possible to leash walk,” she says. Her tips include: Don’t prog- ress too quickly, keep walks fun and use a harness, not the collar. Warfle’s own cat, Earl, hikes about two miles before tiring. A backpack-like pet carrier lets a feline take a break. Adapt the walk’s length or location to a pet’s age and
physical limitations, such as arthritis. “Jabez always loved to walk on Ventura’s wet sandy beaches,” says Californian Kac Young, a naturopath with a Ph.D. in natural health. “His second choice was a trip to Home Depot to ride in the cart.” Now 18, Jabez doesn’t travel as often. Routinely check kitty’s neck, tail, stomach and inner
thighs to pick off fleas and ticks after an outing before they become a bigger problem. (For an infestation of fleas, comb the cat with natural dishwashing detergent and water to drown them and rinse kitty afterward.) Pet-grade diatoma- ceous earth is safe to rub into her fur and bedding. Consider yard plants like mint, lemongrass, sage and
lavender to repel bugs. Multiple studies suggest catnip, which kitty can roll in, may be an even more effective mosquito re- pellant than the toxic DEET (mosquitoes spread heartworm). Cat companions agree that when kitty explores a blade
of grass or pounces on a blowing leaf, it presents a delightful opportunity to be in the moment. A change of pace benefits those on both ends of the leash.
Connect with Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@
mindspring.com.
Cat Walk Savvy by Darlene Arden
n Cats need to get used to an idea before embracing it. Proceed slowly.
n A collar is for ID tags, not walking—a cat can wiggle out of a collar. A harness, properly fitted at the pet supply store, is best. Designate a comfortable, padded, wider harness solely for walking, not to restrain the cat in the car (a crate is safer).
n Let a cat see and smell the harness before putting it on. Small treats help. Don’t let the cat bat it like a toy. Put the harness on for short spans each day until he’s used to it—cats tend to fall over, “paralyzed”, when it’s first introduced.
n After the harness has been worn comfortably, add the leash and let him drag it around in an enclosed outdoor space. Never use a flexi-lead/retractable leash. A six-foot bungee (stretchy) or woven leash allows space to explore without getting tangled in a bush or beyond reach.
n Leash walk around the house without pulling, yanking or dragging—just do some pet-paced walking.
n Don’t force the next step, because the outdoors can be a big, scary place; most cats need to observe first before exploring.
n Use lots of praise and treats. Darlene Arden is a certified animal behavior consultant from Boston and author of The Complete Cat’s Meow and Beautiful Cats.
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