Recommendations on kitten leash and halter

[JudyJB]

Does anyone have any suggestions for an escape-proof halter and leash for a kitten as a Christmas gift? Right now, she is very tiny, only 10 weeks old, but will be 14 weeks by the time I get there for the holidays. My son plans to keep her as an indoor cat, but they are going to be traveling a lot to their condo near Sandusky, on a canal that empties into Lake Erie. I thought a lightweight leash and harness of some sort might be handy if they want to take her out on the patio or for walks.

My thinking is as lightweight as possible and adjustable. The first one is just straps, so very lightweight and with a stretchy leash. One thing that bothered me is that many of the ones shown by Amazon were for puppies or cats, and I somehow think cats are built differently than puppies and are also a lot lighter, right?? Taller and thinner, even as kittens?? Don't need as heavy a leash??

I found these on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Kitty-Ha ... 80&sr=1-30

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0779RSMF3/re ... UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Yizhi-Miaow-Harn ... 180&sr=1-6

[MandysMom]

Judy, I use Savannah cat walking jackets, formytwo Savannah cats, but the lady who made them may not be doing so 15 years later. However, on the Savannah cat chat, there is a whole page of advice on the topic. Savannah cats are notorious at getting out of collars and harnesses and these people have figured out what actually is escape proof. Might want to read their suggestions.
https://www.savannahcatchat.com/threads ... kets.6210/

Velda

[BirdbyBird]

Velda, that link is great and full of good recommendations. What I do remember from years ago when I first started RVing and once actually took my cat with me. Most cats are escape artists and can torque their body into and out of many things. The jackets make more sense to me as I have watch mine slither quickly out of simple straps.

Judy, maybe you need to add a cat to your traveling household.....

Picture from last winter at one of my sight seeing stops....Lark was fascinated. I think they were both Main Coon Cats.

[BarbaraRose]

Here are a couple of my recommendations. I have tried many harnesses over the years so I pretty much know what works and what doesn't. The first one you listed is a PITA to put on! I had one once and it also doesn't stay adjusted very well.

The second two cover way too much of the cat. They don't like stuff on them anyways and they can get hot and uncomfortable with too much material on them. Not necessary.

Here are two I recommend that are easy to put on, stay in place and will be more comfortable and escapeproof for the cat:

https://www.amazon.com/PUPTECK-Escape-H ... s9dHJ1ZQ==

https://www.amazon.com/Harness-Walking- ... es&sr=1-20

Being a kitten, he will grow fast over the next year, so keep that in mind for sizing. I also don't recommend the flexible leash. It is harder to control the cat. Just get a regular leash.

[JudyJB]

Thanks, everyone! I ordered the first one Barbie listed because it looks more adjustable for a kitten and is a step up from a collar, which she does wear now.

I have been thinking of getting a kitten, but the problems of leaving one alone in my motorhome while i visit a museum or something bothers me. I don't have a car, so I can't leave a pet in a campground with electric and AC turned on in hot weather. Also, I would have to board a cat while i flew places, so it just isn't practical right now, but someday, I will definitely look into a kitten. This one came from a rescue and was found wandering in a town by herself at 8 weeks. Don't know if she was abandoned or ran away, but she was healthy looking, so may have been cared for by her mother or someone. No one came to get her, however, so she was put up for adoption. My son said she was only there for a week and was very anxious to get out of her cage. She was definitely friendly and liked being petted. So far, she has adapted to their big house, though it took her a while to be comfortable other than in their bedroom and the next-door office. Still not quite comfortable with the dog, however, so both are locked up when they leave the house.

I bought the dog a toy and a jacket sort of thing for jogging. (It is warmer than a sweater.) She is a Brittany and runs almost every day with my son--3-5 miles. Apparently, she loves it because she whines and jumps around when she sees him in his jogging clothes. Very good dog with kids and a good size for a family pet--not too small and not too big. Interested in kitten, but kitten not so sure of dog's intentions.

[JudyJB]

I did buy some books on cats for my grandkids. However, cannot resist this photo my son sent. Kitten has stopped hissing at dog and decided they are best friends. Dog is not quite so sure, although she has discovered the joys of cat food, so son is trying to find a place to leave cat food where dog cannot get it.

[Cudedog]

Cute photo, Judy! Thanks for sharing.

Many (although not all!) dogs are very amenable to cats, when properly introduced.

I had an American Pit Bull Terrier a great many years ago now (one of the great love's of my life) from the time she was 5 weeks old until she passed from me at age 11 (I grieve for her still). I had cats at the time I brought her home, and she always got on well with cats, although I always had a tall fence around my "dog yard" so that my dogs could not roam.

One time my mother was visiting my rural foothills home, when I heard her gasp. She immediately rushed over to me and put her arm around me, and said that she was very sorry to tell me, but it looked like my dog had just killed my cat.

I was shocked - by this time, my dog and cat had been friends for years. I immediately rushed to the window to look out - but what I saw outside was pretty usual and totally normal. My dog was awake and alert - and my cat was curled up, asleep, tight against my dogs side. What my mother didn't realize - and that I, of course, knew - was that my cat had to climb the fence in order to be with my dog (which she often did).

When I explained the situation, my mother could hardly believe her eyes. But it was true.

After a bit, my cat woke up and climbed the fence back out of the yard. My dog watched her, whining a bit, sorry to see her go.

Anne

[JudyJB]

I think they will get to be friends, and they both sleep on my son and daughter-in-law's bed, but right now, the dog is a little unsure what this very small thing is. They got the dog when she was about 10 weeks old, but she was raised by a breeder and trainer who had no cats, so this is her first experience with cats.

She has gone from a worrisome licking her lips when watching the cat, so a much more relaxed watching the cat every moment she can. I think she would like to play, but the kitten is still very small so they don't let her nudge or push the cat yet. (I think she is going to be a small cat.)

[snowball]

it used to be a common believe that cats and dogs do not mix EVER that has changed a lot.... see so many cats and dogs mixing being part of a family and enjoying each other... a nice thing to see
sheila

[JudyJB]

Many years ago, way back when I was married to someone and my kids were young, we had a Schnauzer. We took a trip for two weeks and my very generous aunt offered to watch our dog for us during that time. Except she had a large, very grumpy cat, who had been found as a kitten in a cardboard box in the old outhouse in the woods at our cottage. The mother had been hit by a car on the highway and left three kittens. Two went to a neighbor and my aunt took the other one. All three were pretty young, maybe three weeks and very, very feral.

So, while the dog was at my aunt's house, the cat took up a spot in the hallway that prevented our dog from going past her. When the dog tried, cat would hiss and whack at dog with claws out. She meant business. Dog would watch from the living room but never did get up the nerve to take on this cat, who was almost her size anyway.

I know cats and dogs can get along, but this one had no intention of doing so. I think things will be better with my son's cat, however, as she is very young, and the dog is only two years old also.

[BarbaraRose]

It does make a difference if different species are introduced at a young age. They are much more accepting at that time especially if they don't have any negative experiences.

[BirdbyBird]

And there are individual differences within some dogs. The "prey" drive for some is mush stronger than for others.......

[JudyJB]

Daisy is a Brittany, and they are definitely hunting dogs and very active. We were a bit worried when she would lick her lips when watching the kitten. Made sure we supervised so kitten did not run and act like prey!!