How to walk a cat outside: tips for owners

To the question: “Does your cat go outside?” – many will answer “No”. And they can be understood. But some owners would still really like their kitty to be able to frolic outside, run through the grass, play with rustling, fallen leaves, or simply explore the world around her. After all, this is a lot of positive emotions for a cat. How can we be here then? How to walk a cat? After all, you don’t want to lose your cat by sending it outside, and you don’t like isolating your purring cat from the world?

A cat on the street exposes itself to many dangers. This includes infection with infectious diseases, ticks, fleas, and parasites, and a cat can bring all this into the house. Let's add here fights with other animals, the danger of getting hit by a car or getting lost, and refusal to walk becomes categorical.

Is it possible to walk a cat

This question cannot be answered directly. Inexperienced owners can only be advised to compare the life of a pet cat with their own. Both a person and a cat, theoretically, can spend their entire lives within the four walls of an apartment, feeling not bad at all. But you don’t want to sit in a stuffy room all the time, do you?

Only by walking and playing on the street can an animal feel true freedom and the charm of life, which will immediately sparkle with new colors. The pet will rejoice and will delight the owner with its desire to chase insects and lie on the grass, basking in the rays of the warm sun. Regular walks will strengthen the cat's respiratory and nervous system and make it more resilient.

Many people will wonder whether it is possible to walk a cat in winter. It is clear that in winter it is very cold outside, so you need to act carefully, gradually accustoming the animal to low temperatures. Again, everything will depend on the wishes and well-being of the pet itself. For some lovers of home warmth, a short stay on the balcony will be enough.

Cons of keeping cats indoors

After reading this long list of potential outdoor hazards, it may seem obvious to keep your cat strictly indoors so you can keep her safe.

But living entirely inside can bring challenges for cats, including::

Boredom
Lack of exercise
Weight gain or obesity
Inability to express natural behaviors such as hunting, climbing, scratching
Lack of mental stimulation
Excessive meowing/howling
Stress, anxiety or depression
Behavior problems (urine marking, litter box avoidance, destructive scratching)
Fights among domestic cats
Aggression towards people

The biggest problems for indoor cats are a lack of mental stimulation, lack of exercise, and an inability to express the natural behaviors that make a cat a cat. This can cause cats to become bored, stressed and depressed.

Bored cats often lie down most of the day, and the fun part is going into the bowl again and again for a snack. Inactivity and overeating lead to weight gain, which can contribute to health problems such as diabetes and arthritis.

Cats that are stressed and depressed may develop behavioral problems such as litter box problems, destructive scratching, fighting with other pets, or even aggression towards people.

When not to walk your cat

Not all cats and not always can be taken outside even under the control of the owner.

Veterinarians recommend not walking:

small kittens until they complete the vaccination schedule;
cats over the age of five years old, not previously accustomed to the street;
pregnant cats (they can easily catch “contagious” diseases);
sick or “recovering” pets;
“inadequate” cats during heat;
unsterilized cats and cats without owner supervision.

Advantages and disadvantages of leashes

Pros:

Carrying out walks, knowing that the animal will not run away;
Control over your pet, the ability to avoid hard-to-reach or dangerous places, exclusion of unwanted situations (meeting stray dogs and cats);
The risk of losing an animal is significantly reduced. He is constantly in sight, which will prevent him from eating anything on the street, jumping into garbage cans, and so on;
Adjusting the distance between the owner and the pet;
Just for the peace of mind of the owner himself.

Minuses:

Not all cats quickly get used to leashes. They may panic, try to break free and run away, and in an agitated and nervous state, the cat may harm itself;
Incorrectly chosen leashes injure animals, severely squeezing the neck;
Poor quality leashes can break at any time, and it is possible that the cat, taking advantage of this, will run away and get lost.

How to walk a cat for the first time

When planning to walk cats on a leash, be prepared for an ambiguous reaction from your pets: the animal may be very frightened, or it may be so carried away by the walk that it wants to run away from you. Therefore, check the strength of the leash in advance, then attach it to the harness and hit the road, taking the puppy in your arms or placing it in a carrier.

Don’t put the cat down on the ground right away, let her look around, sniff and get used to it. If your pet is very frightened, it is better to accustom it to walking on the ground gradually, taking it outside for a few minutes every morning. Do not put off outdoor trips for too long: the animal will experience stress like the first time, forgetting about previous impressions.

Walking dogs in the local area: law

Basic provisions

Among the current standards for keeping and walking animals in urban environments, the main requirements are:

Mandatory timely vaccination.
No cruelty allowed.
Maintaining standards of behavior in public and common areas, which include the local area (Chapter 3. “Basic rights and responsibilities of dog owners regarding their maintenance”, Article 14. “Rights and responsibilities of a dog owner”).

A short leash is used when leaving the apartment and traveling on any type of public transport; for dwarf breeds, a special carrier is recommended (Article 18. “Being with a dog in public places”). Outside the area equipped for walking, the animal must be muzzled. In accordance with the Criminal Code, the owner bears full responsibility for the actions of the dog and the damage caused by it.

The rights and responsibilities for keeping a dog also apply to private courtyards (Article 16. “Keeping a dog on the owner’s territory”). Free walking without a muzzle or leash is allowed only in the enclosure; the entrance must be equipped with a sign warning about the presence of a dog in the yard. In other places there is a ban on walking dogs in the local area.

Silence law

In 2021, a number of amendments were made to the law on silence of the Russian Federation. Now it clearly indicates the permissible limits for noise levels and compiles a list of their potential sources.

Besides:

repair and construction work in the building itself and nearby;
use of pyrotechnics;
repeated activation of the car alarm;
loud music and loud conversations;
There is one important item in the legislative list: the sounds that animals make.

IMPORTANT: If the volume of sounds made by pets exceeds the established noise level, their owners are responsible.

According to the new standards, the volume of domestic noise in residential premises should not exceed 55 dB during the daytime and 45 dB in the evening and night hours. The law on silence also applies to local areas: here the noise level should not exceed 70 dB during the day and 60 dB after 22.00.

The volume of an average dog's bark is 60-108 dB; in terms of volume, this sound is close to the roar of a motorcycle and significantly exceeds permissible standards. Thus, dog lovers in the local area violate not only the rules for keeping animals, but also the law on silence.

Using a cat harness

This is where a harness can help us. Of course, walking with a harness will somewhat limit the mustachioed’s fun, but it will also protect him from a lot of things. Therefore, you can discuss what steps to take to train your cat to go outside.

First, purchase a comfortable cat harness (a dog leash will not work) and begin to accustom your cat to it. At first, the harness can simply lie in a visible and accessible place for the cat, just let her get used to it. Then, wear only a harness, no leash, and try to distract the animal with something pleasant. For example, a treat or a game. If the cat tries to rip off the collar, do not follow her lead, continue to interest her in something and remove the collar when she calms down and is distracted. Then she will not associate the harness with something extremely unpleasant.

In the following days, repeat the procedure, not forgetting about the reward for your cat. Then, we begin to attach the leash itself. Having attached it, walk behind the cat and under no circumstances pull it by the leash.

You are just insurance, not the leader of its movement. If you try to command your cat where to go by pulling the leash, the cat will simply lie down on the floor and lie there.

Creating a comfortable home environment for your cat

There are a number of simple steps you can take to create a positive, safe and fun environment for your indoor cat. Most of them are very simple to implement and do not require large expenses. In the long run, they will greatly improve your indoor cat's quality of life.

How to improve your cat's home environment

Place vertical and horizontal scratching posts in different areas of the house to give your cat a place to claw.
You can diversify the eating experience by making it part of the game. Puzzle feeders will encourage your cat's mental activity, relieve boredom and provide a little extra exercise.
Set up a cat tree to give your friend a place to climb.
Place a blanket or towel on the windowsill - the cat will have a good observation post and will be able to monitor what is happening on the street. However, keep in mind that your pet may become stressed if there are other cats in its line of sight.
Make sure that all window screens are securely attached and that there are no holes in them. Explain to family members that doors to the outside must be tightly closed.
Indoor cats should also be microchipped. If your cat gets lost or runs away, having a microchip will make it easier to find her.
Remove all house plants that are dangerous and toxic to cats and create a garden in your home from harmless analogues.
Play with your cat as often as possible. You can buy toys from a pet store or make them yourself.

By looking at this issue from different angles, you can make a decision about whether to let your cat go outside, and you can be confident that it will benefit her in the long run. Remember that in each case the decision is made individually and depends on the characteristics of the cat and the existing conditions of detention. Cats will be happy and healthy whether they have the opportunity to go outside or not. Most importantly, pay enough attention to their physical, psychological and emotional needs, and take the necessary precautions to create a safe and supportive environment at different stages of life.

How to put on a harness

There are different types of harnesses, but cats prefer the “H” and “8” models.

Option “H” is a pair of rings fastened with a strap (sometimes with two straps to provide greater protection, the second strap is attached from below parallel to the first). The “latch” of the larger ring is located immediately behind the front paws, the smaller ring is secured around the neck. The strap, connecting the rings along the back, does not allow them to “spread”.

The main difference between the second model, which has the shape of an infinity or a figure eight, from the first is the method of fixing the rings - the rings are connected directly to each other without the help of a strap.

There is only one “lock” on this model, and many owners find it difficult to put the harness on their cat. And you need to act without wisdom:

open the lock;
hang the first ring on your pet’s neck;
place a hanging strap around the chest behind the front paws;
close the “latch”.

Both models have proven themselves well, but mustaches react more calmly to the harnesses of the “H” option. Most likely, this is due to the fact that the cross strap prevents the ring from squeezing the throat too much.

Precautionary measures

When you decide to take your cat outside, be sure to make sure that it has all its vaccinations and that the animal is healthy. In addition to the harness, attach a collar with a tag with your address to her neck and never let your baby go outside without it. Then, putting on a harness and placing the cat in a carrier bag, take the cat outside. It is desirable that it be a quiet place, without transport, many people and animals. After opening the bag, give Murka the opportunity to get comfortable and get out on her own. There is no need to pull it out by force. Even if the first times are limited to just sitting in an open bag and sniffing new smells. After all, this is a walk for pleasure.

When the cat starts to get out of the bag, just follow it wherever it likes, again, don’t try to guide it unnecessarily. The first forays outside can be limited to 10-15 minutes, and then the time on the street can be increased to an hour. After walking your cat outside, you need to wash its paws and regularly carry out preventive measures against parasites: worms, fleas, etc.

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Should a cat be allowed outside
? Should a cat be allowed to walk outside from time to time, and if so, for how long? This is one of the very important questions, the answer to which every cat owner must find on their own. There are many pros and cons to consider on this topic, and these pros and cons will need to be weighed more than once before making a final decision.

Cat on the street: arguments for

The main argument of those who regularly let their pet out for a walk and consider it right is simple: cats are very independent natures, and on the street they feel freer, because their space and actions are not limited. Moreover, a cat on the street can also feel happy because:

there are more opportunities for active activities - outside you can run to your heart's content, climb trees, hunt and do other things cats love,
there are many relatives living on the street with whom you can sort things out or, on the contrary, “start a family”,
there is sunlight, a moderate amount of which has a beneficial effect on the health and sleep of the animal,
on the street, a cat will be able to satisfy its natural curiosity - many different phenomena that will need to be learned can significantly expand the horizons of your pet,
the street allows animals to demonstrate all their behavioral habits, which are laid down at the level of instincts - scratching various objects with their claws, marking their territory, etc.

Moreover, veterinarians believe that cats need walks because they can add variety to their daily lives. This is very important, because boredom can subsequently become a catalyst for various deviations in the animal’s behavior, which can begin to scratch wallpaper or furniture, intensively lick fur, destroy indoor plants, etc.

This is why animals that are picked up on the street and brought into the house very often want to come back. And if a cat asks to go outside, it is better to either let it out or find something for it to do indoors. Otherwise, she will either be sad or throw out all her energy inside the house, which is sometimes dangerous for the integrity of the things located there.

Cat on the street: arguments against

Even if the cat asks to go outside too persistently, you should think carefully before opening the door for him. First of all, it is necessary to take into account that such a change will qualitatively change the pet’s life and will directly affect how and how long it will live. And with the wrong approach, you can significantly shorten the life of your pet!

This is possible because:

On the street, a cat is exposed to many infections, including rabies (this is why it is so important to give your pet all the necessary vaccinations on time),
a cat unprepared for the hardships of street life can accidentally eat poison that is spread by animal fighters and become seriously ill or even die,
on the street it is very difficult for cats to avoid injuries and injuries, and they are harmful not only in themselves: through wounds during fights, feline AIDS viruses can enter the blood of animals, which affects 14% of animals,
while walking, a cat will inevitably encounter parasites (worms, fleas, ringworm, etc.) - most of them have vaccinations or other preventive measures, but be prepared for the fact that even a healthy walking pet can bring them into your home , infecting other pets or even yourself,
outdoor cats are often attacked by wild animals, which can either infect them or seriously injure them,
if the cat is purebred, it can simply be stolen,
Pets that go outside are more likely than others to die under the wheels of cars or be subjected to cruel treatment by people - they are used to trusting people, so they are often careless.

And, of course, a pet “unprepared” for the hardships of the street can easily catch a cold: temperature changes greatly contribute to this.

Taking this into account, experts say: releasing a domestic cat outside is not a solution to the animal’s behavioral problems. Moreover, this may even be a threat to his life: according to statistics, cats that live on the street or are often there live on average 3-7 years. Domestic cats live to be 14 or more.

What should you think about when letting your cat outside?

If you decide that your pet will walk outside or even live there permanently, you will need to prepare for this. This can be done by taking into account several important aspects:

the cat will need to have all the necessary vaccinations (against infectious diseases, various viruses) and antiparasitic fur treatment (so that your pet does not suffer from fleas, lice, ticks, etc.),
the cat needs anthelmintic drugs, and if the animal walks on the street, it will have to be given them once every 3-4 months, regardless of whether you notice symptoms of worms,
you should think about whether you want the cat to bring you offspring: she is able to do this already at 6-7 years of age (to avoid this, you should think about castration or sterilization of your pet),
When releasing a cat onto city streets, it is better to provide the animal with a collar with your address and telephone number or a tag printed on it - this will help if the cat gets lost, and will also indicate that it is domestic.

How to accustom a cat to the street?

This needs to be done gradually. A kitten should be taught to walk from the age of 3-4 months, when it has already received the necessary vaccinations. The sequence of training is as follows:

rehearse a walk down the street with your pet - put a harness and leash on the cat and accustom him to this accessory by leading the cat around the house,
when your pet gets used to such unusual equipment, introduce him to the yard,
then show him the street with all its dangers,
after this, the kitten should be shown the way to the entrance of the house, and from there to your apartment (the opinion that cats easily find their way home is wrong - only those who have already adapted to the street do this).

At the first stage, you will need to accustom your cat to a leash and harness. A collar for cats is not suitable because they have a more delicate and thin neck than dogs, and the collar can seriously damage it. Harnesses (special straps that cover the pet in the area of the shoulder blades and fasten on the neck or tummy) are not capable of this and, in addition, they do not allow the cat to slip out of them.

To help your cat get used to the harness faster, you should choose an accessory made of lightweight material (cotton or nylon), and also make sure that both the harness and the leash are as light as possible. You can use roulette leashes for small breed dogs.

If your pet is already a year old or more, and he has never been outside, it is better not to let him out at all. Such a walk will be a real stress for the animal. On the other hand, the younger the kitten, the greater the chance that it will quickly adapt to the street.

Also, if you are wondering how to tame a cat outdoors, remember: an adapted animal may not appear at home for several days, especially if it is March! But at the same time, if the cat has been gone for more than 2-3 days, it is better to independently visit the places where these animals gather (basements, certain areas of courtyards, entrances) and look for your pet there. Also, do not be surprised if one day your pet returns home bitten, hungry and scratched - such are the hardships of street life, and if you have chosen it for your pet, all that remains is to care for it afterwards.

How to wean a cat off the street?

If you suddenly decide that you need to stop walking (or you picked up a cat from the street and don’t want her to return there), you will definitely have to think about how to wean the animal from “free life”. This is very important, because a cat that is used to living outdoors will have a hard time adapting to the house. However, this problem is completely solvable. You just need to follow a few instructions:

give the cat her own territory where she can walk and play as much as she wants,
arrange places on which the animal can calmly climb and on which it can sharpen its claws, and you will satisfy its habits, which are easily implemented on the street,
for a domestic cat, you can purchase a special gaming complex that allows you to satisfy all the needs of the animal,
let your pet go for a walk on the balcony (provided that it is fenced and the cat will not run away),
protect the vents and windows with nets or bars so that the cat does not intentionally or accidentally leave your house,
prepare the cat litter by filling it not with litter, but with sand or earth - this will be more consistent with the living conditions to which your pet is accustomed,
diversify the life and nutrition of your pet - cats that have been outside are more active, and more domestic ones need various useful and nutrients, and to provide them with them, try growing grass for cats at home and buying vitamins,
Pay more attention to your pet, playing with him as often as possible.

And remember: you should never transfer your emotions to the emotions of animals. If you see that a cat is sitting sadly on the windowsill and looking outside, this does not mean that it is eager to go there. Typically, such “get-togethers” only mean that the animal is simply observing what is happening: for cats this is a great way to relax. And if animals receive sufficient physical activity and a balanced diet, they have no need to walk outside.

Little tricks

The life of a cat on the street is full of various rules, and compliance with some of them depends on the owner.

Neutered cat and the street

Owners of neutered cats should pay special attention to organizing walks for their pets. According to experts, castrated cats have no smell, so other animals cannot understand whether it is a cat or a cat, and do not touch such a “newbie”: cats simply do not see him as a rival.

However, if a neutered cat behaves aggressively on the street and encroaches on someone else’s territory, a fight cannot be avoided. At the same time, both male and female cats will fight - for the latter, a castrated relative is not at all understandable and is considered something foreign. However, the castrated cat himself will not remain in debt - for him, both male and female cats are the same “border violators”.

When and where to go for a walk?

Another important rule concerns the place and time for walks. It is best to take your pet for a walk in quiet places (for example, in a park), where there are not large crowds of people and there are few stray animals that can scare a domestic cat. This should be done during the day, and if secluded places are occupied at the height of the day, you can go for a walk in the morning or early evening. In this case, you should avoid that during your walk:

you did not come close to any thickets - the leash could get tangled in them,
you did not let the cat go for a minute - a frightened animal can run away,
a cat sitting in your arms or in a carrier walked on the ground only when it wanted to (it is best to take the cat outside in a carrier, put the carrier on the ground and wait until the pet wants to go out and look around).

Pet call

When the cat has already learned to walk on its own and is not afraid of the street, think about how you will let your pet home and let him out for walks. For residents of private houses, those who live on the first floors have the easiest time - the animal can leave and enter through the window. The rest will have to do this through the door, and in this case it is best to train the cat to meow in front of the door (this is easy to do - at first you need to take the cat one or two floors down, and then call it to you and give a treat when it comes). In the first days of such walks, you can keep the door ajar all the time so that the cat knows that behind it is its home. Finally, for very smart cats, the owners make a special bell at the bottom of the door - a cat that starts scratching at the door, returning home, presses it with its paw and lets you know that it has returned.

How to get rid of... prey?

A cat that walks outside has a particularly pronounced hunting instinct - the animal happily hunts birds or rodents and then brings them into the house with no less pleasure. The cat perceives all this as an ordinary game, and is very happy that it can play like this on the street, because at home it is completely deprived of this opportunity. However, why does a cat show its prey to its owners?

According to experts, there are several answers to this question:

firstly, your pet wants to show you who he managed to catch while hunting,
secondly, he expects praise for it.

Taking this into account, you should under no circumstances scold a cat for such behavior, because the animal will not even understand what’s going on! In such a situation it is necessary:

remain completely calm and affectionately thank and praise your pet,
then carefully remove the bird or rodent from its mouth (if you do this carefully, there is a chance that the “prey” will still be alive, and you can simply release it into the wild),
After this, you need to pet the cat a little, and then still let her understand that this behavior does not cause you delight (the animal will understand this if you release the prey right in front of its eyes).

In any situation, never raise your voice at your cat or scold it. When hunting, your pet is simply realizing its instincts, and you should not embarrass it by the fact that you do not understand cat nature and are dissatisfied with it.

Winter and summer

And, of course, when taking your cat for a walk, it is very important to remember the season! In cold weather, animals get seriously cold, and a cat outside in winter can get a serious cold. In cold weather, it is better not to let your pet out alone, and if you decide to take him for a walk, keep the walks short and provide a blanket for the cat in which you can wrap it, taking your pet in your arms.

On the other hand, a cat outside in the summer may suffer from the heat, so in the heat it is better to hold off on walks. The best option is to let your pet out in the evening or early in the morning and make sure that he does not overheat in the hot sun. Also, on the hottest days, you can simply leave the cat at home, no matter how much it asks to go outside.

By following these simple rules, you can ensure your pet’s “street” life in accordance with all the rules. Such a life will certainly be comfortable for your cat, and will also be as safe as possible for her. And the more you think about the health and life of your pet, the greater the chance that everything will always be fine with him.

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