Walking your cat?

[Peggy]

Any suggestions for harnesses that actually stay ON the cat, or do I just need to make the existing one tighter? Cat is the feline equivalent of a slab-sided horse that would need a breastplate to keep the saddle anywhere near in place.

Current harness is the rabbitgoo one. I got Tom used to wearing it around the house, then attached the leash, and then ultimately went outside. Things went well for a few excursions. And then they didn’t.

The first time something caught his eye, he ran backwards, and came out of the harness. I quickly scooped him up and retreated to the house.

The second time, he went leaping after some birds and, in the resulting chaos, wrapped the leash around some garden art, panicked, and bounded around more. Years of practice with horses assured that I did not let go, but I ultimately tripped on my front steps and nearly face planted into a cactus. My hand did go down into the cactus. By then he had slipped backwards out of the harness again. I removed the cactus spines and went looking for him. Found him pretty quickly in the side yard. That was our last excursion. Am relived, for a variety of reasons, that it didn’t end with a visit to the ER since that would have been an interesting one to explain.

Any suggestions for a different harness. Can you put a crupper on a cat?

Or do we just abandon our outdoor treks and try for a catio? I am determined not to let this cat roam free as I’ve lost one too many to cars.

[B_and_B]

Following, as I would love to find a secure cat harness as a double safety for vet trips. Although the way a cat is built seems to make it impossible, the crupper sounds like a good idea! But, can you imagine trying to put that on?!!
That being said, of the many cats I’ve had, all but one transitioned to being indoor cats without complaint. The current one isn’t even interested in the doors, thank God. I think a catio would be awesome though…

[sophie]

Your mishap with the cactus made me LOL! (sorry)!

I often see a guy walking a big, long-haired orange cat (at first I thought it was a dog, then did a double take). On occasion I will ask him what his cat is wearing.

I would think your cat would be just fine being an indoor cat. Mine was for years before we decided she would be fine going out in our neighborhood. To this day she doesn’t venture very far from the yard, and is often found in the fenced-in backyard where she feels safer. (Although, the other day, I caught jumping INTO an electrician’s van parked in front of the neighbor’s house with open back doors. I was going to go get her when she jumped out again. Phew.)

I was intrigued by a “catio” so I did a quick search online…some of those catios are big and AWESOME! With grass, climbing equipment, plants, something the owner could relax in as well!

[GraceLikeRain]

Have you looked into a “jacket” style?

KITTY HOLSTER Cat Harness, Purple, Medium/Large - Chewy.com

[sunkistbey]

My DIL built a catio off their spare bedroom. The cats love it and can enjoys the outdoors safely. My cats are are inside only and they seem fine. Current cat is a rescue who has no interest in going outdoors. My house is 2500sf with lots of big windows, so she can see outside without the danger.

[Peggy]

I had actually looked at that one, but was put off by the reviews that talked about the excess of Velcro. I may end up visiting an actual pet store to talk to someone. Maybe a zipper of clip version of a jacket?

[Peggy]

Tom seems interested in what’s going on outside. He looks out the windows and will prop his front paws up on the screen door when the front door is open. He doesn’t struggle to go outside. He did seem to enjoy being out, stretching out in the sunshine, and getting a closer look at insects and birds.

[sunkistbey]

My cat will run from window to window when the dog and I are outside, but when I open the door, she backs up and sits until we are inside. Then she starts sniffing and licking the dog. It’s pretty cute.
The windows are floor to ceiling, so she can see a lot.

[wildlifer]

Thank you for not contributing to the big problem of outdoor cats! I had a cat years ago who enjoyed yard walks & what worked well for him was a narrower harness, almost more like a fat, flat shoelace material. It was infinitely adjustable, just kind of a sliding figure 8 design, very simple. I’m sorry I don’t think I have any pictures.