Cat Harness

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Tan has a cat-proofed garden and her two use that already but she is thinking of using the harness to take them out at the front, which is why I think she should not do this.

Love those pics    Sasas harness was blue with an extendable lead attached, but it was a harness for a rabbit cos the bit between the neck bit and body bit on the cat ones I was shown was too small not like those.

I tried to put it on Misa before he went out for the first time although I wasnt sure if it was big enough for him but he wouldnt let me get the neck part even close and I gave up. He then decided although he liked to sit and look out into the garden he was too scared to go through the back door for ages.

If you saw him now you would never have guessed 

[moiramassey]

My two loved being taken out into the garden on harnesses when they were kittens.





I had the Rogz Alleycat harnesses and leads, which were very robust.
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=38&pf_id=6910

Mitzi (half-Siamese) did not develop any yearning for the outside but Flynn did. I don't know if taking him out on the harness made it worse or not. He wanted out so badly, escaping though the briefest, smallest gap into the garden at the least opportunity.

I now have a catproofed garden and I am a lot poorer but a lot happier.

I definitely would not take them out unless you intend to let then out in the long run. You may have a Flynn!

It is 11.30 pm now. Mitzi, Blacken and I are inside. Flynn and Mini are out in the garden, hunting.

[Millys Mum]

Im generally anti harness as the risks that can go with it are big but would say that introducing to a garden they can then have free access to is different to letting them have a taster but not anymore. Tans last cats had the taste of what there was and werent 100% happy catproofed so took their chances with the road, i would hate for Tan to have to make those same decisions again 

[sixfurballs]

Tan I tried harnesses years ago when Bronte and Tomsk (rainbow bridge cat) where kittens. They detested them and would fling themselves in all sorts of shapes to escape or just sat and refused to move. So I haven't had a good experience and they didn't last for long.

However, another member here, Hunterharley's Mum, is a friend and I know she has used them with some success. She lives on the edge of a canyon and has found them useful in introducing the cats to the garden without them escaping to the canyon before they know where home is.

[maryas]

I really do wish cats could talk - then they could say...... "just let me sit here, I'm happy, comfy and don't want all those strange things around my body, I ain't a dog or a ferret" 

Bonnie sits for ages and I can see her eyes moving all over the place - thinking and watching.

Mary

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I dont think you should do it Tan. I know I took Kocka out on a hraness before we moved and when we went on holiday but she was very used to going outside cos she was dumped most like and she knew her way up the road and back down the alley and all the gardens.

Your cats dont know outside your garden and house and thats best for them I think. What they dont know about they are not missing and they are safe.

Cats do sit around and lie around and they are watching and entertaining themselves. As they get older they do more and more of this and I have watched Sasa just lying in the garden  cos she is watching and waiting for something to come by to stalk. Cats are so very patient 

Maybe you should leave them to their own devices more and they will not be any less happy 

[Leanne]

Thanks i will take everything into account before i decided to get any or not.  Just am idea at mo.
What were they like when ya stopped taking them out with the harness hun?

Jess was cagey to start with without his harness he knew it was missing and would stick by my side till he got some more confidence. Now he is much more confident but if its windy or there are strange noises he runs straight to the back door. Last night my Hubby took him out and Jess was out for 5 minutes before coming in to get me, so I went out and he was happily playing.

Milo was cheeky, when he went out without his harness, he too knew it wasn't there. He was running around trying to play with Jess more than anything.

[Tiggy's Mum]

Something else to consider is are you going to end up with cats who then need to be out free like your last boys, would be terrible to have to make that decision again as to whether to keep them safe but miserable or out and happy but at risk 

I agree  I know you worry about your boys Tan but I honestly don't think their life could get any more perfect, they have never been out the front so don't know what they're 'missing' - in reality all they are missing is that risk that something awful will happen to them on the road 

I just get upset seeing Marl just sat there at times and it is hard to think of diff things everyday, 365 days of year to keep them occupied and busy. I  do anything possible to entertain them, they mean so much to me.

Sometimes that's what cats do - 'just sit there'  Having seen pics of your back garden I truly believe that they have quite possibly the best, most cat friendly back garden a cat could ever ask for!  I know you also shower them with attention and they probably have more toys than my boys (didn't think that was possible!) so all in all them not having the stimulation of 'out the front' is a tiny fraction of their lives that they are missing out on - do you know any other cats that get to play 'triple flavour temptation hunt'? 

[Millys Mum]

Something else to consider is are you going to end up with cats who then need to be out free like your last boys, would be terrible to have to make that decision again as to whether to keep them safe but miserable or out and happy but at risk 

[Topsy Turvey]

Thanks
Wouldn't be wonderful if they made road with a cat bleeping system to stop cats going on the roads!!    

    Or a cat crossing.

Can just imagine my lot, Summer sitting patiently while the little green cat came on but Smartie being one of these people who push the button then run over the road straightaway!  Skye would be one of those people who take ages to get over and give drivers dirty looks when they are reving to get past.  She would still be crossing when the little red cat flashed  

Don't have any experience to harnesses - sorry.  Back garden only for my lot!  Good luck with whatever you try.

[Gail Bengal Slave]

the only thing I would worry about Tan is - if you take them outon the harness - if they see the open fornt door anytime  - they might think oooo going out time and run out.  If you could take them out from the side gate that would be better.  just worried they might make a run at an open front door if they get used to going out through it.

[Tan]

Thanks i will take everything into account before i decided to get any or not.  Just am idea at mo.
What were they like when ya stopped taking them out with the harness hun?

I def would be with them and would only go out front where there are some "wild growing" patches in the cul de sac.  
Haven't got any yet and still not sure i will as ya say there are still dangers with them and prob more so than if they run from a dog or something with them on then with them off.

I just get upset seeing Marl just sat there at times and it is hard to think of diff things everyday, 365 days of year to keep them occupied and busy. I  do anything possible to entertain them, they mean so much to me.

Wouldn't be wonderful if they made road with a cat bleeping system to stop cats going on the roads!!    




 

[Leanne]

We had these ones

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=38&pf_id=4382

They were very good for introducing Jess and Milo (who had a kitten one) to the garden, both would happily walk around with them on. Jess has always been very well behaved with it, and we'd drop the lead and he would just walk around. I'd never leave him unattended with it and we were always far enough away to grab the lead. Milo however wasn't so keen but did come round eventually.

One thing I would say is Jess slipped his harness easily, but he would never leave the garden his too scared. I'm glad for us now that the boys can play happily in the garden without harness (still supervised though) but I do think they are a good training tool if used correctly and properly.

[swampmaxmum]

Hi Tan, my boys tried out a harness for quite a while when young and always (as I'm sure you'd do) under supervision.  Max never really took to it, he'd go back indoors quite quickly, but Swampy used to purr at the sight of it as it meant outdoors. Some brands look a whole lot comfier than others though I can't recommend a make. I also used it on one of those long, extender doggy leads - which added to muscle tone for an indoor cat too (the hunk of the neighbourhood he was!).
The other day someone in the street came past with their cat on a harness going for a walk - cat had long lead and walked along the low wall quite happily. Although what they do when s/he sees a dog, I've no idea! I got some funny looks from neighbours back when I did this (small London garden in the 80s) as they all had outdoor cats too, but I didn't give a  as my cats were having fun and were safe.
There was some minor disappointment when the door shut afterwards, but not for long as long as other 'entertainment' is provided    (catnip mostly).

[Ela]

All I will say Tan is that on a number of occasions I received phone calls where a cat has been killed wither on its harness when folks have been stupid enough to leave the cats in the garden with the harness on, others have been hung. Having said that I am sure you would not do that but some cats have somehow managed to slip the harness even when the owner has been with the cat and have jumped a wall/ hedge gone through a neighbours and onto the road and been killed. People will say it would not happen if the harness was fitted on correctly but the cases I know about all the owners thought it was fitted properly.

[Tan]

Hiya hunnies

I have been thinking of trying cat harnesses for the boys and take them out into the front wild wild world for more stimulation. Garfy is fine but Marl does tend to get a bit bored at times even though i play alot with them.  They are 1 yr 3mths old so not sure they would tollerate wearing one esp when they don't have collars on at all being inside and garden only lads.

Which harnesses are good to get?, do you have any recommendations? and any tips on training them to wear one? Never used one before and not sure if i will look silly as with the attitude round here where they all think cats should be free roaming but prepared to really look like the mad cat lady if it will help stop Marl moaping about at times.  I think i have spolit them by always being here as i work at home and sometimes they hang for me to play more for entertainment and not always rely on their own steam!

I can get into a routine of taking them out the front with the harnesses in am and eve and hope that will help give them more varaity in their everyday life.  But also i am worried that they do not know what the front door is at the mo and whats out there so if i did this would they then start crying to go out all the time!