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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

A cat that can be trained or walked

21 replies

JellyBellies · 06/03/2021 15:42

Hi, this is a bit of a strange question. We have a nearly 4 year old cat adopted from a shelter. We got her as a kitten and she is great. However is super chilled well basically a cat.

My son has seen all these Facebook videos of cars with a bit more personality, cats that can be walked etc. And he would really like a cat that will interact a bit more with him.

From Google can see recommendations for a Bengal or such types for cats that are bit more interactive.

I just wanted to know of anyone here has looked for something similar and found it?

OP posts:

LemonSwan · 06/03/2021 15:52

My boy is bengal x siamese and you can walk him. But you have to teach them when they are very young. We used to use it when we were renting students and moving regularly. He would come along with us everywhere (home for holidays, and UK trips) and we could take him out in an area he didnt know. Hes 6 now and we have since moved to a permanent home and leave him at home for holidays so their is no need. I have no idea if he would do it anymore.

He certainly is interactive though. A lot of fun. Very personable to those hes bonded with - equally with my partner and I.

They have a lot of energy though. I do not think this would be a suitable breed in the long run for an indoor cat who can only go on walks. We only did it because he needed to go out or he became very spiteful (pushing glasses off tables). Not as a strategy for long term access to outdoors.

Trinacham · 06/03/2021 15:57

How about a Ragdoll?

They are usually strictly indoor-only cats (although some people take the risk and let them out). They are very laidback, affectionate, dopey, and known as 'puppy-cats' because they have more dog-like attributes than most cats.

I have 2 Ragdolls. One of them used to play fetch, but he sadly outgrew that. Wherever we go they will follow. You get much more out of them than the average independent moggy.

LemonSwan · 06/03/2021 16:00

Thats a really good point trina

Bengals are extremely independent. My boy can go out for 3 days in summer on exploration and he certainly doesnt follow you around all day.

I think you need to think about what it is your son really wants from the cat OP.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 06/03/2021 16:28

My Burmese cats walk on a harness and enjoy playing fetch. They are extremely needy and one of them would happily sit draped around my shoulders all day if I let him. The other one wants to be cuddled like a baby all day long.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 06/03/2021 17:10

I have three black moggies - they can all do various tricks (sit, up, down, off - and all know their names) and one will walk on a lead and harness. I don't think breed has much to do with it as much as personality does.

I wouldn't recommend a Bengal for a novice owner. They're noisy, independent and need a fair bit of attention and exercise. They're not really designed to be kept as indoor cats who only go outside on leads.

ImInACage · 06/03/2021 17:18

All cats can be trained. We adopted our moggie back in October. He's three, the oldest cat I've trained, the others were kittens. He now sits, lies down, rolls over and gives a paw on command. Cats are really smart, but be warned that training will be in short bursts. If they don't want to do something, they really won't. I'd definitely recommend clicker training though.

evilharpy · 06/03/2021 17:32

A chap up the hill from us has a cat that looks like a ragdoll who he walks on a lead. She seems to love it.

We tried to train ours to walk on a lead when he was young but he refused to go outside. He's nearly 16 and has never shown any interest in going outside beyond the occasional trip for a few minutes into the back garden if it's warm and sunny. He is exceptionally stupid though.

We used to have a moggy who would play fetch all day. We never trained her, she just started bringing us stuff she wanted thrown! I think it all just depends on personality. We never tried her on a lead but I reckon she'd have taken to it very quickly.

Fluffycloudland77 · 06/03/2021 17:33

It would be a bit of a risk getting a Bengal with a resident cat, they don’t like company and they’ll either fight or start wearing everywhere.

Have you tried working with your cat? She might have hidden depths you don’t know about yet.

DogsSausages · 06/03/2021 17:48

It seems A bit unfair on the cat to get another one just because she is a bit boring, will a new interactive cat get more love and attention. Have you tried walking with her or playing games, a high maintenance cat can be quite time consuming especially when the weather is bad and it screams to go out for a walk.

Motnight · 06/03/2021 17:56

Honestly Op I think that you need to explain to your child that a pet isn't there to do their bidding. Especially a cat!

LynetteScavo · 06/03/2021 17:58

I think it depends on the cats personality- we've had to moggies from W hen they were kittens. One is the biggest scaredy-cat ever, the other spends every meal time sitting on DHs shoulders and enjoys a trip out to the vet. He also likes to be spun round very fast on DDs shoulders. I think he'd enjoy wearing a harness and going out on someone's shoulders for a walk. I can't be bothered to try though. I did meet a Maine coon on a harness dropping a child at nursery once, but not sure if that's a maine coon thing or not.

Newnamefor2021 · 06/03/2021 18:03

I've a Norwegian forest cat crossed with a Bengal. I've had Birman's and rescues all my life, the Bengal marks a lot more, which is a huge downside.

Mines fiercely independent, not at all like my other cats who adore us and come when called, albeit lazily. The Bengal cross ignores me completely but is amazing with the kids. Very much a climber.

It's a lot luck of the draw and how much work you're Prepared to put in. Out old moggy used to follow our kids to school and to my mums, jump in the car to be with us et.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 06/03/2021 18:06

@Newnamefor2021

I've a Norwegian forest cat crossed with a Bengal. I've had Birman's and rescues all my life, the Bengal marks a lot more, which is a huge downside.

Mines fiercely independent, not at all like my other cats who adore us and come when called, albeit lazily. The Bengal cross ignores me completely but is amazing with the kids. Very much a climber.

It's a lot luck of the draw and how much work you're Prepared to put in. Out old moggy used to follow our kids to school and to my mums, jump in the car to be with us et.

Wow, what a mix!

Can we see a photo?!

TalktotheFoot · 06/03/2021 18:08

How about a Ragdoll?

Great - if you want to carry it everywhere.

You can buy cat harnesses and leads, but it takes a good few goes before they will tolerate wearing the harness for a short time, let alone attach the lead. Most will just stare at you in disgust, and the look on their face says it all: Get this thing off me.

VettiyaIruken · 06/03/2021 18:13

If he wants a pet like that, he shouldn't have a cat. You might get lucky and have that sort of relationship but most cats would hate to be forced into constant interaction. Also, you'd need a kitten if you wanted them to tolerate a harness.

Not that any pet is a toy that is there to entertain, it's always a two way relationship but he'd be better off with rats than a cat. They make excellent pets, love attention and are very interactive. A hell of a lot of cats once no longer kittens interact on their terms not yours and often prefer you to piss off and let them sleep. 😁

edgeware · 06/03/2021 18:16

Korat

Original poster

JellyBellies · 06/03/2021 18:34

Thanks for the comments everyone! My son adores our current cat and she him. He is the one whose lap she will sit in when she gets the chance. She sleeps in his room.

It's good to hear that it depends on the personality and not the breed. That's what I was hoping for. He has been asking for another cat for a while and he is a real animal person but so far I have said no.

I have heard that Bengals can he high maintenance too. Also it would not be an indoor cat. We let our cat out after she had been neutered and have a cat flap that she uses.

It's good to hear that all cats can be trained too. Obviously, if they want to!

OP posts:

lunarlife · 06/03/2021 18:45

My Siamese cat took being in a harness and going for a walk easily.
We got pushback from dog owners who couldn't control their dog around our cat and were pretty annoyed they had to.

Toddlerteaplease · 06/03/2021 18:49

My Persian exotic has A huge personality and is very interactive! Especially at 3am. I've walked her a couple of times. She'll happily wear the harness. But wants to investigate under cars. Which is where the troupbke comes.

Fluffycloudland77 · 06/03/2021 18:56

Look at Catmandoo on YouTube, he shows you how you train them to do tricks.

He has a Bengal and a tabby who both do tricks.

VettiyaIruken · 06/03/2021 20:07

Does your son watch Nala (1bike1world) ?
That cat is just bloody fabulous!

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