Taking Cat outside on a Leash

Question
Hi Norman,
I am used to having outdoor cats in the past. I don't have any cats at present. I am considering buying a purebred Ragdoll kitten and wondered if you could give me your opinion about training it and taking it outside for a walk on a leash.  My concern is that I want the cat to be a indoor cat but wondered if I trained it from a kitten  to go outside for a walk on a leash now and then do you think it might become a problem in the fact that it might want to start going outside all the time and would I end up having a problem trying to keep it in ie crying to get out all the time ?  

I really don't like the idea of keeping cats totally indoors and not allowing them outside as I feel it might make for a very boring existence for the cat.  I have a small dog at home which might be company for the cat but still I wouldn't want to confine a cat to boredom.  

What would you say to me.  
Thank you in advance for you expert opinion.  

Answer
Carol,

I, too, have trained cats to walk on a leash.  This is covered in a number of the books & Internet articles on training cats.  There are a couple of caveats.  One: cats need to have a harness (a cat can hang itself with a simple collar)!  Two: cats tend to walk you, not the other way around!  Three: people with dogs tend to want to have their dogs come over and "greet" your cat!  Four: make sure your cat is up to date with its flea treatments (e.g. Frontline)!

Normally, you can get a good harness at a pet supermarket.  I like the ones that are two adjustible loops connected by a cross piece.  I do not like the figure 8 harnesses, in particular.  Also, I prefer light nylon webbing to leather.

You try to get the cat used to the harness by letting the cat wear it around the house periodically until it accepts the weight and the feel of the harness.  Now, attach a leash (light webbed nylon leashes are best) and have the cat get used to the added weight of the leash.  Once the cat has accepted the harness and leash, you can venture out of doors.  

Initially, stay close to the house in a private area where there are no other animals to worry about.  Let your cat get used to being outside in the harness and leash.  Let the cat figure out where it wants to go and you follow.  If the cat wants to go somewhere you do not, just stop.  Eventually the cat will figure out and follow gentle pressure on the leash.  This can take quite a while and you will need perseverance and persistance. Do not try to force anything, but let the cat think it is having its way as much as possible.

As far as being indoors vs. outdoors, the longevity is affected.  Outdoor cats tend to survive 3-5 years, whereas indoor cats can live upwards to 10-15 years.  

Cats live and play in all 3 dimensions, so you can increase their play area at home by providing tall things for them to get on.  Cats will naturally want to jump up on top of things at home. Providing a very tall exercise post, covered with sisal rope and/or closed loop carpeting which allows the cat to stretch its full length is a must.  If there are shelves, cubbyholes and the like for the cat to sit on or in, this is an added plus.  I like to put these exercise posts near windows so they can gaze at the out of doors.  Thus you can increase the play area of the cat from the area of the room to the volume of the space in the room.

The cat and the small dog will be great company for each other and the cat will not get bored just by staying indoors since it will have a buddy.

As to the cat crying to get out all the time, this is where you just have to ignore the behavior.  Eventually, if the cat is not getting your attention by crying to go out it will, eventually stop.  People trip up by acknowledging the behavior which triggers the cat to know it now has an attention getting device.  You would be best to ignore the behavior, if it begins.

I hope some of the above is helpful.

Best regards... Norm.