Dear Sinéad and Siouxsie,
I would love to start doing a bit of walking around my complex and neighborhood. I have been thinking of getting a harness for my kitty, Sweetheart, so that she can get outside a little bit, but I also want to supervise her and make sure she doesn't get into anything she shouldn't, like car engines. My question is: Is there any particular way to go about starting this with her? Should I get her used to a harness first? Will this make her want to zip out the door even quicker? Should I start with short trips and then work up to the rest of the complex? I've never trained a cat to be restrained outside before.

I have a patio attached to my apartment as well. Would it maybe be better to restrain her on the patio and she can get used to sights/smells, etc that way, while still being able to come back to the safety of indoors?

Thanks!
Bridget

Siouxsie: We don't like collars!

Sinéad: And we don't like harnesses, either!

Siouxsie: Mama tried that with us once, and we wouldn't have any of it.

Sinéad: That's not true. Siouxsie let Mama put the harness on her and take her outside.

Siouxsie: While you were running around in circles backwards under the bed trying to get yours off!

Sinéad: It was too tight, that's all.

Siouxsie: Was not. You were just being a wuss.

Sinéad: Mama!

JaneA: Come on, ladies, behave yourselves. And Siouxsie, stop stealing Sinéad's food.

Siouxsie: But hers tastes better!

JaneA: It's exactly the same kind of food you have in your dish.

Siouxsie: I bet it isn't. Well, Bridget, we do know some cats that wear collars and seem to like it all right, but I think collars can be dangerous for cats. I mean, what if a cat climbs a tree, trips, and gets hung by the neck with his collar?

Sinéad: That would be horrible!

JaneA: A lot of cat experts say that collars are not safe for cats, and that if you want to take your cat outside, a harness is the best option. Also, cats can't slip out of harnesses as easily as they can slip out of collars. Before the collar people get upset, I will say that all the cat collars I've seen have special break-away parts that will come apart if the cat gets stuck by the collar, and I'm certain that collars and tags have helped many lost cats find their way home. But even so, it wouldn't be my first choice to walk a cat with a collar.

Siouxsie: I certainly hope not!

JaneA: Aside from the obvious indignity, there's the danger that you can damage or injure your cat's neck if you yank the collar too hard.

Sinéad: Collar-versus-harness debate aside, I think you're on the right track with your ideas about how to train Sweetheart to enjoy going outside. You have to do the whole thing very slowly. First, you'll want to get Sweetheart used to wearing a harness by getting a nice, soft one and putting it on her for a few minutes at a time. If you put the harness on just before supper time and then give her food, that'll probably make her associate the harness with good things instead of scary things.

Siouxsie: You'll want to get a shortish leash--not much longer than you are tall--so Sweetheart can't get too far away from you.

Sinéad: Once Sweetheart gets used to wearing the harness, which may take quite a while, then attach the leash and get her used to the idea of being connected to you.

Siouxsie: Once she's comfortable inside the house, try taking her to a quiet, enclosed yard and letting her walk around with you there.

Sinéad: The sounds and cars and extra activity can be especially shocking and frightening for inside-only cats, and some cats that are comfortable inside on a leash and harness will panic when they get outside. To avoid this, you'll want to very slowly get Sweetheart used to the sounds of outdoors. If you're outside with her and she gets startled and scared, be ready to provide her with the feeling of safety and security she needs. Be sure to reassure her and bring her back inside, releasing the leash as soon as you're indoors with doors and windows closed, so she go to her favorite hiding place and calm down.

Siouxsie: The patio sounds like fun, too. Mama lets us go out on the deck sometimes, and we really like it! Sometimes we even come back when she calls us.

Sinéad: In our last home, I used to go outside at night and catch bats. Mama was so proud of me, she stroked me and called me a good kitty, and I was so happy . . . but I was pretty confused when I caught it and it wouldn't stop moving, and then Mama took it away from me and threw it outside and closed the window. Oh, the angst! The turmoil! The sorrow!

Siouxsie: Oh, be quiet, you little crybaby!

Sinéad: You're just jealous because the only thing you've ever caught is that silly plaid mousie of yours with the jingly thing on it!

Siouxsie: Are you going to eat the rest of that kibble?

Sinéad: No, no, help yourself.

JaneA: We all hope that helps you to get Sweetheart used to going outside. Remember, though, that some cats, especially if they have nervous or sensitive dispositions to begin with, may never take well to a harness or collar. If Sweetheart is still scared and angry about the harness after several tries, it may be best to leave the issue alone and let Sweetheart enjoy life as an indoor-only (or indoor-and-patio-only) cat. There's some good advice on training cats in a book called The Cat Whisperer: The Secret of How to Talk to Your Cat by Claire Bessant. If you want to get more involved in cat training or cat communication, this might be a good book to start with. Good luck to you both.

Got a question? Need some advice? E-mail Sinéad and Siouxsie at advice@paws-and-effect.com. None of the advice in this column is meant to be a substitute for regular veterinary care.