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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to take my cat for a walk?!

28 replies

Funkyslippers · 19/06/2023 10:02

Last week dd and I went for a little stroll and noticed our 18 month old cat following us. We decided not to go far so we did a little loop, about 10 minutes. She (the cat) seemed to really enjoy it, was weaving in & out of people's gardens, running ahead of us, disappearing, reappearing, exploring etc but always near us. Last night she followed us again but we went a little bit further. On the way back we saw a cat & 2 dogs on leads. DD was saying our cat was really stressed as she was hiding and her eyes were wide but I'm sure it's nothing she hasn't seen many times before. I thought she seemed normal and happy. When we got back OH said we really shouldn't have taken her as she could have got spooked and run into the road but surely there's always the danger of that when she's out & about? It was a very quiet road that we were walking on & we live on quite a busy road. I thought the cat seemed to be enjoying herself but aibu to take her potentially slightly away from her normal territory (assuming she's never been there before but you know what cats are like)?

OP posts:
OriginalUsername2 · 19/06/2023 10:05

That’s adorable!

I couldn’t say, you guys know your cat best.

Backtoreality1 · 19/06/2023 10:06

Be careful.....there is a couple that tried this with their cat near me and the cat got spooked and escaped from harness in an area it didn't know. Took a while to get them back. If you are going to do it, stick to the area the cat knows so at least it can find its way home if scared.

Sparklfairy · 19/06/2023 10:06

Back when I had a dog, the cat used to try and follow us out on walks. It was funny at first, but there were lots of other dog walkers, some of them unpredictable. The cat is super friendly and docile and was best friends with our dog, but I was always worried about her being chased/attacked so dog and I used to have to sneak out when she wasn't looking Grin

MrsSkylerWhite · 19/06/2023 10:07

I agree with your husband.

SpainToday · 19/06/2023 10:08

Backtoreality1 · 19/06/2023 10:06

Be careful.....there is a couple that tried this with their cat near me and the cat got spooked and escaped from harness in an area it didn't know. Took a while to get them back. If you are going to do it, stick to the area the cat knows so at least it can find its way home if scared.

This. I'd be very careful where you took the cat, and equally careful that he/she can't escape the harness.

Original poster
Funkyslippers · 19/06/2023 13:28

She wasn't on a harness! She would have hated that

OP posts:
EllaRaines · 19/06/2023 13:29

Hot pavements - no.

TokyoStories · 19/06/2023 13:31

I wouldn’t personally in case she gets lost, and it might encourage her to roam further.

Original poster
Funkyslippers · 19/06/2023 13:31

EllaRaines jeez, she followed us, it was evening so the pavements weren't hot at all plus cats wil find shade if it's too hot

OP posts:
Bluebells1970 · 19/06/2023 13:31

When DD walks down to our house, her cat always comes too. Making a hell of a racket too, usually. I went back out into the garden late one evening and could hear her - she'd got stuck in the NDN's garden and I had to go and rescue her.

I've still got the scars on my arms that she gave me as a thanks Hmm

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 19/06/2023 13:33

As long as you don't go near any really busy roads and are happy to deal with the consequences if the cat gets spooked and runs off in area they don't know, then go for it.

IwishIcouldButIcantSoIwont · 19/06/2023 13:35

I'd make sure the cat was IN the house before you go out. Cats can easily become lost

CalistoNoSolo · 19/06/2023 13:36

As you let your cat out to wander and shit everywhere, I guess you're another cat owner who won't care if their 'beloved' moggy gets killed by a car. So encouraging it to go further from home shouldn't trouble you at all.

Fizzyjuiceisreal · 19/06/2023 13:38

What happens if you come across a dog that is not on a lead?

Marblessolveeverything · 19/06/2023 13:41

Yep our resident overlord regularly joins us for a walk to the local park. She has some feline and canine friends we stop and chat to and is well able to put the odd mutt who gets too close with a slap of open claws, 🤕.

She is very savy and knows when to retreat and mutter under her breath 🤣😹

TheOwlChronicles · 19/06/2023 13:57

God OP, some of the most bonkers responses I've seen in a while. Ignore the loons

Mine trots after me from time to time doing exactly as you describe. However she always stops at a certain point so I believe she doesn't stray outside of her wider territory - that point comes about 15 minute into the walk.

She's a cat. They do as they please. If she wants to take a stroll with you in the evening then let her.

annonymousse · 19/06/2023 14:12

Our cats always used to follow us on our dog walks. We lived by fields and the houses backed onto a track between the houses and fields so no danger to the cats. It was really cute that they wanted to come too. They had their limit though and once we got to a certain point and would wait there until our return walk.

FangsForTheMemory · 19/06/2023 14:25

My cat once followed me to the bus stop on the main road without my noticing and I nearly died of fright when I turned around and saw him. I live in a rural area but there are frequent cat fatalities here so I don’t encourage him to follow me as I worry about him being frightened by a car. You know your cat best, but I wouldn’t encourage him to follow you tbh.

FangsForTheMemory · 19/06/2023 14:25

*her

Iloveanicegarden · 19/06/2023 14:34

Many moons ago when DH was working about quarter of a mile from home, he was amazed to hear Mog meowing outside the room. DH looked out the window and there was Mog sitting, waiting, almost looking at an imaginary watch on his paw 'how much longer are you going to be? I'm hungry!' He had never followed DH to work........As they walked home together, Mog kept cutting through gardens and over walls, but stopping to look back to see why dh wasn't following.

steevanseegall · 19/06/2023 14:37

Funkyslippers · 19/06/2023 13:28

She wasn't on a harness! She would have hated that

You need to make sure she is safe in the house before you go for walks. She easily could have got into bother :(

mondaytosunday · 19/06/2023 14:45

My cats occasionally come with us for last dog walk. I am careful about crossing the street and only go as far as I think would be safe streetwise. The cats love it and the dogs don't mind. I only get a bit anxious if they trail too far behind and I have to cross the street
as I know they will come tearing after us.

nowayhomer · 19/06/2023 14:51

Our cat recently is trying to follow us. I always take him back to the house, I don't want him to get scared by something and run off then he gets lost or runs into the road etc

HamBone · 19/06/2023 14:54

Walking cats has become fairly common where I live (American city). They’re always on a lead or in a pet buggy though!

I’m thinking of getting a pet buggy for our elderly dog as he likes long walks but gets tired by the end now. 🤣

BridportSpectacular · 19/06/2023 14:58

We had a cat when I was a kid that always came with us for the evening dog walk round the block - very quiet area, lots of gardens and he was quite happy and relaxed but would stop at one particular garden and either go home or wait for us to finish the rest of the walk and then pick up with us on the way back. He'd picked his happy distance.

Our current cat never did that but once we got a puppy came out a couple of times but was spooked and we had to walk home to get him home...you could tell he was out of his comfort zone.