Taking the Cat For A Walk

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts): May 28th 2009 @ 12:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Photo Galleries

"Cat walk" a whole new meaning! No longer satisfied with being cooped up indoors, frisky felines are insisting on their share of fresh air. "We see quite a few people walking their cats," Lori Olson, a pet shop owner in Minot, North Dakota tells Paw Nation. "Sometimes the cats are leading the people, and other times people are leading their cats."

Consider it the dawn of the "modern indoor cat," say Steven Jacobson and Jean Miller, authors of "Walk Your Cat: The Complete Guide" --- a cat that knows how to enjoy the outdoors wearing a harness and being walked on a leash.

The trend may have staying --- and growing --- power. Just think: what else will cat walkers need after the initial harness purchase? Training treats and waste bags, suggests a report in Pet Product News. Now that's thinking outside the (cat) box!

Cats on Leashes

"Pink is so in right now."

.robbie, http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtv/269876668/

"Hurry up! I've got places to go!"

justmakeit, http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelpasch/2823379494/

"Please don't touch the leash, it's new"

trontnort, http://www.flickr.com/photos/tront/2467712681/

"Ouch! That's cold!"

notariety, http://www.flickr.com/photos/crichard/3348198405/

"Don't mind me, I'm just going for a walk!"

Captain CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSS, http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintjcl/3385250493/

"Gotta love a good stretch!"

carolyn.will, http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolynwill/1518108665/

"I'm not playing Ding Dong Ditch again, I swear!"

Shamanic Shift, http://www.flickr.com/photos/shamanic-shift/3050393649/

"On a scale of 1 to 10, how cute am I?"

Robyn Gallagher, http://www.flickr.com/photos/robyn-gallagher/275064563/

"Do you think my leash brings out my eyes?"

juhansonin, http://www.flickr.com/photos/juhansonin/102020122/

"I love taking a morning stroll!"

jlib, http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlib/3229267238/

Tags: cat leash, cat walk, CatLeash, CatWalk

Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

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#1 RedFox57 5-28-2009 @ 9:30PM

I tried to walk my cat. I trained her when she was real small to the leash but now I cannot find a harness or collar that she cannot get out of. I purchased the rabbit harness, a cat harness and even a weasel harness (not a weasel but it looks like one cute little pets). Can you tell me what you are using that your cat does not back out of it? I lost one cat to coyotes I do not want to loose another.

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#2 Leojazzles 6-08-2009 @ 1:57PM

I know how you feel about losing a cat to coyotes...we lost our Louie last Oct. to, we think, coyotes here in a Minneapolis suburb - or it could have been a fox. No more! Our new boy, Harley, was 7 months old when we got him from a shelter last Nov. He stayed in all winter, then we got him a harness at Petco - just a standard cat harness - and he's only wiggled out of it once - so far! You have to keep it somewhat tight, but be sure there are no kinks in the harness that goes around them. We use a double leash on the harness and one of those metal screw things that you screw into the ground, so we can move him around the yard, wherever we are. You MUST be out with them all the time, though, because they can get caught in something and struggle or hurt themselves! Harley is very good about his harness, even though he isn't fond of it - he knows he's not going outside unless it's on him! Good luck!

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#3 dikki 6-10-2009 @ 9:14AM

I was exploring a Bengal cat site one day and discovered something called a "Walking Jacket" for cats. I have never had a cat that would walk in a regular harness or found one that it couldn't get out of. This Walking Jacket is truly awesome and my cat Max loves it. It is said that it makes the difference between kitty feeling like it's being held by 2 fingers or being held in your arms. It is fantastic, secure, comfortable and washable. We walk Max around outside and let him explore the yard and the neighbors place then I hook him to a 10' cable and dog tie out in the yard while I am outside with him. Even though I'm sure he can't get out of his Jacket I would never leave him outside unattended. He likes to watch the birds, chase bugs, dig holes or just lie under a bush and chill. The Jacket is a little on the expensive side but, well worth the cost and peace of mind for both you and your cat. Max will even drag his out when he wants to go outside. Here is the link so you can check this out for yourselves. They come in different sizes and colors and I have never seen these Jackets in stores. Check it out:
http://www.hdw-inc.com/walkingjackets.htm Best of luck to you!