Thread: Help please !

That is what we have done (just put on harness for short periods while in house to get cats used to it before trying to go outside). The different cats have reacted very differently to it. For some it was a major issue, while for others no big deal. One pretty much chewed through his first one in no time. The kittens have tended to be more bothered by having the harness on than have the adults.

It can also take some time for them to get used to being restrained by the lead even once they are used to the harness (you pull on it and they freak out). The one danger that we have encountered is trying out the lead inside and having cat take off running unexpectedly and pulling lead from hand. Then once they are running, lead dragging behind them scares them even more and you have a hard time stopping them. Next time I do this I will try it first in a small room where I have better control. I would also strongly recommend having two people along with the first outside trips in case the cat becomes scared, as one can hold onto leash while the other grabs him/her.

We have trained three cats so far that got very used to the harness and leash routine. Still, they do not always willing let you put harness on, even though they know they must wear it in order to go outside.