cat is scared to go outside

[ncforcatquestion]

I live in flats so I take him out sometimes on a harness. He just acts scared and lays down on the grass the whole time or tries to crawl under shrubs to hide. Will he get used to it he is only 6 months old. I've been persevering because he just seems sad sometimes and I think it's because he's bored

With both of our cats we have left the back door open and let them go out at their own pace while keeping an eye on them. Our boy is an ex stray and after initial wild excitement and rampaging he had about six weeks where he didn’t go out at all, then obviously realised he was home and would always be able to come back home.

I’m not sure I would bring a cat out on a harness, but if your cat is scared I wouldn’t keep doing it - maybe the cat is happy as a house cat?

i would approach a local cat rescue and get your cat a companion, then they can both be indoor cats until / if you ever move to either a ground floor flat or a house.

@OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon I have, I got him a friend a few months ago so he has someone to play with

My other cat loves going for a walk

Your cat will probably be terrified - if you live in flats and it's an indoor cat, it's whole world is your flat! To be leashed up and occasionally taken outside (especially if only occasionally) it'll have no idea what's going on, in a giant open space with so many different smells / sounds / objects around them.

Not all cats like going for walks, this one might just be an indoor only one.

@mushpush yeah maybe he will just be like this. That's what it seems like like he is overwhelmed how big and noisy everything is. Just not experienced this before as with other cats I've had I always had a house and could come and go as they pleased so they were always outside and loved it

Putting a harness on a cat is really, really unnatural for them - they're supposed to be hunters who are free to run, climb trees etc. they're not supposed to be restricted on a lead.

Yes, some cats may adapt and tolerate it but honestly many never do. I would just keep him indoors for now.

I moved to a flat while my house was being renovated, years ago. I tried taking my cats into the communal garden on harnesses, as they were used to having garden access at our house. One was fine with it, and quickly learnt how to move around the garden without the leash getting tangled up in shrubs. But the other cat just lay down on her belly, terrified, like yours. She was never going to be comfortable with it. I think some cats can do it, but others (most actually) hate it.

@VenusClapTrap yeah it could be being on the harness in itself is adding to his hating it