Can our Cat Hike with Us?

Hello! And welcome back to the Live Life Off Leash Blog!

The question today is can your cat hike with you? The short answer... YES!!

But there is a long answer too and things to consider before you take your cat out into the wilderness.

Just like with our K9 friends, our cat's love the outdoors. But there are big differences between bringing a cat out into the wilderness and a dog. Mainly their size. Cats are significantly smaller than the average dog and so they likely will not be able to cover the same amount of miles as a dog. Keeping that in mind you may or may not want to bring your cat. If you are looking at a very long hike, Kitty may need to stay home.

With keeping that in mind, again as with dogs, your cat's physical condition is something to take into consideration. If your pet is overweight you have to take things slow at first and condition them for longer adventures. Starting slow is always the best policy when conditioning any animal for the trail.

Cat's are also more vulnerable to predators than an average size dog. Due to their small size, they are seen as easy prey. So staying very vigilant on trails is important to keep all your pets safe.

Let's talk about leashes! A well fitting harness that your cat cannot slip out of is the best option for outdoor adventures. Pair that with a nice and secure leash and your cat can safely go on adventures with you. Teaching your cat to walk on a leash and taking them out into the great outdoors is not only great for their physical health but it is also fantastic for their mental health. Cats as hunters love to be outside exploring and taking them on your hikes with you is a great way to fulfill their natural drive and curiosity!

Follow these tips and remember safety first and your cat will have a blast coming on adventures with you! If you have questions about how to get your cat healthy and fit for the trail shoot us a message and we'd love to discuss nutrition for your adventure feline!