While cats who live indoors are generally healthier and less at risk for injury than those who live outdoors, many kitties can benefit from exploring the outside world in a safe and controlled manner. Learning how to leash train a cat or kitten is a great way to let them stretch their boundaries, exercise their bodies and their minds, and maybe discover a part of their personalities that doesn’t always come out when they’re behind closed doors.

Indoor cats who are confident and active or those who live in small apartments and may not have access to an enclosed patio or backyard will especially love exploring the outdoors. Confident felines and kittens (especially under 1 years old) often accept leash training more readily, maybe due to their inner kitty curiosity.

Of course, not all cats are bound to love the great outdoors—and that’s OK, too. Be sure to pay close attention to your feline’s behavior (more on that below!) to ensure they’re comfortable exploring the outside world.

First you’ll need a few things to begin leash training a cat: a well-fitted harness (or cat walking jacket) and a shorter leash with some slack.

We do not recommend attaching a leash directly to the cat's collar as pulling against the leash via the collar could potentially injure your cat’s neck. A cat's head is about the same circumference as her neck and the feline neck is pretty fragile. A cat's collar can also readily come off over the head with tugging and, if your cat becomes frightened, it could easily run off.

Consider a two-in-one harness and leash that is adjustable and features a safety release in case your cat gets caught in a tight spot. A harness offers great support and evenly distributes leash pressure across your kitty's chest to prevent neck discomfort. The harness should feel snug but not too tight; you should be able to place two fingers between the harness and your cat's body.

As for leashes, we recommend a shorter lead to keep your cat nearby and under more careful control.

In addition to the above equipment, also make sure your cat is up-to-date on all their vaccines, as well as their flea and tick treatments. Your cat may encounter other kitties or creatures while outside and you’ll want to ensure that they’re well-protected from pesky (and dangerous!) fleas and ticks.

You should also ensure your furry friend is microchipped and has an ID tag on to help the two of you reunite in the event your cat manages to break free.

By following the easy-enough steps below, pet parents can learn how to leash train their cat or kitten and start exploring the great outdoors together.

1. Get your cat use to the Harness
Like anything new, your cat may need some time to get used to their harness. Practice snapping the harness together or undoing the Velcro to get your kitty accustomed to them. If your cat seems uninterested, try placing the harness and leash in their favorite spot, such as by the food bowl or on their favorite couch cushion.

2. Try Fastening It
Once your cat becomes more comfortable around the harness, try fastening it. Pay attention to your cat’s cues. Any signs of discomfort or anxiety, such as pulling away or freezing in place, mean you should take it off, offer some positive reinforcement and wait a bit to try again later.

Before venturing outdoors, practice walking with them around the house with their leash and harness. This will help them to get used to walking with a harness on and a leash attached. You can also create positive associations such as playing with toys or giving treats inside the house while the harness is on.

Remember, it’s normal for cats to freeze up, refuse to walk or walk strangely the first few times they’re wearing a harness. Your cat is experiencing a new sensation, so it’s going to take time to adjust to it.

3. Practice around the house
After your cat seems more comfortable in their harness, we recommend building up the time your cat has the harness and leash on with five-minute training sessions. During this time, you and your kitty practice walking on the leash and harness around your house (add encouragement with treats too). Then, you can work up to longer periods of training and (finally!) start heading outside.

4. Suit Up Before Stepping Out
Once your kitty seems alright wearing the harness and leash inside, you can begin venturing outdoors. When it’s time to take the plunge, be sure to put the leash and harness on before going outside. Otherwise, you risk your cat darting away sans leash, and that’s definitely not the kind of adventure you want!

5. Carry Your Cat Outside
Pick up your harnessed and leashed cat before going outside instead of letting them walk out on their own. A cat that’s used to walking outside when they’re leashed will likely start walking out the door when they’re not leashed as well, and you don’t want to encourage door dashing.

6. Start Exploring (Slowly!)
Let your kitty take the lead. Some cats may be perfectly content to lie still in the grass and soak up the sun, others may want to check out the neighborhood. Some cats may also be overwhelmed by all the new sights and sounds and want to go back inside ASAP. Follow their lead and be encouraging with treats.

With dogs, we tend to want them to follow us when on leash, but with cats let the kitty be the leader. Don't try to force the cat to walk or move anywhere. It's all about making the experience enjoyable for the cat.

Remember, never force your cat to walk on a leash.

Some cats just do not like leashes or harnesses. Take care to never force your cat to do something they’re not ready to do or are uncomfortable with. If they instantly dart back inside or freeze up when you go out, you can try again in a few days to see if they gradually become more comfortable with the outside world. But if the situation doesn’t improve, leash training may just not be for your kitty.

Don't worry, there are plenty of ways you can bond and spend time with your favourite feline from the comfort of your own home - check out these interactive cat toys.

If you have any questions about leash training your cat or choosing the right harness, get in contact with our Customer Care team on 0800 200 240.