Oh James, he is such a cutie pie! I see you mentioned A scratching post! He should have several. Does he have a cat tree with sisal rope on the legs? Cardboard scratchers are really cheap. Mine prefers those. Know that a kitten loves to play and will scratch. I suggest you have a cat toy next to you and use that instead of your hands. I know some kittens will attack when being petted. They usually outgrow this behavior, but every one of us has had scratched up arms and legs from our kittens.
You want to train him on a harness and leash. Purchase those now. Many people recommend a walking jacket that is sized for the cat and has to be replaced as the cat grows. There is also a figure H harness that has two clasps -- one at the neck, one around the chest -- that is adjustable.
The key is that very soon you should start allowing him to wear the harness around the house. You cannot take him outdoors until he is completely comfortable wearing it, and that can take a while. Cats usually do one of three things when you first put the harness on them.
They fall down on the floor and become "paralyzed." They will just lay there and look at you. Try to get him to stand up by offering a treat or trying a wand toy to get him to play. Once a cat realizes it can actually walk wearing a harness, they are okay.
They fight the harness and want it off. Again, try to distract with a treat or toy. If this does not work, remove the harness and try again later. Keep at it -- and repeat. It can take a while.
Or ... the cat looks at the harness and starts walking around like nothing is around them. This happens (as in the case of my cat) but often does not.
When you finally do take him outside, know that he will be scared of the unknown outside world. Walks won't go far in the beginning and you never try to push Pete to go somewhere he does not want to go. Carry a towel with you so you both can sit on the ground. And be prepared for constant yowling that Pete wants another walk. And another walk. And another walk.
My final advice to you is DO NOT TRAVEL WITH A CAT IN A VEHICLE WITHOUT THE CAT BEING CONTAINED IN A CARRIER. I cannot stress this enough! Please, please please. I read every single day where pets were traveling in a car, there was an accident, the pet escaped because the pet was not contained! Owners are panicked -- was the animal hurt in the accident? The pet is now in an unfamiliar area and officially terrified and LOST. I find it hard to feel sorry for these people because a cat or dog in a carrier or crate would have probably been safe. I know nobody thinks when they get into a vehicle that something may happen to them -- but it happens every single day all over the world. People love posting pictures of their bengals on dashboards, in passenger seats, on top of seats -- and they are truly not thinking "what if I have to slam on my brakes to avoid an accident." The cat goes flying! Or what if the cat get under your feet and the pedals! I know this is the largest paragraph -- but even if you have Pete on a leash and being held by another person, there is no guarantee something won't happen.
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