January is Walk Your Dog Month! Of course, every month is Walk Your Dog Month for many people. But what about your cat? Believe it or not, some kitties do enjoy being walked on leashes. A local Frisco, TX vet offers some tips for those who want to try in this article.
Consider Purrsonality
Not all kitties will be good candidates for taking walks. If Fluffy has always been an indoor cat, or is just naturally shy, it’s probably best to just leave things be. However, if your feline pal is more of a bold, adventurous furball, she may really enjoy the stimulation and excitement regular walks would provide.
Start With The Harness
You’ll need to take some time training Fluffy. First, just let her get used to wearing her harness indoors. Then, start clipping a leash onto it. Let her drag it around, so she gets used to it. Your cat should only wear her gear when you’re there to keep an eye on her. You don’t want her getting tangled on anything!
Prerequisites
Before letting Fluffy explore outdoors, make sure that she’s completely caught up on her vaccines and parasite control. Your kitty should also be microchipped and wearing ID tags.
First Adventures
When you’re ready to venture out into the world, you can bring Fluffy out for a trial run. Just pay close attention to her demeanor. If she seems frightened, bring her back inside. Don’t force your furry pal to be outdoors if she doesn’t enjoy it!
Safety
First and foremost: keep Fluffy leashed at all times. It’s also important to be very aware of your route and surroundings. Stay away from busy roads, and any areas where your cat may encounter a dog, snake, or any other animals that could be a threat. It’s also best to avoid areas with a lot of trees: if your furry friend gets frightened and runs up one, you may have trouble getting her back down!
Things To Consider
One thing to keep in mind before you decide to train your kitty is the fact that our feline buddies are very, very good at getting us to pamper them. If Fluffy decides that she likes going outdoors, she’s probably going to demand to be walked daily.
Please contact us, your Frisco, TX pet clinic, for all of your kitty’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!
