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Patti
Lv 5
Patti asked in PetsCats · 2 decades ago

Would you ??

I am a firm believer in that cats should also be put on a leash when let outside, and not just "put out" to do whatever and go wherever. Reasons like cats roaming the streets doing their biz in ppls hard earned flower gardens, getting hit/shot at/chased etc etc. They are a pet and I will stand up and applaud the day when town/city councils finally find the guts to make it a responsibility to cat owners to put their cat on a leash when outdoors cuz the owners don't seem to care otherwise about the health and safety of their cat.

So the question is ... if you love your cat ... would you keep him/her safe by putting him/her on a leash ?? And if not, why not ??

Update:

I have a 7 yr old "mamma's baby" who was trained to a leash as soon as I got him home as a kitten. He hears the bell on the collar (which is attached to the leash) he comes running cuz he knows he's going to go outside. He's never fought the lack of freedom. The leash is actually one that is used to train dogs and is a 50 footer, so he does quite well exploring where he can. And to go for a walk, I started by following him around first. You don't have to tug or be cruel in other ways to train them. They are like every other living creature on this planet -- praise and love can do wonders.

18 Answers

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  • 2 decades ago
    Favorite Answer

    I think that if pet owners are not responsible enough to have their pets leashed or in a fenced in area (I know this is pointless for cats) then they should not have pets in the first place. This is why we have such a problem with strays. People let their cats out to do whatever they like and can carry diseases to other household pets (ones that live in the same house, or other neighboring houses) or if they're not spayed or neutered can produce other unwanted pets.

    Leash training your cat can be a pain, but it's rewarding in the end. My cat is leash trained (which took forever) but now he loves to go outside or ride in the car with me (in his little kitty-seat complete w/ seat-belt). He'll sit on my shoulder when I'm sitting at the park and purr with such enthusiasm. Besides, it's great when people stare at you and ask - "Is that a cat!! On a leash??!!!" I usually answer "Actually it's a dog and he's very sensitive...horrible accident when he was a puppy...I don't like to talk about it" Just teasing them of course.

    I'll get off my soapbox now.

    Source(s): Cat staff member and foster mom of 10 years
  • 2 decades ago

    Blah! I don't think cats need leashes at all because they are so uncomfortable with them. They need lots of training to tolerate the leash.

    "Cats don't do well with negative correction so by tugging on the leash you will not get them to stay at your side. Instead of negative feedback, cats do better with praise and positive reinforcement. Ignore her when she does something wrong. You can teach the cat to tolerate the leash but more than likely she will not be consistently healing or obeying commands. " (source below)

    But I do agree with your comment about cats left outside unattended. They should not be unattended when outside as this is dangerous and just too damn careless. Leashes wouldn't be a good thing for cats as they stretch and relax in different ways. I guess a law would be good either to leave them indoors or to put them in a secure place where they could not roam outside.

  • 2 decades ago

    If I ever let my cat out, I wouldn't just let him raom around. I'd keep an eye on him, and after a while make him come inside. I would also have a fenced in yard, so that he can't get out if decides to try, but cats don't usually do well with leashes and stuff, so I don't know.....

  • 2 decades ago

    You know that is funny I have leash trained both of my cats and take them for walks with my dog every evening and they cats love it but I would never just let my cat out and they are like my kids but even if they whine and cry I don't just let them out but I do let them go out on the balcony with my husband and I but we keep a close eye on them so they don't go chasing birds or bugs but the fresh air does them good.

  • 2 decades ago

    I would put my cat on a leash because I love him so much and I don't want him to run away like my last cat did. Why can't we treat dogs the same way we treat cats? because cats can get alitttle visious sometimes to. they go to the bathroom on the carpet to and they don't have get kicked out side.

  • 2 decades ago

    I wish people would... I have pitbulls and they love to eat cats... funny thing about cats are that they are willing to go into the fence with my dogs and end up getting chewed this amazing story happens quite often but my dogs don't leave the yard then somehow everyone gets mad at me and my pitbulls for being vicious... why can they get away with being stupid? Cats love to dare dogs or something and they sometimes lose... but its always the dogs fault when the cat cant get away... one of my neighbors poisoned a chained dog for eating one of her 20 cats.. it was the cats fault! I went up to her and told her if one of her cats died in my yard and one of my dogs ends up dead shes gonna have ALL of those stinking cats dead. Then a year or so later her hubby got a dog that jumped into my fence!! I couldn't believe it! I happened to be in the yard at the time so I saved him from Reddog (you CAN control a dog that loves you) and guess what my neighbor was mad at me! I agree all pets if you love them should be contained!

  • 2 decades ago

    no they deserve to be free, it's a pity that dogs, aren't let to run around, they are an animal and should be able to act like one, a leash is pure torture to a cat, a collar is enough.

  • 2 decades ago

    it is difficult to train a cat to walk on a leash but possible my friend and i think it is a good idea and we both have leashes i have three beautiful joy of my life cats randi joey and bobbi lee yes when i yell at them i have to go through all there names just to get to the one i am yelling at its quite comical really but yes i agree mine have a tendincy to want to dart into the woods so i applaud your statement.

    Source(s): personal experience
  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Training your dog will be a huge part of your interaction with him for the first few months. Learn here https://tr.im/am6Cw

    This includes housetraining, leash training, obedience training, socialization, and problem solving. In addition to providing your dog with needed skills, this time will also be a great opportunity for you to bond with him. Take the time to really get to know your pet while training him and a loving relationship will easily develop.

  • 2 decades ago

    yes, and I do, that is the only way that my cats can be outside on a leash and supervised. it's not safe just to tie them out there and leave them either.

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