Domestic cats, spending most of their lives in an apartment, do not need walks: they are quite comfortable within the home walls. However, it is possible to take the cat out "on the grass" - the main thing is to observe a number of precautions.
Walking with a cat: pros and cons
If the cat is active and mobile, and in the apartment she has the opportunity to run, play and crawl, sharpen her claws, and the owners take care that, in addition to food, the cat has access to green grass - there is generally no need for walks. The cat may not aspire to the street - it is enough for her to observe the environment from the window. If this state of affairs suits everyone, it may be worth refraining from walking. Especially considering that some animals, having tasted the delights of walking, may begin to show excessive interest in the "big world", trying to slip out the door and go for a walk on their own - and this can already lead to trouble.
But for animals that spend part of the summer on "free-range" in the country and have already tasted the spirit of freedom, periodic walks may be useful. It will not be superfluous to walk the pet even in the heat, if the apartment is too stuffy - cats suffer from overheating, and going out on the grass in the evening chill will help the animal survive the heat. For cats that have begun to lose their former agility, a walk can be a good reason to "shake up" and move. And young hyperactive animals, bored in the apartment, can thus get a portion of new impressions and throw out the accumulated energy.
When deciding where to put a comma in the phrase "you can't stay at home", you must first of all take into account the nature of the animal and its way of life. And pay attention to the "list of contraindications" for walking.
It is not recommended to take walks:
- non-neutered animals - there is a high probability that cat smells on the street will provoke them to actively search for a pair and run away from the house;
- kittens under the age of five months;
- adult animals without vaccinations - there is a high risk of "picking up" an infection on the street;
- cats with recent disease;
- overly aggressive cats;
- very shy and nervous animals.
How to prepare your cat for a walk
If you decide to take your cat for walks, get an anti-flea collar and a harness for cats at the pet store (for kittens and miniature cats, you can use a harness for rabbits). Cats have weak neck muscles, so a collar like a dog cannot be used. A leash, nevertheless, is a prerequisite for a walk "without consequences": cats react quite violently to harsh sounds and threats they perceived. And the slightest fright can lead to a headlong flight or an attempt to climb a tree.
Before you go for a walk for the first time, accustom your cat to a harness - first put on the harness itself and let it get used to it. Then attach the leash and walk around the apartment with the cat. After the animal stops being nervous and trying to rip off the harness, you can try to go outside with it.
Where and how to walk with a cat
The best place to walk with your cat is in the park. Walking on asphalt or dirt roads is not fun for cats; they prefer to walk on soft ground and green grass. Since most cats combine walking with eating grass, it is advisable to choose places away from highways - where the noise of cars is not audible and the greenery is not covered with mud.
It is almost impossible to walk with a cat on a leash in a given direction - the cat will not walk next to the owner, the owner will have to follow where his pet wants. Therefore, it is better to carry the animal to the chosen place of walking on the hands - or in a carrier.
It is best to walk in the afternoon, until 18-19 hours, before most dog owners have taken their pets for an evening walk. If you do see a dog in the field of vision, watch your pet's reaction, if he gets nervous, stroke it, pick it up and move it to another place.
If the cat is showing signs of anxiety, pressing against your feet, or showing no interest in the environment, stop walking and take the cat home. There she will feel safe.
