If you put your cat on a leash, she still won't get any real exercise or benefit from it.

Unless you have coyotes, other predatory animals, or heavy traffic, there is absolutley no excuse for not letting your cat wander freely outside.

Pathetic.

I'm sorry, but I have little respect for the "cat on leash" thing.

Unlike dogs, cats will not be molded the way you want them. They know that you're going to be restricting their freedom, and cats really don't like that.

My cat's 10,he's been going outside by himself all his life, and as a result is in excellent shape. If you put your cat on a leash, she still won't get any real exercise or benefit from it.

Unless you have coyotes, other predatory animals, or heavy traffic, there is absolutley no excuse for not letting your cat wander freely outside.

Have you not read a single thing I've posted? Our cat is lacking front claws, she cannot defend herself, we live downtown, facing an extremely busy street near the police and fire stations. I am not letting my beloved cat run lose under those circumstances. Now, unless you have something, oh I don't know, useful to add, go drag a string around for your cat. Jeesh.

My cat who walked on the leash and another cat I once saw, who rode on his owner's shoulder everywhere he went, are extremely rare exceptions to typical cat behavior.


Rastus, RIP (http://www.classicglory.com/rastus.htm).

We tried to train my cat to walk with us, but instead she got the habit of meowing by the door and running outside whenever anyone opened it. She never tried to leave; she basically just explored the area by the front door, but she had never really been outside before aside from being in a carrier on the way to get shots and stuff. The closest she had been to it was being on the porch, which is rare and not very similar to being outside the way our porch is. But she loved going outside, and eventually we had to convince her to not run out the door whenever someone opened it. She has always been an indoor cat and doesn't have her front claws, but she loves looking out windows and now she likes going outside with us just by the door, but she won't walk with a leash.

I didn't know about the harness rather than the collar; my mom just got a collar and tried it and I trusted her. I just told her about it though, so maybe we'll try that.

Have you not read a single thing I've posted? Our cat is lacking front claws, she cannot defend herself, we live downtown, facing an extremely busy street near the police and fire stations. I am not letting my beloved cat run lose under those circumstances. Now, unless you have something, oh I don't know, useful to add, go drag a string around for your cat. Jeesh.

My cat's declawed too, and he still catches birds, mice, rats, lizards, etc. So no, you're wrong about your cat not being able to defend herself, especially if she grows up realizing she doesn't have front claws to defend herself with.

But for the rest of my statements, I apologize. I just kind of jumped in head first, without reading any of the previous statements. I wasn't trying to act rude and snobbish, but it came out that way. :(

Had a cat for 21 years that was leashed everytime he went out or we took him to the vet. We didn't really train him. He just kind of took to it.

My cat's declawed too, and he still catches birds, mice, rats, lizards, etc. So no, you're wrong about your cat not being able to defend herself, especially if she grows up realizing she doesn't have front claws to defend herself with.

Point. She's quite good with her paws - we're sure she knows she doesn't have claws, and uses them for battering rather than clawing. But that still doesn't make me comfortable letting her wander loose - not just the proximity to large vehicles with sirens that don't care about small, cute kitties in the road. There's a pit bull two doors down (the brother of the one that mauled my grandma, if you're interested) and the pen it's in does not look like it could hold him if he decided to go after Mika. It scared the shit out of all of us tonight as we walked past - the cat too, she made it almost a whole block tonight! We got into the alley and it started barking, throwing itself against the pen to get out. The pen rattled. Poor Mika. Hell, poor us. That's one scary dog.

But for the rest of my statements, I apologize. I just kind of jumped in head first, without reading any of the previous statements. I wasn't trying to act rude and snobbish, but it came out that way. :(

Apology accepted. And I'm sorry I snapped, I'm tired and fighting the same cold I've had for about three weeks and I feel like crap.

Also forgot to mention that she tried to go into someone else's house. She jumped up the stairs, just as happy as you please, and looked back at us like we were crazy for not following her. Love her, but she's one strange kitty.

My cat used to bully smaller dogs and pester those he couldn't chase. Strangely, he would also join my family on walks with his leash.

Now that he's old, he blocks the heater and usually doesn't move away from it unless he's hungry, thirsty, or needs to use the litter box. But it really depends on the cat itself; some will be fine with the leash and others will balk.

My cat used to bully smaller dogs and pester those he couldn't chase. Strangely, he would also join my family on walks with his leash.

Now that he's old, he blocks the heater and usually doesn't move away from it unless he's hungry, thirsty, or needs to use the litter box. But it really depends on the cat itself; some will be fine with the leash and others will balk.

Yeah, my old cat would plant herself in front of the refrigerator vent and lounge. And she would bully our dog, too. Red lived in terror of a cat about half her size.

Mika's smart enough to have figured out the us putting on her leash means she gets to go outside. She just loves being outside. This is probably why she puts up with us walking next to her.