Cat Walking: Mue Mue and Wendel Venture the Great Outdoors While Safely Attached to a Leash and Harness

There are actually cats out there that go hiking with their people! I would love if my cats hiked with me. But, they aren't quite there yet (and despite my wildest and most whimsical imaginings, they really never will be.).

After teaching my cat Mue Mue how to do a variety of tricks, I learned that cats are a lot more adaptable and teachable then they are given credit for. This made me want to try walking my two cats on a leash and a harness, but not out in the wilderness or even in the neighborhood, just in my own yard.

Both of my cats are indoor cats and both of my cats are curious explorers. So leash exploring seemed like a good form of mental enrichment for my little dudes.

In an ideal world, I'd love to let my cats wander free out in the big, vast world. But there are good reasons to keep your cats indoors.

• * Birds and other little creatures: Cats are natural predators. It's not their fault. It's how their ancestors survived. If you and your cat are looking at the same sight together, a merry song bird chirping away on a tree branch full of spring blossoms.... you are likely thinking "Oh how lovely! Such a beautiful sight and beautiful sound! Boy am I glad birds exist in this world!" But your cat is thinking "Kill! Kill! Kill!"
• * Safety: The world is not a safe place for domesticated animals to wander free. Your beloved cats safety is at risk when they are out in the world. There are animals such as raccoons or coyotes that can hurt them. There are careless drivers who can hit your beloved cats. Even worse, people who are just down right evil, looking for an innocent creature to prey upon. An outdoor cat is also more likely to get into a poisonous substance such as antifreeze. 

Keeping your cat indoor vs. outdoor isn't always a simple black and white, good vs. bad argument though, because most cats have a desire to go outside and it is difficult to deny them this. Who doesn't want to explore the world!? But caring for a pet is a huge responsibility. We are responsible for their safety and well being, and for me, keeping them indoors where they are safe is a way I can best honor my responsibility to them. We owe it to the animals we love to do the best we can to keep them safe and healthy. And since we are talking about responsible pet parenthood, please spay and neuter your cat ESPECIALLY if you do decide to let them outdoors. Beautiful, lovable and wonderful animals are euthanized every day due to over population. It is heartbreaking. 

People who have indoor cats though do need to focus on enrichment for their cat. You can do this in many different forms, such as puzzle feeding toys, cat nip, windowsill perches, putting bird feeders by the window, playing interesting sounds for them, training them, playing with them (cycling through their toys is a good idea to keep play full of surprises) or if you have the space and money, a catio! I'd love to do a catio some day! 

If your cats take to a leash and harness, taking them outside can be another great form of enrichment. Here are some important things to consider when walking your cats:

• * Your cats desires: Your cat may be terrified of the outdoors. No need to pressure him to be outdoors if he isn't interested. You know your cat best so just pay attention to his body language and demeanor and listen to what he is communicating to you.
• * Health: One good thing about having an ONLY indoor cat is they are not exposed to parasites and diseases that outdoor cats are. Taking your cat out on a leash is giving them an opportunity to be exposed to more than they would be indoors. In my opinion, a good idea would be to talk to your vet about proper vaccinations and flea preventatives before taking your cat outside. 
• * A safe environment: Before you take your cat outside, make sure it is safe for them (no wandering off leash dogs or other safety concerns). 

Before taking your cat out on a leash and harness, make sure it fits properly (purchase a harness and leash specifically for cats and read instructions.) Also, introduce your cat to the leash and harness by pairing it with treats! If your cat is hating the harness, you'll want to work on making him comfortable with it before taking him out. 

I was certain that Mue Mue would adapt quickly to the outdoors and Wendel would be frightened and want to come back inside. Well, it turns out even after over a decade of living with your cats, you can be pretty wrong about them.

Mue Mue:

Mue Mue did okay. He had fun exploring for a bit, but then got over his threshold and was quite riled up and hissy. I am glad I gave Mue Mue the opportunity to try the leash out, but I don't think it is going to be something I pursue with him. He is a feisty guy but is full of big talk. But under all his machismo, he can be a bit of a scaredy cat. No need to wound his ego by having him doing an activity that makes him uncomfortable

Wendel: 

Wendel loved it! He liked the sun, he like the smells, he liked exploring all around him. Wendel has always been a very curious little creature, and I think it was quite enticing to his curious side to get to explore a portion of this world he is usually cut off from. He never really got scared either. I was proud of him!

There is a risk to taking your cats out on leashes so please do proper research ahead a time, talk to your vet to make sure it is a good idea for your little guys or gals, take all safety precautions and follow your own intuition! It can be a really fun experience for you and your feline friend if done right!