With more people investing in a cat harness so they can take their beloved pet out for a walk, the question of how often you should walk your cat is one that is often asked. But do cats even need to be walked? Or is cat walking a fashion trend, done for the purpose of posting videos and photographs on social media?
Should You Walk Your Cat?
Before we consider how often you need to walk your cat, we will first look at whether cats should even be walked on a leash. The idea behind walking a cat is to give them some much-needed exercise.
For decades, cats have either ventured outside themselves to roam their neighborhood or have enjoyed some indoor exercise by playing with a variety of cat toys. These days, say the people at Voyager Harness, many cat owners are choosing to buy a walk kit for cats so that they can safely take their feline friend out for a walk themselves.
Opinion on the matter is divided, and it is a topic that is certainly hotly debated. Many vets and animal experts say that walking a cat is not a good idea because it takes away the animal’s sense of control. Nevertheless, those who have already had success training their cat to walk on a leash will tell you that their pet loves their walks and enjoys being able to experience more of the outdoors.
Do Cats Need to be Exercised?
Cats do need exercise, but they mostly do this themselves through play. While some cats like to go outside and run about exploring the area, indoor cats like to pounce and run about inside in short bursts. Exercise will help to keep your cat healthy and will ensure its weight stays in the safe range.
If your cat is a healthy weight and likes to play inside or go out for some exploration, you probably don’t need to worry too much about taking it for walks. However, if your vet has said that your cat is overweight and you notice that it just likes to laze about all day, you may need to encourage it to get more active. This might mean playing with it or trying to take it for a walk.
Cats like to chase objects and you can find toys that will encourage them to do this. It might be a feather on the end of a long pole or a laser that you can shine on the floor or walls to encourage it to chase it.
If you would prefer your cat to exercise outside, then you could see how it reacts to a cat harness and leash. If you are considering this though, remember to take it slowly and don’t be surprised if your pet does not want the harness on initially.
A cat harness is not something your pet will automatically be comfortable with, and many cats will drop to the floor when something they find restrictive is placed on them. However, if you are going to take your cat for a walk, a cat harness is essential. Never try to walk a cat with a leash attached to the collar as this could injure its neck.
If your cat seems open to the prospect of walking with a harness and leash, practice inside the house first before venturing outside. When you think the cat is ready, try small walks in the yard first (if you have one). You can then go further afield, such as around the block. Keep walks to no more than thirty minutes per day though.
