Walking cat on a harness and lead?

katelyn22 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:09 am **Posts:** 1

I want to be able to take my Bengal on walks as I don't really like her roaming around the fields by herself and I also don't want her to be stuck inside all the time. But whenever i do attempt to walk her on her harness and lead she just lays down a lot.
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Donna741 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:03 pm **Posts:** 1048

It can take a while to get used to the harness, Diesel doesn't like it, even with the distractions of going outside he still fiddles with trying to get out of the harness. :rolleyes:

CMYKjill · **Joined:** Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:38 pm **Posts:** 1838

My cats hate the harness. One won't let me touch her when it's in my hand. The other collapses when it's on. Your cat is beautiful by the way.

rseymour88 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 31, 2014 9:23 pm **Posts:** 170

Wow what a stunner. Good luck with the harness training, i think it is one pf those things where persistence pays off.

rcolman18 · **Joined:** Sun Jun 17, 2012 7:18 am **Posts:** 142

I have three bengals and each reacted very differently to the harness.

Renny loved it right away. I take him outside on a 30 foot lead and he runs all over the yard with my dog.

Raj HATED the harness and would just lie down anytime it was on him for the first many times. Eventually I started putting the harness on him then just letting him wear it for a while and he kind of got used to it. He doesn't love being on a leash but if it's really nice out he'll tolerate it to enjoy the outdoors.

Ragnar hates the harness and runs away when he even sees it. Probably never going to even try with him.

Be persistent and good luck!

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Please don't give up! Put the harness on her every day. Let her walk around with it on. Do not attach a lead. While my bengal took for a harness in like 2 minutes and we were out the door for our walk, some cats have to get used to it. She doesn't have to wear the harness for very long. If you see her getting antsy over it, remove it and try again later. She will get used to it and when she will walk around with it on and not try to fight it or lay down, you can attach the lead and try to take her outside. Sometimes it just takes a while and baby steps. Even horses have to get used to being saddled.

Your little one is beautiful and it's so much safer to have control over where they roam. Too many dangers lurk for them out in the open. Raiden and I take a walk every single day (unless the weather is bad and we can't get outside). You can also consider creating a type of cat enclosure where she will be safe and can explore the outdoors. Just google "cat enclosure" and you will find all sorts of designs -- some fit on the outside of windows. Some are quite elaborate, but they don't have to cost a lot of money. Raiden has an enclosure on our deck that he can access 24/7 (and does). Since he was a free roaming cat when I first got him, it was a huge change for him to become an indoor cat. You will have the same problem if you allow yours to roam the outdoors. They love that freedom and you can't harness them back in. I will say Raiden has accepted the fact that he has his enclosure and I will take him out for his daily walk (sometimes 2 walks a day). He's happy with that.

Just give your little one time and don't be in such a rush to attach the lead. She needs to feel comfortable and confident wearing the harness or she won't walk once you get her outside. Raiden prances like a prince on our walks.

rseymour88 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 31, 2014 9:23 pm **Posts:** 170

Rcolman18, i love the name ragnar, is he named after the guy from vikings? I was going to call mine floki but went with Khari in the end

Kyenta1 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 14, 2015 6:11 am

We have a Ragnar race here in Utah. It is a 200 miles long relay race along the Wasatch mountains, a stretch of the Rockies.

bengalkitty01 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 09, 2015 3:15 am **Posts:** 21

Cat's on harnesses look so cute :razz:

, but they don't really like it so I stopped trying to put it on my cat.

-bengalkitty01

grumbleweed · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 9:28 am

spitspot · **Joined:** Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:26 pm **Posts:** 734

What an amazing picture of Ralph. Seriously cool look!!!!! I bet people are surprised to see him as it's not what you usually see walking on Dartmoor!!!!!!

Donna741 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:03 pm **Posts:** 1048

I've read that a lot of cats like the jackets better than a harness, I've been looking at ordering one for Diesel. I think when it warms up down here I'll get one.

gmcraib · **Joined:** Sat Mar 26, 2011 5:19 pm **Posts:** 151

Jacket every time.

Used to use harnesses from pets at home (kitten size then cat size), until the plastic toggles burst open with a sudden change of direction at speed.

Imagine that in an area with dogs, cars or far away from home.

There was somebody on here that managed to train his Bengal to walk with him off the lead. I've tried this with very limited success.

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Ralph is a stunning kitty! I think the harness jackets are gorgeous. You simply have to figure out which type your kitty will like the best. Raiden never bolts when we're walking. He'll change direction if he sees someone walking toward us, but he's so confident while we are out on our walks. I know he would rather be free and go where he wants to go, but Raiden is a trouble maker and he's looking for trouble when I'm with him.

laurenashleyfeltner · **Joined:** Tue Mar 04, 2014 8:36 am **Posts:** 4

Walking cat on a harness and lead?

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