Cat harnesses are designed to stay firmly on a cat, even when the cat is on a lead. You can buy an uncomplicated nylon harness for your cat or you can find more fancy designs which look more like padded waistcoats. As long as the harness is totally adjustable, it should work well.
Cat leads can be standard leads or of the retractable variety. Whichever type of lead you decide upon, be sure that it is sufficiently light to allow your cat to move well under its weight. Retractable leads are ideal for people who want to allow their cat to explore their surroundings in a park or other traffic free area, but want to keep the cat close by when they are walking to and from their homes.
To get your cat used to walking on a lead, you can’t use the same techniques you would use to train a dog. Cats do not respond well to negative correction, so giving a quick tug on the lead when they do not stay beside you will not teach them to come to heel. Instead, praise and pet your cat when he does what you want and pay him no attention when he does the wrong thing. Although you can teach your cat to put up with a lead, don’t expect him to always come to heel on your command.
The simplest way to train your cat to use a lead is to begin when he is a small kitten of eight to ten weeks. Put his harness on him and allow him to walk around entirely unchecked. After a few days, add the lead. Make certain that you do not apply any pressure. Once your cat is accustomed to the lead, you can pick it up and teach him that it is alright for you to be on the other end of it. Lightly apply pressure to the lead and call your cat to you. Praise him when he comes. In the end, he will become used to following you when he is on his lead.
Once your cat is on a lead, you can at last take him outdoors without being concerned that he will use your neighbour’s vegetable patch as a great big litter tray.
