Harness training Kitty

I've been thinking of harness training Donut. But haven't decided if I want to or not.

Here are the reasons why: I'd like to be able to take her outside sometimes without worry of her running off/getting lost or killed or stolen, or not being able to get back inside, or starving. And I'd like to be able to take her with me to the park and cuddle with her on my blanket under and shady tree without worry of the same things I listed above.

Here are the reasons why not: I don't want to make Donut feel like a dog! It's "canine" to make a kitty act like a dog. But then again, dogs aren't the only ones who walk on harnesses. I'm also worried that the harness would hurt her.

Thought and Opinions are GREATLY appreciated!! I need second, third, fourth etc opinions on this!

 

Halaroo has great tips. PM her. Chessmind also harness trained Romeo and Juliet. I'll go see if I can find the thread. Tpelt also harnessed trained her kitty.
http://www.auspet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=49052&highlight=#49052

http://www.auspet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=40904&highlight=#40904

http://www.auspet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2461&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

http://www.auspet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=28469&highlight=#28469

http://www.auspet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=27017&highlight=#27017

 

So you want to harness train? Good for you! Moe is not even remotely uncomfortable or unhappy on her harness:





What we did with Moe is started with the harness neck piece. We adjusted it so it fit loosely around her neck. Then we clipped it on (just the neck part) and talked gently to her and pet her (a favourite treat helps too). We would leave it on for about one minute and then remove it and give her a treat and praise. We would do this about twice a day for about a week. As the week went on we would leave the neck part on her for a little longer at a time. As soon as she started to look uncomfortable we would remove it.

When she seemed comfortable with the neck piece, we would start clipping the chest part on as well (loosened). Do the same thing (petting, praise and treats). After a couple of days we attached the leash to the harness and let her drag it around the house a bit. After about a week of this she was comfortable enough to go outside. The first few times outside only lasted a few minutes, but know we’re out there for hours at a time. She lounges on the deck while I do my gardening or reading.

I leash trained my sister’s cat as well. She was a bit more difficult (she would spazz around choke herself a bit at first). But with a bit of patience she came around nicely.

You just have to be patient and supportive during the process. It takes time, but gives you great piece of mind knowing that your kitty is safe, yet still enjoying the freedom of outside. Good luck! Let me know if you have anymore questions.

 

Thanks very much for the information! I'll have to save this for a while though! (Donut is only 1 mo.). It's good to know that harness training kitty is approved of! I think I'll harness train my other cat (who lives with my mother) to see if I can do it! What age do you think I should wait till to harness train Donut at?

 

I'd say as soon as possible. But I would wait until after she gets her shots and checked out by the vet. Going outside without certain shots can be semi-dangerous.

 

yeah but shots are a debatable thing as far as i hear.

i do plan on getting them, but i don't think that they are absolutely nessecary. my other cat who doesn't live with me, Cerano. Has never had a shot in his life, and yet, he is amazingly healthy (despite being fat) and he practically lives outside.

so i guess i'm going to have to buy a very teeny tiny harness if i plan on traning Donut. She's still not even not even as big as my boyfriend's hand yet!

 

I have to agree about waiting to take her out after she is vaccinated ...there are far too many nasties out there especially for a kitten. I had a cat die from feline leuk before the vaccine was available and it was absolutely horrible. You don't have to get the vaccines every year (I don't) but at least in my opinion it's just not worth the risk. Also I'd wait until spaying is done - kittens as young as 6 months can get pregnant and all you need is having your kitten outside and start having toms coming around her....that'll increase her chance of catching some nasty.

My cats are also all harness trained but one thing you really have to be careful of is they can turn into door dashers once they've beenoutside. Mine never go out but for a few days after I do take them outside (we don't go often) they all dart for the door when it's opened.

 

i don't have to worry about the "door-dashing" . we have 3 doors you have to go through before you can get outside.

as far as any male cat coming around and trying to touch my kitty... let's just say i'd properly defend myself and my kitty against it.

 

I had a cat who lived outside fine for 5 years (other than the $4000 vet bill after being hit by a car at age 3) and then had to be put to sleep because he got Feline Leukemia. 5 is way too early for a cat to have to leave the earth. :cry:

I'm just saying that you'd be better safe than sorry.

 

i hope to train my cats shadow and buster to the harness too. i hope that 4 and 8 isn't too old. they want to go outside so bad and i figured if i do this then i could let them outside and not have to worry about their runnung away. does anyone know where they sell harnesses?

 

any pet store would sell harness/leashes or combos for cats. I think even WalMart has them. Be sure to look for the figure 8 ones as the cat can't back out of them

 

I don't think age is a factor with harness training. Moe was around 3 when I trained her. She was a former stray who I adopted from the humane society at 2 years of age. It took time, but now she comes runnign when I jingle her harness - and waits for me to put it on her before she runs off the porch.

 

thanks! now i can try to get my cat harness trained!!

 

hi darkrabbit...about the shots....

it is my understanding that at least...initially...you want to vaccinate them so that you can build their immune system. they dont have the antibodies to fight infections at first. vaccines help boost that...especially the vaccines for upper resp, and distemper if im not mistaken, are critical. if they dont go outside, the debate as to whether to vaccinate gets more controversial. some studies show that the effects of a vaccine can last years...not just one or two years. otis...who died in march, had not had shots for the last five years or so of his life. he started to react to them...so i stopped. he lived to almost 20. but never went outside...and i had no other animals at the time.

outside...they can pick up nasties like mary said...i would definitely reconsider if they are outdoor kitties...what happens if they are exposed to a cat that has FIV or leukemia? :shock: