If you’re looking for ways to provide mental and physical enrichment for your cat, leash walks may be an option if you do it safely. Even if it’s just a wander around the yard (which is often safer than venturing away from home) or hanging out on the patio, time outside with the security of a leash and harness allows your cat to use all their senses and expand their world. It’s vital to know how to get your cat comfortable on a harness and lead and, more importantly, determine if your cat would be up for such an adventure. It is also critical to be aware of potential dangers for your cat as they leash walk.

What to Expect from a Leash Walk with Your Cat

Leash training your cat is a bit different than leash training a dog, as is the walking experience. For a dog, you might expect to train things like walking right next to you, returning to your side when cued, not pulling on the leash, and looking to you for direction in a tense situation. You may incorporate all that training into their daily walks.

For cats, using a harness and leash is more about containment. It limits how far your cat can go and gives you a degree of control to keep them secure. It’s less about formal training other than getting them comfortable wearing the harness and being attached to a leash. While you can train cats to do a number of fun and helpful things, most cats in the excitement of an outdoor environment are not going to follow trained cues very well. A cat walk is meant to let them sniff and explore.

Cats Who Do Well with Leash Training

Not every cat wants to explore outside. In fact, some may find it scary. Even if you’re super excited about the idea, it needs to be your cat’s choice whether they want to venture outdoors.

Cats who are confident, not easily startled, handle unexpected sights and sounds well, and don’t panic at seeing another animal outside are better suited for leash walks. If your cat is generally skittish or jumpy, gets nervous when a loud truck or person passes by, doesn’t like new things, or gets stressed out when they see neighborhood cats or dogs outside, they may not enjoy being outside. It could even be dangerous or overwhelm them.

Cats Who Do Well with Leash Training

Not every cat wants to explore outside. In fact, some may find it scary. Even if you’re super excited about the idea, it needs to be your cat’s choice whether they want to venture outdoors.

Cats who are confident, not easily startled, handle unexpected sights and sounds well, and don’t panic at seeing another animal outside are better suited for leash walks. If your cat is generally skittish or jumpy, gets nervous when a loud truck or person passes by, doesn’t like new things, or gets stressed out when they see neighborhood cats or dogs outside, they may not enjoy being outside. It could even be dangerous or overwhelm them.

Tools Needed for Leash Training Your Cat

You’ll need a few things to get started.

• High-value treat
• Secure harness
• Leash
• Carrier and/or towel

Cats can easily slip out of a collar, so a harness is a must, and there are many types to choose from. The most important thing to remember is that no harness is escape-proof. If your cat wants out, they will get out. They can stretch their bodies so long and lean that they slip right through. That’s why you want a carrier and/or towel with you, in case you need to quickly secure your cat in an escape or emergency.

Teaching Your Cat to Comfortably Wear a Harness and Leash

Your first step is getting your cat in the harness – don’t just throw it on and expect them to relax. It’s a completely unnatural experience for your cat. They’ll likely flop over or lie down, afraid to move. They’re making a negative association with the harness and leash, which is the opposite of what you want.

This whole experience should be positive — paired with rewards. You should take your time, baby-stepping your cat from just simply looking at and sniffing the harness all the way to wearing it.

The most important rule in harness training is never to push your cat past their comfort zone. If they show even little signs of stress, back it up and move forward more slowly.

The second rule is reward, reward, reward. Each time you take a step forward, you reward your cat with a treat. This is called positive reinforcement and helps them form positive associations with the experience, so they’ll be much more interested in wearing the harness.

If your cat doesn’t enjoy treats, you can use anything they love. Petting, brushing, tossing a toy, etc., can work well. Although, treats tend to be the most effective and easiest to use.

How many baby steps your cat needs may vary, but the concept is the same. You can do each step a few times before moving to the next. If they show signs of stress, back it up a few steps and slow down. Keep each training session only a few minutes long, as to not overwhelm your cat.

Steps To Harness Train Your Cat

Continue down this path of baby steps until your cat is fully in the harness, then increase the time they’re in it. Add the leash and reward your cat throughout the training process.

Steps to Leash Training Your Cat

Once your cat is comfortably wearing their harness around your home, it’s time to incorporate the leash. Only proceed to each step when your cat is comfortable with the previous step.

These tugs are only suggestions, as your cat will likely guide the walk. However, it’s useful to know how your cat will react to these suggestions, as stopping and changing direction can keep your cat safe outside.

If your cat doesn’t move with the harness and leash on, you can use treats as a lure. This involves placing one treat at a time near your cat, but far enough that they must take a step to reach the treat. You can increase the distance as your cat grows more comfortable. From there, you take the same slow, step-by-step process to opening the door and letting them step outside until they’re ready to explore.

Safety Tips for Leash Training Your Cat

Like the harness and leash training process, walking your cat on a leash is a step-by-step process. Keeping your cat safe and comfortable on a leash is the top priority.

Stay close to home

It’s often best to keep walks confined to your patio or yard. At least in the beginning, leave your door open so your cat has a safe place to retreat if they get scared. Even a comfortable, well-trained cat can get startled or attacked by a dog passing by and slip out of their harness. This can cause them to get lost or hit by a car, so it is critical to be careful when venturing out.

Have a backup plan to contain your cat

As mentioned, no harness is escape-proof. Whether a piece becomes unfastened or your cat simply slips out, you’ll want to take precautions when your cat is outside on a leash. Take their carrier or a towel outside with you.

Cats are fight-or-flight

In a scary or intense situation, your cat isn’t going to look to you for guidance – they’re going to react instinctively. This may mean running away, chasing something, hiding, climbing a tree, or even getting aggressive with you because they’re so scared in the moment. Having a carrier or towel will help you secure them and protect yourself if things get serious.

Keep your distance from other animals

Even if you stay in your yard, watch for other animals on or off leash. You don’t know how your cat or the other animal will react — even a friendly dog can accidentally hurt a cat.

Protect your cat from viruses and parasites

Lots of animals, whether they’re pets, strays, or wild critters, visit your yard. Protect your cat with proper vaccines and parasite prevention if they’re going to be going outside.

Leash training is a great way to allow your cat to explore the outdoors and enrich their lives. If your cat doesn’t feel comfortable wearing a harness and leash, catios are a great outdoor alternative. Whether your cat loves the great outdoors or prefers the luxury of staying inside, enrichment activities always let them live their best lives.