How to Walk a Cat on a Leash

Many cats have their own agenda and don't want to do what you tell them to do, so you may be skeptical about training your cat to walk on a leash. With practice and patience, you can teach your cat to walk on a leash and to actually enjoy it, no matter how stubborn she may be. Read on to learn how to walk a cat on a leash.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Harness
• Leash
• Cat treats

1. Begin the leash training process with your cat inside the house before taking him outside.
2. Choose a harness that isn't so loose that she could slip out of it or too tight that she's uncomfortable. Put the harness on your cat several times in the weeks or days leading up to the first leash training, and leave it on her while she eats and plays so that she gets used to wearing it.
3. Attach a short leash to the harness and gently get your cat to stand up.
4. Place a cat treat a few feet in front of your cat and gently tug the leash as you step toward the treat. Be patient and allow time for your cat to walk forward and eat the treat.
5. Repeat this process using treats at least a couple of times until your cat seems to get the hang of walking on the leash.
6. Discontinue the use of cat treats once your cat has learned how to walk on the leash.
7. Take your cat outside on the leash once he seems to be comfortable with the process.

Tips & Warnings

• Expect your cat to stop a lot, smell things, sit down and even roll over while you're trying to walk her. You must be patient and have fun with your cat for this to be an enjoyable experience.
• Don't be forceful or mean when attempting to get your cat to walk on a leash. This will not make your cat want to cooperate with you in the slightest.