How to walk a cat?
Veterinarians still cannot agree on whether domestic cats need to walk outside. Some argue that pets can do without them, while others, on the contrary, believe that animals need new experiences. How to walk a cat and is it necessary to do it at all?
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How useful is walking?
Walking a cat certainly has certain advantages. First of all, walks in the fresh air have a beneficial effect on the health of pets: they are rarely obese and are in great shape – they are more resilient and physically strong animals. In addition, an appropriate lifestyle helps to preserve the natural instincts of a pet.
What are the walks?
Walking cats is of two types: free and accompanied by the owner.
Free range is a pet walk on its own. For example, a cat goes out in the morning and comes home in the evening. Usually this is how the life of animals in a village or in a summer cottage is arranged;
Walking on a leash accompanied by the owner. This is a safer form of walking, because the cat is always supervised. However, the leash can cause additional stress for the pet. The fact is that cats, unlike dogs, perceive it as a restrictor of freedom. At the moment of danger, a frightened animal does not have the opportunity to run away and hide, which makes him nervous.
Dangers on the walk
When deciding whether to walk a cat or not, it is worth considering the dangers that a pet may face.
disease The biggest risk of walks for cats is various kinds of diseases: from viruses and ectoparasites to poisoning with household chemicals and poisons. In part, walking can be made safer if timely vaccinations are carried out and the pet is carefully treated for ticks and fleas. However, it will not be possible to completely protect a free-roaming cat, for example, from poisoning with rat poison.
Other animals Not only aggressive stray dogs fall into this category, but also other cats. They can be carriers of sexually transmitted infections. Spaying your pet will help to avoid unwanted contacts.
Cars Unfortunately, a free-roaming cat can easily get run over by a car even in the yard. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the choice of a place for walking a pet.
People Strangers also pose a danger to pets. If the cat is purebred or has a unique color, it can be stolen.
The statistics also show how dangerous life on the street is.
Homeless animals are thought to live on average for about 5–7 years, while domestic cats have a lifespan of 14–17 years.
They will help make the walk safer and more enjoyable for both the owner and the pet, the rules of walking cats. If you follow them, you can avoid many problems:
Install the chip. A pet with a chip is much more likely to return home if it gets lost;
Choose harness. If you plan to walk a cat on a leash, carefully consider choosing the right model. A simple collar will not work because, unlike dogs, cats have weak neck muscles;
Observe quarantine. Weak or recovering animals, as well as kittens and pregnant cats, should not be released outside. If the pet is not sterilized, experts do not recommend walking during estrus.
Look around the area. Of course, the urban environment is not the best place for a cat to run freely. Together with a pet, you can go to the park or to nature. The main thing is that there are no other animals nearby, such as dogs, and cars that could scare him.
An ideal area for free range is the fenced yard of a private house in the countryside. The cat will not feel discomfort, but it will always be safe.
Get used to the street gradually. The first walk should not be long, and it is advisable to spend it in a quiet secluded place. It is important to keep the cat in your arms. Over and over again, the walking time is increased. When the pet feels more confident, it can be lowered to the ground.
What to do in winter?
Some owners are interested in the question of whether it is possible to walk a cat in winter. Members of the family that have long hair and a thick undercoat (such as the Siberian Longhair, Maine Coon or Norwegian Forest) can explore the snowy yard without any problems. They thrive in temperatures as low as -10°C. But it is still better not to let short-haired pets out in the cold.
Walking is prohibited
There are a number of breeds for which walks are not only unnecessary, but even contraindicated. These are the majority of decorative cats: for example, sphinxes, bambino or munchkin. They are too tender for the harsh conditions of the external environment.
February 27 2018
Updated: 30 March 2022
