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Taking a walk with your pet is a great way to get some exercise while spending time with your furry friend. There are many different types of pets that you can take on walks, but what about cats? In particular, can I take my Ragdoll Cat on a walk with a leash?
Cats are naturally pretty independent animals and don’t require much attention from their owners. So why would they want to go for a walk? It turns out that there are several reasons!
Ragdoll Cats are predominately indoor cats. Therefore your Ragdoll may enjoy the increased mental stimulation and physical activity that comes from walking and staying active. They may also enjoy the opportunity to explore new environments and meet other people and animals in the world. Being outdoors can be very beneficial for cats by providing them with vitamin D and access to natural light. If you live in an apartment or condo building, taking your cat for walks outside is one way to combat confinement stress.
Though cats are independent animals, many cat owners have successfully taught their feline friends to walk outdoors on a harness and leash, just like you would take a dog for a walk. Ragdolls are a breed of cat that seems to adapt well to walking on a harness and leash. You just need to have patience and put the effort in to train them and the early you start the easier it is to take to it.
Tips to Train your Ragdoll Cat to Walk on a harness and leash.
Start Early
If you plan on leash training your Ragdoll, get them used to wearing a harness from being a kitten. Put the harness on them when they are in the home but do not attach a leash to it. . If a cat is not used to wearing a harness you may find that they will flop at first and even roll around to try and get out of it. If they find it disconcerting then just leave it on them for short periods of time and gradually build the time spent in the harness up. You’ll soon start to see that they don’t even notice they have it on once they have been allowed to get used to it. If your cat is already accustomed to wearing a collar you may find that they will adapt to wearing a harness straight away. Never leave your cat in a harness unattended.
Take it slowly
Once your Ragdoll has accepted wearing the harness and appears comfortable then you can attach the leash to it. Keep the leash slack and do not try to walk or drag your cat. Let them be in control. If your cat seems uneasy distract them before offering up their favorite treats.
Most cats won’t like practicing on the lead. But if you try it outside, they might get so wrapped up in exploring that they forget about the leash or harness altogether.
Taking your cat outside on a leash
When you first take your cat outside on a leash they may get scared. Especially if this is your pet’s first time outdoors. Start by visiting some quieter, less busy places where there are interesting smells to sniff around in the hopes of making it more comfortable for your cat. The initial few times should be short and quiet with plenty of treats to make these new experiences exciting- not frightening! Follow your cat around wherever they want to go. Do not tug, pull, or drag your cat by the leash!
Remember that taking it slow will reward you massively as this is all new for your cat and can be quite scary. When you bring them back indoors give them a special treat for walking on the leash.
What if my cat doesn’t like going for walks?
When you are trying to get your cat to accept the leash or lead, be persistent. It should become obvious after a few tries whether they’ll ever develop an acceptance of it. If your cat is just as agitated and upset about the fourth or fifth venture outdoors with the lead, then it may never adjust to this situation. You can keep trying but there are some cats who won’t change their attitude toward something like this- if so, don’t push them! On the other hand, if you notice that your cat seems just a little more at ease every time you go out with the harness on, then keep going.
You may find that eventually your cat actually enjoys going outside, and gets really excited at the prospect of heading out. Many Ragdoll Cat owners that have successfully trained their cat report their cat runs to them in anticipation of going on a walk as soon as they see their harness and leash out ready. Walking a cat is a great way to bond with your feline friend and allow them to safely explore the outdoors. However, don’t expect your cat to follow you like a dog would on a leash. They may get there but don’t count on it!
The Best harnesses for Ragdoll Cats
When it comes to buying a leash for your cat, the best options are a harness or walking jacket. It is important to get a well-fitting harness that your cat cannot escape out of. A scared cat will very likely run away from you and potentially come into harm’s way. Once a cat escapes it’s very difficult to catch him or her again, as cats are agile and able to get through small spaces easily, not to mention their jumping abilities.
When it comes to selecting a harness for your feline friend, the variety is vast and there is no set rule for which type will work best. Here are some of the best harnesses on the market for cats so you can find out which one will work best for you!
A cushion net with strong elasticity and excellent breathability is used to wrap the cat's body uniformly. It is different from cat collars to reduce local stress, avoid strangling the cat's trachea, and prevent your cat from suffocating. This cat harness adds 3M reflective stripe, it is safer to walk at night.
This cat harness with leash set features the magic tape and back buckle design for secure closure to stop the cat slip out. And the vest-style design protects the neck of your cat against the pull and strain of a collar. You can share enjoyable walks, exercise and playtime outside with your kitty now
Travel Cat's Securely Snug and Fit Harness means you can confidently take your cat out walking, training, hiking and exploring the great outdoors with our adjustable, breathable harness and strong, escape-proof leash set.
Reflective Strip For Safety: This enables you and others to safely spot your fur baby from afar, even when it starts to get dark.
Extremely Durable Leash: Made with strong nylon and the purrfect length (3.9 ft.) to let your cat explore things while you’re still in full control.
Sturdy Snap Clip: Constructed with premium quality metal alloy and features a 360-degree rotation that adjusts to your cat’s every move!
The Come With Me Kitty Harness & Bungee Leash allows you to share enjoyable walks, exercise and playtime outside your home. The patented design allows for pressure on the leash to gently tighten the shoulder straps, restraining any forward motion without putting pressure on the delicate throat area. It gives you gentle, comfortable control of your cat or kitten while allowing her to explore the world. Two quick snap buckles make it easy to get the Come With Me Kitty Harness on and off. The Bungee leash provides gentle “give” when kitty pulls.
Even cats that hate other harnesses will love this lightweight and comfortable Kitty Holster Cat Harness. This award-winning walking vest is easy to put on but difficult for your cat to get out of on his own. It’s soft and made from 100% breathable cotton with an undyed cotton lining that’s especially great for cats with allergies. Putting it on your kitty is less stressful than your average harness because it secures quickly with two fuzzy fastener closures. The Kitty Holster Cat Harness is a good option for indoor cats to explore the outdoor world, get more exercise or go on trips with more freedom to move around safely. It's machine washable, which makes it easy to clean before the next adventure with your furry feline explorer.
Make your feline friend stand out from the crowd with Necoichi’s Ninja Cat Harness. This harness is made from comfortable cotton, polyester and PVC. It is soft, yet durable and features a unique Kimono print that’s sure to show off your kitty’s one-of-a-kind purr-sonality. This beautiful piece is one size fits most thanks to the adjustable design, plus, it has a stylish bow and gold charm.
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