Strollers are not just for children. While you may laugh at this, taking your pets outside of the home can benefit them in many ways. You know how the sun just makes you feel better, well cats sit in the window in order to feel the rays and get the suns warmth, that’s one of the benefits of the strollers. Cats and their owners can go outside and get fresh air and the sunlight. It’s a great activity for everyone (now the dogs are not the only ones to get to go out).
If you think about it, housecats may never go outside unless it’s a trip to the vet. But a stroller allows for cat owners to safely bring their indoor cats outside without fear of them running away, not liking or using a leash (or knowing how to use one), and they can’t get hurt by another animal either. But you can’t just put some cats in the stroller and expect them to be comfortable. Let’s go through some tips that will help you and your cat enjoy time outside.
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Choose The Right Stroller and Get a Harness and a Leash
Just like people, cats come in different sizes. You’ll have to get a stroller that can accommodate their size and their weight (some people have big cats). When fitting your cat for a stroller the cat (or cats) should be able to turn around inside the stroller. If they don’t have the room to turn around, they will become uncomfortable.
While you aren’t walking them outside you have to consider that they may actually want to use the bathroom outside. Having a harness already on them will make it easier to just hook a leash and let them out. As you are practicing, notice their signals that they want to go to the bathroom and use that outside to let them out, but always ensure that you have the leash on them before you let them out.
Make it Appealing
Your cat is going to have to want to go into the stroller and we have to help them to enjoy it as well. The first step is to bring the stroller into the home and let the cat see it, smell it, look it over. You can easily encourage them to go investigate the stroller by placing treats around it and inside of it. Then they can associate the stroller itself by getting a nice treat.
Treats are Going to Be Helpful
Now that your cat is interested in the stroller, you’ll have to get them inside of it. Before going out, get them in the stroller and then give them a treat. You can practice here closing the lid and walking around the house, but remember that if they stay, they get a treat, have them try it out for a few days and then when they are comfortable enough you can go outside.
Don’t Take Them To The Popular Dog Spots
One thing that is important, especially when starting out is that you don’t want to take them to a place where are there are a lot of dogs around. This might make the cat uncomfortable or scared. This might make future walks impossible. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t go places with dogs at all, just make sure that you gently ease them into new environments.
Enjoy The Walk
Getting your cat to enjoy the stroller can make life better for both of you. As adults, you want to be outside and get exercise but you had to leave your cat because they are part of the family too. Do they enjoy being outside? Yes! They do enjoy being outside and seeing the sights, smelling the fresh air, and seeing other animals. They get enjoyment and stimulation from it as well. Have fun and enjoy spending some much needed time outside with your precious little fur baby.