Let your cat enjoy the great outdoors under your supervision by letting him explore while on a leash. Our guide, How to Walk a Cat on a Leash, provides the basics for selecting the proper harness and getting your feline friend properly leash trained.

• If you need to restrict or supervise your cat's time outdoors for health or safety reasons, train him to take walks on a leash to control his interactions with other animals and his range of exploration. With these simple steps, getting your cat used to the leash will be easier than you think.

• Ensure your cat's trip outdoors is not only safe, but also comfortable by getting the proper harness to suit his size.

1. Choose a harness-style leash since it will hold your cat more securely.Doctors Foster and Smith: Train Your Cat to Walk on a Leash
2. A harness is safer for your cat than a collar-style leash that goes around your cat's neck since it could become tangled outdoors.Pet Education: Training a Cat to Walk on a Leash
   • -The harness should be H-shaped so the leash will guide your cat from between the neck and shoulders.Suite 101: Leash Training Cats (July 1, 2008)
   • -Also purchase the proper-size harness to suit your cat's weight.Pets.com: Train a Cat to Walk on a Leash? Yes You Can
3. Consider a walking jacket that fits around your cat's body to prevent escapes.About.com: How to Train Your Cat to Walk with a Leash
4. Ensure a proper fit for the leash by slipping two fingers between the harness and your cat's skin.About.com: How to Train Your Cat to Walk with a Leash
5. Attach an identification tag to the harness engraved with your name and phone number in case your cat separates from the leash while you're on your walk.Teach Your Cat: Leash Train Your Stubborn Cat

• If your cat is accustomed to total freedom outdoors, get him used to exploring on a leash with these simple steps. Although you can try this at any time, consider leash training when your cat is just six or seven months old when he's less set in his ways.Teach Your Cat: Leash Train Your Stubborn Cat

1. Place the harness and leash near the spot where he sleeps for a few days to let him get used to the smell and sight.About.com: How to Train Your Cat to Walk with a Leash
2. Let your cat wear the harness around your house for five minutes at a time, several times a day.Suite 101: Leash Training Cats (July 1, 2008)
   • -Let him wear just the harness for longer periods of time until it doesn't seem to bother him.Pets.com: Train a Cat to Walk on a Leash? Yes You Can
   • -Occasionally carry your cat outdoors while he's wearing the harness so he begins to associate the harness with going outside.Suite 101: Leash Training Cats (July 1, 2008)
3. Once your cat is used to the harness, attach a rope to it to let him grow accustomed to the slight pulling sensation.Pet Education: Training a Cat to Walk on a Leash

1. Once your cat is used to that, attach a leash to the harness and hold it as your cat explores.Doctors Foster and Smith: Train Your Cat to Walk on a Leash
   • -Practice inside your home to get your cat used to the leash.Cat Health: Walk the Cat
2. Encourage your cat to follow you by lightly pulling on the leash.About.com: How to Train Your Cat to Walk with a Leash
   • -If he resists, wait until he's relaxed, then continue walking.About.com: How to Train Your Cat to Walk with a Leash
3. Never punish your cat or drag him along with the leash if he doesn't follow you.Suite 101: Leash Training Cats (July 1, 2008)

1. Take a leash-led walk for the first time when it's quiet so he won't be distracted or scared.Doctors Foster and Smith: Train Your Cat to Walk on a Leash
2. Don't give the leash much slack, since your cat may get a jolt to the shoulders if he tries to run off.Cat Health: Walk the Cat
3. Consider practicing in a fun spot like a park, which will be less intimidating for your cat than a sidewalk near a noisy, busy street.Pet Education: Training a Cat to Walk on a Leash
4. Reward your cat with treats to encourage him to walk with you while he's on the leash.Pet Education: Training a Cat to Walk on a Leash
5. Increase the length of the walk each day.Pets.com: Train a Cat to Walk on a Leash? Yes You Can

• Expert Village: Walk Your Cat on a Leash to Promote Good Behavior (Time: 1:40)

• Although it doesn't seem natural to take cats for walks on leashes, this is an ideal way to let indoor cats get a taste of the outdoors while ensuring they don't run away or have any dangerous run in with other neighborhood animals.

• Introduction
• Choose a Leash
• Leash Train
  • Getting Used to the Harness
  • Practicing with the Leash
  • Heading Outdoors
• Conclusion
• References