Walking with your cat outside can be an exciting and cool experience. But you should bear in mind that teaching your kitty to do so might take some time.
Before starting to train the Bengal to walk on the leash, you should get a harness of the right size and introduce the item to the cat. When the kitty becomes familiar with the harness, put it on the pet for a minute and gradually increase the time.
How to Start to Train a Bengal Cat to Walk on a Leash?
Training a Bengal to walk on a leash would require quite some time and patience, but it’s going to be worth the effort in the end.
There are a few things that you would have to consider before starting to teach your kitty to walk outside:
- Getting an appropriate leash and harness
- Knowing that cats would never be able to walk on a leash like dogs – in fact, you might have to follow your kitty around during a walk
- Keeping in mind that before putting the harness on, you would have to allow the cat to get used to the look of it
What Age Should I Train My Cat to Walk on a Leash?
The good news is that leash training can be done at any age. However, it would be a lot easier to train a kitten to walk on a leash.
While cats are still small, they are more outgoing and naturally accepting of new things. If you are able to start the training when the kitten is around 8 weeks of age, that would be amazing.
Read: What Are the Difficulties of Raising a Bengal Cat?
Is It Too Late to Harness Train My Cat?
The truth is that it’s never too late to try, as long as you don’t force the cat and have enough patience.
How Long Does It Take to Harness Train a Cat?
How long it’s going to take your kitty to learn how to walk on a leash is going to depend on its personality. Even though Bengals are trainable and extremely smart, you might have to spend a couple of months training the little guy to walk on a leash.
If you’re lucky, it might take you only a few days, but don’t set your expectations too high. Consistency and patience are the keys to success.
Read: 3 Ways How To Exercise Your Bengal Cat
How Do You Introduce a Leash to a Cat?
- Start by leaving the harness and the leash in a familiar place (this can be right next to the kitty’s food)
- Allow the cat to sniff the harness and give the Bengal treats after it does that
- Make sure to introduce the cat to the sound that the harness makes – undo the item a few times in front of the kitty or simply get a harness that is relatively silent
Is Leash Training Bad for Cats?
Proper leash training is great for your cat. It is one of the ways of stimulating the little guy mentally and physically.
However, if you don’t have the patience required and you’re forcing the Bengal to do something that it doesn’t want to do, leash training can turn into torture and even lead to anxiety in the poor cat.
Are Cat Harnesses Cruel?
If misused or not properly fitted, a harness can hurt the kitty. Some cats might feel too restrained when wearing a harness and that can cause stress.
But if you know how to use the harness and your kitty likes the whole experience, then this item will actually make your whole outdoor experience a lot safer.
Read: What Is the Average Size of a Bengal Cat?
Is a Harness Better Than a Collar?
A harness and leash combination is a lot better than a collar and a leash as the latter might be too harsh on the kitty’s neck – cats have soft throats and they can easily choke if walked with a collar.
Moreover, harnesses are more comfortable and safe. Some come with a few protection layers which means that even if a part of the harness comes undone, you’ll still have nothing to worry about.
Can You Walk a Bengal Cat on a Leash?
Bengals are among the cat breeds that are perfect for leash training. They are adventurous, curious, active cats that are going to love exploring the outdoors, and the leash will simply make it a lot safer for them.
Can I Take My Indoor Cat Outside on a Leash?
You can train practically any cat to walk outside on a leash, no matter the breed.
The kitties that are going to especially benefit from such walks include those that:
- Are showing signs of boredom
- Are extremely adventurous and outgoing
- Are living in a small apartment where there is not much to explore
Read: Is It Cruel to Keep a Bengal Cat Indoors?
Why Does My Cat Fall Over When I Put a Harness on Him?
According to one of the versions, a harness applies pressure to the exact same spot on the neck where the kitty’s mother used to grab it to carry around. This ‘trigger’ can make the cat passive (as this assists the mother in transporting the little guy).
If that’s the reason, then the Bengal should simply get used to the leash. In the majority of cases, the cat will get up in a few minutes and it won’t be acting as dramatic next time.
Kitties can also fall over, in case they simply don’t want to be walked on a leash or if they are too lazy to do that.
What Is the Best Harness for a Bengal Cat?
Durable harnesses made out of high-quality materials don’t have to be expensive and, thankfully, there are quite a few options for you to choose from.
How Do You Buy a Harness for a Cat?
Perhaps, the most important feature of a cat harness is the measurements. There are different types of harnesses; for some, you would have to measure only the chest, for others – the chest and neck.
| Chest | Typical Harness Size |
| 10-14 inches | XS |
| 14-16 | S |
| 16-18 | M |
| 18-20 | L |
How Trainable Are Bengal Cats?
There is no cat breed that is as trainable as a dog, but Bengals are more capable in this sense than the majority of cat breeds.
Is It Weird to Walk Your Cat on a Leash?
Walking cats on a leash is not considered to be ‘normal’; that’s why some people might think that it looks weird. But it’s a great way to keep your pet entertained and safe, so the choice is yours.
You should bear in mind, however, that some experts do not recommend walking your cat outside as such an activity exposes the kitty to plenty of unfamiliar scents and noises that it might find to be threatening.
How Do You Tire a Bengal Cat?
Walks are a great way to tire your Bengal cat. You can also use interactive toys, cat wheels, and cat trees.
A companion would be able to provide the Bengal with enough exercise as long as they don’t play rough or act aggressively.
Read: Do Bengal Cats Need Special Care?
How Do I Get My Cat to Follow Me Outside?
You can’t really get a cat to follow you. In fact, even a kitty that is on the leash will, most likely, make you follow it (not the other way round).