Thread: Out walking ...

Dogs are definitely a concern when a cat is tethered in any way. I always carried dog pepper spray when I walked Karma and I nearly always have it when Bella is out in the yard with me now--just in case. Have never had to use it to protect a cat--though only because one dog's owner showed up just as I was about to spray (one of only two dogs in the neighborhood that are cat problems). I decided to carry it because I could never figure out how else I might protect a cat from a large charging dog without risking being injured myself. Don't know what is available elsewhere, but in the US there is a product called Halt! that is pepper spray meant for use on dogs. As I recall, it is 1/100 the strength of pepper spray meant for use on humans. I also carry it on my bike, and have used it dozens of times while biking. Never has taken more than two encounters to have any dog trained to not even attempt to chase me (they don't even bother getting up off the ground). Extremely satisfying to bring a growling, charging German Shepherd to an instant dead halt, lying on the ground pawing at its face! No permanent harm to them, but it certainly does make an impression.