UPDATE-Cat on Harness & Leash?

Has anyone tried using a harness/leash on their adult cat? Any advice?

My cat is 5 years old and she’s strictly an indoor cat however she’s meowing all the time to go outside. She even stays by the door hoping to catch it open as we are coming in. I want to make her happy and let her go outside, however I want her to be safe as well.

Is it a horrible idea to try to keep her on a harness???? Am I insane for attempting? Is she too old to try?

Update-
Well we spent all weekend working with her. Initially she wanted nothing to do with the harness when we tried putting it on her in the house. We figured she'll associate it with outside if we put it on her outside. Well that worked, except she acts like we put a 100lb weight on her back!

I hope she gets use to it soon. So funny watching a cat croutch so low while walking. At least she did some exploring and tried lunging through a bush to get a bird. . .

Message edited 6/27/2011 2:40:07 PM.

Re: Cat on Harness & Leash?

I used a harness and leash for my old cat. While it was safe to bring her outside with it - I had to fight to get it on her. Once she was outside she wouldnt want to go past the front of the house so I just used to sit on the front steps with her.

Re: Cat on Harness & Leash?

I've tried a harness on my cat, but she HATES it and just flops over when I put it on her and won't get up until I take it off. But if your cat has the same reaction you could at least let her lay there while getting some fresh air

Re: Cat on Harness & Leash?

I trained my kitty from when she was a kitten. I even used to put her on a lead when we had a court yard and she would hang out outside for hours catching birds and laying in the sun. Now that we have moved to a new coop and have no courtyard, she is scared and putting the harness on her has become difficult. I remember how much she used to lov eit though and it makes me sad

Re: Cat on Harness & Leash?

My cat doesnt really like his harness, but I dont use a carrier when I put him in the car. I was able to put it on him have him walk around with it on and when he got use to it clipped a leash on and he did not like that but eventually was okay with it.

He is afraid of being outside but when my dog is with him he feels more comfortable.

I guess do things slowly and hopefully your cat will be okay with it.

Re: Cat on Harness & Leash?

We tried a leash/harness with one of my cats but he refused to wear it.....DH just takes a walk with him every day when he comes home from work.. He's pretty good at not straying too far.