5 Major Ways to Bond with Your Cat Better

It is not uncommon to have a cat as part of a family or an individual in these times. In fact, more often than not, families make pets (especially cats) part of their family in this century. According to a recent survey by Forbes, over 65% of American households own pets, and about 40% own cats. Surely, families are seeing the benefits of owning these wonderful pets, or else they would not be so much in American homes.

Cats are vital pets to families as they can offer a wide range of benefits, from emotional support to companionship. Many experts believe that a bond with your cat can increase your life and the pet’s lifespan. However, owners must be intentional about their actions towards their cats.

Looking to bond better with your pet? This article has been curated just for you. Read up to learn more ways to bond with your cat.

Ways to Bond Better With Your Cat

Here are some ways to strengthen the bond with your cat:

• Schedule Some Cat Time

When it comes to the relationship with your pet cat, you should know that cats are just like humans (females especially. One wonders if it’s different with female cats).  Cats need attention, and not just attention, but quality attention. You need to make time to spend with your cat and ensure you spend it well. 

You should not be rubbing their ears or playing games on this website while you scroll on Instagram. Give them your utmost attention when you play with them, and do not forget to throw in some nibbles and treats when you can. Giving them massages and grooming them are also ways to spend quality time with them.

• Go for Walks with Them 

Walking with your cat is also a good way to bond with them. Parks are a good location to do this, but if possible, map out a quiet route and use it. Your cat will surely love you more for this. A scenic walk along the river or beach is always a good choice, and country walks with minimal interruptions with squirrels in the trees are the best! Just ensure you always hold on to the leash, okay?

• Be Patient with Your Cat

As with children, you must be patient with your cats. Patience is a required virtue in dealing with pets and cats. Whether it is helping your cat learn a new trait or helping them settle in new surroundings, patience is vital and necessary. Without this, they might never be at peace with you and around you.

Asking your cats to do much more than they can is sure to discourage them from bonding with you. For instance, they might be shy around visitors and would prefer to lie down in their beds while visitors come to see them. Do not rush the process, okay? 

• Be Positive

Cats bring a lot of joy and happiness but can also cause you to tear your hair out. You could buy the new Nike Air sneakers and find them being eaten by your cat. What do you do then?

Nothing. Yes, nothing.

Cats might not know what’s wrong until you tell them. It is important to be positive about everything to help your cats feel happier and more welcome. Sure, you should, from time to time, express displeasure, but ensure it is few and far between. Cats are happy in happy spaces, so keep your space happy.

Always remember that cats can tune in to our feelings and be affected by them, just like humans. Remember this the next time your cat breaks a cup and eats up your shoes. Again, patience is key.

• Teach Your Cat a New Trick Every Month

Teaching your cat some tricks might seem like a herculean task, especially for specific cats. However, the benefits far outweigh the demerits. Teaching your cat tricks at a young age can increase their socialization skills and mannerisms and help them act better in a myriad of situations. It is not enough to stop at basic obedience training but to go several steps further.

Training your pet cat exercises its brain and improves its cognitive abilities before it reaches its later years. Schedule daily training sessions with your cat and start with basic tricks like rolling over and high-fives.

Cats love to please people and would, naturally, do anything to attain this goal. Cats also love the ancient yet effective game of fetch, which makes the blood tumble along the veins when needed. Your cat will certainly enjoy learning these tricks, so give it a go.

Conclusion

Cats are adorable, furry pets, and we all love to play with them every now and then. You should look to give them the best possible care, love, and attention to ensure your bond strengthens as the days go by. Remember, a cat is man’s best friend. Keep the bond strong, and you have a loyal friend till the end.

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Until our next cat convo

-MARTIN

A guide to teaching your children how to safely handle a cat

For a child, there’s nothing quite as exciting as getting a first pet. Often, that’s a cat, as parents know that they can be tactile and safe family pets.

However, handling a cat doesn’t always come naturally to kids. After all, we’ve all winced at the sight of a child carrying a cat by their shoulders, their elongated body swaying left to right. The cat might be easygoing enough to put up with this, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a safe or recommended method of handling.

So, how should you handle a cat? In this guide, we’ll cover a few crucial points to keep in mind, as well as how best to teach them to your child to ensure a pleasant experience – for both them, and the cat.

Let them learn from example

We know that children learn best from watching their caregivers and siblings. That being said, think first about how you handle the cat, before letting your child give it a go.

Remember that your child is sensitive to your emotional reactions, and if they feel that you are anxious when interacting with the cat, they too are likely to feel anxious when it comes to their turn. Try to demonstrate how you hold, carry and pet the cat, so that your child knows what to expect, and can then copy your actions.

Teaching this to multiple children at once can feel like a struggle, but can work in your favour, as siblings and friends will tend to encourage and support each other, making the experience feel much more like a playdate than a lesson.

Help them to empathise with the cat

Talk to your child about how the cat might be feeling in each given moment. Perhaps their back is arched, because they are feeling defensive, or they’re laying on their back, because they are feeling calm and receptive to being handled.

If you ask your child what they think the cat might be telling them through its behavioural cues, they will learn to be more in-tune with its mood and behaviour, and be better equipped for interacting with the cat alone.

Supervise their first interactions

Most children want to be gentle and kind when handling pets. While they may try their best, they are often unaware of how heavy handed they are.

It’s good to keep an eye on your child as they interact with any new cat, for at least the first few meetings. This way, you can be present to guide them and engage in active conversation throughout the experience.

Although rare, unsupervised interactions can lead to bites and scratches for your child if the cat is provoked, and potentially worse harm for the cat if they are mishandled.

Don’t panic

Above all, try not to micromanage when your child first interacts with a cat. It might be tempting to rush in if the first stroke of the cat’s tail isn’t as well received as you had hoped, but it’s best to hold off if you can. This way, your child can build their confidence and will begin to put their intuition to use when it comes to playing with the cat.

Overall

Cats are a wonderful animal that are extremely safe for children to interact with in usual circumstances. Empathy and compassion are crucial when it comes to handling and interacting with any animal – after all, our pets are a part of the family, and we therefore owe them as much love and respect as any other family member.

Click on the links in the article to see where it takes you.

Until our next cat convo

-MARTIN

Boost Your Cat's Energy, Happiness and Overall Health With These 6 Tips

If you are a cat owner, you likely understand how rewarding it is to have this furry creature in your family. Their affection and love are often wonderful incredible benefits; however, as a pet owner, it is also important to you to understand your role in this relationship. These small creatures are reliant on you to make all of the decisions that affect their health and wellness. Here are 6 tips that can help improve their overall health, happiness and energy levels that can help you give them the life they deserve.

Well-Balanced Diet

For many pet owners, knowing what to feed your cat can sometimes be tricky. Not only can kitties be a bit picky, but you also need to find the right balance of nutrients. You need to find the right balance of ingredients in their meals. It is key to find options that are low in carbohydrates and fillers and higher in the ratio of protein and fats like Solid Gold. Make sure that their diet supports a healthy system and gives them the energy that they need to play, cuddle and go about their days.

Water Sources

It is not surprising the hydration is a key part of keeping your cat happy and healthy. Kitties will get quite a good bit of their hydration through wet food, and you need to monitor how much wet food and water they are consuming to the best of your abilities. Cats may consume water in a few different forms from bowls of stagnant water around, small kitty water fountains from the tap. You should always have one form of water available for their use at their leisure.

Their Own Space

Kitties are very territorial creatures, and they need to have their own bed or space away from other pets and humans. Having somewhere they can retreat to can help them navigate stressful situations and help them feel safe. Make sure that you find spaces for them to feel comfortable that they can consider their own.

Play Time

Cats spend a significant amount of their time resting and this can often be deceiving for pet parents. While your kitty may need naps, they also need playtime. Much like their human owners, staying active and getting exercise can help them maintain a healthy weight, reduce their risk of dangerous health conditions and keep them happier. While your cat will need playtime, you can also benefit from this, as playing with cats can be incredibly amusing and fun for you as well.

Engagement and Mental Stimulation

Cats were once wild creatures who roamed the earth, exploring and venturing off on their own. While cats have largely been domesticated, their instincts and behaviors are still rooted in their desire to explore. You need to let their natural instincts thrive and find a happy medium between their needs and yours. For indoor cats, there are plenty of ways to keep them engaged and stimulated and everything from cat trees, platforms, backyard engagement enclosures or mentally stimulating toys to help keep them energized, healthy and happy. Not only will this improve their life, but it also can reduce the likelihood of behavioral issues.

A Safe Home Environment

A cat’s natural desire to explore can be a wonderful thing, but it can also present challenges. Cat owners need to be vigilant to ensure that their home is safe and keep toxins away. While cleaning products and other household toxins may seem obvious, cat owners also need to be cognizant of certain types of plants and foods like chocolate, grapes and garlic that can cause tremendous harm if ingested. Make sure that you pet-proof your home as any exposure to harmful agents can cause significant harm to their health and safety.

As a pet parent, there are many things that you need to do to ensure that your furry family member can thrive. Everything from keeping them well-fed to ensuring that you have an engaging space to removing potential risks, there are many things that you need to account for. Do the research that is necessary to have a safe and healthy space for your kitty.

Click on the links in the article to see where it takes you.

Until our next cat convo

-MARTIN

Nutrition do's and don'ts for cats

Nothing can substitute a good diet and its health benefits and cats are no exception to this rule. The best way to make your cat friend thrive is to provide it with the best possible nutrition, love, and care. And don't forget: cats in the wild are obligate carnivores, unlike dogs who act more like omnivores.

Even though its lifestyle greatly differs from her ancestors', your cat likely still retains most of her instincts and nutritional requirements. It means that it requires food almost entirely based on protein and fat. With that in mind, nutrition for cats and its do's and don'ts are based on a few very simple rules.

Insight into cat nutrition

It is extremely important to maintain a strong relationship between your cat and its veterinarian, since only they can recommend the best diet for your feline pet. This is partly due to varying requirements cats have at different life stages. Pregnant and lactating cats will need certain supplements in their diet, newborns will drink only milk for a few weeks, and young, adult, and senior cats will all have different nutritional needs.

Throughout your cat's life, you will need to change and adjust its diet, as carefully as possible. Sometimes, you might need to reach out for supplements and vitamins, but only after consulting your cat's veterinarian. Finally, you should avoid common feeding mistakes in cats to keep your pet healthy. Grass that felines sometimes munch on helps with the process of digestion but doesn't have nutritional value. It is a mistake to assume that a diet rich in vegetables benefits cats, as they don't have the enzymes needed to digest veggies.

The most important cat nutrition do's and don'ts

When you're buying cat food, take a good look at the nutrition table on the packaging as well as the list of ingredients. If the list starts with carbohydrates or the list of grains and vegetables is longer than the list of meat, avoid the product. Carbs make cat food less expensive, but cheap cat food will actually cost you more in the long run, not to mention that it is likely not beneficial to your cat.

A way of providing proper nutrition for cats is in the balancing act between an affordable and nutritious diet. However, it is not only food that matters in a cat's life, even though cats make it seem like that. Note that only a happy living environment for your furry friend combined with proper nutrition will keep your cat healthy and extend its life.

Cat nutrition do's

• Always look for a note from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) on the cat food packaging stating that the food is balanced and meets cats’ nutritional requirements.

• Feed your cat at dawn and dusk, as those are the times they would normally hunt for food in nature. Most cats will eat only as much as they need, so you can leave the food out. However, if your pet is not a very good judge of that, always feed them at a specific time and then put all the food away until the next meal.

• On average, a cat's ideal daily intake is about 200 calories, although the number of calories depends on the cat's age, size, and lifestyle. Your cat's vet will tell you exactly how much your pet should eat in a day.

• If your pet's favorite food is not sold anymore, you need to know how to best change your cat's food to a new brand and maintain its required nutritional value. Once again, read the labels carefully and consult with the vet.

• Give commercial cat food to your pet, as it is specifically formulated for cats. However, if you wish to feed your cat the food that you've prepared, talk to your vet first.

• Make sure your cat has its own food bowl and wash it regularly to prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria.

• Always make sure that your cat has access to fresh drinking water, especially during hot months. If their diet consists mostly of wet food (moisture content of about 75% to 78% water) cats will drink less water, but they still need it. In comparison, the water content in dry foods ranges from 6% to 10%.

Cat nutrition don'ts

• Avoid giving your cat cow's milk and raw eggs. Cats are lactose intolerant. Aside from the risk of salmonella, frequent consumption of raw eggs can cause skin inflammation, hair loss, and poor hair growth to your cat.

• Don't overdo it with raw meat. While raw meat is the closest to what they'd eat in the wild, it also may contain bacteria such as salmonella, listeria, E. coli, or parasites. Take very good care when you're feeding your cat raw meat.

• Don't give your cat raw fish. Raw fish contains an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1), whose deficiency causes serious neurological problems in cats, even leading to convulsions and, in the worst-case scenario, coma.

• Don't provide vitamins and supplements to your cat if they already have a balanced diet. A vitamin overdose for cats and humans alike is dangerous just like a vitamin deficiency. If your cat has some health issues, then vitamins, supplements, and cat nutrition go hand in hand, with the vet's approval, of course.

• Don't give your cat your leftovers or too many treats between meals. Most human food is not nutritious to cats, and too many treats will surely lead to obesity. How many treats is optimal? Between 5% and 10% of their daily calory intake.

• Don't let the wet food sit in your cat's bowl for too long. After an hour, there will be too much bacteria, causing your cat digestive problems.

If your cat ever becomes overweight, it is partly due to an unbalanced diet and partly due to lack of activity. Your vet will study your cat's case and recommend the best course of action.

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Until our next cat convo

-MARTIN

Cat Vaccinations 101: Everything You Need to Know

We can all agree that vaccines are vital as they keep some of the worst diseases at bay. When it comes to cats vaccines, there are many widespread rumours on their side effects. This has left many cat owners asking whether to or not to vaccinate their furry friends. To put your mind at ease, here is everything you need to know about cat vaccinations.

Are Vaccines Necessary?

Vaccines protect your cat against fatal and contagious diseases. Vaccines also help your cat fight future infections as they trigger immune responses.  Cat vaccinations have saved many felines from some of the worst diseases. They have also rendered some past common diseases rare. So yes, vaccines are an absolute necessity if you want to keep your pet in good health.

There are two types of cat’s vaccines:

• Core vaccines

• Non-core vaccines

When you choose a kitty from us you will have peace of mind that we include in all our cats age-appropriate vaccinations, plus:

• First year’s Rabies vaccine

• Spay/neuter

• Testing for feline diseases

• Microchip

• De-flea/De-worm treatments

• TICA paperwork

Related: How To Maintain Good Dental Hygiene For Your Pets

Core Vaccines for Cats

The core or mandatory cat vaccines are provided by the Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel after regular evaluations and research on feline health and recent developments. Currently, there are four core cat vaccinations, as explained below:

Rabies – Rabies is a highly contagious disease. There is also no cure for this disease which is why your cat needs to get vaccinated. Your cat will get rabies from a bite from an infected mammal. The illness incubation period is around two months, after which your cat will exhibit signs of disorientation and aggression. The rabies vaccine is mandatory in many regions, and it is vital as it keeps you and your pet safe.

FVRCP Vaccine - The Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia vaccine is also referred to as distemper. This vaccine is a three in one vaccine that protects your furry friend from feline distemper.  

This vaccine combines the below three vaccines:

1. FPV vaccine - The FPV vaccine protects your cat from the Feline panleukopenia disease, which is highly infectious. The early signs of this disease are low appetite, lack of energy, diarrhoea and vomiting. The illness also lowers your cat white blood cells as the illness attacks your feline’s bone marrow and immune system. 

2. FHV-1 Vaccine - This vaccine protects your cat from the Feline herpesvirus that causes a severe respiratory infection that affects your cat’s throat and nose. Some cats will not exhibit any symptoms, although they act as carriers and will spread the virus to others.  The symptoms of this illness include nasal congestion, uncontrollable sneezing, blepharospasm, conjunctivitis and fever. Kittens and pregnant cats are at a higher risk of getting this illness. The disease is common in homes with multiple cats. There’s some good information on what paperwork you’ll need when you get a cat and want health insurance here. 

3. FCV Vaccine - This vaccine protects your cats from the Feline calicivirus. The calicivirus affects your cat’s tract, mouth, intestines and musculoskeletal system. It's highly infectious and can occur in cats of all ages. However, kittens aged six weeks and above are at a higher risk of being infected. It commonly occurs among kittens that live in multi-cat homes and households that are poorly ventilated. 

Non-Core Cat Vaccinations

Some cat vaccines aren’t mandatory, but your vet will recommend them if your pet is susceptible to a particular disease. Here are some of the optional cat vaccinations.

FeLV Vaccine - The FeLV vaccine protects your cat from Feline Leukemia. Cats with this illness often become anaemic and are likely to suffer from other infections due to reduced immunity. Feline leukaemia is passed from one cat to another through blood, saliva, urine and faeces. Kittens can also contract the disease through their mother's infected milk. Even a healthy cat may spread the virus as cats with the infection often go through a regressive stage. 

Bordetella -The Bordetella virus causes upper respiratory abnormalities in your cat and dog. It is spread through the air or contact with an infected pet. This vaccination is often recommended for pets that visit a groomer or cats that board or visit daycares. 

Feline immunodeficiency (FIV) - Feline immunodeficiency is a viral infection that makes your cat’s immune system weak, leading to secondary infections. The disease is passed from cat to cat through deep bites from an infected mother to her kitten. It is often recommended to cats who play outdoors as this is where aggressive territorial fights often occur. 

Chlamydophila Felis - The Feline chlamydophila disease is a type of bacterial infection that causes conjunctivitis and ocular infections. Infection is usually through direct contact with an infected cat. Symptoms are seen a few days after infection in the form of watery eye discharge, discomfort and pain in the eye. Your sick cat may also have a fever and nasal discharge. If untreated, the infected cat sheds the bacteria in the form of ocular secretions infecting other healthy cats.

Cat Vaccines Adverse Effects

Every vaccine comes with some risk. However, the adverse effects of vaccination in cats are less than 1%. Such effects are also mild in the form of fever, lethargy and inflammation.

Sarcoma, which is the growth of a cancerous mass at the place of vaccination is one of the most debated cat vaccination effects. Sarcoma is rare as it occurs in 1-10 of every 10,000 vaccinated cats. 

Nonetheless, it’s good to monitor your cat’s injection site for any swelling. If the swelling persists for more than a month after vaccination, surgery can be done to treat it.

Vaccinations are necessary for your pet. They keep them healthy and also trigger your feline’s immunity. Your vet will help with a suitable vaccination schedule for your pet based on their age, vaccination history and their exposure to various diseases.

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Until our next cat convo

-MARTIN

Secondhand Smoke and Pets

Those who have pets understand that our animals’ happiness and wellbeing is of paramount importance. But often we do not realize that our own habits can affect the health of our favorite animals. By understanding the facts of second-hand smoke, we can find out how best to protect those we love, and what we can do to prevent unnecessary health issues in our pets, caused by the toxins in second-hand smoke. 

 What is Second-Hand Smoke? 

Second-hand smoke is the smoke or fumes that occur as a consequence of smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products. Often referred to as ‘Passive Smoking’, this smoke is often invisible, so no matter how much you attempt to control the fumes you are producing as a bi-product when you smoke, the largest percentage will still be inhaled by those around you. 

 Second-Hand Smoke: The Facts

Health guidelines around smoking and the dangers of second-hand smoke are well published.

The truth is:

-       That secondhand smoke causes approximately 7,330 deaths from lung cancer, and 33, 950 deaths from heart failure each year. 

-       All exposure to second-hand smoke carries a risk- there is no risk-free level of exposure, and;

-       It only takes 20-30 minutes to cause excess blood clotting increasing the risk of a heart attack.

-       It severely affects those with asthma, leading to more frequent and severe asthma attacks.

-       More minor problems are ear infections and respiratory infections such as bronchitis. 

-       Second-hand smoke can lead to what is known as ‘third-hand smoke’, which is a cocktail of toxins that cling to carpets, upholstery and clothes and can be a hazard to infants and children. 

-       Second-hand smoke stays in a room for 5 hours, meaning one cigarette can cause 5 hours of harmful toxins in one room. 

  Effects of Second-Hand Smoke on Pets

As previously stated, there is no risk-free level of passive smoke exposure, and this also applies to pets. Extensive research has found that pets are even more susceptible to second-hand smoke-related problems than humans. 

-       Exposure in dogs has been linked to eye irritations, infections, greater occurrence of allergies, and respiratory problems (including lung tumors). 

-       Cats are likely to even more likely to develop problems than dogs, as they meticulously groom themselves using their tongues. This means that they can ingest the tar, smoke and carcinogens as they land on their fur and surfaces around the house causing throat and lung diseases and cancers. 

-       Other common household pets are birds, who can have their eyesight affected and gain respiratory problems from second-hand smoke. Nicotine residue on a smoker’s hand when touching the bird may also cause skin problems. 

-       Reptiles such as snakes and lizards are also commonly kept as pets. Their lungs are smaller and more delicate than that of mammals, and therefore can become more irritated by second-hand smoke and develop lung and respiratory problems and diseases.

You can find the full resource on smoking around pets here.

 Solutions

Clearly the effects on our beloved pets can be detrimental, and so naturally, we would want to reduce these effects. Some ways you can help lower the risks for your animals are:

-       Smoking outside with the door closed can help prevent the damaging particles from collecting on upholstery and pet fur. 

-       Never leave ashtrays or cigarette butts where pets can get hold of them 

-       Always wash your hands after smoking to reduce contact issues

-       Regularly clean carpets and upholstery, steaming them where you can, to remove carcinogens and toxic particles. 

How to Get Help Quitting

Whilst the aforementioned preventative measures can help, the best way to avoid health problems for your pet from second-hand smoking is to quit. This can feel like a daunting task but there are many services available to help. Smokefree.gov is a government scheme to help you quit effectively, to help your health and the health of your pet.

Click on the pictures to see where it takes you and the links in the article.

Until our next cat convo

-MARTIN

Teaching Your Cat to Wear a Harness 101

Caption: Keep your cat safer when outside by teaching it to wear a harness

Cats are often thought of as homebodies. They seem to enjoy lazing around, napping, keeping you company as you work or simply going about your day. However, every animal requires some physical activity in order to stay healthy, and this is true of cats as well. Even if you have managed to make your home really cat-friendly, cats also have a natural curiosity that cannot be completely sated by only exploring their immediate surroundings. If you want to help your cat explore further without compromising its safety, there are some precautions you will want to take. A big part of that will be wearing a harness. The easy steps that follow make up what we call teaching your cat to wear a harness 101. This will help you offer more freedom to your pet without jeopardizing its health.

The reasons for harness training your cat

As mentioned above, cats are curious and adventurous creatures. Certain breeds of cats are very smart and need constant stimuli to thrive. They like to explore. However, many people have very negative opinions of free-roaming cats. Because they are known to do things like dig or chase after birds on their property, many consider them pests. Throughout the US, free-roaming outdoor cats are often shot, stolen, or poisoned for these reasons. This is probably the main reason why it is a good idea to train your cat to walk on a leash.

Even if you are lucky enough to be living in a pet-friendly neighborhood where no mean neighbor will even think about poisoning your cat, the great outdoors can still be fraught with danger. Letting your cat go outside without supervision leaves it more exposed to various dangers. It can get hit by a car or harmed by other animals. Even more importantly, a free-roaming cat is vulnerable to a myriad of diseases. Many of these are hard to detect or test for, but your cat can even pass them on to other animals in your household. Learning how to train a cat to walk on a leash and harness is of utmost importance for its health and safety.

How to harness train your cat

Get a harness

The first is the obvious step – purchase a harness. Before trying to do anything more, simply put it on your cat for a couple of days to let it get used to the feel of the harness. In many cases, your pet won’t be too enthusiastic about the new addition – quite the opposite. However, there are things you can do to comfort your cat during the adjustment period. One of the ways of harness training your cat is to stroke it while the harness is on or give it treats. You can also put it on before it plays with a toy or enjoys a meal. Whatever it is you have to do, the aim is to get your pet to feel comfortable wearing the harness.

When choosing a harness, ensure it has good chest coverage. Avoid attaching the leash straight to the collar as this can be very uncomfortable for your cat. Some cats are even able to wiggle out of it, making them a flight risk. The leash should be light and gentle, though it will still take some time for your cat to adjust to it.

Venture outside

Once your cat has adjusted to the feel of the harness, attach the leash to it and venture outside. Before taking to the streets, though, you should find a quiet outside area, possibly one that is enclosed or secluded from the street in one way or another. There shouldn’t be any loud noises from traffic or anything else that would scare your pet. Your backyard or garden would be perfect for this step. You could even do it on a porch. Now, the key ingredient in teaching your cat to wear a harness is patience. What you should do once you’re outside is let your cat take its time when it comes to exploring the environment. You can start by sitting down and letting your cat sit on your lap. Slowly, you will notice it beginning to wander around.

Broaden the perimeter

If your cat seemed comfortable roaming around your garden on a leash, you can then try going further. Try to find a place that is not too loud or with too much foot traffic to let your cat explore. While your cat roams around, always be on the lookout for animals that might attack it. Bear in mind that walking a cat will be quite different from walking a dog. Cats are much more prone to really exploring something that catches their attention. So, walking your cat might involve a lot of standing around as it smells something or stares at it. Again, knowing how to train a cat to walk on a leash and harness will require a lot of patience.

Safety

Before teaching your cat to wear a harness, make sure it has received all of its medications and shots. Microchipping your cat might be a good idea if you plan on walking it. No matter how safe you are being, it could happen that your cat just wanders off without you. You should also be aware that cats are much more difficult to turn away from the object of their attention than dogs. You shouldn’t pull hard on the leash in an effort to change the direction your cat is taking. This will only make it react negatively. However, if you believe its safety is at stake, just hold tightly on the leash without giving in and your cat will give up eventually. All in all, being caring and patient is at the root of teaching your cat to wear a harness 101.

Click on the pictures to see where it takes you and the links in the article.

Until our next cat convo

-MARTIN