Leash-training Your Cat Trivia Quiz

Answer: False

Although cats are not pack animals, some will pick up on leash-training instantly because, when they were kittens, their mothers would let them tag along on hunting expeditions. The mother cat would make sure her kittens stayed close by while she taught them to hunt. Your cat probably views you as a parent, so her stubbornness is really the biggest obstacle. I'm not saying leash-training is easy, because most cats are very stubborn!

Answer: False

A cat can squirm out of a collar in an instant, and one will put a lot of pressure on your kitty's neck. Collars are definitely not safe. Use a comfortable nylon harness, made specially for cats. I would recommend a Walking Jacket -- a very safe jacket-type harness that fits around the cat's neck, shoulders, and chest. You will have to introduce the harness to the cat slowly, along with the leash. Cats do not accept harnesses right away.

Answer: Ignore the cat

This may not seem particularly important, but you want your cat to realize the leash is harmless and familiar. You don't praise the cat for playing with her toys; play is her own reward. Why should the leash be any different? Besides, you don't want her to play with the leash while you walk her.

However, it is very important that you do NOT reprimand the cat for playing with the leash. That will just make her associate negative experiences with it. Leave her alone until she accepts the leash as ordinary.

Answer: Take him outside and hold him

You want your cat to associate the leash with going outside early on, especially if he's never been outside before. Being on a leash will be a new experience and cats are creatures of habit, so each step you take is important. Put the leash on the cat and take him to a safe outdoor area. Hold him securely to make sure he will not panic, and let him check things out. Don't try to put him on the ground just yet; if he is startled he might bolt and get tangled in the leash. Pet him and talk to him when he is calm.

Answer: No

There are too many distractions outside, even if your cat is used to being outdoors, even if she is safe in a fenced backyard, and even if she won't take off and get tangled in the leash. Your kitty should be focused. Okay, cats don't really focus, as they have five-minute attention spans! Still, you should keep distractions to a minimum. Practice indoors. You should still take your cat outside and hold her with the leash on from time to time.

Answer: Give the leash a quick, gentle pop

Just a quick pull and release is all you need. Don't haul the cat forward or drag him behind you -- going for walks should be fun for your kitty, and you might injure him. Offering a treat for walking in the wrong direction will only encourage it. Most importantly, BE PATIENT. Remember that cats are very intelligent, but also very stubborn.

When your cat finally moves in your direction, praise him!

Answer: Stop walking and stand in place until the leash is loose

Your cat might get overexcited and charge ahead, or else start running in circles or attacking the leash! Whenever you feel tension in the leash, stop in your tracks. Teach the cat that if she pulls, she's not going anywhere; if she wants to move on, she's going to do it on a loose lead! When she stops pulling and looks back to see why you're not coming, start walking her and praise, praise, praise. Remember, don't encourage your cat by trying to calm her down when she pulls. And don't lose your patience; you'll have to work long and hard before you can start taking your cat for walks outside.

When she behaves perfectly in the house, you can try it in a safe, familiar outdoor area.

Answer: False

Just because you are standing still does not mean that the cat will calm down. He will just panic more, attracting the dog's attention. Standing still will show the dog that you are unthreatening and the cat will be easy prey. If your cat is wearing a harness that fits snugly, he should not be able to get loose. First, you should try to back off as slowly and calmly as possible. If the cat continues to panic and the dog moves too close, spray the dog with water. Keep a water gun handy. If the dog does attack your cat, the safest thing to do is to release your cat. At least now he has the chance to run from the dog, and if you hold on to your cat chances are good that one or both of you will be bitten. Do not pick up your cat. The cat will only struggle and scratch. Let your cat run away and get help as soon as possible. Finally, as a last resort only -- meaning the dog is biting your cat and there is no one to help you -- grab the dog's back legs and lift them off the ground. He will not be able to run forward or bite you. That doesn't sound too tempting, does it?
If you meet a strange dog that only wants to make friends, but terrifies your cat, do as I mentioned above and just walk away. If you show you are uneasy, your cat will pick up on that. Once your kitty calms down, the dog will get bored and walk away. If your cat is frightened of leashed dogs, only walk her in private, fenced areas where it's guaranteed you won't meet any. Going for walks should be fun, right? Just to be on the safe side, never walk your cat in an area where dogs are allowed off-leash, or you are likely to meet a stray animal.
Don't let what I've said here discourage you. The chances that your cat will actually be attacked by a dog are very low. If your cat was well socialized as a kitten, he will most likely enjoy getting to see dogs!

Answer: True

Most cats don't walk on leashes like dogs. They like to run a little, then stop and sniff. They like to explore every little patch of ground if they're in an unfamiliar area. It isn't really important that your cat walks by your side, as long as he doesn't pull or try to run off when he sees a dog or a squirrel.

Answer: 6 months

You can start, and probably should, introduce the harness sooner, but leave the outside walks until the kitten has grown. At six months, the cat is old enough to endure a long walk but young and impressionable enough to learn especially quickly. She is healthy and fully vaccinated, and if she was well socialized as a very young kitten she can easily be taught to ignore dogs.