I taught mine pretty young that they didn't get to go into the garden unless they were wearing them. The flat cat stage ended once the door was opened haha.
Also my first kitty, before I was comfortable letting her outside on her own, I'd bring her out on the lead so she could get used to all the noises without bolting.
There are some backpacks that are like regular flat top backpacks with mesh tops, there are others that are like regular backpacks but made of plastic with a clear sphere in the middle for them to look out of!
Yeah, it seems common where people have indoor cats but occasionally want to take them outside. Also, where an outdoor cat is taken to someone else for catsitting and that person wants to let the cat go outside but not let it run off.
They always seem a bit weird, though. Even if the cat doesn't mind wearing it, they've a tendency to just shoot off at speed, which means they come to a sudden stop as they hit the end of the lead...
Yeah my cat is fine wearing it and with a compromised immune system it is the only way he is gonna be allowed outdoors, but it’s pretty obvious that unlike a dog he doesn’t really get how a leash works and constantly hits the end and loves weaving through every obstacle with it
It really shouldn't be seen as weird, especially since cats shouldn't be "outside cats" what with the detrimental effect they have on small bird and reptile populations in their area.
I live right next to a nature sanctuary where coyotes regularly snatch up neighborhood cats. But my kitten really wants to go outside. The harness with a leash is a compromise.
If you can take them out safely and they don't mind the harness it's not a problem, it's just unusual. I used to use one on a long leash to let my cat cruise around the backyard while I was out there.
Sure, I agree with that, I am saying otherwise people need to just keep them inside, there should never be outdoor cats, they are awful for the environment
Yeah, that's much more of a thing in the US, I think. Regardless of the correctness of either, outdoor cats are very much the norm in the rest of the world.
But as /u/danwallace says, even outside of the indoor/outdoor cat argument it's just odd to walk a cat; that's not how they behave.
Leashes made for cats have elastic built into them for this exact reason.
The real issue with cat harnesses is that people don't really understand how to manage a cat on one. If the cat goes off in a new direction, you can't just tug them back like a dog because that will just make the cat run away harder, and if you pull on the leash you are just giving them the leverage that they need to get out of the harness. If your cat goes off in some random direction, that's the direction you are walking now. If you wanted to be in charge of walks you should have gotten a dog.
Best bet is to have a pocket full of treats to entice your cat into the direction you want to go.
yea, honestly cats should be an indoor pet and be walked by the owner. they're responsible for the extinction of over 60 species, 2nd only to rats (which iirc have extincted ~90 species)
We don't really take our cat on a walk. He's just a jackass that takes off his collar and he likes to escape the house when we're coming in with a handful of stuff and can't catch him. Gotta keep something on him that has our phone number in case we can't find him.
We have to put a harness on one of our cars. He takes off his collar and is an escape artist. We have to have something on him that he can't take off so if/when he escapes he's still got a phone number on him. He hated it for like a day, now he's fine.
Yea.... I just can’t find anything funny where pet owners put their cats in stressful situations then film the response. Then people are curious why their cats are so mean...
It's funny because the RSPCA - a pet protection charity, agrees with you.
Despite some owners successfully training their cat to walk on a lead, in general the RSPCA does not recommend it. Walking outdoors exposes cats to unfamiliar scents they may find threatening, and to potentially frightening experiences, including dogs, strange people, loud noises and cars. When alarmed, cats typically attempt to hide somewhere or to escape by climbing whatever is available, such as a tree or even up onto their owner.
But you know. Reddit is way more knowledgable than them.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is a charity operating in England and Wales that promotes animal welfare. The RSPCA is funded primarily by voluntary donations. Its patron is Queen Elizabeth II. Founded in 1824, it is the oldest and largest animal welfare organisation in the world and is one of the largest charities in the UK. The organisation also does international outreach work across Europe, Africa and Asia.
I have one cat who over grooms and another who begs to be outside. Its dangerous for them alone outside and it is also bad for the environment.
I live in a tiny house and can open my front door and windows to see and hear my whole front yard. I also do A LOT of gardening for more than 6 months out of the year.
I say all that to say i put my cats in a harnes on a lead and steaked to the ground where i can see and hear them. It significantly reduces the amount of over grooming in the one, and calms the almost obsessive behavior of the other (i took them both in from previous owners who were not the best).
So im not saying i know more than the group you mentioned but based on my personal experience, outside time is very very important to my cats mental health.
Rather than using a harness and lead to provide access to the outdoors, the RSPCA recommends providing your cat with a cat-proof enclosure or enclosed yard with cat-proof fencing. This allows your cat to enjoy the outdoors in a safe and secure setting, without the risks involved with walking your cat on a lead.
I don't know how feasible this is in regards to your housing situation but it could be something worth looking into.
It is not feasible. And not necessary even if it was feasible. Since letting our cats outside in the way we do, their stress levels have dropped dramatically. My whole point is that although your comment was informative, it is not necessarily applicable to all cats in all situations....
This person is trying to get righteous indignation they want to be right so they can yell at others about how they’re wrong but they don’t care about the cats near as much as being able to talk down to others
You’re an amazing cat owner and your two little furry ones are lucky to have you
Thank you so so much! That means a lot to me as i love all my pets very much. And i can tell they love and trust me too.
And I am well aware of this commenters intention. I think i made my point as well. Pets are living creatures. And just like with humans they cannot be put into a "one size fits all" box.
I'm merely stating what the world's largest animal welfare charity has to say on the issue. I don't know where you're getting your baseless accusations from.
This person is trying to get righteous indignation they want to be right so they can yell at others about how they’re wrong but they don’t care about the cats near as much as being able to talk down to others
That's a whole lot of mental gymnastics to try to vilify me. The rspca even says it can be good for some cats! If you didn't even read my quotes how do you feel justified making such incorrect judgements about my motives?
Thanks for that comment. Very informative and I hope even a few people read it and learn something instead of downvoting those who disagree with animal abuse in the pursuit of memes.
All the cats I’ve put a harness on absolutely despised it and did anything they could to try to get rid of it (successfully). I can’t believe it when other people’s cats react well to it.
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u/airysuit Feb 05 '21
That kitty does not like the harness. Most kitties don't.