How to Take a Cat on a Leash

Choose your harness. You don't simply snap a leash on a cat's collar the way you would with a dog. A cat will pull right out of a simple collar. There are special walking harnesses for cats. The simplest of these consist of a collar, plus another loop that goes around the cat's midsection behind its front legs, and a strap along the cat's back that connects the two loops. Even this may not be enough if you're cat's especially determined. More sophisticated harnesses use a very wide strap behind the front legs with fasteners on two separate loops. It's generally wise to invest in one of the better harnesses because a harness your cat can get out of is no use at all.

Choose your leash. Unlike the harness, you don't need to worry so much about the leash. Cats aren't remotely as strong as dogs. They're not going to break the leash and, unless they take you by surprise with a sudden jerk, they're not going to yank it out of your hand. You don't need a big leather dog leash. A simple woven leash will be fine. Avoid the retractable leashes that come in a plastic grip. All this will mean is that the cat lies down and you walk out to the end of the wire. That's just embarrassing.

Let your cat get used to the harness. Simply getting the cat used to wearing the harness is a big step by itself. At first, he'll probably squirm and try to get out of it. Before you even think about taking your cat outside, put the harness on it and just leave it on. You shouldn't leave the cat alone with a harness on, just in case it manages to snag itself on something around the house and get stuck. But let the cat go about its normal affairs and get used to having the harness on.

Teach your cat to follow you. Again before you consider going outside, get your cat used to the idea of following along at your side as you walk. The best way to do this is to get your cat's favorite treat, show it to him then walk along with the treat held down alongside your legs. Hopefully the cat will get the idea to follow along with you. When it does, give it the treat. Again, this may take a while to sink in. Once it does, try doing it with the leash attached. Hopefully the cat will get the idea that it's following along at your side for a treat and won't really notice the leash.

Try it outside. Be prepared for your cat to forget everything it's learned once you actually try walking outside with the leash. Everything will be different there and your cat will be distracted by a thousands sights, sounds and smells. Even if you've got your cat walking alongside you indoors without actually carrying the treat, you may have to use the treat outside the first few times. But hopefully your cat will eventually realize that if he follows along with you, he'll get good things, and he'll start to remember what you've already taught him.