Walking A Cat: Pros And Cons

If a few years ago we were walking down the road and came across a person walking their cat on a leash, we would have rolled with laughter. But nowadays, more and more cat owners are taking their cats outside for walks, making them wear harnesses/leashes and giving them exposure to the outdoors.

People typically view cats as low maintenance pets that don't require walks. If cats are allowed outside, it's to run and play independently, not have their owners around. However, much to the surprise of cat owners, there are many benefits to walking your cat. On the flip side, there are disadvantages to walking an indoor cat as well. Let's explore both perspectives - the pros and the cons of walking your cat.

Benefits of walking a cat:

1. Mental stimulation: Stimulation is very important for your cat, especially the kind of stimulation she can get from the outside world. The environment outside, with its stimulating sounds, scents, sights and touch would mentally strengthen your cat and help her to become a confident kitty. Cats are very curious by nature and being outdoors would satisfy her urge to explore. In the outdoors, she can run with the wind, feel it blow through her coat, smell the plants and flowers, chase butterflies or watch different birds fly above her in the sky. These experiences enrich and stimulate your cat’s mind.

2. Exercise: Exercise is an extremely important factor in the wellbeing of any animal. Exercising in a naturally stimulating environment is mch more beneficial than exercising in a closed indoor space. For example: if your cat is taken to a park, there are many more things she can see and explore compared to the exercise she can receive inside her house. There may be trees to climb and scratch, space to run and things to jump over. The exercise that she gets from the outdoors will help build her muscle mass, burn fat, and make her body more resilient to disease, diabetes and heart problems. Exercising outdoors is particularly helpful for obese cats and would help them shed those extra pounds positively impacting their health. Overall, outdoor exercise is the key to keep your cat happy as well as healthy as she would be able to do all that she couldn’t do in her home.

3. Socialization: Indoor cats rarely socialize with other cats leading them to  become introverted and shy. On outdoor walks cats have an opportunity to interact with others - humans and animals alike, helping them become more social and confident. This process of socialization helps the cat prepare for unexpected situations and reduces behavioral anxieties.

4. Reduced negative behavior: Cats have a natural and instinctive desire to hunt, chase and indulge in an adventurous life. When cats are kept indoors all the time, these natural desires manifest in the home environment, sometimes in negative ways such as scratching of furniture. However, if these cats are taken outdoors their bodies and minds receive appropriate exercise from outdoor walks, making them more relaxed and peaceful at home. When cats are given enough physical activity, their boredom is eliminated and they are given a medium to channel their energy that could have otherwise caused destructive behaviors around the house. 

While there are any merits to walking your cat, there are also some disadvantages that need to be kept in mind.

Cons of walking a cat:

1. Risk of flea infestation: Flea infestation is a concern for every pet owner. Once a pet has been infested, it becomes very challenging to clear the infestation from the pet and the house. Some pet parents prefer to keep their cat indoors rather than risking a flea infection. The risk of parasitic infestation is one of the main cons of walking a cat outdoors.

2. Toxic plants/pesticides: Another potential danger while walking your cat outdoors is the presence of toxic plants, flowers, mushrooms, or pesticides. If you’re walking your cat outdoors, there is a huge possibility that you aren’t aware of every flora or fauna present there. Even the pesticides sprayed on some unharmful plants can be toxic for cats. If some toxic plant material is consumed, it could make the cat quite unwell.

3. Unpleasant experience for some cats: Not all cats enjoy being outdoors, some get frightened or anxious due to the stressful environment. The loud noises, barking dogs, overwhelming smells, etc could be overwhelming for some cats. Further wearing a leash and a harness can be quite discomforting for some cats. Some cats are likely to adjust to all these discomforts and are happy to explore the outside world, but some cats are more scared and anxious in the outdoors. Being forced to go outdoors could be more stressful to these cats causing them to become withdrawn or skittish and might cause improper personality development. It is important to assess your cat’s comfort for the outdoors and decide accordingly.

4. Risk of confronting aggressive pets: If you are walking your cat in a place with a lot of other pets, especially aggressive dogs then there is a possibility that this will negatively affect your cat. Your cat may get frightened of aggressive dogs who bark and growl a lot, especially large dogs. Fearing the dog’s large size as well as their aggressiveness, your cat may slip her leash and run off on her own. Moreover, if these pet dogs are being walked without a leash, then it is possible they may chase your cat when she runs. This can be awfully stressful and fearful for your cat even more so if she is already a skittish one.

It is evident that there are both pros and cons to walking a cat outdoors. One can hence conclude that there isn’t a single right answer to the question - should you walk your cat outdoors? It is subjective to all the above mentioned considerations. Knowing your cat and your environment, you are best suited to make this decision. We hope you and your cat have a cat-astic walk together (if you decide to do so).