It is really amazing when I see pictures of people online walking their cats. I mean I'm in awe of them because they even managed to put a leash or a collar on their pets. Believe it or not, I have tried on several occasions to put a collar on my cat.
Once, I was very successful. However, because they always take a stroll in the morning, they came home without their collars on. My mother suspected that their collars got snugged somewhere because the collars I bought for them were the retractable type. Lucky that I bought the retractable type because if I didn't, my cats would have gotten stuck somewhere.
I also tried putting a leash on them. One of my cats tolerated it, but he wouldn't walk. He just sat and rolled on the ground. My youngest cat tolerated the leash as well, but he jumped and ran ahead of me. He almost got loose, too, so I didn't tried it on him again.
Have you ever tried putting a leash or collar on your cats, so you can walk them? How was it? Were you successful?
When I was about 9-10, I had a wonderful cat named Suzie-Q. I loved her, and she was always beside me when I was outside. (mom didn't allow any animals inside)
One day I decided to teach her to lead on a leash. I made a little harness for her out of some clothesline rope, and tried to teach her to lead. She would flop down on her side and refuse to go. Eventually, she would get back up again, and then I just let her walk, and followed her around. After a few days of this routine, she was used to the harness, and I was able to start to direct where she went. It wasn't too long before she was fine on the leash and came along just about like a little dog would have done.
This is the only time i have ever attempted to teach a cat to walk on a leash, but i think if you had lots of time, patience, and a good natured cat; it could be done.
I've tried putting a leash on my cat to make vet trips more comfortable, but he won't have any of that. He hates being stuck in his cage at the office, but he hates being on a leash even more. And even though he was born outside, he /hates/ the outdoors. He got loose on us a few years ago, walked a few steps outside, then turned around and came right back inside. No one even had to offer him a treat! I can't imagine taking my cat for a walk, he'd be miserable!
