Why does my cat hate walking on leashes?

I tried putting my cat on a leash today, just to see if she would like it, and it was a horrible idea. Before I could even walk her on it, she started rolling around on the floor, trying to get the leash off of her. She hated it.

Some people say that since dogs descended from wolves (dogs and wolves are two different subspecies of Canis Lupis and can even interbreed and produce fertile offspring-dogs are technically just a tame domestic wolf subspecies), they have a pack mentality and are willing to obey humans, which is why they can be walked on leashes. For example, my cousin has a dog who is a cross between a cocker spaniel and a golden retreiver. He's very obedient and even understands human language commands. Cats arent like that (descended from wildcats, not a pack animal.)

However, I dont see what obedience to humans has anything to do with this. When I tried the leash on my cat, I wasnt even taking her for a walk. I wasnt telling her where to walk. I wasnt trying to make her obey where I wanted to walk, which is what people who walk dogs do. The simple fact that the leash was put on her made her very upset.

Why is that?

 

your cat is a cat. what were you expecting?

 

Cats see people as if we are other cats. Dogs see us as other dogs. They behave appropriately.

I have known a few people who had to put down dogs who felt dominant over their owners. Dog behavior is very dependent on social positioning, just try to take the food away from a friends dominant natured dog and see what happens. (NO! DON'T!)

Social hierarchy in cats is much less understood. Chances are they see us less as alphas and betas and more as parental models (cat parents eventually kick the kids to the curb). Cat ownership is essentially prolonging their adolescent dependent stage for their entire life.

Do you think you could leash your own teenager?

 

Ive seen youtube videos of people walking cats, and the cats didnt seem to mind it.

 

search "cat leash fail".

 

You have to get them used to it. Put in on for a few seconds a couple times a day for a few days and then a few minutes and eventually they will get used to it. I couldn't get my cat to sit still when trimming her claws and the lady at the pet store told me that I had to play with her paws for awhile and eventually she would get used to it. Also, apparently pulling on the back of their neck releases endorphines which makes sense since that is how kittens re carried around. Maybe doing that while the leash is on will calm her down.

 

You've seen YouTube videos, that's why people video stuff like that and put it on YouTube, because it doesn't happen very often.

 

That sounds like it's going to end so, so badly. I can just imagine him being like "nice kitty" one second, then needing eye surgery the next.

 

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/teaching-your-cat-walk-leash

There's also at least one youtube video describing how to walk your cat on a leash.

 

Cats are clean, independent, determined, somewhat aloof, and unless tortured, cannot be trained to do the stupid, silly, fawning little tricks which slobbering dogs will do in hopes of a handout.

In the most simplistic term: Cats are Republicans and dogs are Democrats.

 

Cats can be trained to use a leash, but you have to train them young.

 

cats can be on leashes with no problems...just needs training and patience

 

Have you asked her yet?

 

My cat is a year old. Do you think shes too old to be trained on a leash?

 

How your cat reacted is how a dog or puppy who has never been on the leash reacts. They freak out, roll and can panic frankly. You let them get used to it. Is your cat an indoor cat? If so--she would probably do fine on a leash.

 

`​Indoctrination...

 

You might want to try this:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/teaching-your-cat-walk-leash

 

[video=youtube;4Gdj4Gn2U3c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gdj4Gn2U3c[/video]

 

Dogs have to be trained to walk on leash, its not much different with cats...I knew a guy who trained his cat to walk and heal without a leash and with his dog...

 

I've seen a neighbor who managed to have his cat follow behind himself and his wife
and their baby carriage.I've never seen a cat so dedicated in following behind.
Cats are more independent minded than dogs.However dogs differ greatly
by breed.Having owned 2 huskies I can affirm that they can be really difficult to
teach.They say Huskies don't like being taught tricks,as say a Labrador.
Cats are also more attune to time of day.Growing up I had a neighbor buddy who
had a cat that they let out most days.The cat came back home like clockwork at a
little last 4pm every time.They say both cats & dogs are great for signaling trouble.
They can detect an earthquake a week before it hits.Something about electrical
impluses that the ground gives off.
Studies have been done to confirm this.Reports of missing pets in the newspaper
skyrocket days before earthquake hit.
Dogs come when called and Cats sometimes do,depending on their mood.
Cats need to be feed about every 4-5 hours where an adult dog can easily
be fed just once a day.And yes,Dogs and cats do get along.It's more they can
learn to tolerate each other.
Unlike The Democrats and Republicans.
Must be something in their feed.Democrats eat canned pet food and Republicans
dry pet food.

 

Cats are very independent animals and they certainly have a mind of their own..... they don't tolerate being held captive in any way, which is what a leash does to them. An ID collar around their neck is all they'll tolerate.....that's it.

There's a saying that's true .... "Call a dog and it'll come to you. Call a cat and it'll take a message".

 

Why dont dogs mind being held captive?

 

LOL ~ My cats allowed me to pet them longer than that, but of course it had to go according to their schedule.......

My last cat was a 20# black Manx named Moxy and yes, he was full of it. If he got pist off at me, he'd wait until I went to sleep, then in the middle of the night, he'd lay on my face, trying to smother me.....

Cats are very intelligent, cunning and diabolical animals.........

I still miss that crazy cat.... he gave me 14 yrs of laughter and annoyance,,,,,

 

Sam, dogs are dogs and cats are cats - 2 very different 4-leged species w/very different characteristics. Both are very special in their own way as pets, but no where near alike in nature.....

Cats are nocturnal animals, dogs are not. Dogs can be trained as cadavers, search and rescue, medical and guide dogs, drug sniffing, police dogs, etc etc... cats can not be.....

Cats are just special in their own way. They are also very fickle. They will love you to pieces (as long as they get their own way) but they'll also show affection to the neighbors as long as they feed them.

You can put a leash on a dog and train him to obey, take a walk w/you or whatever, but cats? Forget it.... they're not going to put up w/that.

And if your cat loves you enuf, while he's out scrounging around the neighborhood, he might bring you back a gift - a snake, a bloody bird. Moxy did that for me quite a few times. But then that night he'd try to smother me if I made him mad........ enjoy your cat.