Walkies!

[butterfly32b]

no problem

Maria's very helpful as well, feel free to email her for help. I had to measure Nero and the adult female as well so jacket would accommodate him when he was fully grown.  They are very good quality and more secure as you said.  At first, Nero did his walking around like he was drunk and that's pretty normal as their way of saying, 'what the heck have you put on me!' then as soon as I said 'walkies' and put his lead on, it was as if by magic, he's lost the drunkenness.  Now when he sees me get the jacket, he sits there until I put it on, pretty easy having got the hang of the velcro and he looks the bizz, Nero the Hero in combat!  I might get him another one in  different style. 

If you do get one, send us a pic and lat us know how Maizie gets on with it.  PAH do a wide range of retractable leads, I got a small dog one..

Take care and enjoy the rest of the BH from Nero

[princessmaizie]

OMG these are fab!!  I'm going to order one now.............they look so much more secure than the harness and with a retractable lead she could have more freedom!  And hopefully over time will grow braver!!  Yay thanks so much for the link!   

[butterfly32b]

Yes I'll let you know,

This is where I got Nero's jacket from, the quality is impressive and made to measure, I started him off with one from PAH when he was small, the jacket keeps him comfortable and safe now and he's got used to it.

http://www.mynwoodcatjackets.moonfruit.com/

Poor Maizie to have gone through the trauma of being bullied by B&W cat, sad when people give disapproving looks, shows lack on their part for the indifference.  If Maizie has taken to the lead and loves the walks with you, that's the main thing.. as you said, is more common than people make out 

[princessmaizie]

I'm sure it's more commen than people make out!  I bought our harness from PAH so hardly a specialist shop!!  Maizie seems to enjoy her walks so thats all that matters to me, I just smile and wave when people stare at us now!  Ironically, the reason Maizie is terrified alone is because she was attacked by a big black and white cat who lives up the road from us and the owner of that cat is one of the main 'look at the crazy cat lady' brigade!  Please let me know how you get on with walkies further afield! 

[butterfly32b]

not sure what you meant by your comment Mark, regardless, is more a risk for boy to free roam unlike our girl who is not as adventurous and laid back. This post is about walking cat/kitten

[Mark]

I have to explain since he's a boy, more prone to wander

I don't think it makes any difference if cats are neutered. In fact, all the boy cats I have known have been much more laid back and less neurotic than females. No comment 

[butterfly32b]

yes people cant get their head around a cat going out for walkies and I have to explain since he's a boy, more prone to wander off and is good for him to have fresh air, 'crazy cat woman', at least living up to my reputation, not one for following the herd.  I'm not going to get disheartened and stop, having come this far with the boy, thanks for your support

[princessmaizie]

Hi, Maizie is fine on the harness in our area as long as I go at her pace and let her stop for a while when something scares her!! I don't think I'd let her off the harness when we're away from our immediate area in case she panics and bolts ~ but she is very nervy!!  The only thing that annoys me is having to explain to everyone we meet why I'm walking a cat and try and stop them touching her as it frightens her!! I'm sure your little guy would love a walk in the countryside as long as it's not to busy! Let me know how you get on and maybe maizie and I could be more adventurous! Just be prepared for the "you are a crazy cat lady" looks from everone!! 

[butterfly32b]

I have a 9 month old male neutered birman and got him accustomed to a basic harness when he was young, then over the past 3-4 weeks, I take him out daily and have since purchased a harness jacket and retractable dog lead.  He seems to have taken to it extremely well and knows the word 'walkies'. 

I'd like to take him out further afield to the beach, countryside, since he's only been around the courtyard we live in, any tips?

Thanks

[princessmaizie]

Hi, I take my cat out for walks occasionally as she's terrified to go out alone! What do you need to know??

[butterfly32b]

Hi, would like to hear from anyone who walks their cat/kitten