Do you walk your cat?

[JoJodaPyro]

I am thinking of starting to take Fieldy for walks. Any experiences, or info would be wonderful.

[yingying]

I'm planning to bring my cats for walk starting this spring. My biggest concerns are 1) if they will catch fleas, ticks, or even worse, heartworms from outside, and 2) if they will "go wild" and always wanting to sneak out. I don't want to risk getting them lost. So I haven't decided if I will actually take them for a walk

[akane]

Kazuki acts like he's dying if you put a collar on him. He spends all his time backing up and falling over until he gets it off so a harness would probably not go over well. Squeaky hates traffic so that would last 30seconds and then she'd be throwing fits on the end of the leash to find somewhere to hide or get back inside.

Until this past year when we moved in to the condo we always had indoor/outdoor cats cause most were ferals we found and partially tamed. Cats don't get heartworm and a monthly dose of flea preventative will prevent that just like with dogs.

[yingying]

Yes, cats do get heartworm, though not as common as in dogs, and it can cause sudden death. There are meds to prevent heartworm & fleas together (for cats), but I really don't like the idea of giving my cats meds every month...

[hal1]

Originally Posted by JoJodaPyro

Any experiences, or info would be wonderful

Here ya' go.

[hal1]

Originally Posted by yingying

I'm planning to bring my cats for walk starting this spring. My biggest concerns are 1) if they will catch fleas, ticks, or even worse, heartworms from outside, and 2) if they will "go wild" and always wanting to sneak out. I don't want to risk getting them lost. So I haven't decided if I will actually take them for a walk

If you stay on the sidewalk, no fleas ticks or worms. - don't let them play with bird poo or anything.

I'm a bug-a-phob, so I don't let Toby on lawns, as the thought of little crawlies on him gives me the heebie-jeebies

[hal1]

Originally Posted by akane

Kazuki acts like he's dying if you put a collar on him. He spends all his time backing up and falling over

Yeah, this act is so weird to see on most cats reactions. They plop on their back like they're paralized.

Originally Posted by akane

Squeaky hates traffic so that would last 30seconds and then she'd be throwing fits on the end of the leash to find somewhere to hide or get back inside.

Yup. As good a you see Toby in the video, he freaks out if someone donw the street steps out of their house or if he sees some kid down the block riding his bike.


Fortunately Toby doesn't cry to go out, but his door darting (attempts) has got worse.

[Hepburn]

No, but I plan to start, soon! Can anyone recommend a good harness?

[Auntie Crazy]

I think the question of whether or not one takes their cat for a walk would depend solely upon the temperament of the cat in question.

I have six cats. Five of them of them have been with me for a while and taking them for a walk has never once crossed my mind, nor would I even attempt it today for any of them.

Ralph, however, is a very special, incredibly smart, confident, charismatic cat who just plain loves people. He has many characteristics I would normally associate with a dog, including the habit of running to the front door, turning around to face me and wagging his tail like a dog whenever I look like I'm going to leave the house. So I started taking him for rides with me... and all indications are he really enjoys it.

We didn't get to go very often before it became too cold for me to be comfortable bringing him out, but when spring returns, I'm going to train him to the lease. We'll see how it goes from there!

AC

[ownedby4cats]

hal1 Toby is beautiful! I love his markings!