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Tips for Getting Your Cat Used to a Harness
How to Pick the Right Harness for Your Cat
As creatures of behavior, cats dislike change. Something so simple as transferring their litter field could cause them to get anxious and begin appearing out. Now think about how having to put on a harness feels, not to mention being pushed to stroll whereas hooked up to a leash. Most cats would freak out or on the very least, refuse to maneuver.
This doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t practice a cat to stroll on a harness, although, since you actually can, and it’s price a attempt! Harness coaching is an excellent approach to give your cat extra freedom to discover the surface world.
But earlier than the adventures can begin, it’s worthwhile to make investments time in serving to your cat get used to sporting one. Keep studying for 10 simple tricks to just do that!
Our 10 Tips for Getting Your Cat Used to a Harness
1. Introduce the Harness Slowly
We imply slowly. Start by putting the harness close to their favourite sleeping or play space, permitting them to discover and turn into accustomed to it over a number of days. This helps remodel the harness from a international object to a well-known and non-threatening merchandise of their surroundings.
For instance, in case your cat loves sleeping in a particular nook or has a favourite toy, place the harness close to these areas. Over time, you would possibly discover your cat sniffing and even enjoying with the harness, which signifies their curiosity and rising acceptance.
Image Credit: Sergio Canovas, Shutterstock
2. Reward and Praise Them
Positive reinforcement is essential when serving to your cat affiliate the harness with good issues. Whenever they method or examine the harness, provide them treats and verbal reward.
Gradually enhance the extent of interplay with the harness, equivalent to touching it to your cat’s physique or draping it over their again. Shower them with consideration and yummy morsels each single time. It gained’t be lengthy earlier than they assume harness = superior.
3. Practice Touching the Cat’s Body With the Harness
Once your cat is desensitized to the harness’s presence, use it to the touch totally different areas of their physique, beginning with the face, paws, and sides. Remember to pair the touching with a yummy deal with. Take your time! Do not rush to placed on the harness till your cat is completely snug with you touching them with it. Next, work on growing the period of time that you simply contact totally different areas of their physique, equivalent to for greater than a few seconds, then proceed to apply placing on the harness.
4. Practice Putting on the Harness
For this half, select a quiet spot to maintain your cat relaxed and comfy. This is precisely the mindset you need, in order that they don’t combat the harness as you’re placing it on.
Sit with them and allow them to sniff the harness once more. Then slowly put the harness on, repeatedly praising and providing treats all through the method. Remove the harness after a number of seconds and repeat this train over a number of days to construct constructive associations with the harness.
Image Credit: Katerina Dalemans, Shutterstock
5. Keep Sessions Short
Avoid overwhelming your cat with prolonged harness coaching classes. Begin with only a few minutes per day, and progressively enhance the period as they turn into extra comfy with the harness.
Always finish coaching classes on a constructive word, whether or not it’s with a deal with, pets, or a play session, to take care of your cat’s curiosity and motivation.
6. Let Them Wear the Harness Indoors
Once your cat tolerates the harness, have them put on it round the home for brief durations.
Encourage your cat to interact in regular actions like enjoying, consuming, and sleeping with the harness on to additional strengthen constructive associations. The objective is to render the harness “invisible,” a standard a part of their routine.
7. Attach the Leash
When your cat is snug sporting the harness indoors, begin attaching the leash. Avoid pulling or tugging—allow them to discover and transfer round with the leash dragging behind them. This helps them get used to the additional weight and size of the leash.
Only placed on the leash for a couple of minutes at a time, with a number of apply classes all through the day. Stay on this stage for a couple of week.
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8. Practice Gentle Leash Control
Once your cat is snug sporting each the harness and the leash, you’ll be able to start guiding them round the home. Hold the leash gently, avoiding any dragging or forcing them in any route.
Instead, use toys or treats to encourage your cat to maneuver with you, serving to them perceive the idea of following your lead.
9. Transition to the Outdoors
Begin taking your cat exterior by beginning in a quiet, enclosed out of doors house, equivalent to a yard or balcony. Hold the leash, and let your cat discover at their very own tempo, providing treats and reward to make the expertise pleasing.
Image Credit: Teksa, Shutterstock
10. Gradually Increase Exposure
Over time, slowly introduce your cat to busier out of doors environments. Stay near them and preserve preliminary outings brief. Be affected person and attentive to their wants, monitoring their physique language and reactions. If they appear scared or careworn, return inside and check out once more one other day.
Again, don’t pressure them to remain on the leash longer than they like. Doing so can undo all of your exhausting work! Let your cat dictate the tempo, and respect their limits.
How to Pick the Right Harness for Your Cat
Don’t have a harness but, or your present one doesn’t match nicely? Follow these steps to select the right one.
1. Measure Your Cat
An ill-fitting harness isn’t simply uncomfortable on your cat. It will also be harmful as a result of if it’s too free, they can escape the harness. If it’s too tight, it might probably irritate their pores and skin and even trigger accidents.
Don’t belief your finest guess right here! Get a tape measure for accuracy! Gently wrap it round your cat’s neck and chest, then word down the measurements. Be positive to measure snugly however not too tightly. If your cat is afraid of the measuring tape, attempt utilizing a mushy ribbon, after which measure the ribbon.
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2. Pick the Harness Type
There are several types of harnesses you should purchase: vest, H-style, and figure-eight. Your alternative will rely upon what you intend to do along with your cat.
For occasion, in case your cat is an escape artist, an H-style harness with a figure-eight design will forestall them from slipping out. If you’re planning to take your cat for lengthy walks or a hike, a vest harness with a padded chest plate can present further assist and luxury.
3. Think About the Material
The harness materials will affect your cat’s consolation and security. As an instance, nylon and mesh are gentle and breathable, however leather-based is extra sturdy.
4. Look For Safety Features
The extra security options your cat’s harness has, the higher. Look for issues like reflective materials or shiny colours that can make your cat extra seen to drivers and pedestrians, particularly at evening.
A harness with a sturdy D-ring or buckle will forestall your cat from breaking free or escaping whereas on walks. Velcro straps will make it simpler to take it on and off your cat, particularly if yours is fussy.
Conclusion
Getting your cat used to sporting a harness takes persistence and work, however the outcomes are so price it! Imagine having the ability to take your buddy on hikes, on a stroll alongside the neighborhood, or to the nook cafe so that you two can calm down exterior. It can actually develop your cat’s world.
Before you begin coaching them, nevertheless, watch out about choosing their harness. You need it to be comfortable, safe, and full of security options. Don’t neglect to purchase tons of cat treats when you’re looking for their harness. You’re going to wish it!
- See additionally: How to Harness Train a Cat: 10 Vet-Verified Tips & Tricks
Sources
- https://www.rspcaqld.org.au/blog/pet-care/harness-training-your-cat
- https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/play-exercise/how-to-put-on-cat-harness?lightboxfired=true
Featured Image Credit: Laura Sanchez Ubanell, Shutterstock
The publish How Do I Get My Cat Used to a Harness? 10 Vet-Approved Tips by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over whole articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You will not be conscious of it, however all of those articles had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought of public area. However, we recognize that you simply just like the article and would adore it if you happen to continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
