Can You Walk With Cats – Tips For Outdoor Exploring

If you’ve noticed your cat seems to be gaining weight and generally seems bored while lounging around your home, it may be beneficial to provide them with some outdoor exercise to prevent obesity. Walking with cats may seem like a great option if you love the outdoors yourself, but you don’t see many people waking their cats. Can you walk with cats?

Yes, you can walk with your cat, and there are plenty of ways to go about doing it. You can use a cat harness or leash to take your cat for a walk. Alternatively, you can choose to place your cat in a cat backpack enclosure and walk around with them so they can see the scenery and get out of the house.

Now that you know it’s more than okay to walk with your cat, you likely have more questions about the process. This article aims to answer all of the questions you may be asking yourself right now. 

What should I know before the first walk with my cat?

Since cats like to be in control and have the ability to hide if they feel threatened, you’re going to want to take it slow. Slowly expose your cat to the outside noises to lessen the chance of them hurting themselves if they get scared by choking on their collar or running into traffic. Remember that this is a training experience for your cat, and you should approach it calmly and understandingly and start slow to ensure your cat doesn’t get overwhelmed.

What will I need if I want to take my cat on a walk?

There are a few things you’re going to want to bring on your walk with your cat:

Cat Carrier

This is necessary if your cat gets frightened and you lose grip of it. Do not pick up a scared cat as they normally viciously lash out when they’re scared. Always use the cat carrier to pick them up in this instance. 

A Harness or Leash

This will allow your cat to walk with you and provide it with exercise. Train your cat to be comfortable in a harness or leash before you try to walk with them outdoors to avoid discomfort.

Treats

Treats will help your cat be more comfortable on your walk. Providing them with treats gives them a sense of familiarity in an unfamiliar area and aids in training. 

Can you walk a cat without a leash?

Yes, although your cat won’t get exercise within it, there are cat backpack enclosures that provide your cat with a safe space on your back while you walk. Your cat may not get exercise in it, but it’s a great way for your cat to enjoy the outdoors and is sure to perk your cat up.

How long should I walk my cat for?

Cats typically get bored of activities between 10-20 minutes of it. It is best to monitor your cat to determine if your cat wants to go for a long walk or if your cat has had enough. 

Should I walk my indoor cat outside?

Yes, walking your indoor cat outdoors is a great way to keep your cat active and give it a change of scenery which can result in a less depressive mood. 

However, you will need to train your cat to be comfortable outside in a harness before you decide to venture far from your house. When a cat gets frightened, its first instinct is to run and hide, and it can get hurt and tangled in a harness or leash if not properly trained beforehand.

Are there benefits of walking your cat?

Although walking your cat isn’t a necessity like walking a dog, it does prove to have benefits for your cat as well. Allowing your cat to partake in walks with you allows your cat to get a better sense of the area. This is great in cases where you have a curious cat that’s always trying to get outside; their confidence will be able to lead them back. Also, an overall change in environment is good for releasing stress from being cooped up in a house.

Another benefit for walking your cat is it helps sheltered timid cats open up to their wild side a bit more, and it helps the more wild cats relax and calm down a bit. Walking your cat is also a great source of exercise to keep your pet active and fit while getting much-needed fresh air.  

Do cats like walks on leashes?

As with anything new, cats will have to get used to their leashes, and since all cats are different, you may find yours does not like to be on a leash and refuses leash training. 

However, if your cat doesn’t mind a leash, cats do enjoy exploring their surroundings, so allowing them to go on walks will entertain them. It is best to keep your walks short as you don’t want to exhaust your cat and cause fatigue. You also don’t want them getting stressed from the overwhelming outdoor environment. 

Is walking your cat on a leash cruel?

No, walking your cat on a leash is not cruel unless you are forcing it to do so. If your cat shows no interest in outdoors or leash walking, then find ways you can keep your cat active while remaining indoors. Many cats typically take a liking to the leash as they get to explore more areas because of it, but if your cat becomes frustrated with the leash or shows a lack of interest in walking, take a break from it and try again in a few days. If your cat still doesn’t show interest, then you should look into indoor activities to keep your cat active. 

Conclusion

Walking with your cat is something you don’t see a lot; however, it is becoming an increasingly popular way to provide outdoor exercise for your cat. Keep in mind that walking on busy streets can be dangerous for any animal, so try to avoid busy areas, especially when walking a cat, as they’re known to scare far easier than dogs and are more at risk of injury while going on walks.

Don’t keep your cat out long regardless of the area you bring your cat for the walk, as cats are much smaller than dogs and aren’t built for vigorous walking like dogs are so that they can become tired quicker.

Always have a cat carrier with you, especially when first introducing your cat to the outdoors, as when cats are scared, they become more prone to violence, and you don’t want to pick your cat up when it’s scared and in this state. There are also plenty of indoor alternatives for cats that do not like going out for walks if you do not wish to walk your cat or don’t live in a quiet, safe area that would allow for safe walks.