20 December 2012/January 2013 | Sarasota Pet & Manatee Pet

Leash walking is similar to catnip. Some cats take to it immediately, others warm up to it and for some,

it’s a simple...forget-a-bout-it! Cats who take to leash walking enjoy the experience. In fact, much like a dog, they will look forward to the outing. Of course, if you walk a cat outdoors, pre-cautions should always be taken to ensure the safety of your cat. Cats may enjoy walking in the bound-aries of their own yards and marking their territories by using the scent glands in their cheeks to rub against trees and objects. By marking these items, they let other animals know “this place is mine!” Cats that like to walk may also enjoy a stroll down the sidewalk or find it adven-turous to take a trip around the block. And, similar to a dog, they may even find a bush on which to urinate. Know your neighborhood. Before adventuring out, walk the route and look for loose dogs or noisy barkers who may startle your cat. Some cats could care less about dogs or may even enjoy meeting them, but always use cau-tion. Never assume a dog is friendly or likes cats. Every cat that walks

should receive a monthly application of flea, tick and heartworm preventative. This also is true for cats who venture out onto a screened lanai or balcony.

Who Walks?Walking is not breed specific, although certain breeds, such as Bengals and Abys-sinians, typically enjoy a good walk any-where, even in a crowded setting. It can be a great energy buster for cats who need exercise to reduce their anxiety and fulfill their urge to run. Both kittens and adult cats may find walking enjoyable. Typically, however, a “couch potato” cat is not likely to welcome walking for exercise.

Harness and Leash Having the right harness and leash is critical to a good experience for both hu-man and kitty. I personally prefer a step-in harness made for dogs. The harness does not wrap around the neck, but, instead, wraps around the body and, if fitted prop-erly, is very secure. One person can put it on, but with two people, it only takes seconds, eliminating any undue stress. To get your kitty ready, place the har-ness flat on the floor. One person then

picks up the kitty’s front legs an inch off the floor and places them into the harness openings. The second person pulls up the straps and clips it in place. If the harness is too loose or too tight, take it off, adjust it, and start the procedure again. Do not attempt to adjust the

harness on the cat; it is awkward and adds unnecessary stress. The harness should be snug, but not too tight. Use the two-finger rule. If you can slip two fingers into the harness, it should be comfortable, yet snug enough to con-tain your cat.

First Reactions Some cats will start the experience by walking backwards. This is not uncom-mon. Others will high step or march when

they begin. And a few cats may simply roll over. Of course, there are always cats who take off walking as if it were an everyday experience. Give lots of praise, and pet your cat to encourage forward movement. Walk slow-ly, and let him determine the route. Never pull or drag your kitty. If he gets stuck in a corner or lies down, redirect him by standing him up and pointing him in the direction of travel. Continue to pet and praise him for his efforts. This will both encourage him and give him confidence. After a successful experience, even if it is extremely short, your kitty may enjoy a well-deserved treat. But, only reward posi-tive behavior. A negative reaction may be as simple as lying down, or as complex as bucking in the air, hissing and acting out. If this happens, drop the leash and let the cat calm. This may take a few minutes, so be patient. Once the kitty is calm, unclip the harness and let him walk out. He will do this naturally. Leash walking is not for every cat. But for those who enjoy it, they may want to walk every day. To learn more, sign up for a leash-walk-ing class at Cat Depot. Check the schedule at www.catdepot.org; click on Education/Leash Walking, or call 941-366-2404.

Leash Walking...

Shelley ThayerExecutive Director, Cat Depot

By Shelley ThayerExecutive Director of Cat Depot

...It’s Not Just for Dogs!

Cat Depot, one of the largest no-kill, nonprofit feline adoption centers in the nation, is dedicated to saving lives. Open seven days a week, Cat Depot is located at 2542 17th Street in Sarasota. For more information, call 941-366-2404, or visit www.CatDepot.org. At left, Brittany Rich, a volunteer at Cat Depot,

takes one of the adoptable kitties for an indoor stroll in the adoption center.

Photos by Constance Paraz