Cats

Although most dog owners walk their dogs, cat owners rarely take their cats for a walk. All the same, it is possible to teach your cat to get used to a lead. Indeed, there are collars, harnesses, and leads designed purely for cats.

Dog collars, apart from being used to hold a tag to identify dogs should they run away, are really used as something to which to attach a lead, but the same isn't true of a cat collar. A collar can easily slip off over a cats head or worse, the elasticated variety can be stretched by a branch, then snap back on the cat's jaw, causing untold damage. They can be useful to hold an identity tag or the magnetic device which allows the cat in and out of the cat flap or a bell to warn the local bird population of the cat's approach but most vets don't recommend them because of the danger of jaw injury.

On the other hand, cat harnesses, if properly done up cannot slip off accidentally and can have a lead attached. The basic design is just a nylon harness but some are made to look like clothing. In either case, the most important aspect is the adjustability so that the harness can be as tight or loose as necessary.

Cat leads can be static or of the retractable variety but shouldn't be so heavy that your cat can't move under its weight. Retractable leads are great if you want your cat to be able to sniff around the bushes or other areas away from the roads but when walking close to traffic can be shortened to keep your cat by your side.

You will need to get your cat used to walking on a lead before taking him out but you can't train a cat in the same way as you can a dog. Jerking the lead when they wander from side to side won't make a cat come to heel. In fact, there is no guaranteed way of doing that but as cats are far smaller than dogs and unlikely to pull you over if they don't stay at heel, it probably doesn't matter very much. The best you can really expect is that you don't get scratched to pieces when you try to put your cat's harness on.

The simplest way to train your cat to get used to a lead is to put his harness on when he's only about eight weeks old. Leave him to walk around the house with it on for a few days and then add the lead. When he is accustomed to that, pick up the lead and try walking while pulling on it very gently while calling his name. Give him treats and strokes when he does come to your call and he'll soon get used to walking with you when he's wearing his harness and lead.
At this point, you can take him outside secure in the knowledge that he won't infuriate your neighbours by using their gardens for his toilet.