Kitten adventure!

The kittens had an adventure. We put the kitten-sized harness on them and hooked up a leash, then took them for a walk around our living room. Since they'd been trying to escape down there anyway we thought we'd let them explore in a more controlled manner.

There was much fun and the kittens took to the harness fairly well. With kittens we do have to keep the leash behind their head or they think it's a string to attack! Jacob was a bit unsure of the entire thing, but the harness is a little small for him--he's a lanky cat which not all harnesses take into account.

We didn't take them outside for multiple reasons. We didn't carefully fit the harness to each cat so were not confident they couldn't get out of it. We (and CCHS) firmly believe cats are indoor pets and should not be roaming around outside unsupervised. Since we don't know if their new homes will want to take the cat out on a leash, we don't introduce them to the outdoors other than through a window.

If you do want your cat outside at times, it IS possible to train most cats to a leash. Then they can go outside safely and without bothering the rest of the neighborhood. Most of the dangers to a cat outside are eliminated when you are around--you aren't going to let them eat a dead bird or run in front of that car. They also won't eat the songbirds your neighbor has worked hard to attract to their yard. A friend also just moved into a house where there was a large cage in the back with climbing trees and sunning space for their cats, and a cat-door from inside to get to it. I've never seen one before, but the cats probably loved it!

Anyway, look, kitten on a leash!