Hello, Fellow Hikers!
Thank you for your interest in learning more about adventuring cats! Though not a mainstream activity YET, traveling and adventuring with cats is growing in popularity by the day. More and more, people are beginning to realize that cats need more mental and physical exercise than previously thought. Enjoying adventures with your cat, whether big or small, is an excellent way to provide them with both of these things.
Letting your cat experience the sights, smells, and sounds of the outside world (while harnessed and leashed, of course) brings joy and excitement to their life they can’t otherwise experience. It is also an excellent way to grow the bond shared between human and cat.
That being said, for adventuring cats to be able to enjoy public hiking trails and parks safely and comfortably, we need your help! You can make sure we get to enjoy these places along with you by following the posted leash laws.
We recognize that adventuring with cats isn’t a mainstream activity yet, so we wouldn’t expect dog owners to expect to run into a cat when out on the trail. But it’s not just out of consideration for cats that leash laws should be followed. Consider the humans, adult and child, who might be scared of dogs. Consider the reactive dogs who might be out trying to enjoy a nice walk. Consider the environment.
Reasons for leash laws:
- Keeping your pet on a leash, whether a cat or dog, protects them from each other as well as from other wildlife that might be in the area.
- Not everyone likes dogs, and some people are downright scared of them. Running into an off-leash dog is terrifying for someone (or some cat) who is scared of dogs.
- Keeping your pet from running free helps to preserve the floral and fauna in the area. Free-roaming pets can be disturbing and even harmful to wildlife.
Interested to learn more about traveling and adventuring cats? Check out the Resources and FAQs below!
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why not just let your cat outside to roam on their own?
Cats left to roam freely are subject to all kinds of dangers, such as predators, cars, poisons, humans, the elements, etc. To keep your cat as safe as possible, we recommend letting your cat enjoy the outdoor world in a more controlled way – on a harness and leash.
Also, just as we expect dog owners to follow leash laws, we think cat owners should as well!
Q: Can any cat become an “adventure cat?”
Yes, to some degree and with proper training. Just as with people though, cats have varying personalities. Some are going to be more inclined to hike, kayak, camp, etc. than others, some might be more partial to city adventures, and some might be content to just enjoy their own back yard.
That being said, it’s important to follow your cat’s lead and not force them into a situation or adventure they aren’t comfortable with. Some cats might decide they don’t enjoy going outside, and that’s okay!
Q: Is my cat too old to start adventuring?
It’s never too late! There are cats of all ages, from kittens to seniors, who have learned the ways of adventure. It all begins with harness and leash training, which can happen at any age.
