Ever seen a cat out walking on a leash? Most people who have seen one react with astonishment that a cat would be domesticated enough to willingly allow itself to be tethered to a leash and guided around by -- of all things! -- a human companion. But it can, and does happen. After all, why should dogs have all the fun? Everyone knows cats like the outdoors, too. Shouldn’t they get the opportunity to explore the great outdoors along with the rest of us? Shouldn’t they be allowed to maintain their youthful figures with some regular exercise? Learning how to walk a cat may seem impossible, but with proper supervision, patience, and consistency, you too can train your cat to walk on a leash.
Does Age Matter?
Once a cat has reached the age when she has been fully vaccinated, it is safe for her to go on walks outside. Remember that this is not so much to protect other animals from what she might be carrying, but to protect her from what they might be carrying. It is best to start as early as possible, before your cat has developed a fear of the outdoors or a fear of unusual noises. Older cats are often more reluctant to go outside on a leash -- or to be on a leash at all. It may take months to get her used to accepting a harness, and to being led, but with diligence and a wish to succeed, you can do it.
It will help a lot of your cat is already responsive to you. If you can call your cat and she consistently comes to you, you are already on a good track. If you do not have this type of relationship, you will need to start there. Using treats and lots of praise, call your cat to come to you. After some time, your cat will learn that coming when called will be rewarding.
Selecting the Proper Harness
Because cats are so agile, a simple collar around the neck is not enough to hold them while walking outside -- they can easily pull out of the neck collar, even a well fitted one (and you do not want to make the collar so tight that there is a potential of cutting off air flow). Instead, use a good-quality harness that has been designed especially for cats.
A cat harness is typically made with an adjustable neck collar, which is attached to an adjustable body wrap. The harness should fit snug to the body, but not be so tight that air flow will be constricted. You should be able to fit two fingers under the harness at the neck and under the chest.
Depending on the harness, the leash should attach at the body strap or between the shoulders instead of at the neck. The clips holding the harness should snap securely -- they should not be the break away type that is commonly found in cat collars. To read more on this story, click here:How to Walk a Cat (and Live to Tell About It)
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Washington, DC - The Center for Pet Safety, the 501(c)(3) research and consumer advocacy organization dedicated to consumer and companion animal safety, today announced the publication of its landmark certification program. As the first scientific approach to pet product safety in the U.S. market, the Safety Harness Crash Test Protocol and Rating system provides essential guidelines for pet product manufacturers. The test protocol, which is a result of the 2013 Harness Crashworthiness Study conducted by Center for Pet Safety, outlines a consistent test methodology and evaluation program to ensure pet safety harness restraints offer crash protection. “The Center for Pet Safety took great care evaluating the data returned from our 2013 study to understand what safety harness products should do to protect life,” said Lindsey Wolko, founder of Center for Pet Safety. Pet product manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure that these safety devices protect human life and provide the best chance of survival to the pet in the case of an accident.” To further elevate the pet product industry’s commitment to safety, the Center for Pet Safety (CPS) will accept pre-orders from test facilities on a limited production run of the version 2.1 CPS Crash Test Dogs. The CPS Certification program will begin immediately. While the certification is a voluntary program, pet product manufacturers are highly encouraged to participate in order to qualify for a Safety-Certified Seal on their product packaging. Interested manufacturers can contact Info(at)CenterForPetSafety(dot)org or call 800.324.3659. The test protocol and ratings system may be purchased through the CPS online store: http://www.CenterforPetSafety.com. The protocol and rating system was reviewed by Chris Sherwood of Biocore LLC and Dr. Priya Prasad of Prasad Consulting, LLC. About the Reviewers: Chris Sherwood is a former senior research engineer for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). He is currently employed by Biocore, LLC, a biomechanics consulting and research firm. Mr. Sherwood holds a Master’s Degree in Biomechanics and has been actively involved in the research and development of automotive child safety standards. Dr. Priya Prasad is retired from Ford Motor Company and has a distinguished career leading safety research efforts. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a Fellow Member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. Dr. Prasad was the first recipient of the National Award for the Advancement of Motor Vehicle Research and Development, and has also received the NHTSA Excellence in Safety Award. To learn more about the CPS mission or to make a direct contribution or in-kind donation, visit http://www.CenterforPetSafety.org, contact Info(at)CenterForPetSafety(dot)org or call 800.324.3659. About the Center for Pet Safety®: The Center for Pet Safety (CPS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and advocacy organization dedicated to consumer and companion animal safety. Based in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, the Center for Pet Safety's mission is to have an enduring, positive impact on the survivability, health, safety, and well-being of companion animals and the consumer through scientific research and product testing. Welcome to the Science of Pet Safety™. For additional information, visit http://www.CenterForPetSafety.org.
