Cat Leash, opinions?

[TwistedSoul]

So, I have a cat I dearly love. He's a lil devil and is quite an odd ball if I do say so lol. Anyways, we let our cats play out in the backyard everyday but my parents are too afraid to let them go out of our yard (our last cat got ran over..by my dad and now their always worried about our new ones getting hit) but my lil devil always climbs under the fences, or jumps over them into the neighbor's yards.
Its freaking annoying chasing him around..seriously its brutal. So I was thinking "hey! Why not buy a leash!" That way I can walk him around and he can actually explore without running off and getting put back in the house as soon as someone catches him.
Before I thought cat leashes were dumb, but now I think it would be convenient, and I think he would really like it.
So anyways, thoughts? Opinions? Stories that are relevant?!
Here's a pic of my lil guy ;3

[Bubbles37]

I think some cats might be ok with a cat leash, but I'm not sure. From personal experience, I don't think it's a good idea. When I was younger, I thought it would be fun to put my cat on a leash, but he got so mad that he ran away. (He came back, but it was still really scary.)

[ReluctantPegasister]

Hmm, I've never used a leash on any my cats and I've had five, all of them indoor and outdoor cats that never got hit by cars. I guess my cats were just different personality-wise.

[Fairy Poppins]

I guess it's better for him to be outside on a leash, rather than inside all the time.

However, cats are natural explorers and by putting him on a leash you're kinda stopping him from doing his innate cat "thing" and he may become frustrated.

[Le bonheur*]

If my cat was an outdoor cat, I wouldn't put him on a leash. My boyfriend's cat comes and goes as she pleases and she is just fine. She's been like that since she was about a year old. But I guess it all depends on the cat itself..

[Jas]

I have never used a leash on a cat. Well, that's a lie... I tried once. It didn't work. Why? Because cats (at least the ones I've known) don't like them and unless you harness them, they can get out of their collar and thus the leash. So I gave up after the once and let my kitties do their thing instead - I've never really had a problem... *shrugs*

[Tynan]

I think if they are going to be outside to leash or harness them. Just like you do to dogs. I think its just a stupid idea to say "hey cats dont need leashes" but if it were a subject on dogs the lot of you would say leash the dog.
So imo just harness the cat. then you wont have the worry of it running away or getting hit.

[Swirl]

I would recommend a cat harness. From my own experience my cat doesn't really like it, but sometimes he does walk and explore with it on.

It depends on the cat, and I think it would help if you start when they're young. So experiment and see if it works for both of you.

Cheers

[Sincerely Yours ♥]

Maybe you can put a leash on your cat until its trained enough to know where not to go?

[TwistedSoul]

Lol he's too dumb to learn believe me.
I think he has ADHD or something cause hes always on the move, and no matter how many times you tell him no, or squirt him with water, or pick him up and put him somewhere else, or even bring him inside he doesn't realize -.-
But I bought him a harness and leash and he doesn't like it THAT much but I think he'll get used to it.. I still haven't been able to fit it properly so it fits though D;" heh

[ShimmeringFaerie]

Originally Posted by Shikamaru

I think if they are going to be outside to leash or harness them. Just like you do to dogs. I think its just a stupid idea to say "hey cats dont need leashes" but if it were a subject on dogs the lot of you would say leash the dog.
So imo just harness the cat. then you wont have the worry of it running away or getting hit.

Except cats are not the same as dogs. What works for dogs or is necessary for dogs is not the same for cats. Would you say that you should leash a guinea pig if you have it outside?

Originally Posted by TwistedSoul

Lol he's too dumb to learn believe me.
I think he has ADHD or something cause hes always on the move, and no matter how many times you tell him no, or squirt him with water, or pick him up and put him somewhere else, or even bring him inside he doesn't realize -.-
But I bought him a harness and leash and he doesn't like it THAT much but I think he'll get used to it.. I still haven't been able to fit it properly so it fits though D;" heh

He sounds like a normal cat to me. Their instinct is to explore, not to stay within a fence. And honestly, I think it is really wishful thinking on your part that he is going to get used to the harness. I tried it with my cats and they hated it. They are much happier to just be let loose outside.

And yes, it is impossible to keep them in your yard. But that's what happens when you have outdoor cats; if you don't want them to leave the yard, then you need to just keep them inside all the time. You can't really have it both ways.

[JKmadu619]

Originally Posted by Bubbles37

I think some cats might be ok with a cat leash, but I'm not sure. From personal experience, I don't think it's a good idea. When I was younger, I thought it would be fun to put my cat on a leash, but he got so mad that he ran away. (He came back, but it was still really scary.)

Actually, cats wander, so it probably wasn't related to the harness at all. I've had cats go missing for weeks at a time, only to return skinny and hungry. Cats go all over the place if it's allowed.

Anyhow, although keeping your cat on a leash would be great, unless you train him very young he'll probably hate it, and even if he is young enough, he might still hate it because it supresses his instincts.

- Justin

[TheBabyEater]

I don't think it's that crazy, I think more people should walk their cat than letting it wander around the world to get hurt. I'm way against letting your cats be outside alone to be honest, same with any animal. They are just no match for cars and crazy people wanting to "save" some rescue. =/

So I think you should give it a shot, either a leash and collar or harness. Some cats don't mind, others will fight you. It depends...

Personally, I'd say never let your cat go out of the fence, whether you think he's trained or not, but I've explained that before.