Has your cat ever longingly looked out the window? Hung out by the front door? Stepped out onto your balcony? ...Have you ever wondered if they want to experience the outdoors away from home? Well, I have. One day I did some research and after reading enough stories about cat owners and their adventure cats I decided to purchase a harness and leash set for my kitty cat. I was curious to see how he would react; if he would be willing to walk in it. Cats don't typically have a history of being outdoor companions like dogs, but it is possible to leash train them. While my cat doesn't love his harness, with some patience...ok, alot of patience, and his curiosity getting the best of him, he was able to tolerate it enough to do some exploring with me.
Note that not all cats are adventurous, some are just homebodies who enjoy watching the occasional bird or squirrel from the window. Also, you will need to be patient. Get them used to the harness indoors first, watching them flop over and give you that "what is this thing?" look. Once, and if, you feel you and your cat are ready, set out into the open, preferably in a quiet place in nature close to home.
Knowing your cat, if the harness isn't the best option, there are a few more options. One of my favorite, you ask? Backpacks! From inside of a roomy backback with plenty of fresh air access, your cat may just feel safer. I attempted the leash and harness before I was tempted to try a backpack. Your cat may not only feel safer inside of it, but it allows you to move at your own pace without having to constantly stop and pick them up or wait for them to stare into the distance for minutes on end. You can even pair this with the use of a harness and leash for the ultimate backpacking/hiking adventure! Just bear in mind that your cat is not a dog, so please be patient. And have fun!
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