Harness Training for Cats
Be very patient and persistent and reward your pet lovingly. Yelling, hitting or rough treatment will only teach your cat to fear you and will accomplish nothing.
Begin training at 6-7 months of age. Have the cat spayed or neutered first, as this enhances their concentration and decreases their desire to roam.
Purchase a light-weight "H" shaped nylon harness that buckles at the neck and the stomach. It should also have a metal ring on the back portion for proper I.D. and to attach to a light weight leash. Collars, figure "8" harnesses with breastplates allow the cat to slip out too easily. To find the correct size, measure the cat's neck and stomach snugly but not tightly. Purchase an I.D. tag at the same time.
Place the harness with the I.D. tag and leash where the cat can sniff, paw and play with them.
After several days, gently, but firmly, put the harness on the cat-allow for 2 finger widths at the neck and at the stomach (do not attach the leash yet). Leave the harness on for 5 minutes initially. Repeat this several times a day for one to two weeks.
Once the cat is comfortable with the harness, attach the I.D. tag and leash. Let the cat drag the leash around the house for several minutes at a time, for a few days. Be sure to supervise the cat to avoid it becoming tangled in furniture. When the cat has accepted this part, pick up the leash and hold on to it. The cat will realize it has restraints placed upon it. Pull on the leash gently, offer food and say the word "come". Be patient.
Don't Let the Cat Out (provided by the American Humane Association)
It's a fact that an inside cat lives a longer, healthier life than the puss that puts paws on the pavement. An indoor cat never faces the dozens of dangers waiting outside your front door like cars, other cats ready to fight for love or territory, exposure to disease and parasites and sickness or death from eating spoiled food or poison.
A cat let outdoors will need to see the veterinarian a lot more often than an indoor cat, and that means higher vet bills. Fleas, ticks, worms, abscesses, cuts, diarrhea, a dull coat, or weight loss are all signs of trouble and are most often seen in outdoor cats.
Outdoor cats are more prone to get lost, too. Searching for a lost cat without an identification tag is a time-consuming and often disappointing effort, and there's nothing more heartbreaking than wondering for years if your missing kitty is alive and well, or suffering, abused, or dead.
Cats raised indoors are perfectly content with their world. Cats who have experienced the outdoors will need some time to get used to an upgraded indoor status, but eventually they will learn to relax and enjoy the comforts of home.
High Rise Syndrome
Your apartment is a terrific home for your feline friend. High above the busy streets, your cat will be safe from speeding cars, dangerous diseases and cruel people. However, living in an apartment might not protect your cat from serious injury. Balconies, terraces and open windows can be unseen enemies, if you don't take precautions.
While high rise syndrome is primarily a problem of city cats, even suburban and country cat owners need to take heed. Although cats usually land on their feet, depending on the distance of the fall and the kind of surface they land on, they can sustain sever injuries and/or death. Cats appear to like to perch in dangerous, high places and have little fear of heights. Many owners believe they will not fall. But they do fall, thousands of them each year from balconies, open windows and rooftops. Sometimes a cat who has been watching a bird will become so focused, he/she may step out into thin air; sometimes a cat chasing a moth indoors can sail right out an open unscreened window.
A determined cat can wiggle through the smallest opening of any window or glass sliding door. Tiny balcony ledges are a particular hazard to high-rise cats. A comfortable body harness and leash held by you is the best protection against any falls.
If Your Cat Should Fall...
- Never assume that your cat has been killed, even if you look down and see him/her lying lifeless.
- Do not give up looking should your cat disappear after a fall. It is not uncommon for cats to hide in bushes or creep into buildings if the fall has upset or frightened them.
- Call your veterinarian immediately.
