1) Know your cat
Just like people, not all cats want to be adventurous. Some may want to curl up on the couch, hang on the patio, or hide under a bed - all of which are great. Your cat is puurrfect just the way they are! So, before you rush to buy any of the fancy gear, we suggest you analyze your cat’s personality. Are they constantly pawing at the window, bolting to the door, are they brave and playful? Then your cat sounds like a good fit!
After you decide if this is the right choice for your cat, set up an appointment with your veterinarian and make sure your cat is up to date on vaccinations, treatments, and medications.
2) Trust & Love
While this might seem cheesy, the key to our safe and fun adventures has been a trusting relationship with Petra. From the beginning, we listened to her needs, learned her language, and found what her boundaries were. If we picked her up and she meowed in a negative way, we would immediately put her down. We always let her make the first move and never forced her to cuddle or sit on our lap. At the same time, when she would come to us, we made it so much fun and ensured she felt loved.
3) Patience
Something we had to keep reminding ourselves was that cats are not like dogs! While that might seem obvious, when we first started out, we expected Petra to get the hang of basic tasks like wearing a harness or walking with a leash quickly. That was not the case. Cats are incredibly independent creatures, so being in a harness and leash is unnatural at first. Expect it to take a while for them to get used to it!
4) The Right Gear
Depending on the type of adventure you’ll need a variety of gear. For just starting out we would suggest walking around your backyard, neighborhood, or quiet park and have the items below.
Harness & Leash
There are a wide variety of harnesses out there, so do your research for what works best for your kitty. We are big fans of the brand Surfer Cat Luxury – we have used them from the very beginning. They are escape-proof (we know from experience) and minimalist for her confidence. As for leashes, we have two. We use a light weight 6ft leash made for small dog’s and a retractable leash for low recoil for cats. Both are great for different situations. Find what you and your cat like the best.
You are going to want to train your cat with the harness and leash before you head outside, so check out those tips next.
Training bag & Backpack
For hiking and bigger adventures, we would suggest a backpack, but traveling around town or on a plane we use the training bag from Surfer Cat Luxury. You’re going to need to desensitize the backpack and training bag before you want use it so check out the where to do that here.
Treats are great training tools. Petra is obsessed with Inaba Churu and Blue Buffalo Burst.
5) Training & Consistency
It could take days or weeks for your cat to get used to the harness, leash, and backpack. So, make training a part of your daily routine. Don’t be alarmed if your cat doesn’t like them initially, just stay consistent.
Check out our other “how to” tips for further training. We are so excited for you and kitty to safely get out there and explore this beautiful world. Have fun out there!
