My cat was an outside cat until he was about six month. After we moved, he had to be strictly indoors. Every time i would put a leash on him, he would crouch down and wouldn’t move. It’s going to be really hard to get them used to a leash now that they’re 2. I had no success whatsoever. Good luck to you. I felt bad, too, that he couldn’t go outside, but they get over it. Buy on of those cat-tree things that they can climb up and down. Have toys that they can chase. They won’t miss the outdoors after a couple of months.
Bonsylar on
March 28th, 2009
Cats have territories that they HATE leaving. The only thing they hate more than leaving their territory, is entering the territory of another cat.
Outdoor cats have claimed where you want to walk, and cats don’t understand public sidewalks.
So if you really want to make your kitties happy, DON’T leave your yard. Put harnesses and leashes on, and sit in the shade. Trust me, this is better than walking. Better yet, make an enclosure for them. The smallest patio or yard can be made into a comfy place for them to watch the world go by. Remember, they can use vertical space too.
Cheers.
lois d on
March 31st, 2009
train to a leash.
SureKat on
April 1st, 2009
The first thing you need to do is get a harness for each cat. Once you have those put it on the cats. You want them to get use to them before you attach the leash. Let them walk, run, roll with them on while you are there supervising. Do this for about 10 minutes, then take them off and praise them give them each a treat if they like them. Do this everyday until you can tell they are comfortable wearing them, then attach the leash walk each cat separately inside. Once they are okay with it. Venture outdoors. This is all baby steps. Take them for a short walk stop and let them look around. As far as to how long this will take you this will be up to your cats.Best of luck;^)
bonnie g on
April 4th, 2009
The best way to train is to buy a good quality harness that fits your cats size well. Put the harness on and leave it on, in the house for about and hour at a time, until it gets used to the feel of it. Once it is used to the harness, attach a leash to the harness and walk your kitty inside the house. (there are less distractions inside) and it is easier to train them here. Once you get it to walk inside, then try outside. Make sure you have a good grip on the leash. They can dart when you least expect it. I hope this works for you. My son trained the cat to go to a certain place on the leash. They went outside around the house and to the garage. The garage was kept open for this and there was less noise there. Then they would walk around the house and back in. He got bored with it before he ever tried to take it on a long walk. It was very hard to train it to go this far without hurting its self.
alina1292 on
April 5th, 2009
yes I do…I trained both of my cats actually….what you do is let the cats walk around in harness’s and let them get used to them. A lot of time’s they’ll act a little funny at first. Don’t be worried though, thats normal. Unless they are having trouble breathing, in which case you made it too tight and need to loosen it. Just leave it on for an hour at first and then gradually leave it on longer. Give them lots of treats and attention at first to calm them down, but then give them less so they know that not everytime you put that harness on they are going to get treats. then add the leash next. Just let them drag it around so they get used to having something pulling on them. It sounds complicated but it really isn’t. Good luck!
Jake on
April 6th, 2009
Man, I hear you. My cats are 5 years old and were indoor cats and finally my family told me to let them outside. We are not near a busy street and believe me I battled with this decision for a long time. At first my stomach ‘turned’ by worrying about them. The good news is I let them out in morning, round em up inside before going to work, let them out in the evening and we are all inside and asleep by 10pm. I think I got lucky. If by a busy street I would consider letting them out at about 4am and bringing them back in before going to work if possible. However, a more feasable idea may be sealing up your balcony with those new cat fence devices so they at least can sit in the sun. I think you are great for caring so much!!!
old cat lady on
April 7th, 2009
I have done that with three cats over time. With my first two kittens I took them out in “relays” when they were about five months old. I NEVER tried to take two at a time. I don’t think I would attempt that unless there were another person to handle one cat and you another.
You are certainly on the right track, getting them used to the harnesses etc. It sounds like they have a really nice balcony though. You may just find they are happy to be in their new home and with the outside environment you are able to provide them. If they do go out on their leashes you might get bugged quite a bit to provide them with that recreation.
Cats can be so easily spooked outside by traffic noise or an approaching or barking dog. Be sure you wrap the leash around your wrist very securely so that you don’t get it yanked out of your hand if the cat bolts.
Laura L on
April 9th, 2009
Have you considered a pet stroller?
My kitties LOVE the stroller, it is made specifically for pets and is easy to use. They are secured in a zipped in area where they can see everything.
They generally go for $100-$150, but they are worth it, you will have 2 happy kitties!
My cat was an outside cat until he was about six month. After we moved, he had to be strictly indoors. Every time i would put a leash on him, he would crouch down and wouldn’t move. It’s going to be really hard to get them used to a leash now that they’re 2. I had no success whatsoever. Good luck to you. I felt bad, too, that he couldn’t go outside, but they get over it. Buy on of those cat-tree things that they can climb up and down. Have toys that they can chase. They won’t miss the outdoors after a couple of months.
Cats have territories that they HATE leaving. The only thing they hate more than leaving their territory, is entering the territory of another cat.
Outdoor cats have claimed where you want to walk, and cats don’t understand public sidewalks.
So if you really want to make your kitties happy, DON’T leave your yard. Put harnesses and leashes on, and sit in the shade. Trust me, this is better than walking. Better yet, make an enclosure for them. The smallest patio or yard can be made into a comfy place for them to watch the world go by. Remember, they can use vertical space too.
Cheers.
train to a leash.
The first thing you need to do is get a harness for each cat. Once you have those put it on the cats. You want them to get use to them before you attach the leash. Let them walk, run, roll with them on while you are there supervising. Do this for about 10 minutes, then take them off and praise them give them each a treat if they like them. Do this everyday until you can tell they are comfortable wearing them, then attach the leash walk each cat separately inside. Once they are okay with it. Venture outdoors. This is all baby steps. Take them for a short walk stop and let them look around. As far as to how long this will take you this will be up to your cats.Best of luck;^)
The best way to train is to buy a good quality harness that fits your cats size well. Put the harness on and leave it on, in the house for about and hour at a time, until it gets used to the feel of it. Once it is used to the harness, attach a leash to the harness and walk your kitty inside the house. (there are less distractions inside) and it is easier to train them here. Once you get it to walk inside, then try outside. Make sure you have a good grip on the leash. They can dart when you least expect it. I hope this works for you. My son trained the cat to go to a certain place on the leash. They went outside around the house and to the garage. The garage was kept open for this and there was less noise there. Then they would walk around the house and back in. He got bored with it before he ever tried to take it on a long walk. It was very hard to train it to go this far without hurting its self.
yes I do…I trained both of my cats actually….what you do is let the cats walk around in harness’s and let them get used to them. A lot of time’s they’ll act a little funny at first. Don’t be worried though, thats normal. Unless they are having trouble breathing, in which case you made it too tight and need to loosen it. Just leave it on for an hour at first and then gradually leave it on longer. Give them lots of treats and attention at first to calm them down, but then give them less so they know that not everytime you put that harness on they are going to get treats. then add the leash next. Just let them drag it around so they get used to having something pulling on them. It sounds complicated but it really isn’t. Good luck!
Man, I hear you. My cats are 5 years old and were indoor cats and finally my family told me to let them outside. We are not near a busy street and believe me I battled with this decision for a long time. At first my stomach ‘turned’ by worrying about them. The good news is I let them out in morning, round em up inside before going to work, let them out in the evening and we are all inside and asleep by 10pm. I think I got lucky. If by a busy street I would consider letting them out at about 4am and bringing them back in before going to work if possible. However, a more feasable idea may be sealing up your balcony with those new cat fence devices so they at least can sit in the sun. I think you are great for caring so much!!!
I have done that with three cats over time. With my first two kittens I took them out in “relays” when they were about five months old. I NEVER tried to take two at a time. I don’t think I would attempt that unless there were another person to handle one cat and you another.
You are certainly on the right track, getting them used to the harnesses etc. It sounds like they have a really nice balcony though. You may just find they are happy to be in their new home and with the outside environment you are able to provide them. If they do go out on their leashes you might get bugged quite a bit to provide them with that recreation.
Cats can be so easily spooked outside by traffic noise or an approaching or barking dog. Be sure you wrap the leash around your wrist very securely so that you don’t get it yanked out of your hand if the cat bolts.
Have you considered a pet stroller?
My kitties LOVE the stroller, it is made specifically for pets and is easy to use. They are secured in a zipped in area where they can see everything.
They generally go for $100-$150, but they are worth it, you will have 2 happy kitties!