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- Nov 26, 2022
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I wanted to ask some advice about walking with my cat.
I live in the top floor of a very small building in a gated street with a quiet private garden. My flat has a balcony, which my cat usually enjoys exploring. This winter the balcony was probably too cold for him and he started showing interest in going outside - but just to stay in front of my flat's door. He was really scared of even exploring the building and would just lay in front of the flat. Bit by bit he started exploring the stairs (which took months) but he is still very scared and usually obedient. But the other day he didn't come back when I called him - we found him downstairs, cautiously exploring the garden after someone left the front door open. So now we decided to only let him out with us and make this an "official walk".
It's not always that he wants to go all the way downstairs with us, and this takes a while, but now I'm wondering if I'm creating a monster. Today I walked with him for 15 min in front of the building and although he came back with me he was frustrated and just won't stop meowing to go again. Plus, I'm walking with him unleashed which is working so far (and his instinct has been to run home when he is unsure) but I'm wondering if he will still be obedient once he's more confident. The thing is, he seems to be getting bored at home even though I've been spending so much time with him. It seems that he is no longer playing by himself now that he knows about the outside world... I'm getting angry at him for meowing but don't want to, he's just a fluffy ball
Should I set a specific time to walk him? Is it essential to wear a leash? Is there a better way to do this with less frustration on both sides? Hlp.
I live in the top floor of a very small building in a gated street with a quiet private garden. My flat has a balcony, which my cat usually enjoys exploring. This winter the balcony was probably too cold for him and he started showing interest in going outside - but just to stay in front of my flat's door. He was really scared of even exploring the building and would just lay in front of the flat. Bit by bit he started exploring the stairs (which took months) but he is still very scared and usually obedient. But the other day he didn't come back when I called him - we found him downstairs, cautiously exploring the garden after someone left the front door open. So now we decided to only let him out with us and make this an "official walk".
It's not always that he wants to go all the way downstairs with us, and this takes a while, but now I'm wondering if I'm creating a monster. Today I walked with him for 15 min in front of the building and although he came back with me he was frustrated and just won't stop meowing to go again. Plus, I'm walking with him unleashed which is working so far (and his instinct has been to run home when he is unsure) but I'm wondering if he will still be obedient once he's more confident. The thing is, he seems to be getting bored at home even though I've been spending so much time with him. It seems that he is no longer playing by himself now that he knows about the outside world... I'm getting angry at him for meowing but don't want to, he's just a fluffy ball
Should I set a specific time to walk him? Is it essential to wear a leash? Is there a better way to do this with less frustration on both sides? Hlp.