Can You Really Walk a Cat? Experts Reveal the "Only Right Answer": Just Do This One Thing

To ensure a good cat walking experience, three conditions must be met: proper care of the basic needs of the cat, correct interpretation of the cat's emotions along with good training, and comprehensive protection. Safety in cat walking should start from the cat's perspective.

We often see various rescue or adoption organizations strongly advising adopters against walking their cats. We frequently remind pet owners not to take their cats to pet expos or to avoid forcing cats that are unsuitable for walks. However, we also share images of our own cats going for walks, which can lead to confusion. So, is it permissible to walk cats? Why do we say one thing and do another?

The answer is that we disagree with both strict statements: "Cats should be walked" and "Cats should not be walked." We believe that the decision to walk a cat should always be based on "the animal welfare of the cat." If you adhere to this principle, you will not go wrong.

Examples for Clarification

1. Going to a pet expo for freebies: Bringing a cat to a pet expo just for the free gifts and entry is not about the cat's welfare; it's about personal gain. This is not acceptable.
2. Exploring safely: If my cat wants to explore outside and I ensure a safe environment with gradual training and top-notch safety measures, allowing my cat to explore is great as it considers the cat's welfare and safety.
3. Influencer pressure: Wanting to walk my cat just because I saw an influencer do it and their photos look beautiful is not about the cat's welfare; it's about vanity. This is not acceptable.
4. Understanding unique needs: Even though everyone says cats should go outside, I recognize that my cat has a sensitive and nervous personality, so I choose to keep him indoors. This shows consideration for the cat’s unique needs, which is excellent!
5. Lack of preparation: Some say that cats need to go out to be happy, so I take my cat out without proper preparation or training. While this seems considerate at first glance, it’s only half-hearted and not advisable.

After reviewing these examples, do you have a clearer understanding of the guidelines? If you are unsure whether your cat should be walked, how to train them, or how to assess safety measures, feel free to contact us for cat behavior consultation services. We can assist you in evaluating and making judgments, and if necessary, guide you through training steps such as using harnesses.

Support or Opposition to Cat Walking

We are often asked about our stance on supporting or opposing cat walking. Today, we will discuss this issue. Our unified answer is: "We support good cat walking and oppose bad cat walking." So, what constitutes good cat walking, and what constitutes bad cat walking?

Good Cat Walking: Three Conditions

Good cat walking has three conditions:

Basic Care for the Cat:

• A suitable environment that meets the cat's natural needs.
• Encouragement for the cat to exhibit hunting-related behaviors.
• Sensory enrichment.

Since these points may seem abstract to many readers, here are some examples:

• Provide sufficient and appropriate staple food for the cat, with three to five meals a day instead of free feeding.
• Select, set up, and clean the litter box and litter to ideal standards.
• Offer multiple high places for the cat to use, along with planning for connections between high spots and catwalks.
• Engage in positive and appropriate human-cat interactions.
• Ensure comprehensive home protection while allowing the cat to enjoy views from windows and access to balconies.
• Play with the cat using interactive toys at least once or twice a day.
• Provide several hiding food toys during long absences (like work) to prevent boredom when alone.

Correct Interpretation of Cat Emotions and Good Training:

Understanding emotions is crucial for effective training. If you cannot recognize signs of stress and frustration in your cat, training may cause more pressure instead of enjoyment. Being able to read your cat's emotions is fundamental for successful walks, ensuring that your cat is genuinely happy outside rather than on the verge of distress.

Training should not involve punishment but should be based on a solid understanding of behavior science and learning principles. This knowledge allows you to use methods that best suit your cat for desensitization and counter-conditioning, helping them enjoy walking outside. Both of these aspects require proper education and learning; no one can master them without guidance, including ourselves.

Comprehensive Protection:

Before walking your cat, it is essential for owners to understand that cats are escape artists. Recognizing which stimuli might trigger an escape response is crucial, as well as ensuring you have a good harness. The choice of harness, leash, walking location, and time are all key factors in preventing escapes.

For instance, walking a cat quietly at night at your doorstep poses different risks compared to taking them out during busy afternoons at popular spots. Choosing the right harness and leash is also an art; we have invested significant money in trial and error. In the future, we will publish a review to help others avoid unnecessary expenses. The principle for selection is that it must be comfortable yet escape-proof; both aspects are equally important.

In summary, good cat walking requires careful consideration of various factors related to the cat's well-being and safety. By adhering to these principles, we can ensure that our feline friends enjoy their outdoor experiences while remaining safe and secure.

Inappropriate Cat Walking Examples

Here are some examples of inappropriate cat walking:

• The cat's personality and conditions are not suitable for walking, and it is taken out without any training.
• Believing that walking the cat is a necessary activity, but doing so even when neither the owner nor the cat is happy or comfortable.
• Not choosing the right time and place, taking the cat out just to show it off.
• Lack of proper safety precautions, resulting in the cat going missing.
• The cat is already very scared and on the verge of panic, but the owner is completely unaware.
• Neglecting basic needs and only thinking about walking the cat every day.
• Not only walking the cat but also introducing it to other cats (which goes against the solitary nature of cats).
• Deliberately bringing the cat close to dogs, thinking that the frightened reactions of the cat are amusing.
• Other examples can be inferred; there are many more scenarios that could be listed.

If you are currently walking your cat but feel that it is not happy and is under stress, please stop today. If you need other enrichment methods, feel free to contact us for a discussion. Forcing a cat that dislikes walking will not lead to it "gradually getting used to it."

Those who seek paid behavioral consultations with us are likely already very considerate owners. However, based on my personal case assessments, I estimate that over 50% of owners still need to strengthen their understanding of the three basic levels of care outlined below:

• The details of cat care are numerous, and it is indeed challenging to navigate correctly on your own.
• Information found online often contains a mix of correct and incorrect advice.
• If you haven't addressed these three basic levels yet are eager to walk your cat, it's essential to honestly confront yourself: Are you doing this for your own sake or genuinely for your cat's well-being?