How to (responsibly) let your cat outside

Last April, the Washington Post published an article titled, "How to (responsibly) let your cat outside" -- as you can imagine the comments section was in an uproar and very anti-cat. Few people read past the headline. The article itself was actually very balanced and discussed leash-training your cat (as I have easily done) and featured an image from iStock.

The article's author, Colleen Grablick, writes about her cat’s experience and shares research on outside cats. She discusses:

- Letting your cat choose what it wants. All cats have unique personalities and needs, just as we humans do. Your cat should indicate its interest (or not) in outdoor exploration at its own pace,

- Go gradually. Take your time and be patient. Do as much or as little as your cat wants. Don't rush it or push your own agenda on the cat.

- Take precautions such as surpervising them at all times, checking for fleas and ticks, providing water and shade on hot days, etc.

Grablick also talks about the catio, sunroom-like spaces, or other outdoor enclosures to give the cat a safe taste of outdoors. 

Fern and the Redbuds

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A post shared by Maple & Fern 🐱 (@maplexfern)

Fern is a 3-year-old rescue cat adopted from the Prince Edward Island Humane Society in Canada, whose owners are veterinarians. Fern in leash-trained and, I believe, is a Maine Coon.

We share an Instagram video post of her sister, Maple, a few weeks back. You can see it here. 

See more videos and photos featuring Maple and Fern at https://www.instagram.com/maplexfern/

Sweet Scents

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A post shared by Maple & Fern 🐱 (@maplexfern)

I was thrilled to see this video on Instagram of this gorgeous kitty named Maple as she explored her home garden and sniffed some white Rhododendron blossoms.

Maple is a 3-year-old rescue cat adopted from the Prince Edward Island Humane Society in Canada, whose owners are veterinarians.

They obviously take great care of their pets and have them leash-trained.

I'll share another video next week featuring her sister, Fern. I believe they are both Maine Coons. 

See more videos and photos featuring Maple at https://www.instagram.com/maplexfern/

She's Got Moxie!

Myrthe Doedens shared these photos and said, "I run the Instagram account Growing on Hamilton (@growingonhamilton), which documents my attempt to turn a mostly concrete back "yard" into a green oasis in Washington, DC. While this is my first season gardening, I have long been a cat lover and knew I wanted to add a kitten back into my life. Enter: Moxie! 

   She is a rescue and her litter was found outside on a farm in Maryland. I adopted her at 11 weeks old and, because she was so small, could not bring her outside until recently. In the city, we have very eager vultures and sometimes foxes who I worried would be all too interested in her if she were lounging outside in the sun. Now, at 15 weeks old, she's big enough to fit in a harness and is starting to explore! 

   So far, she loves chasing bumble bees and flies under the apple tree and is eyeing up my lower raised bed as a playground...we'll be installing some fencing soon. She also loves her big brother Melee, a 3 year old Doberman, who joins me in the garden often to enjoy a lazy afternoon snooze.

The Backyard Jungle

Eddie Chang, Vice President of the Silver Spring Garden Club, in Silver Spring, MD, shared this photo of Stretch. Eddie wrote, "He belongs to my daughter (and grandson Sebastian) and is a rescue cat. He is actually quite large and strong (the colocasia makes him look small) and a fierce hunter of small rodents, even on a leash. He is quite idiosyncratic in behavior and not like a tame-from-birth type of cat. For some reason, he likes to attack feet when they hover over him..."

Cats on Leashes

This article in Woman's World magazine asks, "Is it okay to take your cat out for a walk?" 

Well, if you have been following this blog or any of my social media, you know that I have one leash-trained kitty. His name is Santino and he loves his walkies. Below is a TikTok video of a typical excursion we take around the corner. He is pictured above lounging on a neighbor's retaining wall -- enjoying the warmth of the sun on a brisk autumn afternoon.

I am often stopped by others to take his photo or to talk about how I trained him. I cannot claim the credit. He basically trained himself. Your cat is either okay with a halter and leash or he is not. You can try to start them young and get them used to it, but even then, a cat's temperament will determine how successful you are. Santino's brother, Versace, will not even tolerate the halter being placed near him -- much less over his head and he is content to stay inside and watch the garden from inside.

Walking a cat is not like doing so with a dog. I am not waiting for Santino to "use the bathroom." Instead, we are taking a leisurely stroll to explore a bit of his surroundings. It is a much slower pace and there are frequent stops to look under shrubs and tease squirrels. I also have to keep an eagle eye out for dogs that may be coming our way. While some dogs are cool about it, many are not -- so I usually end the walk as soon  as I spot a canine and carry Santino quickly back home. Santino also dislikes big trucks and buses barreling by, so I try to pick times of day when construction and rush-hour traffic is at a minimum.

Is your cat leash-trained? If so, share your tips and tricks in the comments section below.

@wdcgardener

Santino is leash trained. ##minivlog ##littlethings ##cat ##catleash

♬ original sound - Kathy Jentz

The Cat Says Moo

Claudia Hosky shared this photo of  "Moo in our Washington, DC, garden. She’s a 6 year old rescue from the Washington Animal Rescue League."