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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

People walking their cats on leads - NO! AIBU?

117 replies

feyzer · 02/01/2022 14:56

Recently, I have noticed an increasing number of people with cats on leads in my local park and I do have to wonder what they’re thinking.

Firstly, cats are not dogs. They are territorial animals and when they go out will follow a set route they have marked by their scent. This is the whole point of going out for a cat - to check it’s territory and sniff about. They don’t need ‘exercise’ in the way dogs do. Being in a place with unfamiliar smells will be overwhelming for them.

Secondly, dogs in this park are meant to be on leads, but often are not and could attack the poor cat at any second.

Finally, cats will climb when scared or run in bushes and surely they will get strangled or wound up in the collar or lead. For instance, yesterday, there was a woman with a ginger cat which ran up a tree after a crow ((but also because it was freaked out, I think). This cat was on a long, extendable lead, but obviously this got entangled in the twigs and branches in the tree and the cat was stuck. A man has to climb up to untangle the lead. Loads of people gathering around the tree and the cat was scared. The woman was going, “Ohhh ha ha, it’s the first time he’s been out!”

AIBU to think this is irresponsible cat-owner behaviour and these people clearly do not understand the basic nature of a cat?

This is in Hyde Park, by the way. Don’t know if it’s similar in other parks?

OP posts:
TheAntiGardener · 02/01/2022 15:50

Every cat I’ve tried this with (about five) in the course of trying to get them used to a new environment has made it abundantly clear they hate leads. They have either become immobile or crept very slowly on their bellies. Or just got out of the thing.

I agree that if a cat looks to be happy with being on a lead, they are happy being on a lead. Cats may not show pain or discomfort, but they are far less subtle when it comes to being put in physical environments or positions they don’t like. I know without trying that my cat wouldn’t tolerate that backpack, for example, and it would be cruel for me to even attempt getting her into it!

Original poster
feyzer · 02/01/2022 15:57

Yes I accept all cats have different personalities. I have had cats all my life!

As I said, walking them in a quiet area or on your own premises is one thing. Hyde Park is another matter, however. I once also saw a cat on a lead on the tube. I think this is too much. Yes, I’m sure the cat was ‘used to it’ but that doesn’t make it right, in my view.

OP posts:
NewYearCalavicci · 02/01/2022 16:04

I walk my cat from time to time on a lead , he is a house cat , I make sure I walk him when its quiet .He really likes it he runs to me when I shake his harness ( it's got a bell on it ) , he stands still so I can put it on , we are generally out for about 15 mins.

He can't go out on his own as he attracts All the neighbourhood cats , he is a bully .

I also walked my 3 ferrets on leads , if I did not take my pets out they would never be able to dig in soil , scratch tree bark , eat worms ( blurgh) etc

wheresmymojo · 02/01/2022 16:05

My cat follows me for 10-15 minute walks of her own accord (no lead or bribery with treats) so I don't think you can say something about a whole species of animal and assume that it applies to all of them.

My other 3 cats also like to go for a walk (again, no lead or any encouragement from me) but will stick to a max. 5 minute walk. Any further than that they start to feel anxious.

katkitty · 02/01/2022 16:09

I understand what you're saying but cases like these are reasons why people should mind their own business. Who are you to say what is best for other peoples pets? I think you're similar to people who laugh at pets in puschairs. More often than not it's for their safety/health. Same with a lead, and same why some people are restrained in car seats. Although that last one might be a bad example

Original poster
feyzer · 02/01/2022 16:10

Yes when I was growing up my cats often used to follow me up the road or something. But they know their boundary. There’s a point where they feel anxious because they haven’t scented the next area (or sense they are entering another cats territory or something else puts them off) and they will then turn back or wait for you there. If they were on a lead through, they could get dragged beyond their comfort zone.

OP posts:
suzy2b · 02/01/2022 16:11

I live in a small area in the last week i have seen at least 4 cats hit by cars that's the ones on facebook there are properly more, so a lot of people now are making there cats house cats, and therefore taking them for a walk on a lead

wheresmymojo · 02/01/2022 16:16

@feyzer

Yes when I was growing up my cats often used to follow me up the road or something. But they know their boundary. There’s a point where they feel anxious because they haven’t scented the next area (or sense they are entering another cats territory or something else puts them off) and they will then turn back or wait for you there. If they were on a lead through, they could get dragged beyond their comfort zone.
Were the cats you saw being dragged?

If a cat doesn't want to walk on a lead they just flop onto their side like dead weights or go crazy trying to pull the thing off.

It's pretty obvious when they don't want to do something.

If they're trotting around happily then why would you assume they're less happy than a dog trotting around happily?

Puppies (in my experience) don't like harnesses or leads at first either.

Illdoitinabit · 02/01/2022 16:17

1bike1world, Dean and Nala, are an amazing couple! Hes travelling the world on his bike and found Nala in Turkey as a kitten. He had no intentions of keeping her until she fell asleep on him whilst he was cycling. Give them a follow on social media, their story is heartwarming, he's a wonderful man that raises thousands for animal charities across the world!

hangrylady · 02/01/2022 16:17

My cat would scratch my eyes out if I tried this! Why don't these people just get a dog?

oviraptor21 · 02/01/2022 16:20

You can't make a cat walk on a lead if it doesn't want to for whatever reason. So on that basis I'd say YABU unless the owner is not being attentive to possible dangers.
And it's certainly better for an agreeable cat than being kept indoors all the time.

BungleandGeorge · 02/01/2022 16:20

Domestic pets are pretty intelligent and trainable and all have different personalities. I’m pretty sure that it’s impossible to drag a cat out on a lead if it doesn’t want to go. If some pets are at risk of attacking other pets on public land they need to be on a lead.

5foot5 · 02/01/2022 16:27

@StrangerThanSpring
I once saw a woman taking a pig for a walk on a harness.

You have reminded me that when I was a child we occasionally took a lamb for a walk on a lead.

For a few months we raised it as a pet (Dad knew the farmer and he agreed to let us raise one of his orphans) Mostly the lamb lived in our back garden, which was quite large with plenty of grazing. However, we occasionally took him out for a change of scene and pastures new. It wasn't really like taking him for a walk though as the lamb pretty much went where it wanted to and the lead was just so we could stop him getting away or anywhere he shouldn't be

RachAnneKirl90 · 02/01/2022 16:30

@freeandfierce

I take my kitten out on a lead, he's as spynx and has zero road sense. I take him to secluded places though out of the way of dogs and people. He loves it, just wanders about sniffing and clawing trees etc. When he's had enough he climbs up me. He goes out 2/3 times a week, he gets excited when I get his harness out and sits by the backdoor. He loves the car too so luckily I can take him to secluded areas easily.
Aww he's lovely! Cats love to be out in the fresh air sniffing about - it's like television for them! My cat's health has improved since I have started letting her be in the garden with me. Too many roads near us to let her free, plus I don't want her killing songbirds so she sticks with me all the time, like a dog.
alpinia · 02/01/2022 16:34

You aren't wrong OP. There are two people near me, one who insists on walking a cat in the off lead dog park and another who sometimes takes a rabbit.

It terrifies me to see them tbh. I've seen some near misses and the animals are trapped on the leash and can't run away. Would be better to stick to a garden, or one of the many non dog parks.

EveningOverRooftops · 02/01/2022 16:55

I know a number of people who walk their cats.
They’re predominantly house cats - great for wildlife! - and have been lead trained as kittens.

It makes everything from travel to vet visits a lot lot safer and less stressful for the cat as it becomes part of their routine.

Hell my ex used to have cats on his boat and they were harness and leash trained very early and that made it easier to get life jackets on them when they went sailing. They were amazing boat cats and loved the water.

You know a really simple solution to a lot of the worries about cats etc being attacked by a dog would be keeping dogs on leads compulsory . If the dog off lead would go for any animal it’s not under control is it?

SueSaid · 02/01/2022 16:58

@LethargicActress

It’s a good thing, I hope this becomes more popular. Better for cat owners to be looking after their pets and poop scooping when they’re out, rather than letting their pet out to shit in other people’s gardens, go missing or get run over.
Yes it's a great idea. Years ago you'd see dogs wandering the streets crapping wherever they liked, now we don't as people realise having a dog means taking responsibility for its bodily functions.

Cat owners next!

BelleNoir · 02/01/2022 18:13

I have a house cat and regularly take her out into the garden and sometimes the street using a harness and lead. She absolutely loves going outside but I would never take her to the park it's just too dangerous

cjpark · 02/01/2022 18:24

I have a bengal and she frequently comes on walks with me and the dog. Luckily, we live in a quiet area and both of them quite happily trot along together for half an hour off lead. I can't go any further though or the cat protests, sits and starts shouting at me!

Kookookachuu · 02/01/2022 18:26

YANBU OP, I saw a cat on a lead the other day in an area where most dogs are off lead I thought it was very risky. I hadn’t realised it was a cat until we were very close, luckily my current dog is ok with cats but if that had been my previous dog I think there would have been a fight (he was great with dogs but hated cats). Free roaming cats know to stay out of the way of dogs but having a cat on a lead in the middle of an open area is just asking for trouble and I wouldn’t be blaming the poor cat. A greyhound would kill one in an instant.

Branleuse · 02/01/2022 18:28

I agree. I think its a bad idea.

Justonedayatatime11 · 02/01/2022 18:45

I have a number of high generation Savannah's who are most definitely not allowed to free roam, but who love going for walks. They have purpose made harnesses and really enjoy it. Don't see what the problem is with it?

VaguelyInteresting · 02/01/2022 18:46

My mum walks her cat on a lead.

I cannot discuss it with her.

Crankley · 02/01/2022 18:55

How is it any of your business what a cat owner does or doesn't do?

I used to put my cat on a lead if I went to stay with family, it worked well, and at least I knew he was safe.

Newyearoldyou · 02/01/2022 19:00

Evening I agree, everything revolves around dogs off leads. Sad