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Why teach your cat to walk on a leash

  • Enrichment

    Outdoor exploration provides mental and sensory stimulation for your cat, helping to prevent boredom and anxiety, and keeping them engaged

  • Outdoor Safety

    Walking your cat on leash gives them the opportunity to explore the outdoors safely

  • Exercise

    Leash walking encourages physical activity and can help your cat maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of obesity-related health issues

"Walking Your Cat On A Leash"

How to teach your cat to walk on a leash

• Purchase a leash and harness. You should always have your cat in a sturdy harness when walking them on leash. This will prevent your cat from slipping out while you're outside.


• Get your cat familiar with the leash and harness. Before leashing your cat up for a walk, you want to be sure they have a positive association with both the leash and harness. To create this positive association, give your cat a treat, praise, or petting (whatever they find rewarding) every time they sniff or show any interest in the leash or harness. Practice this for a week or so before putting the harness on your cat. The goal here is for your cat to see the leash / harness and think, "I'm about to get something awesome!"


• Walk at your cat's pace. Walking a cat is a bit different than walking a dog. This is because your cat will probably determine the route, speed and duration of the walk. The key is to be patient with their desire to explore and most likely meander on the walk! Reward your cat throughout the walk so that they continue to develop positive associations with the leash and outdoor walking.


• Remember your cat is delicate. If your cat gets into something unsavory on the walk, use gentle leash corrections. You don't need to use force - your cat will get the hint.


• Create a walking routine. As you're practicing leash walking with your cat, develop a routine. For instance, every morning after breakfast go outside on a leash for 10 minutes. The reason routine is important is because animals like consistency and are more likely to develop the behavior you want to see (nice leash walking) if they're able to predict what their day looks like. Lastly, by creating a routine with a set walking schedule, you'll minimize the chance that your cat starts to think "Door's open - that means it's time to go outside!" This is important from a cat safety perspective.


• Return home if your cat ever shows signs of discomfort. You can always try walking again another day.