Is Training Your Cat to Walk On a Leash a Bad Idea?!?
Vložit
- čas přidán 17. 06. 2024
- Is Training Your Cat to Walk On a Leash a Bad Idea?!?
Check out our online store! shop.jacksongalaxy.com/
And our Amazon store! www.amazon.com/stores/Jackson...
As you might know by now, I’m a big fan of walking your cat on a harness and leash. Somehow, however, the topic of leash training your cat has become a bit controversial. What’s that all about? Is it suddenly a bad idea? I’ll give you my opinion- just watch and find out!
Related Videos
Indoor vs. Outdoor Cats
• Indoor Cat Vs. Outdoor...
The Jackson Galaxy Convertible Cat Backpack Carrier
shop.jacksongalaxy.com/produc...
00:00 Welcome
00:33 Are cats on a leash a bad idea??
03:00 Cat leash training controversy
03:06 1. Does your cat want to go outside?
03:25 2. The equipment (Cat Harness)
03:38 3. Do it slowly
04:00 Mitigating the risk
05:56 Cat enrichment doesn't come without risk
07:20 Summary
08:15 Never walk a cat with just a collar & a leash
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🔔 Don't forget to subscribe and ring that bell! 🔔
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @jacksongalaxy
😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺
🐈⬛ Calling all pet parents! 🐈⬛
Share your video moments with me...and maybe the world!
Upload your clips here ▶︎ www.jacksongalaxy.com/submit
😺 My Favorite Cat Products (naturally!) 😺
►jacksongalaxy.com
🐈 Follow Me Here! 🐈
INSTAGRAM ► / thecatdaddy
FACEBOOK ► www. JacksonGalaxy
TWITTER ► / jacksongalaxy
TIKTOK ► / jacksongalaxy
REDDIT ► / jackson-g. .
😻 The Jackson Galaxy Project 😻
We make a difference for at-risk animals and the people who care for them. Join us!
► www.thejacksongalaxyproject.org/
#JacksonGalaxy #Cat #Advice
🐱💜The Jackson Galaxy Convertible Cat Backpack Carrier
shop.jacksongalaxy.com/products/the-jackson-galaxy-convertible-cat-backpack-carrier
My husband and I just lost our fur baby Samson. He died in my arms. He had a tumor in his mouth, that made it difficult for him to eat. The vet gave him 4 to 6 weeks. He lived 7 weeks. Our hearts are breaking 💔. During the last weeks of Samson’s life, we indulged him. We allowed him to venture outdoors for short periods of time. He absolutely loved it. I wish I had known, because I would have taken the time to train him on walking on a leash. I have another fur baby, Chloe, she was a outdoor cat with her previous owner. I believe that she didn’t want to be an outdoor cat. When she came into our lives, she never wanted to go outdoors. I’m so happy that she chose to be an indoor cat. I suspect that she wanted to be an indoor cat all along, but her owner didn’t want her in the house. It’s a shame that she was forced to go outdoors. She’s the most loving fur baby we’ve ever had.
Thank you so very much for all of your tips in training a cat and a special thank you for sharing your love of all cat’s and for showing me how best to care/love my fur babies.
Jackson Galaxy, are your backpacks big enough for two cats? I want to get a cat backpack so bad, but I have two cats and don't want to take one and leave the other behind. Their both really close sisters too.
Can they be worn on the front of a person? I am in a wheelchair a lot and thus can’t wear anything on my back.
i'm gone, subscribed. Never any respons to questions. And i'm sure you get thousand questions.. but never a respons? wish you luck
You should also make a front loader. The one i used years ago was the best thing ever for my kitty. He'd ride in it until he wanted out then if it was safe I'd let him lean out and walk. HIs leash was attached to the front pack. It also made it really easy to pull him into safety.
Here's an advantage we discovered with our cat that I didn't hear him mention: your cat gets to know the neighborhood, so that if they do somehow get out, they know where home is. We had left a window open in our apartment, and the cat managed to loosen the screen and slip out. We were panicked, and went searching for him but couldn't find him. After a couple of hours, we heard scratching at the door, opened it and found him sitting in the hallway. One of the neighbors had let him in the main doors and he just knew where to go.
I totally agree! I recently had the same experience!
Yes, cats are so wise!
Mine got out a couple of weeks ago, unbeknownst to us. He fell through the screen in our bedroom while I was in another room and the wife was asleep.
I heard a scratching sound on my window, and I got up, opened the curtain to see my cat, with a super scared look on his face, trying to climb back into the apartment.
He damn near jumped into my arms when he went out to get him.
He wants to go outside, but that's the only time he's been outside not on his leash.
I was in the middle of re-building my balcony catio (long story) when my cat got past me and tried to jump up on the frame, which was pvc pipe. That part didn't go well for him, and I rushed downstairs in a panic, afraid he was injured or had gotten scared & run away. Nope--he was sitting calmly, uninjured, by the door that we use for our walks, waiting for me to let him in. My neighbours all know me, the crazy cat lady who walks that beautiful friendly fluffy cat, and should he ever get out, they know him and know where he lives. He's also got to meet some of the dogs in the neighbourhood, so they're used to him as well, and don't react badly when they encounter one another. One miscue I made when we first started walking was to go to a quiet forested area, which did make him nervous: he's much more relaxed and confident close to our building, which he sees as his territory.
My cat has never been outside on his own, but I also consider leash walking around the exterior of the home an important activity to helping my cat to know the area surrounding his home, so that it is familiar, comfortable, not scary and he will find his way back home should he ever get outside unexpectedly. Very good point to have mentioned.
My cat does better when I leash walk him daily. Otherwise, he’s bored which is when he gets into Arsehole mode and destroys my stuff.
Mine just yowls and tries to break out at every chance! (edit-when I don’t take him out on his leash, I mean!)
Same, for me walking is for his fulfillment but also for mischief prevention 😂
How long do you take him out? I'm starting to walk mine, but I'm not sure how long it should be
That’s pretty much why my cat NEEDS to be outdoors as well. She will bully the other cats and just be a real jerk to them. Even if she’s tired from play indoor time.
She doesn’t leave the yard anyway. Loves to sit up high on the back yard patio.
@@akiras.3595 Till they want to come back usually. And it's always more the cat walking you. Lots of smelling things,rolling in dirt, stopping to groom. Sometimes mine just lays down and I lay beside him for 30 minutes and we take a nap on the grass in the shade and that's all he needs. Other times too much laying around and I pick him up and carry him and he seems to appreciate the scenery and me stopping to let him smell branches and flowers. I always set him down infront of the door and let him make the decision to go into the house though. He seems more fulfilled when you let him think it was his idea to end the walk
I have two cats - one loves it, one doesn't. The one that does has never escaped her harness, she walks with me and when she sees dogs, she is actually curious and has never ran off. When she sits and look up at the sky to bask in the sun rays, the look of contentment and happiness on her little face is priceless. I catify my house but it cannot replace the mojo they get from going outdoors.
Beautiful details. Appreciated:)
So cool to read. Thanks for sharing 🐱
Hello I have a question, do you know if to take a cat outside they have to be given a certain type of shot? My 9 month old cats have been only indoors but I want to start taking them outside on walks. However, when I 1st got them and took them to get their 1st set of shots, the vet asked if the cats will be indoor only or “indoor/outdoor” and implied that if they were “indoor/outdoor” they would need a different type of shot that protects them from stuff they could possibly catch while outside.
@@Jennn.rennn17 Not sure about this. My vet didn't offer different vaccinations for indoor/outdoor. However, when I walk my cat, she doesn't actually come into contact with other cats. She doesn't like other cats and doesn't eat random things. She is not a terribly good hunter and only munches on grass. No ailments so far.
@@munchingmunching ohhh okay thank you for your response!
The same risks are present when leash walking dogs, and you don’t see shelters/rescues demanding you not walk your dogs. That’s insane!
It’s a dog world.
it's a Doggy Dogg woooooorrrrlllldddd......@@simfamr.
@@simfamr. Dogs kinda suck.
C'mon. Don't do that. @@Based_Gigachad_001
Here's my top tips for walking cats:
Don't try to pull them in the direction that you want them to go, but hold the leash tight so they can't go any other way than where you want them to. They will pull and strain to go where they want, but will eventually realize they only have one option, and go that way. Just hold steady while they try to go other ways.
If you do pull them they will turn and try to back out of the harness if they can. Cats take a lot more patience than dogs, and don't walk on a leash the same at all. Pay attention and start slow, before long it will be no big deal.
This has been my experience anyway, hope it helps someone.
Thank you! This is indeed good advice
Yeah, you mostly can't treat it like walking a dog. It'll never be the same experience. But certain cats really do well with it and are surprisingly good with it when they're used to the harness.
I think the major difference is dogs ofthen want to do what you want, whereas cats need to feel like they made the choice themselves? I mainly let her decide and set the pace, but the above technique is awesome since they get to "choose" to do right.
I've had great success with being super VOCAL with my cat and paying close attention to her TAIL - high tail=confidence, dropping tail=needs encouragement/pets to raise the tail. Mine won't eat on walks so talk is 80% of her reinforcements/rewards, using keywords in a different language :/ Then again I can reward everything good, from leaving stuff, changing direction to just walking properly for a lenght. Great trust-building.
I found that my cat won’t walk but if you let her hang out, she’ll give in to her natural need to explore. Then I just follow where she goes. I made sure the first thing she learned was where the door is so if something scares her or she’s ready to go in, she can guide me to the door. She learned the harness quickly and doesn’t run when I get it out. Going out stimulates her and she always has a good rest afterwards. If you’re thinking about it, try it. But be patient with those first sessions. Once she learns that it’s her time (and not just another instance where you’re making her do what you want her to do), you’ll find she probably use it to explore. And face it, one of the coolest experiences you can have with your cat is to watch them discover something new. At least it’s like that for me. Hope you try it and it works for your kitty and you.
@@lorriecrawford1248 Very well described, I totally agree! Great info.
I have a cat that I take on walks around the neighborhood with his harness when the neighborhood dogs aren’t outside. He’s an old boy, 14, and was my dads cat before he passed in March 2020. He was always an outdoor cat but lived out in the middle of nowhere where the risks of wondering weren’t as great compared to the city I live in. The first year I had him he was depressed, obviously, and then I started taking him outside on a leash and it helped so much. Now he alerts me when it’s time for his walk. He leads me down the street and we turn around whenever he wants. He loves it and looks forward to it everyday!
So sweet. for active cats and cats who like that adventure to be able to walk outside is great for their health and spirit.
It sounds so sweetly 😍❤️
Katie A
I’m sorry for the loss of your father. I’ve heard of animals being depressed after their owners have died, do you know if animals get depressed after the death of a separate animal in the family has died? The reason for my question is that, I have a beautiful kitty, Chloe. She’s acting as if she’s depressed. Yesterday our younger kitty, Samson died from cancer. He had a large tumor in his mouth, which made it hard for him to eat. He hadn’t eaten for two (2) days and his mouth was very painful. My husband and I did everything we could for him. We couldn’t bare to see him suffer any longer. We took him to the vet, where he was given a shot and he died. Both my husband and I are having a hard time dealing with him not being around the house. I was wondering if the other animals in the house are affected by the fact that Samson is gone. Can the other animals sense the loss and emptiness that my husband and I are feeling? I would very much appreciate an answer to my questions.
Thank you!!
@@sherrydepew8815 Thank you and most definitely that would have an effect on your other kitty, especially if they were close. I left it out of the story but my cat, Tom, had a brother and they had never gone a day without each other ever. Unfortunately after about six months his brother got sick and despite everything we did it got to the point where he couldn’t eat or walk or even go to the bathroom and we had to put him down. I struggled with it because it was like having to let go of not only a family member who I had known for 14 years, but I also felt like I was losing a piece of my dad all over. Tom struggled a lot through all of it as well. He started chewing the hair off his paws, and became very clingy (which I wasn’t upset about because he’s generally aloof). If you think your kitty might be depressed, you can take her to the vet. They can prescribe antidepressants and can help come up with a game plan. But ultimately time is always the best help with grief. Just be patient and keep your routine even though I know it’s hard and you might not want to, it’ll help both you and your kitty get back to normal. I hope this helps a little. Healing to you and your family through this🧡
@@sherrydepew8815 so sorry for your loss. Animals certainly sense the loss their humans feel but also grieve themselves if they were close to the passed animal. My cat grieved for months when her daughter died from a paralysis tick and she became frightened of going outside...it took a long time to move beyond this stage, but she did. Try and spend time with your surviving cat and express pure love to them (push your grief aside for those moments)...they find it comforting.
Having a pet is like having a child you get a bunch of people criticizing everything you do and giving you advice you didn't ask for
That's why I love Jackson. He lives in the real world and teaches people how to be good responsible pet owners not dictating in a condescending way.
And he provides full education on all points so WE can make our own decision on what to do.
i showed here the region around and she knows exactly her way around
I trained my little kitten to walk on a harness and everytime someone comes up to me and is like „so u actually want a dog“ „this is unnatural „ blablabla like wtf since when is putting a dog on a leash „natural“?
I have never understood this attitude! If they see anything other being walked other than a cat (like a ferret or a pig for exammple), this is usually not their reaction, it is just with cats.
However, kudos to a fellow cat walker! Our neighbours seemed to think first that it was strange to walk cats, but after doing it now a bit over 10 years, there has actually been a lot of positive comments, a lot of them from dog owners too. So perhaps we are slowly chancing peoples minds 👍😊
Same, but the people I met found it cute
Harnesses are natural 😅✌🏾
There is quite literally nothing natural about owning a pet, so I don't understand that argument. Like, pet food isn't natural, vet visits and medical care aren't natural, carriers aren't natural, etc etc etc. Nature and how natural something is, is not a good compass for whether something is right or wrong.
People should mind they’re own business ( he-she was just jealous!
I have never disagreed with Jackson Galaxy, and I agree with him here 100% too! Responsible pet owners can find ways of enrichment for their cats and walking on leash when done properly is a great enrichment ♥️🐾😻🤗💕
I'm new to cats but I find Jackson Galaxy to be sincere and his information on point.
@@dcmsr5141 ive always had older cats but when i adopted my kitten he helped me get through that adolescent phase that cats go through. Aka the asshole stage lol. Jackson is heaven sent. Great advice giver. Welcome to the world of cats 😊
I agree. My cat looks forward to her walks. It can be done safely. Why should dogs have all the fun? 😉
I have disagreed with him... like on this video, why put a leash on your cat???? i walk mine (and my previous cat) without a leash, in a big city, with a park across the street... cat doesn't run away..
@@BoGy1980 Then you have a very remarkable cat. I like my cat on a leash, It helps me control the environment. If something like a barking dog comes along, and my cat gets scared, i know since he is on lead he won't turn and into traffic.
He is SUPER balanced in his approach. And that is refreshing.
Yeah, it's the first time that I find someone who seems to really understand how to deal with cat, everything that I learned from him seems to be making my cat's life better
I applied to many adoption shelters/rescues and made it VERY clear my cat would be an indoor cat BUT I would be trying harness training it (indoors first of course). I was honestly shocked at how many places turned me down simply because of this reason. Good to hear from someone as knowledgeable as you, that I'm not crazy.
But I'm actually curious how would they know that you walk your cat on a leash?
I told them I wanted an indoor cat and I would take it on walks occasionally once it’s harness trained
Adoption shelters/rescues have a lot of restrictions…. I understand why they’re worried but my goodness. At the end of the day it will be your cat. Please give people the resources to do the best they can for the cat!
Shelters are so picky I decided to buy a cat from a breeder. No shelter wanted me because in 1998 my parents got divorced when I was 7 and had to rehome our cat, they don’t adopt to people who rehome their animals even though I was 7 🙄
If you were that young there is no need to mention it was rehomed!
People talk down on me for leash walking all the time. The only way I can keep him sane is to walk him two to three times a day. He is a huge boi. Don't be dumb keep your hand tight on the leash when they dart and pick them up if they get over excited and take them in for a bit. It's not that hard. Oi. Anothrr thing Is stay off your phone and pay attention to your cats nuances. Be ready. Never walk a cat. They walk you. Keep them safe. It's a parents duty. Love you Jackson.
i strongly agree with everything you've said.
Don't listen to the naysayers and do you thang! You're cat loves you❤️❤️😺
I leash walk my cat specifically because if she ever does dart, now she knows the area and can come back home. She loves going outside too and that's the only way to make it happen at my apartment
I view it the same way! My kitty is slowly learning how to get back to our front door after a long walk, and he mostly led the way home for the first time today! 😆❤️
@@Crientjuh Mine is too, the only time he's satisfied is if we spend like an hour or two outside 😭 I can only do long walks like that sometimes on weekends, so usually I just carry him back home
Usually i just slowly guide us back, sometimes a little more forcefully than others lol but Luna is a very calm and low energy kitty in the first place so she doesn't give me too much difficulty. Then she gets back inside and her tail is all jitters with excitement for another while and she gets a Big Girl Appetite. It's almost a rush for her.
@@Crientjuh My cat doesn't seem to want to go home either. Loves the outside so much! I do what Jackson said: I have a cat backpack and when it's time to go, I pick her up, put her inside and go home.
@@Crientjuh I would offer your cat some cat treats, that’s what I would bribe my cat with when it was time for him to come inside.
One of my three cats really enjoys being outside... however to say I "leash walk" her is a very poor description. As her slave I "leash follow" her. But she absolutely LOVES it!!
Lol I love leash following my cat
people own dogs
people are owned by cats XD
so far most cats I had just adopted me not the opposite (always stray)
Exactly! Leash following.
so true :)
🐕🦺🚶🏽♀️Dogs have owners, cats have servants 🐈🧎🧎🏼♀️🧎♂️
Cats walk for 1 minute & sit for 10... it's one way they scent-mark their territory.
Yes ‘strictly indoor’ is on the adoption contract of my cat because my street is close to two major roads with a lot of traffic. I felt so bad when I signed the contract, it felt like I am giving my cat a ‘life sentence’. Later I found out my cat absolutely LOVES being outdoor, so after a lot of (internal) struggles, I harness trained her, and walk her on my deck (I have a big deck). She is so much happier! I still feel bad for breaking the contract, but my cat’s well-being is so much more important!
Don't feel bad for breaking the contract. It's certainly not enforceable, and it really just amounts to one person's opinion about how you should raise your cats, based on a blanket policy that doesn't know anything about you, your household, or your cats.
do not feel bad, you know your cat and what makes them happy, you know yourself living close to busy roads that is a risk you did not have to sign a contract to tell you that. how condescending. do what you want and what makes both your lives happy and stress free
You’re not really breaking the contract, as kitty is only outdoors with you on a leash, and safe because she’s under your supervision. Most importantly, little kitty is happy.
You know your cat and your environment best , well done for taking responsibility and keeping your cats well-being above all else at heart ❤️
they caan't enforce it
My cat willow is so much happier when she gets to go outside on a leash, and honestly the risk is worth seeing her explore and enjoy herself. Imagine staying inside your entire life! Lol
Amen!
I absolutely agree. As an owners we should reduce risks as much as we can but also we should keep cats happy.
I also found that leash training helped with door dashing as she knows instead of running through the door she can just ask me to go out any time she needs. Also helps when we have to travel as she treats travelling as another walk
I adopted a 12 year old cat that had NEVER been allowed outside all its life. I gave her 2 years of freedom before she passed away from IBD. She stayed outside most of the time but would come in if it was too cold or hot. The first days of seeing her react to outside were precious! The grass hoppers, lizards, even squirrels she couldn't catch!
My cat is extremely happy when he sees the harnes and the leash. He is like a dog when it comes to going out. He somethimes cries at the door to let me know it's time to go out.
My Nutmeg never liked the harness, even after years of taking her outside in one. She would cringe when I pulled it off the coat rack. You would think i beat her with it the way she acted. She was happy and ready to go once I got it on her. She never figured out the harness was the only way she was getting out the door.
Mine, too! I actually set an alarm for the same time every day to take him out. He doesn’t beg anymore, and I think it’s because he thinks my phone is the boss, not me.
@@azraell33 My cat is the same way lol. Sometimes he'll hiss at me when I am putting the harness on him, but as soon as it's on he's ready to go for his walk!
I think my cat is objecting to being handled, since he doesn't like being touched. But he loves his outdoor times!
Same with my girl! She used too be the door dashing type (actually caught her trying to squeeze out through crack open window too) and now it's just polite meows by the door to remind me we should go for a walk. Leash training does have so many benefits, and for door dashers it is actually a safety measure too
"Just build a catio" is terrible advice- it doesn't give any consideration whatsoever to people who live in apartments and absolutely cannot build one. I always bring my cat backpack when I take my kitty out for walks. Nice to know that was Jackson's advice! It's not that hard to make sure your cat is safe and secure while you're out on walks together.
Exactly! I want to build a catio for my 3 gals but we live in a townhome that doesn't allow it so leash walking it is!
yeah I live in an apartment so I can't build a catio.
He said "IF YOU HAVE THE WHEREWITHAL" build a catio.. you should've kept watching before commenting..
@@bridgettebee9119 exactly
This! I rent, and while I'd love to make my unused back porch into a catio, I can't. (Either way he's only interested in the outdoors if I'm out there lol)
I started at age 13 weeks, after giving our kitten 3 weeks of getting used to us.
The first 3 weeks was just high-end treat (dried chicken heart) with putting the harness on its back, then under its belly, slowly pulling it up or loosely fastening it.
Walks started in our backyard for 2-5 minutes for another few weeks. Carrying it around in our jackets on our arms followed.
We are at a point now, where we can put on the harness without needing to distract with food. And we take our cat on our arm when we go out and it lets us know when it wants to walk, sniff & climb.
When we see a dog, we lift it up. For longer trips there is the backpack.
This is our first cat, and I never bought into those biases, I always looked for research.
Thank you Jackson!
Thank you that helps me. I’m having trouble getting it on our cat. When I did she ran round like a loon and wriggled out. I need to do what you said.
I just started taking one of my cats outside on a harness. He loves it. But I already knew from prior escape attempts he'd love it. We havent even been doing it for a week yet and he's already started rolling on the ground exposing his belly. It's built his confidence up. He's always been real nervous around our other cats but going outside on a harness and leash has been extremely therapeutic and I see a major change in his confidence level. I love the way he looks up at me when we're walking around the yard, it's like I can see the gratitude in his eyes.
Aww that's wonderful!
I love 💘 the joy you take in your cat's joy.🤗🐈lol and God bless.
Same here with my cat. The different escape attempts were a big clue. Got a harness and leash, and slowly introducing him to it, it has turned out to be a very enjoyable experience for both of us.
My sister’s kitty was a street cat in Thailand that she adopted when she was living there and brought back to the USA. She has never been completely happy as an indoor cat, but among other reasons not to let her outside she is FeLV positive, so she could infect other cats in the neighborhood. She LOVES her leash walks to get her mental stimulation in.
She is so kind and responsible to think of the other cats. ❤️❤️
What a bunch of Karens. When I stopped walking my cat because of work, she began pooping and urinating all over my home. We went back to treating her with her little walks and she stopped creating messes THE DAY we took her out.
Brenda Blanco Calling anyone a "Karen" is derogatory and not what adults do. Please learn to comment properly and nicely.
@@TheRivrPrncess grow a pair, it’s a joke
@@TheRivrPrncess okay Karen 🙄
@@TheRivrPrncess adults call each other names all the time chill karen
@@TheRivrPrncess 🤣🤣🤣 only a Karen would say that lol
I’m so relieved to hear that you support cat walking. I have adopted a stray who seems happy in my apartment, but asks to go outside a few times a day. I’ve gotten him a harness and am trying to get him used to it. I can’t wait to put out with him and see his old hangouts!
if you have any updates on this I'd love to hear it it's so cute! did he take you to his old hangouts?
Honestly my cat hated her harness in the beginning, but we took it slow reinforcing positive association with treats and just holding the harness in our hands when playing with her and eventually she got used to it. When we finally took her outside in it she had a great time. It took months, but now she literally screams at the back door to go outside everyday haha. We take her and our older cat out and they love it. Like Jackson said, it just takes time and patience and of course you have to listen to the cat haha. Honestly its easier to go out with her than my dog.
Fantastic, staged approach and I'm so glad it's now a great outlet for your fur-baby
It really just depends on the cat.
same here, our cat cries by the door as well, he will lead us to the front door and start purring and looking at you with that adorable cat look. lol so cute
This gives me hope. My cat hates her harness but loves to explore around the house. I’m slowly working with her. She’s only a year old and 6 lbs. Timid and sensitive.
When you walk a small dog, it could also get out and get killed by large predators, so that argument is silly. Like anything when you're taking care of an animal, you are trying to balance risks with quality of life benefits. We saw in your show that some cat breeds like Bengals are so energetic that if you don't walk them they'll tear their owners to shreds. If those cats can't be walked, then those cats might be killed by being unable to be adopted. It's just a bit silly to advocate for a carte blanche prohibition.
to add to your comment, I would say dogs are MORE likely to get loose!
Yep, I have two small dogs living with me and am very aware when out on walks and see sighthounds out and about. They’re dogs to me, but to other creatures they can look like prey! But it doesn’t mean I never walk them!
Ironically, I also knew a pitbull owner who didn't want to walk his dog, because he was scared it would get attacked, (and then the pit would get blamed).
There genuinely are people who are so paranoid, they neglect their animals' quality of life.
@@animalobsessed1 hey, I made a positive comment here 6 days ago and she was loving being taken out. But she fell backwards out of her harness and it came off, she ran into the forest area and it took 3 hours to find her. I found her completely by chance and it took 30 mins to get her out from underneath the low trees she was inside. At any point she could have climbed into the many rabbit holes and got stuck. I don't want to risk that happening again and I am wary to take her out. The harness was tight, the lead got stuck and she got out of it backwards. If this had been her first time out I dont think I would have got her back
@@riddlydiddlyimawantedmanin4442 make the harness yourself. its the only way she wont escape.
I saw that article and I went "Ooooooh boy Jackson is going to have thoughts on this!" and I was right ❤
THANK YOU, JACKSON! We had to lie on our adoption application about our intent to harness train. I can’t even imagine taking away the outdoors from my kitties. Walks have just blossomed their confidence
If I didn’t walk my cat, he would bust out of the house whenever he possibly could. When we rescued him, it was clear that his previous owners let him out whenever he wanted. He is an amazing escape artist and his life purpose was just to escape. I tried to keep him inside for seven years, thinking we were doing the right thing. When we moved from an apartment to a house with a catio already there, we thought it would be perfect. All he did was sit in it and yowl, and he continued to break out whenever he could. I started walking him on a leash about year and a half ago, and he is so much happier now. He doesn’t desperately rush the door every time it’s opened, and his daily yowling at doors, windows, and in his catio has all but stopped.
It has been a blast for me, too. I actually just follow him around with the leash and allow him to be a cat. He usually likes to explore our front and back yards, but he also likes to go across the street or around the block to explore. He loves meeting and greeting dogs and has become an honorary neighborhood pooch. I hadn’t realized what a social activity walking a dog is, but we’ve gotten to know a lot of great neighbors we wouldn’t have, otherwise.
He’s amazing on the leash and harness, especially when we’re walking down the sidewalk. He usually walks in perfect heel position-my neighbors marvel over this, and can’t believe he does it naturally.
Yes, he has gotten out of the harness a few times, especially in the beginning, because we used a cheap harness. He can still get out of his “escape-proof” harness given a little more time, but that’s what we’re here for. We’re also here to keep him from killing birds and darting out in front of cars.
I do have neighbors say that they wished they could train their cats to walk on a leash, but to the neighbors who say that their cat either doesn’t care about going out or the ones who let their cats out, anyway, I tell them it probably won’t be as easy as it was for us, because neither of those types of cats would be motivated.
It’s hilarious to walk him, too-it’s way different from walking a dog. It’s more following him around and watching him explore or lay in the grass and watch the world. There is no training him to go on a walk like a dog, but it’s really fun to see what he wants to do next. I let him stay outside as long as he wants most days, which may be one reason he is satisfied.
He is so much of a happier cat now that I feel guilty for all the years we kept him inside thinking that his flea allergy would get worse if he went outside. It didn’t. If anything, it’s improved, because his stress level is so much lower. I’m glad we can do this for him now, though.
Wow, so he likes meeting up with the neighbourhood dogs?? I guess dogs on leashes aren't as aggressive either. Perhaps because they are used to being around all sorts they actually like your cat?
@@carlyh6913 He loves it. If someone walking a dog comes by, my cat automatically walks toward it (he greets people this way, too, but really loves dogs). They touch noses, sniff where dogs sniff, then a lot of time he rolls on his back, which I know is a sign of submission for a dog-but I have no idea what it means for a cat!
The dog walkers are shocked every time, and some have told me that he’s really a dog in disguise. Some of the dogs are actually scared of him and sometimes jump back away from him, even if they have been around cats. I guess they just aren’t used to a cat that walks right up to them so fearlessly. Most of them look a little surprised but greet him calmly, but some of them get really excited and jump around trying to play. He’s so chill that he just sits there calmly.
Honestly, we are in a coyote area, so I have a fear that, if he were to be outside alone and happened to see one, he would immediately walk toward it, thinking it was a friend.
One time when we had recently started, a couple walked by with a dog off leash (!) that immediately charged us. That’s the only time he has ran from a dog, but I was glad to see it, because it’s nice to know he does have _some_ self preservation instincts!
I’ve honestly never seen a cat act like that, but it makes it fun to walk him. He’s become a local celebrity!
Try Revolution flea medicine. It is sort of expensive but you won't have any more fleas at all. You can use it every two months I have found instead of every month. Cuts the price in half making it equal to the cheap stuff that doesn't work good.
All the dogs of the neighborhood try to interact with my cats, but they are afraid and just stay still by my side, lucky of mine the neighbors always cross the street for me.
But its really funny to see when the dogs are all happy just trying to play and make a new friend and my cats look like they're silently judging them
But don't feel guilty, we also tryed to close them indoors for years, we lost two cats in the past because they run away.
But no mater how many escaping spots we found and block, they always invented new ones, some pretty impressive.
And just then I've met Jackson's content and seen the leash as a possibility! I don't think people think about it this much, thats why i think its really important to share our happy walking cats stories :)
My cat goes absolutely berserk when he hears that Velcro! He loves his walks every day. Thanks Jackson!
My cat gets terrified when she hears the Velcro lol 😆 she hates going outside but she’s currently on a weightloss journey so the walks really help her out ♥️
Good for you Jackson. A well-reasoned situational stance is rare in today's social climate. "Always" and "Never" are bad strategies with cats - they are all different and special. "Figure out what your cat needs and give it to them as safely as possible" is pretty much the job description of cats' human companions.
I'm picking up a Bengal from a shelter in two weeks and she's used to being outside, but ran away from her last foster for two weeks, so the shelter actually recommended leash training, which is really cool! They also wanted her to go to a home that was willing to clicker train and basically make their home into a cat-jungle and I'm very much excited to get started!
I wish my cat wanted to go on walks with me! my cat absolutely does NOT wanna go outside 🤣
Neither one of my kitties want to go outside at all and I am 100 per cent fine with that.
Lol same! I keep trying. She's been harness trained, even uses it for comfort during things like fireworks, but one step over that threshold, and she's a hot mess. She'll take a couple of steps out the door if I leave it open to grab something out of the car, but one small noise, and she BOLTS right back in. She _thinks_ she wants to go outside, but then remembers she actually hates it 😹
My cats as well don't like the outdoors and I'm happy with that. It just lets me know that if the door opens they won't disappear. That's not to say that other people cat want to go outside that's their responsibility as cat parents ✌️ respect
SAME. I want to walk my cat on a leash so that he can get familiar with the neighborhood in case he gets out. I want him to know how to get back home.
Honestly this is better! We had one that tried to escape every time you opened the door when he was a kitten and adult, and now that he’s a senior we take him out 3x a day for a half hour because he cries that he wants out all day
We've been walking our boy, Jasper, since he was about 5 months old. He's a year old now and adores going outside. I can't imagine his life being as fulfilled as it is now without our walks.
I live in a small flat in the UK. I first introduced my Bengal kitten to her harness just by throwing it around and letting her play with it. First time I put it on her she was a total drama queen!! Falling on her side and squawking!! After I took her outside for a couple of times, she got used to the fact that the harness means going outside!! she now sits there quite happily while I put it on her! She was around 4 or 5 months when i first did it... She's now 14 months old and LOVES her harness!!!!
You're very right about "practicing your fire drill." My cats can't go outside (one has allergies and the other would NOT tolerate a harness), but when it comes to getting them into carriers, I practiced that to where it doesn't really freak them out. That was a good thing when we got a tornado warning and I was able to easily get them into their carriers so I could take them with me to shelter in the closet without losing critical time. :-)
Did the one who did not tolerate harness get harness trained in the end? My cat hates it so much that he is so aggressive as soon as the harness is raised over him
@@deliaquek8401 No, I didn’t want to force her.
We have four cats in our house, two wear leashes and two don't. The ones that don't wear them were trained in them first and now know they have to stay in the back yard. Naturally they have a set playtime supervised by myself and my daughter who the cats belong to. The other two are still young and still being trained. Safety first!!😻👌 We've never had problems with our cats wearing leashes, infact, they get excited when they see them because they know it's outside time. The two cats still wearing a leash don't actually have to be held on to. We take them out and let them roam the back yard not holding on to their leash. They just know by wearing it that we're always close by if needed so they don't try anything. Maybe I'm lucky but we have super good kitties😻
Hugs to your super-good kittehs: they remind me of our well-behaved kittehs who, in a house full of guitars, basses, mandolins and other stringed axes, never scratched an instrument. Intelligent, motivated, loved kittehs can learn anything with the proper support from their dear humans.
Excellent! I think great!
That's very nice. I also have several cats, and the one that likes to wear the leash, she lets me know when she wants to go out and when she wants to go back in.
@@semperfi818 Very true👍😊
@@tigrezangel Isn't it adorable when they bring the leash to you 😻!? I just love that!
I have this kitten. He loves to be around us. He even loves car rides and he’s not even 1 year old yet. We take him outside in a cat backpack that opens up to be small enclosed space. He loves watching my mom work in the garden and of course the birds. We got him a harness but I think it’s a bit too big for him right now. But other than that I think what he loves the most is just being with my family.
Look at ferret harnesses. Not sure but they may be small enough. When my kitty was very little I got a cheep harness for a kitten and then had to cut it down so the excess wouldn't drag. He was so tiny I used a string instead of a leash because the metal clasp was too heavy for him. He was a special kitty.
If hes too small for the harness you can do what Rose Welsh said and make a string harness, at the very least it will get him used to the idea/routine of putting something on when he has to go out. That way too, when he is big enough for the harness it wont be as big of a surprise for him to transition to. Just make sure its sturdy/has a clip or something so he can get used to the weight of something on him. String might be a little too light compared to the material of a harness/clips
@@rosewelsh4634 that is what i am doing now. I found the most adorable green and black plaid ferret harness. I thought that it would fit my small bunny but she was too big. I found a 6 week old stray kitten a month ago and it fits him perfectly. He’s all black and it looks like a little plaid vest. I hope i can find something similar when he grows out of it.
Try the Tre Ponti Liberta Harness. It's made for cats and small dogs and is easily adjustable as they grow. At 14 weeks my boy drowned in the smallest harness as well because he's a slim short-haired breed. The cord lock that this harness comes with is just great.
I had to habituate one of my cats to cats rides, it was a 2 hour trip each way weekly since he was 6 weeks old (yes, I know, really early) for about a year, to cabin in the forest. He would meow at first and then go to sleep but always when we got about a mile away he would suddenly wake up and start sniffing the air. Somehow, he always knew we were close.
I have a similar backpack when I take Midnight out and when she sees a dog she comes to my feet meaning “carry me” and then she’s completely fine.
She loves being out. She loves the park. When she’s tired I carry her and she enjoys the view. I always get the looks of bewilderment and wows when people hear a meow at the end of the leash which is always fun.
Most importantly Midnight enjoys it and that’s what matters.
My 1.4 year old cat LOVES his walks. 😍 He knows exactly what time we usually go out and he'll sit at the door and meow sadly until I put his harness on him. We do the pickup technique to discourage door dashing (works great). We live in a wooded area and sometimes he'll just hunt frogs around the pond, but sometimes he wants to walk the trails and up trees (we prevent him from going too high with the leash lol) he loves it.
He has gotten away from me once in the back field, he dashed for something and I thought the leash loop was around my wrist when it wasn't. Dissapeared a good 100 feet away and into the treeline, leash dragging behind him. It was very scary, we called for him and he started meowing! "Keep meowing baby! I'm coming!" When we found each other about 2 minutes later, he came running up to me looking like "I thought you were behind me where did you go??" Usually when he runs I can run with him, so he probably thought I was right behind him. So thankful he was a good boy 😭🙏💕 I am very mindful with the leash loop now. Honestly he's walked so much of our property if he did get out, it gives me some reassurance he would know how to find home than if we never walked him!
Of course there's a risk anytime you bring your pet anywhere. People walk dogs all the time like ???? I would never think to not give him the joy he loves of being outside.
yup, definitely dont get the sentiment of how walking a cat is bad. its literally no different than the risks of walking a dog.
My cats absolutely love being outside. They always get so mesmerized, you can really tell their cat instinct comes online like nowhere else. I feel like they are so much happier, fulfilled and so much healthier. I love my babies
Kudos to you Jackson, I have been a follower of yours for years. I have a 14 year old Flame point Siamese who not only walks on a leash in a safe "comfortable" harness, but also has a yard properly catified to protect her and allow outside fun. Her life has been so enhanced by your teaching. She is one very happy secure kitty. Loving life and playing still at 14. Thank you for all you do.
My Siamese loves his walks, and they're so important for his quality of life. He has a lot of energy to burn and needs all the stimulation he can get.
I travel extended trips in my RV. I can't imagine my cat not being able to get outside everyday - just like I do. Harness training made this possible.
She KNOWS that she can go outside - with a leash, and beside me. We go on adventures together.
Jackson Galaxy is definitely in tune with what we cat owners have in terms of future topics! The youtube videos are Extremely Informative!😊
I walk one of my cats, Reggie, with two harnesses on, one string harness and one mesh harness. He is an escape artist and if his arm slips out of one of his harnesses I attach the leash to the other harness. He also has a cat backpack for if there are dogs nearby! He absolutely loves going outside and is a fantastic walker. There's always ways to be responsible for your pet and mitigate risks!
The thing to remember when walking a cat on the leash is that really the cat is walking you on a leash. Just let them take you where they want (unless they try to go somewhere they shouldn't).
Whenever people walk their cats they basically drag them and try walking them like yoi woyld with a dog. Thx for pointing this out.
Yes, my first try, was the failure. I thought they would act like a dog. 🤣🤣🤣
Not sure if you drag dogs either.
Honestly, even dogs should have a little agency on walks wherever possible. If the dog is interested in something, let them check it out.
you give such a big voice for cats, which imo are such misunderstood creatures, and I'm so grateful for it as a huge cat lover 😭❤️🙏
Leash walking greatly improved my cats' lives. One of my cats has high anxiety, is high energy, and is crazy smart. I've tried every possible way to enrich his life indoors, and it's just not enough. The indoors alone don't give him the stimulation he needs.
One hour long walk outside provides him both mental and physical exercise, and keeps him relaxed for the rest of the day. I could never take that away from him because something bad MIGHT happen. Yes, there's a slim chance something bad could happen, but there's a 100% chance his life is made better with walks outside.
I left work one day and someone illegally turned into my car (which is a cougar lol). Luckily I didn't get hurt but I decided I should never leave work again. It's safer. Recommended to anyone worried about getting in an accident, just be safe and stay at work
@@ROGZI3L 🤣 exactly!
There are risks to everything. It's all about doing things in the safest way possible. I have all my cats microchipped, with up to date info. When I walk them, I have them wearing a collar with a tag, a harness that's snug, and I mostly walk them in my yard, on a decently safe street. I keep my head on a swivel looking for danger. I also take a pic before each walk to have an up to date pic in case, god forbid, they got loose. I've been walking my cats for years, and have never had an issue.
@@petcrazy1121 But you're walking your cat on a leash so you're being safe I see absolutely no problem with that.
Yes this! Same with one of mine. For her the walk is the highlight of the day. I could never take that away and it makes the home environment so much better. She is calmer indoors and isn't bothering the other cat that's getting a bit older. To be honest I'm more worried about her getting out of the catio, she is a clever little thing and we call her Gamma because I'm sure only a concrete wall would be 100% effective in keeping her in
I take our cat camping with us! We've been harness and leash training since she was 2 months. We still have our days where she just doesn't want to go out and other days, she loves it.
What do you do with her during the day while you’re about the campground?
We just had 4 inches of snow here in Oregon and we took our boy out for a walk around the house. The joy he got from playing in/attacking the snow was infectious. Love our Squidly
My 18 year old, Stella Blue, will sit by the door and howl until someone takes her for a walk. Always use a leash for safety.
My cat Bear will dart out the door if I don't take him out at least twice a day and we've only been doing it for just under a week lol
It is so wild to me how drastically different the most common accepted wisdom is regarding this across the pond: in the UK, most adoption places strongly advise you must be able to provide a cat outdoor access (generally assumed free roaming rather than leashed or catio). I know a lot of that will be the different predators here, but it still fascinates me.
Yes! Hearing Jackson talk about the adoption place making you sign a contract to say you’ll never let your cat outside... Whereas here they won’t let you adopt UNLESS they will be able to roam free! Such different cultures! I live in a city centre apartment myself so my cats are indoors by necessity and honestly I feel guilty about it all the time. I don’t even know anyone else with indoor only cats.
I've been demonized more than once for giving my cat free run when I was living in the countryside. I never understood why. It's not like he wasn't well cared for! Frankly I think those that allow their cats to go out are better caring for their cats.
I totally agree. That's why I always try not to be judgmental about many of the (pet) parenting practices in other places.
@@HeathsHarleyQuinn Predatory invasive species don't belong outdoors unsupervised. The cat may enjoy murdering smaller animals, but those animals sure as hell aren't enjoying it the same way.
Untrustworthy owners letting their animals free roam is the reason ferrets have been banned as pets in certain places; don't let it happen to cats too. Cats are actually a major contributor to the near extinction of many species. Not to mention, house cats kill for fun, not for food, so when they get bored, they often leave fatally wounded animals to die a slow and painful death, rather than the quick death they'd have if they encountered a native predator.
One of our rabbits got killed by a neighborhood cat. Most owners underestimate what their cats are capable of, and wrongfully assume they're only killing mice.
I'm sorry if this makes you feel judged, but the animals that die, feel much worse than you do.
My cat would also have preferred to free roam, but when we take an animal into our home, it becomes our responsibility to ensure they stay out of trouble.
There’s plenty of americans who let their cats out. I do now I’m in the country, and can see both sides.
Last March (2023) I was entering the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds before the festival opened. There was a young woman there delivering cash to vendors who had on one of the cat backpacks. She told me that the cat will walk on the leash but when she’s out working, the cat loves being in the backpack going with her. I think if the cat is healthy and happy, other people should mind their own business. I asked questions because I was curious.
Both of my cats have been in harnesses since they were kittens. Best thing I ever did for them. Putting them in carriers to take them to the vet is traumatic. Hooking a leash is easier on both them and me.
By the way, my previous cats were trained to harnesses when they were 13 and 11 years old with no issues. The 2 I have now have always been in harnesses, one when he was 4 weeks, he was a rescue, and the other was about 12 weeks, she got her first harness the day I got her. They done even notice them now.
I was so excited to try harness and leash with my new cat, my last cat loved it. It took me over a month to find a harnesses that was right for a cat but big enough for him (deep chest and wide shoulders..I know it sounds silly..but for real and he's not overweight lol). Then finding his jackpot treats. Then slowly introducing the harness. Today was the first day I got him fully clipped into the harness (3 months into this plan now) and he haaaaated it!
He never did the "freeze and flop", it was loose enough to get my whole hand under every strap so I know it wasn't too tight, and when he finally started moving again he didn't walk funny, so it was clearly not truly too restricting. He has shown interest for outside and even accidentally snuck out onto the stoop recently, but when I opened the door and sat just outside to see if he'd get the idea the the harness means outside time he COWERED!! I felt sooo bad! So no, it's not for every cat, even with all my mediation of risk lol
In hindsight when he snuck out a fee days ago he didn't bolt but immediately hunkered down, if he does end up liking outside time he'll probably prefer a "cat-io" and maybe someday he'll trust me enough for a backpack..
It took me MONTHS to find a good harness for my ragdoll when she grew up. With the first one she had this 'freeze and flop' thing, she just didn't like this particular 'style'. I guess it might've been because she felt some foreing object on her? In others buckles were too difficult to undo so it'd take me ages to get her into the harness. She also hated one that you put over her head but we finally found the right one - it's convenient for me to put it on her and she's totally cool with it, it's like she's not wearing anything.
My cat loves his walks! If I don't take him out I have to deal with play aggression.
I learned my cat loved wearing a harness and going outside and was absolutely amazed when I moved cross country with my him. He had been a completely indoor cat up until that point so I thought I would need to keep him in his carrier but early on in the trip I trusted him to let him out and found out he is the most amazing travel companion. He took to his harness immediately, napped in the sun on the dashboard during the day and would whine for us to stop as soon as the sun went down, keeping us on a really good schedule. We stopped in New Orleans and he surprised me again, being very curious about the band playing and hammed it up for the tourists that came up to see him. I think he liked going to White Sands the most, he was fascinated by the sand under his paws. We ended up walking around and exploring all over the place with him happily hopping along with me.
We started leash walking when our two cats were young and they love it! We now have two backpacks where the can rest if needed so we can take them on longer walks. We can sense when they need a walk because their energy just gets out of control inside. We did have some struggles with dogs running loose but we just pick up our cats when we see them coming.
thank you for making this video! the last thing we want to do as humans is oppress a creature just because we don't understand it. meditate risk, support the growth of specified harness/leash technology, and account/adjustfor/to to the fears within our little friends we have forced upon them with our world and practices. 😎✊❤️
I leash and backpack trained trained my kitty. As he's gotten older, he'd actually rather go out in the backpack. But the backpack has always been a great solution for running into strange animals. He goes right in, on his own. Just gotta put it on the ground.
@@lipotrimloser I followed a lot of what I saw I think on a Jackson Galaxy video about cat carriers In general. If you are just shoving your animal in there for dramatic events (like the vet) of course it's not a positive place. I fed him meals in there with the door open. And I left it around for him to go in at his leisure with the door open. When it wasn't transporting him, it was just another cat bed and hididy hole hanging around the house. At select times I enticed him inside with treats. Closed the door, went on a short walk (like around a piece of furniture or something), less then ten minutes or something. Landed the bag, opened the door, rinse and repeat a few times. Let it go for the day. Did it again the next day eventually with him staying in the bag longer and longer. And going on short walks then a bit longer. There were times I put down the bag and opened the door and he didn't even get out. And I let him hang in the bag door open. Just a series of things like that for a little while til the bag became a positive thing. Not something I shoved him in just to get him from point A to point B. With point B usually being somewhere he didn't want to go (like the vet). Now occasionally the carrier is that, but because that's more that days annoyance then most of the time/all the time. It's not only associated with negative experiences.
In fact, during COVID, the vet was laughing as she returned my cat to me (I couldn't go in the back with them) because she said every time she took him out the bag to examine him, he jumped back in it. And they had to hide it from him to get through the examination. As soon as he saw it, he went back in of his own Accord to be returned to me.
His harness is the same. I put his harness on him a lot just to run around the house (no leash) while being observed of course so he didn't get caught on anything and the harness wasn't a big deal as it wasn't forced on him as restraint just while being outside. Then we worked on the leash. Short burst as well. The bag and leash stuff happened concurrently in my first few weeks with him. And if he didn't want to walk, not a big deal. He's not a dog, he doesn't need to go outside to pee or anything. If he walks around in a circle, sniffs a flower and turns back to the house and is "done" at that point. That is fine with me.
@@TheDawnofVanlife that is so sweet! My cat is not backpack trained, but he do beg going back to backpack on vet examination cause he hates being butt-poked with termometer.
@@RoseDragoness 😂😂
I really enjoyed your comments. What a cute story. I can't have pets and you sound like an amazing Cat Guardian. Made my day.
I’ve tried it. My one cats wants nothing to do with it and just sits. The other does about the same but won’t walk when I want her to either. However, she wants to go outside all the time and I use it as a way to keep “hold” of her but let her sniff around and roam around near by.
As soon as a car comes though, she scrambles to the front door of the apartment. Cars are big scary monsters to them.
Have you tried positive reinforcement via treats?
I walk my cat every day, and that’s exactly what I do-follow him around while he explores to keep him from getting hurt or killing birds. It’s not like walking a dog at all, but it’s a lot more entertaining!
Mine scrambles back at any sound lol, she's just a scaredy cat. The furthest she'll comfortably leave the house is immediately in front of the screen door, and it has to stay open so she can bolt right back in. Loves the harness, hates going out lol. At least I tried (for about 4 years at this point lol)
@@Cookiekeks I have not. That’s a good idea though!
Awesome! Thank you for such detailed advise, for encouragement and for the love we share!
This was really the push i needed, ive been training my cat for leash walking and my neighbor got very mad at me, ive been told to ignore them but scared, this video really inspired me to take my loving the out doors cat outside on walks :)
I have 2 precious kitties, one is the “OMG it’s scary out here!” The other one is staring out the window, thinking “oh snap! That’s a nice juicy bird!” 🤣
Mine 1 kitty does both, just in reverse lol. My running joke with my husband is, "she _thinks_ she wants to go outside again." Because as soon as she's given the opportunity, it's one step outside then, "AHHH! TOO SCARY!" and straight back inside 🤣
i really wish i knew about harness walking when I owned my cat who passed in 2012. He was a door dasher (and when he got out he RAN) and I think he would’ve loved walks but I just didn’t have enough information about harness training at the time.
We started walking our cat when he was about 1 1/2 years old, just after we adopted him. He now gets a walk every day & gets a little miffed if it's raining or we can't go. Great exercise & helping to keep him fit.
Mine too 😂
My 7 month old kitten loves his walks. As soon as I put his harness on he goes to the front door and waits for me. I walk him to my friends place and he goes tree climbing with her cat. Not only does he get the benefits of being outside but he also gets playtime with another cat who teaches him how to play nicer. In return I get a happy little boy who doesn’t destroy my apartment.
There's a town in Ontario that passed a by-law that all cats and dogs must be leashed when they are outside. We've had a series of coyote killing cats in my town so I think it's safe to have such a law.
I wish my town had that rule. Cats are constantly going missing (also a coyote area) or getting hit by cars.
Madison, Wisconsin's leash law includes cats. I don't know that it is ever enforced, though!
@@lambj same with my town in Santa Barbara. There's a leash law/ containment law for cats and dogs but is only enforced for dogs. And it still doesn't work all the time. That's how we lost one of our furbabies in our own backyard from a neighbor's dog that was not contained properly. That was many years ago before we were educated on indoor cats only.
Dog leashes are typically required in most jurisdiction unlike for cats. I have a neighbor with any annoying dog. I wish he was leashed to the back half of their 1 1/2 acres.
@@mkuti-childress3625 I used to live in coyote zone, Mostly raccoons now.
Thanks for all your explanations of cat leashing, good and bad. You make a lot of sense and as a fellow cat lover, I applaud everything you do for our furry friends :)
@Jackson Galaxy, thank you so much for your insightful videos, we rescued a troubled cat from a backyard cage breeder a few months ago and we followed your advice, and although he still has confidence issues he is improving everyday. You really are the cat daddy and he wouldn't be the cat he is without your advice.
My girls have two totally different personalities. One loves going out on her leash and harness. We check out the perimeter of the house. She lounges in the backyard if she feels like it. The other one only wants to go out maybe once or twice a year, checks out the porch and the weather, and goes back in. They both love to watch Cat TV out the windows though.
I agree! My cat was a three-year old rescue and thankfully, took to the harness. She loves being outside (and having a safe space inside for naps), seems to enjoy that I’m out there with her and that I have her back (for life ❤️).
I totally agree! I have 2 cats who are completely different, one of them loves to explore the outdoors and one prefers to stay where it's safe and cozy. I've been trying baby steps to make the shy one warm up to the idea and she's been expanding her comfort zone gradually. I would never force her if it's not her own initiative.
Thank you SO MUCH for this video! I leash/harness walk my cat and was worried at first if I was making the right decision, but she absolutely loves it! If she didn't I wouldn't force it, but I'm so happy she loves it. She also loves going on hikes in her backpack :) It really helps me feel confident about my decision hearing this from you as a professional.
My cats don't particularly like being on leashes but they'll wear and walk around in leash with harness if they have to.. like when going to the Vet. It helps them to be able to hold on to our cats if they try to dash away and get hurt. My hubby's a bit too soft about the leash and harness and can't stand letting them wear it for more than a minute or two before he begs and begs to let them free as if it's bothering THEM. o-O They're... just sittin' there, hun. Be patient with them and they'll get used to it.
Mine won't wear one.
Mine wears collar, harness, leash 24/7. (Hint : Put on / measure while (new cat) laying down and calm.
... 24/7 collar, leash, harness can help calm down and make hiding cat easier to locate for "during the day" cuddles / caribou / affection. Have an "extra" (safe place) bed (hers is in bathroom near food and water and litter box) especially for "break time" after going up or down stairs (had to carry her down for first 8.5+ weeks).
Carry them for first (about) 10-20 walks, to see new environment ; control over risks
What is best.
Thank you Jackson! My kitten is that kitten who WANTS to go outside. We've just started walking her and she's loving it. We are loving it :)
How old is your kitten? I have a 4 month old kitten and I want to start training him to go outside on a leash but I don't know if he's too small for a harness yet
Thank you so much! I got scared clicking this video title but I'm so happy to hear THE expert endorsing cat enrichment.
I started harness and leash training my kitten (4 months old named Loki). I want to be able to take him places with me since he is my ESA. Your videos have definitely been helping me!
When I tried to put a leash on my cats they just thought they were stuck so they laid down 😄
If you leave it on for its significant amount of time several times a day for a few days they get used to it and it becomes second nature just like you do with collars
Try it multiple times a day for a week. And always use treats to make them assiociate the harness with something positive
Same mine also did it with costumes for holidays lol
@@jenni0278 dont put clothes on your cat...
My cat did the same thing at first. Have him wear his harness inside for multiple days in a row. He’ll get used to walking around with it on. Once he’s used to it enough to do all his typical indoor cat activities then attach the leash and sit outside in a small enclosed area like a balcony, deck, fenced patio, etc. use the leash to keep him in a certain area of the enclosed space. He’ll get used to the pull of the leash. If he freaks out or wriggles out of his harness pick him up and bring him back inside. Adjust the harness so he won’t wriggle out, but he can still breathe. Rinse/repeat each day you can until he behaves on his harness. Then you can start taking him out further afield. Note that walking a cat is NOT like walking a dog. Cats will want to go/do what they want, you’re merely there as a chaperone to keep them out of trouble. If the cat just wants to lay in the grass and chill, then you’re laying in the grass and chilling with him. Use the leash only to keep him from areas/plants/animals that he shouldn’t go near. We let ours sniff plants (animals mark plants for other animals to sniff) but we keep a tight and short leash when he does so because sometimes a sniff becomes a chomp, and we’ve gotten good at jerking his harness when he tries such that his chomp misses the plant.
I have been walking my cats for years and never had an issue because I find a safe route and mitigated the risks as you mentioned here Jackson. I use a harness and I'm vigilant of people walking their dogs so if I see them coming I reroute myself or pick up my cat and walk away. My cat gets scare with loud noises so I am make sure is quite where we walk, if there is a sudden noise I make sure I reassured him that it is ok and pick him up until he asked me to put him down again. Partially, is knowing what scares your cat and making sure nothing scary is around.
Thank you!!! I love that you support it. My cats soul dwindle when I moved to a place where he couldn’t roam. Leash walking brought him back to life
Thank you lots friend!!!!🙏🙏❤❤ awesome video and great tip to get your backpack with you!! You explain and advice really do thoroughly, thanks, thanks thanks!!!!
My fur baby Princess Pipsqueak is 5 years old and loves to walk around the neighborhood wearing her harness and leash!! She walks proudly with her tail straight up in the air as she surveys all of her kingdom!! She has the confidence of a 500 pound Tiger all wrapped up in a 13 pound body!! She's been walking on a harness and leash ever since she was a tiny kitten. She has become somewhat of a celebrity in our town. She's had tons of people stop and take her picture. She's been in the newspaper. She's a celebrity at my son's school and somewhat of a mascot too! She loves it all!! She walks around pet food stores wearing her "safety gear" (harness & leash & collar) like she owns the place and she's a huge hit! She also loves going for car rides with her family too!! Of course, she always wears all her "safety gear" (harness, leash, & collar) each and every time she goes out!!!
My concern about a car ride is that if I let my cat out of his carrier, what about the possibility of pee accidents?
I loved what you said about how walking your cat is a bonding moment. My cat, Icky is always her happiest when we take her on a walk around the yard. She is a very lucky cat and we have 2 or 3 acres she can freely explore. Over the last year we have established boundaries for her and she has recognized it and even set some of her own!
I hope many cat parents get to share this with their cats.
I saw a cat walking on a leash at petsmart today… so successful, so calm, so comfortable, so confident, so well socialized, and even better behaved than every dog I saw in there! Beautiful and awesome thing!
Awesome video as always! 💗 I was so happy when Jackson came on the scene. I've worked with all kinds of animals - pets, farm, wildlife rehab, rescue and foster - even before Jackson was born. I saw massive ignorance about cats and how to interact/handle them. I built my own catio before it was a word, I'm glad it's "a thing" now! I always thought it was ludicrous that humans were only choosing "free-roaming" or "indoors-only" - our big human brains are better than that. My dogs aren't indoor-only, and they certainly aren't free-roaming. I've had 6 hiking cats, I'm training my 7th and next spring my 8th. I start some on harness and leash, I use bungee leashes for safety and comfort. Plus treats. The honest truth - leashes are safer and better for adventure cats than free-roaming, but a leashed cat IS NOT the same as a leashed dog. The anatomical structure and nervous system of felines is drastically different than canines. Putting a leash on a cat is removing ALL of it's natural defenses - which is why, like Jackson said, you should ALWAYS have a backpack when you leash walk a cat. I do rescue and foster. My fosters belong to the rescue group, and have to be indoors only while I care for them. They have sunny windows and are happy to have been rescued from bad situations, with warmth, soft beds, and yummy free food. My own pet cats let me know what they want - little Kashmir NEVER wants to go outside, she was rescued from there and does NOT want to go back, not once since 2013 lol! She's happy with safe sunny window time. For my adventure kittys that want blue sky time, I train them and they all eventually hike with me off-leash, on the trails around my house. ***I'm not recommending this for others***, but with the relationship and experience I have with cats and their behavior, this is the absolute safest way for ME to hike with them. Once the "hike training" is over, they know the trails well, the area, the way home, and know how to find safety if needed (rarely). They are much safer than on-leash. They DO NOT free roam - they follow me out and follow me home, come when I whistle and obey better than the dog, lol! What most people don't realize is since cats are so highly territorial, once we leave my house and yard that has their scent, *the dog and I* become their territory. They all follow on my heels very well, out and back. I let them do a little exploring close to our trail. As soon as I want them to come, I start slow walking and whistle for them. They come - Every. Single. Time. They view the dog as safety also. I don't do this lightly - I created many safety plans to do this. If we hike on-leash, I have the backpack. Since leashes remove ALL of my cats safety mechanisms - It's my job to have the safe alternative. Any sign of danger, kitty goes on my back. Its' not just the backpack - I'm always watching ahead and behind. Loose dogs can come up fast, I need to be ahead of the game. I also watch our skies. I live in Northern MN, by all of the predators. I watch for eagles, a real danger, and even hawks, tho they're unlikely to go after my big cats. I watch for coyote and even fox. The wildlife is NOT my enemy - I hiked into THEIR home. But I respect the danger and will exit or protect my pets if needed. After hiking for 5 decades, wildlife isn't the problem. People who don't take care of their dogs are the worst. When I see hikers with dogs, my dog (on leash) goes ahead of us. He distracts the dogs. What's interesting is my hiking cats melt into the brush. They know what they're doing. I meet the hikers, I talk kindly with them, explain the situation , and ask if they would leash their dogs (it's all leash trails). When I first started this decades ago, I thought my cats would meet me back home. I learned instead that they take cover, and when the coast is clear, they meet back up on the trail. So I watch the hikers and dogs exit, head away from them, and start softly whistling for the cats. They join me when they feel safe. My experiences and what I've learned from my hiking cats could fill a book - including a few times where the cats WANTED to meet the dogs, and made fast friends 🥰😻. If I take one of my adventure cats out of our familiar area, I use the leash and backpack. I'm not thrilled that my rescue group demands indoor only or catio, ~BUT~ I also understand. We work so hard, we live-trap and tame ferals along with saving strays, and many people don't have great skills or experience with former ferals. Honestly, most people don't have great cat communication skills in general. They wouldn't know how to do what I do, or communicate with the cats as I do, even on-leash. Seeing what I see, with people who lie and dump animals and treat them like temporary kids christmas toys, I don't blame the rescues for creating narrower boundaries. Seeing people who genuinely love their cats, but don't educate themselves, and do stupid things that harm them out of ignorance. I shudder when I see people leash walking their cat w/o a backpack. They HAVE NOT thought ahead and prepared to keep their kitty safe, since it can't keep itself safe. Rescues like mine are doing the best they can. When I spend 4 days, a week, or a month or more in cold, freezing snow or hot, burning dust trying to live trap an injured or sick cat , get it healthy, tame and trusting - we need our adopters to be super-safe, responsible homes. I spend hours waiting in the rain for a mama cat with tiny kittens to go into a trap. I can't set the trap and leave because she won't go in for food - she will only go in if I use the kittens (safely sheltered) as the lure. And I have to remain on site, carefully watch and wait for their safety. It's EXTREMELY HARD WORK! So is screening for good adopters. So even tho I'm pro-leash walking when done safely, I see all sides, and I support my rescue's policies. My rescue group knows I hike my own cats off-leash. They know I follow all their rules with the fosters in my care. AND - they allow me to foster-fail and adopt. They also know my many years of experience, I've earned their trust. If more adopters had this knowledge and these skills, it would be a different story. It's not a black and white situation. My hope: 💗😻💗 That all of our responsible, careful, smart Adventure Cat Leash Walkers can BLAZE THIS TRAIL! Keep showing your success. Teach others how to do this safely. Make it the norm, done well. Show the naysayers they're being petty and stealing happiness from adventure cats. Show the rescues it can be a safe option to consider. Don't get upset with your rescues, respect their work and try to patiently educate. 💞Kudos💞 to everyone here who cares so much about their kitters, doing vastly different things to give them each great, happy lives! MASSIVE KUDOS and RESPECT to Jackson Galaxy for speaking up about this and all his great work.💗💗💗
Amen! Well said.
Our cat loves going on walks on a leash! He’s very excited to see all of the birds and bugs flying around. Obviously he has better and worse days but he’s always having fun outside
My kitty loves her leash. We call it her spacesuit.
Thank you for this video! I read that dreadful article too and it totally burst my joy of leash walking bubble.Our Voodoo loves exploring outside and the harness is snug enough so I can’t imagine how he could even wiggle out of it. He is that cat who needs the extra stimulation of being outside or becomes destructive. I am very appreciative for your alternative opinion and yes I agree it is terrible for someone with so much influence and visibility to publish her personal ideas as expert or even worse as contract binding!
I am so glad that you're supportive of this, because it seems so good for certain cats! I've always had dogs and they get absolutely exhausted when they can sniff and explore and be mentally stimulated by walking in a new place, and I'm sure it's the same for cats! I hope to get a kitten in a few months, and I plan on looking for a curious one in hopes that they will be interested in leash training, because i would love to do this with a cat (but of course, only if they're comfortable!)
I've been walking my cats for years! My oldest for about 7 years. I've never ever had any issue, and they love it so much. They live for it. I've found that the key is to introduce it slowly and go through the necessary steps. In the rare event that they get spooked, they walk quickly toward the house, or I pick them up and they know they're safe. I think this totally depends on the cat, their relationship to you, your home, and the outdoors. But I would never want to take that time away from them where their raw cat can come out, and they can explore. I have two big screened in porches that they love as well, but there is a satisfaction and confidence that they exude when walking outside on a harness that could never be achieved another way.
I've made sure that my kitten's harness isn't too tight or too loose. I've done this by putting it on him and letting him run around inside the house for an hour or so. If he's somehow managed to get it off, I adjusted it (even as he's been growing, Maine Coon) then repeat until it fits him just right where he's still comfortable, can't get it off, stops trying and just accepts it. He now gets excited seeing his harness in my hands and loves hanging out outside on the grass and letting the air flow through his fur. When the harness comes off, he wants it back on. When it's too hot outside, he has his cat tree next to the window where he can just look out at his kingdom.
I love how you make your points and really appreciate you contributions to so many cats and their guardians. I'm glad I listened to the whole video. My first impression was to disagree but then you turned me around on that by talking about parenting and what's right for the cat in your care. My cat would be absolutely scared to death due to neurological issues that keep her from running properly and being unable to jump at all.
Your The Man, Cat Daddy. Take My Hat Off To You Sir. Am Doing My Absolute Best Rescuing Strays, Homing Them Or Doing What Needs To Be Done. I Live With 5 Cats Now, And Its So Rewarding. I Keep Them All In Because Of The Area I Live In, Wont Kid Yer, It Ain't Good, & The Vets, Rescue, Shelters, Charity's Are All Businesses Now, They Care More About Profit Than The Well Being Of The Animals These Days, Have Been Bared From Multiple Vets Now As I Lose My Temper When I'm Dealing With These Heartless Cruel People. Want To Thank You so Much Jackson, Ive Leaned & Continue To Learn So Much From You, Me, Shadow, Gene, Tabbatha, Gizmo, Spritz, ( & My 2 Dogs, Lynford & Gina, Just For Good Measure ) All Thank You From Bottom Of Our Hearts. Man I Wish I'd Of Come Across You Sooner, Better Late Than Never Though Eh, And I'm Learning Everything I Can From You, No Small Thing Cos I Say, You Da Man. Thank You Jackson Galaxy From Across The Pond, Here In Uk.
My cat absolutely loves going for a walk, loves meeting new people and puppies (they don't like him though so I have to be vigilant), he likes bouncing in field of crops next door and looking around the little forest, occasionally the golf course if its not busy, and even the playground, he loves the kids tunnels and slides
There are 4 cats in my neighborhood who are leash trained.
Yea. So many loose cats on my block. I hate this
Yea
Jackson, you're beacon of hope for Cat Loving community
Sound, sensible advice. And your backpack was cute and made me chuckle as it reminded me of Dr. Evil's cat Mr. Bigglesworth peering out the window of his little space shuttle compartment.