Cat on a lead

[KT84]

Me and my 2 flat mates recently adopted as cat from a local rehoming centre, shes about 5 years old and her previous owners kept her as a indoor cat.  We've had her for just over a month now and when we go out our french doors and sit on the grass she sits and stares out side, also her favourate spot to sit is in front of the french doors, looking outside.

So my flat mates came home the other day with a dog lead, and decided that it would be a good idea to take her outside using the lead (only on the small bit of grass near our french doors).

They attached the lead to her collor and she just kept pulling at it.

So my first question is can using the dog lead harm her?

My second question is, if it is fine to use the dog lead how do we get her used to using it?

sorry for the lenght of the question (this is my first post)

[lindapinda]

Welcome to answerbank KT84,you should get a cat harness,to attach the lead to.This goes over the cat's body,and the lead attaches to the back,rather than the neck,which your cat would probably not feel comfortably with! Make sure you take everything at her pace when you try to take her outside,and always let her see her way back inside where she feels safest!Hope it all goes ok! Patience is the main thing!

[KT84]

I thought a harness was best, but my 2 flat mates insist that attaching it to the collar is fine (but the cat hates it, so we gave up for now)

[honkytonkman]

A cat should NEVER have a lead attached to just her collar!!!!! A harness should always be used, as unlike a dog, the bones in a cat's neck are very fine and delicate, and easily damaged.

My sister's cat used to come to stay if she went on hols etc.. and rather than keeping the cat housebound for 2 weeks or so we tried a cat harness (which is elasticated) and a lead. And he hated every second of it. He used to roll around trying to get the harness off and succeeded mostly.

Some cats like Siamese etc are happy to walk on a harness but from my experience and hearing from others, the average moggie hates it with a passion. I wouldn't waste your time or make the cat go through the ordeal.

[woofgang]

Why are you using a lead? sorry but its not clear whether when you sit outside, the french doors are open or shut? If she is reluctant to go out, leave her be, give her lots of opportunities and if she wants to go out, she will. If you are worried about losing her or that she will get hurt because the garden isn't secure, then maybe you keep her as a housecat?

[cat woman]

If the cat you have adopted has always been a house cat, I suggest you keep that way, unless the cat wants to go out you could always supervise her. If she's not used to a harness she'll never like it on her and you're on a losing battle, using a collar and lead isn't safe as it can do some damage as "honkytonkman has told you. Enjoy her company, give her lots love and care and you we all reap the rewards, as animal ask for so little but give so much in return.   :-) 

[KT84]

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Woolfgang the doors are kept closed because she could get on to a busy road if she dashed out and jumped through the fence.  Tho when i went out the other day the door blew open and she tryed to get out, tho luckly we managed to stop her, but only just.

I think i'll try to explain this all to my flat mates and hopefully they not try her on the lead again.

I posted the question because i thought it was wrong to use the lead, and was worried it would hurt her, so you have all been very helpful. Thanx

[Lindsay3107]

I'd say the same as everyone else bout using a harness, but even so cats should be brought up with these from a kitten. At 5years she is never likely to get used to a harness and be happy wearing it.