#also a harness if the kitty would want to go on walks (and i'd want to get that relatively soon so that i could harness train early)

[morayofsunshine]

putting together a potential pet budget and realizing that adding a family member costs a lot of money

[omegawizardposting]

Hey! Irresponsible person here! Has no animals cause I can't take care of myself. So what would you recommend for cats who want to go outside regularly and things? I don't think they'd be as keen to leashes as dogs (not all of them at least) and I'd imagine cats can find ways out of fenced areas and such easier than dogs. I see a lot of poor cats near my road killed cause they're out so if I can do anything to help it, it'd be good yanno?

You would be surprised how easily cats can take to a harness! I am a huge advocate of harness training (a cat harness is different than a leash, by the by, and is designed specifically for cats), because even adult cats can be taught to enjoy walking on harnesses! They really aren’t as fussy about them as you’d expect!

If harnesses aren’t your deal, though, catios are an option–that is, an enclosed space outside of the house (like a patio) that your cat cannot get out of and other animals cannot get into. Adding one to your home runs a lot more than a harness, though, and walking with your cat not only strengthens your bond, but allows them a wider area to explore.

Additionally, there are cat fences that curve inward and prevent your kitty from leaving your yard. That said, I’m not certain how good they are at deterring other cats and animals from entering your yard, which can be hazardous even if your cat is fully vaccinated. (Fights between cats and other critters often draw blood.)

My advice really is to try harness training, or to simply help your cat adapt to an indoor-only lifestyle. There are toys you can buy to help them satisfy hunting urges, and you can make suspended walkways for them for relatively cheap. Having high places to traverse can really make a cat feel more at home in your home.

Of course, feral cats are a major problem, but there’s some debate over whether or not TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) actually works. We don’t have a fool-proof solution to feral cat colonies just yet. Euthanizing millions of cats simply isn’t an option, but the effects of TNR on feral cat population can vary widely. Also, TNR doesn’t account for the environmental danger cats pose.

If you’re just talking about domesticated cats, harness training is really my favorite option! It’s fun for you and them!