Thread: Harness Training, is this normal?

We have Mufasa on an H style harness - he is 18 months old. He doesn't try to get out of it, but he can do if he wants to! He reacts normally with it on, but does seem to walk a little lower than usual. I'm not an expert, but I would persevere or maybe try and distract him when he is wearing it by playing with him for example. Maybe he will forget about it in time! Now when I say to Moofie "outside" he runs to his box where the harness lives and when I get it out he runs to the patio doors and meeows until he goes out. The only problem I have found is that he does tend to get knots where the harness sits, so we have to groom him around these points more carefully.

Hi Fozzie,

Ahh that is so cute that Mufasa runs to where his harness is, i'm hoping Bungo will be the same eventually.I'll keep an eye on his coat around where the harness is thanks for the advice!

He seems a little happier with it now and has found his feet again, I couldn't believe how easy it was to get it on him, I thought we'd have a fight on our hands but he wasn't at all bothered and lay there nicely while I messed around adjusting the straps :-)

I'm sure he will be fine - good luck!

I found that my cats did the same indoors -- but when taken outside ( a new environment) they forgot about the harness and were more worried about the great outdoors -- so they walked, al be it close to the ground. They will get used to it though if you have the time to keep at it

Well I have to agree with Charlie, no luck indoors BUT the minute I took them out on the grass, instant result!!
All 5 of them walked and did not react to the harness, although Raggles is not happy and did have one "funny fit".
The biggest supprise was Pomeroy, who is our shy, skitish cat. He loved it and kept wanting to get back out there.
We have ordered more harnesses and are planning a trip up the local woods next........

Originally Posted by charlie

I found that my cats did the same indoors -- but when taken outside ( a new environment) they forgot about the harness and were more worried about the great outdoors

Mine did this too! I didn't like the H harnesses though and bought Paddington a walking jacket which is much more comfortable and doesn't get tangled in their fur like i found the H harness did (it its un-escapable) I bought mine from here and its great Welcome - Mynwood Cat Jackets-Original, escape-proof Jacket Pads has got a combat coloured one! Sweet!

J

I read somewhere that it's a reflex for cats, when they feel something on their back they automatically creep low, as if crawling through a tunnel. However they do get used to it

Originally Posted by Jolly

Mine did this too! I didn't like the H harnesses though and bought Paddington a walking jacket which is much more comfortable and doesn't get tangled in their fur like i found the H harness did (it its un-escapable) I bought mine from here and its great Welcome - Mynwood Cat Jackets-Original, escape-proof Jacket Pads has got a combat coloured one! Sweet!

J

Just had a look at the supplied link, and am now sat wondering what my guys would think of it. What happens though if cat heads for the nearest tree trunk.

I'm harness and leash training my two, mainly so they can have a bit of roam time when I take them camping. I think ideally it's best to take them somewhere quiet and open first. Mine get spooked just by seeing people walk by out the front of the house so we never get far. There's a graveyard not too far from where I live, so I might try them down there one afternoon...