Indoor Maine Coon .. walkies on Leash ?

[Reynard]

Thanks for responding. When he was in did he pine to go out ? Or did he know he know he would only go out with you ?

Its such a tricky one this !

He did pine to go out while I had him in London as he was kept indoors apart from the walks. When I moved back home, Toby returned to having unlimited access to the garden during the day.

[lisa77]

Thanks for the link !

I may get him one from a shop untill he is big enough to buy the expensive one.. but i will save this link - thanks

[Team Svartalfheims]

Please can you post the link again honny - ive lost it ! (Litrally!!)

These are the harnesses I would strongly recommend. Very well made and very strong. If you email the lady about them she will give you instructons on how to measure your cat up for one    http://www.norgeskaukatt.co.uk/Harness.html

[Susieh]

I think that it could be a matter of routine.  My cats at the moment have catflap access to the outside all day and are shut inside at night.  Because this has always been their routine, they know that as soon as they come in for the final time about 10pm and have their supper - it is time to sleep and they don't bother making a fuss to go outside until the morning.

If you always take your cat out on a lead at the same time every day the he will get into a routine and won't expect to go out at any other time.  In reality though, this will rely on you being able to do it at the same time every day - which may not work depending on your life and time commitments

[lisa77]

Thanks for responding. When he was in did he pine to go out ? Or did he know he know he would only go out with you ?

Its such a tricky one this !

[Reynard]

When I used to have Toby with me in London on a near-permanent basis (this was several years ago) he had to be an indoor cat as I backed out onto a very busy road.

So I used to take him to the little local park that's at the end of my street on his lead and harness - which he absolutely loved. He even learnt to sit on the kerb before crossing the road. 

Unfortunately I had to stop doing that because I was getting threatening complaints and aggro from folk about it being cruel. Trouble was, the folks complaining were those who owned the dogs he was beating up...  No matter how much I warned them that he didn't like dogs, they thought it was cool to get their dogs to meet the cat - or even to chase the cat in the worst case scenario. 

Of course that backfired rather spectacularly when they discovered that Toby stands up to himself - he will tackle dogs up to and including great danes if given the chance.

I still give him lead and harness practice in my garden just so that he doesn't forget - and he will walk to heel like a dog. 

[lisa77]

My Norwegian Forest Cats go for walks on harnesses (mainly just to forests but occasionally to the beach or with the dogs next door etc) however I do have problems with them wanting to be outside all the time. Miss Boopy had never been outside until she got here and within a few days of realising that she can go outside in the run here she wants to be outside all the time and sits and shouts and shouts at you until you let her out and Bilbo pretty much lives outside all the time out of his own choice.

You don't get too many strange looks but once he is a bit older and starts to get big you will get comments of 'that cat is enormous' and 'mummy mummy that's a funny looking dog, no dear it's just a giant cat' etc and also people asking why you are taking them for walks if you walk him in a public place. Mae sure he is fully used to his harness and lead and happy with them before you start taking him out on them.

I think I sent you a link for where to buy really good strong leather harnesses from (I can resend you the link if you haven't still got the PM)  Bilbo loves his walks so much brings his harness to you if he wants to go on one bless him  

Please can you post the link again honny - ive lost it ! (Litrally!!)

P.S: Bilbo would also like to pass on a message to your Maine Coon that if people accuse him fro a distance of being a dog when on a walk then he should give them the "Look how big I am, you really want to mess with me?!" look and to tell the humans that his slave walks where he wants to go not the other way around like a dog would.

[lisa77]

My Norwegian Forest Cats go for walks on harnesses (mainly just to forests but occasionally to the beach or with the dogs next door etc) however I do have problems with them wanting to be outside all the time. Miss Boopy had never been outside until she got here and within a few days of realising that she can go outside in the run here she wants to be outside all the time and sits and shouts and shouts at you until you let her out and Bilbo pretty much lives outside all the time out of his own choice.

You don't get too many strange looks but once he is a bit older and starts to get big you will get comments of 'that cat is enormous' and 'mummy mummy that's a funny looking dog, no dear it's just a giant cat' etc and also people asking why you are taking them for walks if you walk him in a public place. Mae sure he is fully used to his harness and lead and happy with them before you start taking him out on them.

I think I sent you a link for where to buy really good strong leather harnesses from (I can resend you the link if you haven't still got the PM)  Bilbo loves his walks so much brings his harness to you if he wants to go on one bless him  

mmm Interesting. I mean I wouldnt mind taking him out every night but if he will want to go out on his own that is totally out of the question. I really am not sure on what to do about this !

P.S: Bilbo would also like to pass on a message to your Maine Coon that if people accuse him fro a distance of being a dog when on a walk then he should give them the "Look how big I am, you really want to mess with me?!" look and to tell the humans that his slave walks where he wants to go not the other way around like a dog would.

[Linda (Bengalbabe)]

Thanks Gill 

[Team Svartalfheims]

My Norwegian Forest Cats go for walks on harnesses (mainly just to forests but occasionally to the beach or with the dogs next door etc) however I do have problems with them wanting to be outside all the time. Miss Boopy had never been outside until she got here and within a few days of realising that she can go outside in the run here she wants to be outside all the time and sits and shouts and shouts at you until you let her out and Bilbo pretty much lives outside all the time out of his own choice.

You don't get too many strange looks but once he is a bit older and starts to get big you will get comments of 'that cat is enormous' and 'mummy mummy that's a funny looking dog, no dear it's just a giant cat' etc and also people asking why you are taking them for walks if you walk him in a public place. Mae sure he is fully used to his harness and lead and happy with them before you start taking him out on them.

I think I sent you a link for where to buy really good strong leather harnesses from (I can resend you the link if you haven't still got the PM)  Bilbo loves his walks so much brings his harness to you if he wants to go on one bless him  

P.S: Bilbo would also like to pass on a message to your Maine Coon that if people accuse him fro a distance of being a dog when on a walk then he should give them the "Look how big I am, you really want to mess with me?!" look and to tell the humans that his slave walks where he wants to go not the other way around like a dog would.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Those are stunning pictures Linda 

I think if he is eventually gonna be let out into an enclosure, why not try him on a lead and harness, just remember he will grow to be an heavy enormous cat 

I can understand siamese not enjoying this, its not in their job description 

[Linda (Bengalbabe)]

My bengals love walkies on their harness    I have no problems with them constantly wanting out although I do have the option of letting them into the big enclosure in our garden.

[lucy]

I did try with my siamese but he never enjoyed it - he was terrified feeling he couldn't hide when he heard a car and when in open ground very near us just wanted to explore further than the leash allowed. Maybe wait until you have garden?

[lisa77]

I did think that but can i totally deprive him of having anytime outside ? It won't be a problem when I move into a house with a garden as I already have plans on what my run will be like but Im in a flat at the mo.. oh decisions decisions - hard ones at that !

[Millys Mum]

If I start to take him out on a harness will he be pining to go out all the time or will he realise that he will only go out once of an evening with me? The last thing i would want is him to like the outside world too much & be crying at the door all night long to get out ! That would make me feel awful

I think its a risk not worth taking. If he nevers goes out he wont know what hes missing!

[lisa77]

ha ha i bet that was funny ! 

[Dawn F]

I was talking to a breeder at a show once and he did say they had wander lust - I'm sure if you get him used to the lead he will be ok - we tried to put Tilly on a lead before she was spayed but she used to lie on her back and bite it! 

[clarenmax]

My boy sits by the front door wanting to go out, but then he was a stray for a while so he's well aware whats in the great outdoors.  He's been with me for nearly 7 years now but still wants to go outside lol    I keep living in the hope that  he might learn, eventually 

[lisa77]

Its a tough one. If he is going to pine at the door endlessly once he has been out I would rather keep him in. It would be interesting to see what others say who are in same situation.. I want a happy kitty!

[clarenmax]

You could always see whether he hankers to go outside, or whether he's just content with being indoors, then make a decision?

[lisa77]

mmmmmm I don't know if to risk it or not ?

[lisa77]

Also do people give you weird looks ?

[clarenmax]

I don't think you'll know until you try to be honest.   He might be absolutely fine and look forward to your evening visits outside, or he may then want it all the time, its hard to say really.

The fact that your training him young should certainly help though, as that will be all he knows, if you see what I mean?

[lisa77]

As Leo will be indoor only I was advised by many Breeders that they do get used to a leash if started young. I do want him to experience some outdoor life (only with me by his side though)

If I start to take him out on a harness will he be pining to go out all the time or will he realise that he will only go out once of an evening with me? The last thing i would want is him to like the outside world too much & be crying at the door all night long to get out ! That would make me feel awful

Sorry I know I post so many threads for different Q's I must be a pain.. I just want everything perfect

Thanks guys