Cat On A Lead

[Theland1]

I have four cats. One is a two year old Ragdoll who has only ever been out in the garden in a run, 1 1/2 m square.
She is trying to get out every time the door opens.
I would like to try her on a lead, and walk her in the garden, but her fur is so thick, I worry about a collar.
Any tips?
Would a harness be kinder?
Will she take to a lead?

[New Judge]

It's no wonder she's trying to get out - that's what cats do.

Why don't you let her out alone and unharnessed?

[Theland1]

Her nature, and that of her breed, is, I understand, to be a bit, "soft," and too trusting. She would not, / might not, run away from strangers like our other three cats who are all very streetwise.
I'm sure that if she roamed, she would be, "catnapped," and would be easy pickings for somebody who wanted to take her. She would not run away.

[New Judge]

If you really must keep her tethered, try a harness (to overcome your concerns about a collar). I don't think they are made for cats, but the smallest dog size (one for a Yorkie or similar) will probably do.

Try running a washing line at ground level down the centre of your garden and attach you cat to it via a loop and a short lead. The lead should be short enough to prevent your cat reaching the side boundary fence. (In practice the lead will have to be quite short as the line will stretch considerably off the centre line).

This should give your cat a good amount of freedom but keep her confined to your garden.

[Theland1]

That's a good idea. Mrs Theland will like that. She loves the cats more than me!

[lankeela]

They do make cat harnesses and they come in different sizes, as dog harnesses are not the same shape and a cat would get out of one. Believe it or not we also sell rabbit, guinea pig and ferret harnesses.
Let the cat wear just the harness indoors at first to get used to the feel of it, before attaching the lead, or else it may panic if you tighten the lead. Then add the lead indoors, before trying to go outside. At first let the cat take you where she wants to go and try to just follow on a loose lead. She will soon get used to it.

[toby99]

I use to take my Siamese cat out on a lead. It was a harness and collar. I did train her from a very young age but it was still difficut. She walked with her stomach on the floor at first, but after a while she started to get use to it and we walked everywhere together and she didn't even realise she was wearing it. After a while, when she was older and wiser, I just let her out on her own.

[Illyria54]

While excersisng a single cat on a long lead and harness is just about acceptable, to lead walk a cat in a family of cats who are let out to roam as cats should, in my book is really cruel, cats even 'soft natured' ones are by their very nature roamers/hunters and for this cat to have to watch while the other 3 run around free is like putting a Lion in a cage in the middle of the Serengeti.

[Theland1]

Illyria54 - Yes, I feel puzzled as to what to do for the best. She really is a big softee, and I'm sure that if she roamed somebody would easily pick her up and may take her away.
I bought a collar, lead, and washing line yesterday, threaded the line through the lead and let her run about the garden. The other three cats were all about her, as they are like the mafia, very close and protective.
Ragdoll loved it, and the only problem was her finding the end of her tether, which caused her some alarm, but I will try her again later.
Thank you all for your comments.
I'll post an update on progress.

[wolf63]

Can't you just sit tham all down and explain that if they go our together they must protect your Ragdoll. They must hunt and prowl as a pack.

There is no easy answer. I wish you luck whatever you decide to do.

[Theland1]

wolf63 - Strange you saying that. When Ragdoll is out, the others all come out as well and act in a very very protective way towards her. Honestly, I'm not making that up.

[blanx]

Up until she died I used to take my cat camping, as we raced and camped in open fields. She loved it and I used to put her on a cat harness on one of those extendable dog leads so she could wander around. She had a natural caution as it was a strange environment, so didn't want to go too far. Obviously you need to be around to ensure they don't get tangled around things, especially lead around neck scenarios. My other cat would not have have tolerated this at all. Not even the travelling and change of scene, but she was very laid back and seemed to be secure as long as I was with her. After a while when she is used to the harness you may find she wouldn't wander far in your garden even without it. Good luck.