Walk Your Dog Day is coming up February 20th. You can find lots of information on walking Fido. Plus, many of you walk your dogs every day. But what about cats? As you may have seen, more and more people are putting their kitties into harnesses and taking them for strolls. A local Seminole, FL vet offers some advice on taking your pet for a walk in this article.
There are some benefits to taking your feline pal out for a stroll. Fluffy will certainly get a good workout in, which is great for her overall health. Kitties also need some form of stimulation and enrichment. Sniffing flowers and pouncing on the occasional moth or butterfly are great entertainment for cats, and are good for them both mentally and physically. Daily walks are also a really good option for furballs that were former strays and/or those who previously had outdoor privileges. They can get out and explore, while still remaining safe from things like cars and predators.
There are a few downsides to walking cats. One is that your kitty could pick up fleas or ticks. You’ll need to keep up with parasite prevention, even if your feline companion is usually an indoor pet. The biggest problem, however, may be the fact that if Fluffy likes walks, she will soon come to expect them. And then demand them. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself with a rather spoiled furball who insists on her daily walks!
You’ll need to consider your kitty’s opinion and personality before taking her for a walk. If your furry pal has always been an indoor pet, it’s probably best to just let sleeping cats lie. Of course, your own lifestyle is a factor as well. If you’re always on the go, you may want to see how your furball does at going on adventures with you. While some of our feline friends are homebodies, others are actually quite adventurous. It’s also worth noting that you may not really know how Fluffy feels about walks until you’ve given them a try. You can always harness-train your cute little pet and give it a shot. As long as your vet doesn’t object, there’s no reason not to!
Please contact us if ever we can be of assistance. As your Seminole, FL veterinary clinic, we’re here to help!
