How To Leash Train A Cat

Teach your cat to enjoy the outdoors safely with valuable tips on leash training, harness selection, and stress-free outdoor fun. 

Leash training your cat gives him access to the outdoors while keeping him safe. But improper training and poorly fitting gear can make for a negative experience. This article explains how to leash train a cat. It also shows you how to choose the right harness and leash and make the training process stress-free.

“Going outside is great enrichment for cats,” says animal behaviorist Nina Leipold. She often travels with her cat, Flounder, using a leash and harness. “Leash walking means your cat (as well as nature) stays safe. It also means he gets the enrichment he needs to stay mentally and physically stimulated.”

Selecting the right leash and harness for your cat 

Only use products designed for cats, not small dogs. Felines and canines have different body proportions, and a dog harness won’t fit your cat properly. Always opt for high-quality materials.

Harness tips 

You can choose from the following cat harness styles: 

• Vest: The chest piece connects to adjustable straps on one side and buckles on the other.
• Step-in: The two front leg holes and the body of the harness meet at the top of the spine near the shoulders. 
• Jacket: Connects around the neck and torso with hook-and-loop strips. 
• Figure-8: One strap goes around the cat’s neck and another around the chest; form a figure-eight shape when flat.
• H-style: Features two loops, one around the neck and the other around the fullest part of the chest. Looks like the letter H when seen from the top. Not recommended for cats that pull.
• Roman: Includes a loop around the torso, a strap along the bottom, and a strap along the top. 

“Most harnesses have a measuring guide on the packaging,” says Nina. “Measure your cat and remember — they’re squishy. If he’s right on the cusp of a size, go one size down so he can’t slip out. If he’s having a hard time adjusting to a harness, I’d recommend one with a sleek, less bulky design so he doesn’t feel it as much.”

Leash tips

• Leashes can be fixed (with a set length) or retractable, which provides more freedom. 
• Long leashes ranging from 15 to 30 feet allow cats to gain some independence while still under supervision. 
• Avoid heavy dog leashes or those made from chains.

Training your cat 

Start indoors and use positive reinforcement 

Once you’ve chosen a harness that “fits well and isn’t too big,” the next step is to get your cat to “learn to love the harness,” says cat parent Mélanie Joubert. She has successfully leash trained her own feline friend, Charlotte.

Begin training indoors and reward your cat with treats to build a positive association with the harness. Attach a leash to the harness and encourage him to follow you by using treats to lure him. “The worst thing you can do is pull the cat by the leash,” warns Mélanie. 

Venturing outside – stay close to home at first  

Don’t take your cat outside until he has the hang of his leash and harness and is fully comfortable with it. Keep your outings close to home. 

“If your cat is nervous at first, try taking him out on the porch and using treats or his favorite toy to create a positive association with being outside,” says Nina.

“Start by letting your cat explore, and follow him,” Mélanie adds. “Later, lure him to follow you, but stay in a small area near your home. When your cat moves with more confidence, start expanding the area.”

To further help your cat adjust, Nina recommends taking him outside daily, weather permitting. Stay attuned to his body language to keep the experience positive. 

“Look for a straight raised tail, forward-facing ears, prancing or confident walking, and attentiveness to you,” she says. “You want to avoid tail ‘poofing’, crouching, and ears that are back.” 

Nina cautions that if your cat looks scared, is afraid to move, or growls or hisses at anything that moves, he’s feeling stressed. Take him indoors and try again another time.  

Optimize your cat’s leash training results

Keep these important tips in mind:

• Cats typically enjoy warm temperatures and dislike being outside when it’s cold, windy or wet. However, limit outdoor time during summer heat waves.
• When taking your cat outside, be aware of potential predators and avoid heavily trafficked areas. Keep an eye out for broken glass and sharp rocks.
• Never leave your cat outside alone. You should be there to supervise him at all times. 
• Make sure he has access to shade and fresh water on warm days.
• Some cats prefer using a litter box and may feel anxious about relieving themselves outdoors. Keep an eye on your kitty’s body language and take him inside if you think he may need to use the litter box.

Learning how to leash train a cat opens up a whole new world for your feline friend.  You can enrich his life by giving him safe outdoor access, complete with fun, fresh air and exercise.

“Is my cat too old to leash train?”

“Age honestly doesn’t matter,” says Nina. “What matters more is that you start desensitizing your cat to outdoor stimuli as soon as possible. This will ultimately make the outdoors less scary and leash training a lot easier.”

Whether your cat is a kitten or an adult, take it slow and be patient when acclimating him to a harness and leash. If he gets scared, go back a step and start again. 

Not all cats adapt to leash walking 

Sometimes, even skilled trainers with quality gear can’t get a cat to walk on a leash. While many cats love it and can’t get enough of it, others may never accept it. 

“If he just isn’t having it, even after using positive association methods, a screened-in porch or catio are good alternatives,” says Nina. “If you don’t have these, just opening the windows (with screens) allows your cat to experience the sounds and smells of the outdoors from a secure place where he feels safe.”

1. Photo credit: @flounder_meatloaf

Nina allows Flounder to spend time outdoors while wearing a harness and leash.

2. Photo credit: Mélanie Joubert

Charlotte wears a black harness and leash that blends into her coat.

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