Explore the campground with your favorite feline after following these suggestions.
By Tracie Hornung
December 2014
It seems that whenever I leash-walk my cats while RVing, I get stares or comments from surprised campers. “I’ve never seen that before!” said a fellow traveler recently at a freeway rest stop.
Cats do have a reputation for resisting the training that leash-walking usually requires. And, admittedly, some cats are easier to train than others. But after years of walking them, I’ve learned that if you have the right equipment, lots of patience, and are willing to think like a cat, your chances of success are very good.
The Equipment
First of all, the leash should be attached to a harness, and never a collar. The cat can easily wriggle out of a collar. She also could choke if she strains against it, making the experience one that she won’t want to repeat.
I prefer a leather harness designed especially for cats, although a cat harness made of a strong synthetic material will work, too, as long as both straps (a front one over the shoulders and a back one over the chest) can be attached with a buckle that has a prong. Those without prongs are less secure. I cinch each buckle tightly, so that only my little finger has room between the strap and the cat’s body.
As for leashes — fixed-length or retractable — I vote for the fixed-length leash with a loop for your hand at one end. With a retractable leash, my cats seemed confused about how far they could move away from me when the length of the leash varied, and the noise made by the leash expanding and contracting within its plastic casing scared them. Whatever leash you use, it should have a strong steel hook that attaches to a D-ring on the harness.
Having your cat strapped into the harness and leash is only one part of the equation, however. You also need to be attached securely to the leash. A time will come when your cat will become frightened and bolt, and usually when you least expect it. Unless the leash is attached securely to you, it could slip out of your hand and she will run free.
I use a leash “bracelet” made of heavy-duty hook-and-loop fastening material with a strong buckle, purchased from an online dive shop. Before attaching it to my wrist, I thread it through the loop at the end of the leash. Or, you can attach the leash to a carabiner and clip the carabiner through a strong belt loop. But once it’s secured, I always hold the leash in my hand.
Another item for you that will provide extra safety for your cat is a pair of sturdy, sensible shoes. When he makes a break for it, you want to know you can keep up with him and aren’t hobbled by sandals, clogs, flip-flops, or any type of shoe that will slip off or cause you to stumble.
A small, rigid, lightweight kennel is another crucial piece of equipment, especially when walking your cat in unfamiliar areas. More on that later.
And, of course, your cat should wear some identification and be microchipped, in case the ID tag is lost.
The Training Period
To begin with, put the harness on your cat in a quiet room familiar to him as you speak in soft, encouraging tones. After the harness is on, offer him delicious treats and use those goodies only for leash training; he needs to associate the harness with the reward.
Even with these preliminaries, your cat may freeze in place or slink about the room as if trying to slide out of the harness. Or, he may swish his tail rapidly, in a sign of frustration or anger.
If the harness seems to be stressing your cat, put it on and take it off once or twice a day for a few minutes, without the leash. Continue to offer treats and praise. Once he has become used to the harness, attach the leash and take short walks inside the house for a day or two until he is accustomed to the idea that the two of you are connected and that you will be moving with him as he walks. Don’t forget the treats and praise with each advancement in his education.
Keep in mind that he is not a dog. He rarely will be enticed to walk in a straight line like a dog, or follow you. Since the goal of leash-walking is to allow him a chance to get outside for some exercise and mental stimulation, any excursion he leads you on, no matter how meandering, should be considered a success.
Out In The World
After your cat has had success on the leash inside, it’s time to take her outside for short excursions in quiet areas that she’s familiar with. Watch that tail: If it’s raised, she’s confident and enjoying herself.
Once you begin RVing, your cat will appreciate walking in areas that are somewhat sheltered, especially since she is now in unfamiliar territory. If she senses danger, she wants to know she isn’t completely exposed. Look for areas with shrubs, a fence, or some barrier that provides a sense of safety.
But closely monitor her efforts to get under those fences and bushes, or to run up a tree or any other place you can’t follow, especially when using a bracelet or carabiner. If you have to remove the bracelet or carabiner to retrieve her, she could get away in the process.
While you walk, try to find places where she can munch on grass or roll in dirt. After she’s been cooped up in the motorhome, sometimes it seems nothing is as blissful as finding that happy place!
A trick I’ve learned from walking one of my timid cats is to carry her in a lightweight kennel to the starting point of the walk, fully leashed up and attached to my bracelet. (The leash can be threaded over or under the kennel door before locking it.) Then I set the kennel on the ground, open the door, and let her emerge on her own. Depending on the situation, you may be able to leave the opened kennel in the same spot, so she knows she can return to it if she gets scared; or, carry the empty kennel with you as you walk.
Check the harness and leash connections to make sure they’re secure before she starts walking, and double-check them during the walk. Also, praise her when she does what you want. If she seems a little anxious, a few gentle strokes on her back may reassure her. As you walk, always keep alert to approaching people, dogs, motorized vehicles, and bicycles. And as she explores, be sure she doesn’t ingest anything dangerous, such as radiator coolant (antifreeze), which is tasty to cats.
It’s important to never tug on the leash, especially with an animal as independent as a cat. If she heads off in a direction you don’t approve of, let the leash go taut and hold it there, while verbally encouraging her to come toward you. But if that doesn’t work, say “No,” firmly. You do not need to shout. It won’t be long before she equates “no” with the inability to move in the direction she was headed.
At the end of the walk, when you need to pick her up, bend down calmly, keeping the leash taut.
Although walking a cat may take a little more effort than walking a dog, it has its rewards. He gets fresh air, mental stimulation, and exercise, which, in turn, provides you with a happier and better-behaved pet. You’ve gotten some exercise, too, as well as another bonding experience with your little traveling companion, who no doubt brings you much joy.
Hunting For A Cat Harness?
Like many items, cat harnesses run the gamut from basic and inexpensive to more costly and custom-made. An Internet search or a simple stroll over to a pet store are both good ways to start shopping. Two currently popular brands are Come With Me Kitty and the Kitty Holster.
The Come With Me Kitty Harness and Bungee Leash is sold by PetSafe. It can be found online and in a number of pet stores. Prices start at $15.99. It is available in six colors and three sizes, and is made of lightweight nylon. The harness is designed to apply gentle pressure to the shoulders (not throat) of the cat, while the bungee leash provides a bit of give. The harness is adjustable and secured by plastic clips, with metal D-rings for clipping to the leash. For more information, visit www.store.petsafe.net or call (866) 738-4379.
The Kitty Holster is made of machine-washable cotton and secures to your pet with Velcro brand closures. It is made in the USA and available in four sizes (a holster for small dogs is also offered). Prices start at $24.95, with custom models available from $29.99, and a Boutique Line starting at $49.99. The Kitty Holster won kudos this year from Cat Fancy and Pet Product News International magazines and was Catnip magazine’s cat harness of the year. A new Kitty Holster made with reflective safety material is also available for $29.99. For more information, visit www.kittyholster.com or call (800) 980-4165.