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Outdoor Cats on Leashes Anonymous
I've occasionally seen people walking around downtown with pet "shoulder cats" on harnesses. I'm finally ready to adopt a kitten and am interested in getting my new cat acquainted with the leash. My failed Googlefu isn't getting very satisfying info (its just stuff on how to actually train the cat).

My real question: can any type of kitten be raised to accept it from a young age, or should I keep my eye out for a particular type? Yes it's a petty question, but I'm hoping someone on /an/ would know.

In before arguments, I live in an area where it's illegal to let your cats out unattended but would still like for my cat to be socialized and able to get some fresh air. Yes, I've had a cat before and I plan to get her vaccinated before exposing her to the outdoors.
>> Anonymous
Get a screened-in patio. That's what I have if my cat wants some fresh air.
>> Anonymous
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>>282386
FACE ME ZODD!!
>> Anonymous
I doubt cats give enough of a shit to complain about a leash.

I admit I know nothing else, as I have walked around freely with an uncollared cat, and it didn't go away from me, as well as being able to just let it go do whatever by itself.
>> Anonymous
Well, that cat that I had didn't mind the leash...but maybe that's because being on the leash was the ONLY way he could be outside, which he loved above all else.

I think that most cats aren't going to accept going on dog-walks while leashed, but at least you can tie a longass rope to the harness and let him/her wander in the backyard. Keep an eye out, though: our cat was too dumb to realize that getting the leash tangled on things wouldn't undo itself.

If you do manage to get your cat used to walking with you, be prepared to get a lot of strange looks and shit. I advise punching the first person in the face to teach him/her a lesson.
>> Anonymous
if you attempt to walk a cat on a leash, you'll need a harness and you'll need time. Put the harness on the cat for like an hour, and just let him wear it around the house. Then take it off for the rest of the day. Do this a few more times, while increasing the amount of time, then with the harness on, attach the leash and again just let the cat drag it around, don't try to walk him yet. You want the cat as comfortable as possible with wearing the harness and leash before attempting to walk him. Cats behave oddly when wearing new gear until they've accepted the situation.
>> Anonymous
My google-fu is a little stronger, here's a webpage about how to leash train your cat.

http://www.hdw-inc.com/leashtraining.htm

They also sell a rather unique "walking jacket" might just get one for my cat.
>> Anonymous
>>282729
LOL, that website has a huge collection of cat names. Should be a damn sticky with all the posts we get to name people's cats. And yes, BISCUIT is on the list of names!

http://www.hdw-inc.com/namehome.htm
>> Anonymous
kitteh has sharp claws
>> Anonymous
Depends on the cat, most cats will deal with it after the first couple of times if they realize they don't get dragged back in while wearing it.

Occasionally they'll get a bit tired of it while out on a walk and lie down to try and "roll" it off(never said my cats were particularly brilliant), but I never had a problem with it with my cats(Norwegian Forest Cats. :3).

Really doesn't need much complex training. Just harness on, give 'em a couple of minutes to acclimate indoors, leash on, open door, kitty out, walk walk walk. Most cats will learn it pretty fast if you stop them walking into driveways and things.
>> Anonymous
Don't have much experience but it might be a thing where it's best to try and get them used to it as kittens first. We once tried to put a collar on my grown cat (for the purpose of a bell, she's a killer out there) and no matter how many times or how we tried to entice her, she would freak out and claw us to pieces.
>> Anonymous
>>282729

christ, it's 2008, do people still not understand that putting coloured text on top of images is like fucking eye razors.
>> Anonymous
If you want something to walk on a leash with you you should just get a dog.
>> Anonymous
>>282399

Interesting. I'll look into knocking out my neighbor's apartment and installing a screen porch there.

>>283255

I don't have the space or the patience for a dog. I love dogs, but just don't want one.

In the end, if the kitten doesn't take to the leash, it's no big deal. Just inquiring.
>> Anonymous
Suitable harnesses for cats have a collar around the neck and a 'collar' around the chest behind the forelegs. They're joined, at least, by a strap between the shoulderblades. I found that the ones that don't have a second front-to-back strap under the chest will rotate and end up tangled and are a general PITA. Make sure you choose a harness that has two straps, one front-to-back between the shoulder blades, another front-to-back along the sternum.
>> Anonymous
>>283296

Samefag here. My cat walks happily enough on a leash. He's never been allowed outside without wearing his harness, at least, so he's come to understand that it's the only way he gets to see the great outdoors!

He'll often put on a performance when on a walk, and I'll need to carry him, at least until we're a reasonable distance from home. Once he figures we're walking back home, he'll happily walk, even run, back home!
>> Anonymous
>>283296

Ignore this idiot, the sternum strap isn't necessary at all unless your cat tries to roll off the harness.
>> Anonymous
>>283300

Ignore this faggot, he clearly doesn't know cats in any other than the sexual sense.
>> Anonymous
you don't leash a cat,that is cruel
it's not a dog you just chain to a tree
>> Anonymous
>>283357

Fuck off, Troll.
>> Anonymous
>>282706
Oh God I lawl'd. So hard. So, so hard.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Tuxedos. They have really outgoing personalities,
>> Anonymous
I think most cats could learn to accept a harness after a while. My cat is actually an adult stray and I put her out on a rope and harness.
Two things I've noticed though about this arrangment:
1 I have to stand behind her to put the harness on, otherwise she gets pissed when I try to pull the chest strap around her ribs.
2 If you put your cat out on a rope, make sure you check him every 10-15 min. And make sure that the rope is attached high off the ground, or that there isn't anything he can get tangled on. He could get catastrophically tangled and either slip his harness and escape or choke himself to death.
>> Anonymous
As long as you use a harness. Never use collar leashes for dogs. I know a person who's cat strangled itself on the leash when the owner went to pick up the newspaper. Went into a coma and they had to put it down.