When we were at a pet store the other day, we almost bought a slender leash for our cat. She's an indoor cat, and we wonder if she's bored and would like to go outside. Is walking a cat really possible?
– P.S., via e-mail
Indoor cats can indeed be trained to enjoy an outdoor outing on a leash, and for this treat, you need a harness to go with that leash you were looking at.
Choose a harness designed for cats, not for dogs, in a figure-eight design, or a comfortable cat harness vest. (Cat collars are made to allow escape, and that's not good.)
Don't expect your cat to walk on leash like a dog, however. Walking a cat consists of encouraging your pet to explore, with you following, offering plenty of praise and maybe a treat.
Never leave your cat tethered and unattended. This leaves it vulnerable to attack or to a terrifying time of hanging suspended from its harness should it try to get over a fence.
It bugs me when people complain about pets that shed. As every cat lover knows, no outfit is complete without pet hair. Got a problem? Get a lint brush and get over it! What do you think?
– H.E., via e-mail
I can certainly say that I've never left the house without pet fur on me, no matter how much time I might have spent with the lint roller before stepping out the door. A little fur is a small price to pay for the love we get from our animals, the way I see it.
I once read a comment that's both funny and true: A true animal lover is a person who'll send back a meal in a restaurant because there's a human hair in it, but who at home will pick pet fur off the butter and eat without a moment's hesitation.
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