How To Take Your Cat For A Stroll

As we have discussed before, cats are curious and wild creatures with an independent streak, so what if you wanted to explore the outdoors with them? Can you take a stroll with a cat? Philosophers (and cat-lovers) have long pondered this question, and today we will answer this question for you.

Can you take your cat for walk?

Yes, you can! Cats can be taken for walks. Many cats and their human companions have taken up walking together, which is increasing in popularity. Walking your cat is engaging, fun, and, if done correctly, a safe way to stimulate your cat mentally and provide them with physical exercise and a chance to engage in their more instinctual behaviours.

Important note

An important note before we begin: All cats are different and have different personalities. If your cat really doesn't like going for a walk, doesn't want to wear/use something or seems scared, DO NOT force them. Some cats may never want to go outside, and forcing them out could cause them distress. However, many cats may love the outdoors. It all depends on the type of personality your cat has. This goes for where you take them as well. Some cats may not want to go beyond their backyard others may be fine walking down the street.

With this in mind, let's look at some of the options available for taking your cat outside.

Pet Stroller

The first option is to use a pet stroller such as the Pet Stroller from La Luna Pet Care. A pet stroller is just basically a pram for pets. Pet strollers allow you to wheel your cat around everywhere you go, allowing them to enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors. The significant advantages of a pet stroller are that it keeps your kitty safe from any threatening or frightening things it may encounter outside, such as dogs or cars, and it requires much less training than other options.

Though using a pet stroller is relatively new many cat lovers report positive experiences using them. They are primarily a blessing to older and disabled pets as it allows them to enjoy the benefits outdoors and absorbs some vitamin D as they once did.
Pro tip: if you are interested in getting a stroller, be sure to have a plan for going to the toilet. Pay attention to their body language if they start acting oddly – like they're trying to scratch kitty litter - then it might be a sign that they need to go. Lining the bottom of the stroller with a puppy pee pad is a good idea in case they go, or using a cat harness to allow them to pop out to relieve themselves is a good option too. Take your cat for a stroll in this!
 

If you're interested in getting a Pet Stroller for your cat, consider checking out the Pet Stroller from La Luna Pet Care. It has a detachable capsule that can be secured to your car using ISO-FIX, so you can safely transport your cat in your car too!

Cat Harness

Another option is the cat harness. Cat harnesses are harnesses with a lead that allow you to walk your cat, similar to how you would walk a dog. The advantages of cat harnesses are that they are relatively cheap and let your kitty explore freely on their own 4 feet. The disadvantages are that it takes careful training to get your cat walking with the harness on (especially if they are an older cat), and your cat can quite quickly get frightened when wandering on their own.
With regards to training generally, you will want to gently get your cat used just having the harness on. Make sure it fits, and they can't wriggle out of it. Once they are okay with a harness, you can gently graduate from walking inside together to walking outside.
It is a good idea to give your feline friend encouragement in the form of food (doing the training right before dinner is an excellent way to build positive association). If at any point they seem scared or try to wriggle away, don't force it. Try again later. Forcing your cat will cause them distress and could derail your harness training. 
Walking a cat with a harness is an interesting and unique experience, quite unlike walking a dog. 
Rather than walking with you, a cat will generally just walk around, and you merely follow along with them while they explore. However, when used properly, a cat harness can provide you and your cat with a rewarding, enriching and enjoyable experience.
Important Note: Do not use a dog harness! Cats often can wriggle out of these, and the last thing you want is for your precious furball to shoot off the moment you take them outside. Additionally, cat harnesses allow your cat to roll their body which cats often do when sitting down. Using a cat harness will prevent pain and discomfort by allowing your cat to move through its full range of natural motion.

Cat Backpacks

Cat backpacks are literally just backpacks for your cat. Cat backpacks are generally not recommended for anything other than short trips like walking your pet a few mins to the vet. When purchasing one, get one with lots of ventilation and one that is not entirely transparent as cats need to hide to feel safe. Like with everything else, if your cat does not want to go in the backpack, do not force it. 
Remember when walking around with your cat backpack to be extra gentle! Don't forget that your furry friend is back there, and they won't appreciate being tossed around like a school bag!

Conclusion

There are many ways to take your cat outside for a walk. Whether you use a harness or a stroller, as long as you keep a few things in mind and pay attention to the needs of your little friend, you both are sure to have a good time in the outdoors.