Cat on a Leash: Animal Cruelty?

I once saw a resident around my estate walking his pet cat on a leash. I couldn't help laughing, 'cos it looked quite unusual to me. I am only used to seeing dogs on leash, not cats. And cats are rather small compared to dogs, so you can imagine the sight of a grown man walking a little cat on a leash. But I guess in this case, the guy was afraid his cat might run around freely and get lost, and don't know how to get home if it is not leashed.

coyotes. 3 of mine are leash trained for that very reason-i can keep them close in case one comes by. my russian blue actually gets excited if you jingle his leash to go out-he likes it.

It is not cruel at all. I have a leash for 1 of my cats because he wants to go outside. I want to let him out but I dont want him to get lost or hit by a car. I live off of the main street in my town and I have seen too many cats get run over because they were not restrained in any way. I do not have a leash for my other cat because she is totally afraid of the outside and is perfectly happy to view from the window. Ever since I put my cat on a leash I have actually gotten people telling me that it is a great idea and that it is a great way to allow them to go outside and yet be safe at the same time. My cats get treated like they were my kids and I keep a close eye on my kids. My cats are more than just pets they are part of the family and I am going to do everything I can do to keep them safe. Even if it means putting a leash on them and I dont care what any one says about it.

Cats are one of the most independent land creatures among. Putting a leash on them. as what someone has stated here seems to be absurd since its not a common practice but one that is not impossible as well. Being that cats are docile animals even at the presence of strangers, since i believe it chooses not to give provocative gestures, having a leash on them is not necessary as it is not logical in a sense. Cats are very territorial & attached to a specific geolocation, which just means it always returns where food is available to them. Thus providing some form of food on them in a day, would assure that it will stay. For whatever reason, putting a leash on them, would just befall for selfish purpose & one that might not be healthy for the well being of a cat.

Well putting a leash on a cat inside seems kind of pointless, but I don't think a cat should EVER be let outside without a harness and leash on. It's way to dangerous for cats to roam around outside all alone. Outdoor cats are much more likely to catch diseases or be killed on something. So, I don't think indoor cats should ever be let out the door to run around, because it may be the last time you ever see it.

I didn't even know that you could put a cat on a leash! My cats would freak out. Years ago, I tried a simple flea collar on my youngest cat to get rid of her fleas and she pulled the collar over her head in the middle of the night and it got caught in her mouth. She could't open or close her mouth and was in desperate need. I wish I could have been there for her. I woke up and found her in a pretty bad state. I've never forgiven myself for her distress. Though she's fine now, I would never think to put anything else around her neck. Cats don't like to be bound up or confined. They're free spirits. I'm a cat mama and proud of it!

I have never put my cat a leash. I didn't know at first because I had a dog before and everytime she sees her leash she was so excited because she knows we will go outside for a walk. very different with my cat. I wanted to take her out like to walk her but when I put her on leash, she is fighting with it. I decided not to put her that, because I don;t think she likes it. She's independent.

Cat on a leash? NEVER! Absurd! This is not a dog. The dog needs a leash because he can be more dangerous for the people arround / if it`s a danger breed/. But cat? Why they do it for God`s sake!? This is cruelty. Poor cat.

It's only cruel if you then expect the cat to walk with you like a dog would and try to drag it along. Other than that, it isn't any different than putting a coller on a cat or dog, it just takes time for them to get used to it. People just think it is wierd because not many people do it, they would just rather let the cats run free and be at risk for fighting, cars and getting lost I guess (gee, that's not cruel, I guess). When my cat was younger I had a harness and leash for him to go outside. I lived in a busy area and also moved seveal times, so I knew he would get lost or hurt if I just let him out on his own. I let him wear the harness around the house for a few days to get used to it before I put the leash on and took him out, so he would be used to the feeling of it. And when we were out, I would just let him go and sniff around where he wanted, the leash was just to keep him from getting into something dangerous or running off; I wasn't trying to take a walk with him. I also use the harness and leash sometimes when I take him to the vet, as he likes that better than being cooped up in a carrier.

I personaly dont find it cruel at all. You put a dog on a leash to keep it safe why not a cat?? I feel that if there going to be outside they should be on a leash. It dosent harm the cat at all!!! And sorry to say but cats are meaner than most dogs. I think its a great idea to have your cat on a leash outdoors.

I personally don't like leashes on cats, they're either free to go where-ever they want to outside or they just remain inside cats. Having said that, there are certain types of cat which you can train to wear leashes, but only when going outside. What use is there to keep a leash on a cat indoors? That's bordering on animal cruelty if you ask me. I personally know one cat who can quietly sit in a very small garden with a leash on, she loves it. I also know another cat who hated it, but she was too old for it by then, you need to start training them when they're young and even then some cats will never accept it.

Nope, but I just read a discussion by Drakan291 about his experience of having put his cat on a leash. I guess she got awat from him and hopped a fence. She was lucky she didn't strangle herself. I wouldn't put a cat on a leash. The only reason I can think to do it is if I had to take them to a vet and didn't have a cat carrier. It would be terrible if they got away on a busy road and somewhere unfamiliar.

erk..i think that's definitely cruel!! getting your cat a collar and letting them wear it is cute, especially those with bells hehe..but putting them on a leash? that's heartless. just because cats aren't like dogs, that doesn't give us the right to put a cat on a leash. that will definitely hurt them and they won't like it. i dont want my cat to be unhappy hehe....

yes yes..u no da score..i used to walk my cat wiva leash..cruel my cat loved it..used to give it redbull and a bita bacardi..get it like..its not cruelty its love gal..

I'd rather see a cat being walked on a harness and lead than never getting to go outside at all. I don't see why they couldn't get used to it, like a dog does, if you start them with it when they are young.

a leash on a cat is not cruelty if its not hurting it! my cat is a 20 pound indor cat that attacks everyone and everything but me! because he knows im the alpha male of this house! a leash on a cat is not cruelty its just plan stupid looking!