Leash Training Your Cat

Petra earns her turns!

Cats make incredible adventure buddies, and leash training is the start of your exploration together. Like with all cat training, it is essential to be patient and create a positive experience for you and your furry companion. While most cats will take well to a harness and leash, it isn't for all the beautiful felines out there. Some cats enjoy the comforts of their indoor lives, while others are excited to get out there. You know what's best for your cat, so ensure they stay safe and healthy.  It's important to note that any of these steps could take days or even weeks. Cats are independent creatures, so being attached to a leash will be an unnatural experience for them. Remember to listen to your cat, enjoy the process, and lean into the small successes!

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What you need:  

• Harness & leash 

• Favorite treats 

• Favorite toys 

• Towel 

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Leash Training Your Kitty

1. Before you do anything with a leash, make sure your kitty is comfortable in a harness

   If you landed on this page first, head over to our Harness Training blog. 

2. Don’t put the leash on your cat immediately.

   Similar to the harness, we want to desensitize the leash and build it up with positive reinforcements before putting it on. For a few days, we would suggest putting the leash in everyday places, mix it in with your cat’s favorite toys, and use play as a way to engage them with the leash.

3. Associate treats directly with the leash

   Once your cat is comfortable around the leash, we would put all the toys away and leave out the leash. Feed your kitty their favorite treats on and around the leash.. 

4. Attach the leash to your cat’s harness

   When your cat is eating, or you’re giving them treats, clip the leash to their harness. Start brushing them with the end of the leash to let them know it isn’t threatening. Do this a few times a day.

5. Start walking around your home

   • Pro Tip: If you can, use a room in your home where they can’t get tangled up (aka table and chairs); that would make this step a bit easier.

   • To start getting your cat used to walking with you, set up a trail of treats so your cat will walk in the direction you want them to go. You can also use toys to dangle in front of them. Do this daily and increase the time your kitty is on the leash. You could start with five minutes, then advance to ten, and so on.

   • We also would have Petra walk around with the leash dragging behind her. If your cat gets spooked easily, don’t try this until later. You don’t want them to feel like they are being chased and ruin your progress. If not, this also made her used to having the leash on.

6. What can you expect on your first walk outside

   • Every cat’s first experience outside is different, so be prepared for everything. They will likely be on high alert, which can cause them to dart, freeze, or want to hide. Have treats or their favorite toys to help them be more comfortable. Have a towel if they are scared, and you need to pick them up without getting scratched.

   • Walking a cat is nothing like walking a dog. Cats have exceptional hearing and will stop at every sound they hear – especially when they are nervous. Just stand beside them, give them love, and follow their lead.

   • There are two schools of thought when taking your first step outside. One is your kitty walking through the doorway on their own or you carrying them. This comes from the worry once your cat is used to being outside (and wants to go back out), they may dash out the door when you open it. So, if you’re worried about that, you should make it a routine to carry your cat through your front door.

7. Going outside

   • Make the first few trips short and somewhere that might be already familiar. This could be the patio or backyard they are always looking at. As they get more confident, make each outing a little longer and explore further.

   • Initially, there will be more sniffing and staring than actually walking. Guiding your cat on a leash will take time (for Petra took about 4-5 months of consistent walks, and we are still working on it). It is slow but rewarding.

   • Stay consistent, try to go out every day, and have fun!

8. Additional tips & Safety:

   1. Be careful of dogs – while we love our dog friends, not all dogs like cats. Always have a plan for dog encounters. When you see a dog, we recommend scooping up your cat.

   2. Monitor what your cat is sniffing or chewing on. There are a lot of plants that are toxic for cats.

   3. Don’t let them go under a vehicle. For obvious reasons, we don’t want to let our cat think a good hiding spot is around a car. I’ll usually hiss at Petra if she does.

   4. Ask your veterinarian if there are additional vaccinations for your adventure kitty.

Brands we use:

• Harness & leash  – follow this link below for 10% off or use MEOWTAINEER (all caps) at the check out. 

• Favorite treats – Inaba Churu, Blue Buffalo Burst or Kitten Crunch check out our Amazon store below 

• Favorite toys – Petra loves string and boxes