Cat Leash  in 2023 – Top Products Rated

Cat Leash    

What is a cat leash?

Usually, ropes or something of a material that is similar is used for a cat leash. The leash has to be attached to the cat at the neck or to a neck collar, halter, or a harness. Most cat leashes, however, are not tied at the neck but go around the body.

Any kind of outdoor activity is not just fun but also safe and convenient for both your cat and you. Exercise of any form helps your cat a lot by stimulating it mentally and physically. Cats do not get bored and they can maintain a healthy weight too with a simple walk in the neighborhood. And all this can be done with a good quality leash.

Ways of using a cat leash

Cats will have their ways no matter what and pushing them to do something they do not like will only make matters worse. So, here we have prepared a brief list of things that you can do to make use of the cat leash in the best way possible:

Acclimatize

The first and the foremost thing that you should do is to acclimatize your cat with the leash. Cats are wary of anything that you use on them. Unless your kitty is absolutely sure of any object, it will not let you use that object on it.

Give the leash to your cat and let it toss and play with it. Once your cat seems to be at ease with the leash, try putting it on your cat for a short while. But remember that the initial days have to be indoors. You can put the leash on and walk your cat indoors since the environment is familiar to your kitty. Using some treats can yield positive results too.

Go low key

A huge mistake that you can commit is to instantly introduce your cat to a street that is bustling with activity. Go slow by taking your cat out to a quiet street in the neighborhood which does not have a lot of vehicles or people walking on it. What would be even better is to start by walking your cat in your backyard, if you have one. This will not only let your cat get comfortable with the leash but also not frighten it with noises on the street.

Use some creativity

If your cat does not seem to appreciate the leash so much, worry not. For some cats, it does take a lot of time. But if you see that quite some time has passed and your cat still seems to hate the leash, then it is time to look for other options like a stroller. Or you can build tiny fences in a small area anywhere around the house. You can let your cat free inside the fence and let it soak up some fresh air and good sun.

Is a cat leash good for my cat?

Leashes might not work for all cats but they are definitely worth a try. You cannot know whether your cat likes a leash or not, unless you try. Apart from the exercising factor, leashes are good for the mental health too. This is because, when cats go out, they engage mentally with their surroundings and try to find things that are interesting. This keeps them engaged while also keeping your free of worry that your cat will slip out of your grasp.

Plus, leashes instill good behavior and discipline in cats too. Your cat also becomes a lot more confident once it has undergone some training with a leash. A timid cat might just transform into a super extrovert and cool cat after it has taken some training with a leash. All of this is possible only with expert training.

What if my cat does not like the leash?

If your cat is not really into the whole leash business, then well, you can’t force your poor kitty. But you can surely try other ways for your cat to experience a bit of fresh air and some fun. A great alternative is to buy a stroller for your cat or you could even build a small fenced area in the garden for your cat to play. This will let your cat walk at its own pace and terms, while also letting them be in their comfort zone.

Things to keep in mind

We already mentioned the precautions you need to take in order to take the first step of walking your cat on a leash. There are other kinds of precautions you need to take too. Cats might get very comfortable with the outdoors once you start taking them on walks. This might foster a tendency in them to take a quick run anytime they want. However, you know that it can be dangerous.

In order to avoid such a situation, you can either train your kitty about the walk timings or make sure that it does not escape. Train your cat to go out only when it has the leash around its body. If this does not seem to work, then you just have to be careful of leaving the doors open.

You also need to be patient with your cat when you are just initially beginning to walk it around with a leash. But once your cat is comfortable with it, you will be surprised to see your cat leading the way. Cats love to smell things on the road and you will see your cat tugging at the leash and going on a spree. But remember to keep a firm hold on your end of the leash. You do not want your cat to sly away from your hands and go on a rampage on the road.