Dos and Don'ts in Cat Walking

Most cats love to spend time outdoors, which can make things a little challenging for their owners. As a pet parent, you might not want to restrict your cat’s freedom, yet you know that the outdoors can be dangerous.

There are cars, strange people, other animals, and other risks that you can expose your cat to if you simply allow them to roam free.

If you want to take your cat out for a walk as safely as possible, you can find some tips and tricks below.

What You Should and Shouldn’t Do When Walking Your Kitty

Do use a collar and harness

While they are domesticated, cats will never see their pet guardians as full owners. That is why even if they might have been trained extensively, they might react in unexpected ways.

You can’t take any chances when your cat is outside, especially if they have a history of having escaped from your home before. Using a Soft Mesh Cat Harness, a Mesh Multi Purpose Lead, and a Metallic Cat Collar can save both your cat and yourself a lot of trouble in the long run.

To make the experience even more enjoyable, you can take some Rufus & Coco Reel Fish Crunchers with you. With no artificial colourings, preservatives, or flavourings and heaps of protein, these treats can help your cat relax during the walk.

Don’t take your cat to a completely unknown area

Depending on your cat’s personality and how they generally react when they sense a potential threat, they might feel more reassured if they are closer to home.

Of course, you will be there to guide them through the entire walk, but if they go into a panic, they might go running for a place to hide. If you’re not paying attention and drop the leash, if your cat is closer to home, you might be able to retrieve them faster and easier.

If your pet starts feeling anxious and you want to cut the walk short, you can always carry a Foldable Pet Carrier with you.

Do make sure your cat is wearing their ID tag

Majority of pet owners these days get their cats microchipped because they know that when they go outside, their pet runs the risk of escaping or getting lost.

But the problem with this is that until your cat is found and taken to a vet, they have no way of being tracked back to you. Only vet clinics have a device that can scan the microchip.

If your cat is wearing a collar, always make sure that they have their ID tag with them. The Rufus & Coco model comes with a bell that can deter birds and wildlife, too - so it can keep your cat somehow safe.

Don’t take your cat out on a walk if they are not vaccinated

The outdoors can be a scary place not just for your cat but also yourself as a pet parent. There could be all sorts of microorganisms in the patches of grass that your cat wants to investigate, and some of them can be extremely harmful to their health. Even worse if they're able to pass them onto their owners.

Before you take your cat for their first walk, make sure their vaccination plan is in check and that they are also dewormed.

And of course, even though your cat is completely healthy, if they decide to use the outdoors as their bathroom, make sure you have a pair of gloves and our Do Good Compostable Poo Bags with you.

Do take time to train your cat beforehand

Many cats never learn to be comfortable with a harness or collar. But if your cat doesn’t have anything against it, start by taking ‘walks’ in and around your home first.

Once your pet has become completely at ease with the equipment and with you controlling their range, you can test their willingness to walk on a leash outdoors in the yard or in front of your building.

Try to talk to your cat when you’re training them to walk with you. Use snacks to reward their behaviour and organise several small training sessions every day for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.