Boo is absolutely dying to go out; at least that's what it seems like. This is his first Spring and Summer. He sits at the windows and cries, and gosh what a nosy neighbor he is! Wants to see what is going on outside all the time! Sooo, I decided to get the harness and leash and try to take him out. But so far he HATES the harness and tries to get it off fast. Ideas? Thanks
cchapin100 Wrote:Boo is absolutely dying to go out; at least that's what it seems like. This is his first Spring and Summer. He sits at the windows and cries, and gosh what a nosy neighbor he is! Wants to see what is going on outside all the time! Sooo, I decided to get the harness and leash and try to take him out. But so far he HATES the harness and tries to get it off fast. Ideas? Thanks
Hi I am new to this group my ragdoll is 15weeks old I have got a harness and lead, at first he tried rolling and pulling at the harness to get it off, but i left it on him without the lead ie wear it instead of collar and over time he has got used to it. He goes into our backyard on the lead fairly well although still gets annoyed with it. I would try leaving the harness on indoors abit at a time till he is more comfortable wearing it and small amounts of time with lead on outside.hope this helps I am also using the litter kwitter toliet training system and this is working well patience is the key regards julie
We don't allow our Ragdolls outdoors for any reason. We used to, but friends and family have had their cats on a harness, and a loose dog attacked it. One was used to going out, got loose and darted in front of a car. Another one used to going out, started darting when the door was open, they have now changed their minds and are keeping him inside, but once they get the smell of the outdoors, it is hard to change their minds.
In the South, there are zoonotic diseases that can be passed just by the cat getting a parasite from the grass or dirt.
If you do decide to allow them outdoors, let him walk around indoors with the harness and leash on, so that he gets used to it, and will be more calm the next time you go out.
Purrs,
Stormi
Yeah I dont let mine out either. I would die if something happened to them. Have you heard of Drs Forster and Smith pet catalog? They have a product that you put in your window and it lets kitty have an enclosed perch outside. I have never used it but it might be something to think about.
Diamondgirl Wrote:Yeah I dont let mine out either. I would die if something happened to them. Have you heard of Drs Forster and Smith pet catalog? They have a product that you put in your window and it lets kitty have an enclosed perch outside. I have never used it but it might be something to think about.
I just wanted to put my 2 cents in for what it is worth, and know it comes from the heart.
I think these outdoor cages are great as a first thought, but still I feel it gets kitty comfortable with the smells, sights, and sounds of the outdoors, and gives more opportunity for them to sneak out, when you open the door. I don't think any one would mean for it to happen. They can wait for the right moment that you have your hands full, and run. I just worry about giving them the false sense of security. Only my opinion, but I wanted to share it with you all. BTW, I am a worry worm.
Purrs,
Stormi
No Stormi you are right! I didnt even think of that!
Ok...another 2 cents from the heart!! Having been the former owner of a beloved 4 paw declawed Persian for 18 yrs I havent even had an outdoor cat...Miranda is not declawed...but she is fast as a cougar..I live on a main intersection with traffic 24/7 not 50 feet from my patio door...I would never even consider letting her out...and am actually not going to plant my patio flowers this spring because it requires me in and out with the watering can every evening and in the few seconds it would take me to go in or out with the watering can she could be past me and running for the traffic...I would absolutely die....I finally am comfortable with her indoor door dodging thanks to the jingle bells I have hanging by the door and just experimenting to see what she does when she actually gets in to the hallway and praise the Lord...she just comes right back in....but outside...and a truck or bus going by and scaring her she might get confused and bolt the wrong way...leash...harness...whatever...you are expanding their territory and they dont understand danger...they have instincts that we dont have when it comes to natural dangers but when it comes to things like traffic and even other animals...if Miranda encountered even a squirrel she would just roll over on her back and try to wrestle...just my long winded thoughts but if your kitty is crying now if you give in and get him outside you will never have a minutes peace...xoxTeddy
Well he can't seem to tolerate the harness so I guess I am in no way risking him going out! But, we live in the country and he smells when the windows are open or we're outside and now he sees the birds, etc. too. He wants out!
Gus doesn't mind the harness at all. We don't go on any great explores with him. Just out on the deck. We have had weather in the 70's this weekend. Bob has put in the screens. Gus enjoys sitting on his "tree" in front of the screened window, listening to the birds and feeling the fresh air.
I do worry about him escaping outside. If someone comes to the door, I pick him up to answer it. When we come in, we use the door that leads to the garage. We don't open the house door until the garage door is down.
He has scooted into the garage twice. Out the front door once. Out the back slider once right into the snow.. he doesn't run away. He stops just outside the door. That doesn't mean I am not worried that he will run..because I do worry. However, with his heart condition he can't run very far in the house, without stopping to catch his breath.
Bye for now, Judy
Well today was quite a pleasant day and Milo and I sat outside in the sun rays to enjoy, he will wear his harness very easily in fact lays down while you put it on, he knows that he is not allowed outside without it , even when he is in his enclosure he wears it and if sitting with us outside he wears harness and lead. He doesn't seem at all interested in taking off just craves our company . I suppose I should clarify that we only let him out with us under direct supervision even if he is in enclosure also we have a fully enclosed backyard and he only goes out the one door. I will try a get a picture and post it.