how to introduce an in door cat to the outside

[niki71uk]

ok so how do i introduce my 1 yr old cat to the out side,and hope she wont run off??

i have no garden,just a path way,then a quietish street then a man road






toby the older cat now 15 was easy to do it with,when he was a baby,we had a garden,so used to take him out all the time,so why i moved here he was ok,but her she's scatty as it is,i dont want her frightened that she'll run off n not come back

[dandysmom]

Can't offer any advice as mine are/were strictly indoors because I live in the City on a heavily trafficed street and near the woods where there are foxes and raccoons. I harness trained all except Leia so they could get outdoors and enjoy the scenes and smells.

Lots of members have done this, sure someone will be along with advice, good luck!

[Mags]

As DM has said, I would take her out on a harness ........... it's very risky letting her out if you have no garden :?

[Moli]

I would not let her out on her own, being near a busy road....

[Elaine]

Have to agree that I too wouldnt let her out any where near a main road.

[angieh]

Why don't you give a harness a try? I have no experience of introducing a cat to harness, but I am sure if you ask, you'll be given good advice on how to do it. It would be so much safer for your cat.

[dandysmom]

I like a figure 8 harness myself, but there are lots on line to choose from. The theory is, put it on them in the house and let them get used to it, giving them a treat if they behave well. I didn't go by the book, just put it on, opened the door and out we went. Worked for me. They do NOT walk like dogs .... stop, lie down, sniff things, maybe stop to sharpen their claws on a tree, just meander. It's a nice bonding experience IMO.

[niki71uk]

the only problem id have with a harness that has so many clips,is that i live alone and would probably need help putting it on lol,she'd bite and claw me to death:shock: then id give up trying till we'd both calmed down:roll:

[dandysmom]

I live alone too; with a figure eight harness there are just two loops and one hook. You slip the top loop over the cats head, take the end and put it under the tummy behind the shoulders and just clip it to the ring that's there. voila! Will dig out a pic of Sultan walking that might make it clearer ......

[dandysmom]

Here you go! Forgot to say the figure eight harness is adjustable ... one size fits all.

http://www.catsey.com/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d117/dandysmom/Sultan/DSCN0990.jpg%5B/IMG%5D%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d117/dandysmom/Sultan/DSCN0990.jpg%5B/IMG%5Dhttp://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d117/dandysmom/Sultan/DSCN0990.jpg

[niki71uk]

i'll go the pet shop tomoz see wot they have.i had 2 leads attached together then on her collar,but her collar is one that comes off if caught,i got her back in the house but when i tried to unclip the lead,she pulled and her collar came off :shock:

[dandysmom]

Definitely NEVER attach a lead to a collar, you're right, they can slip out of it when frightened so quickly you wouldn't believe! And being scared, likely to panic and run anywhere! And not just the break-away collars, they can turn around and back out of a regular collar very easily. I made that mistake with my first cat, fortunately he ran for the house so all was well; he could have run into the street! I promptly ordered a figure eight harness!

[hlb296]

thanks for this discussion - it's on my "to do" list as well! so I'll be investigating harnesses!

cheers Helen

[niki71uk]

hib296 see my other thread