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Article contentRC Pets鈥 harness and collar sales have levelled off this year as consumer spending sags in general, but Connolly says it鈥檚 definitely a self-sustaining market now that pet people realize leading a cat on a leash isn鈥檛 some form of animal abuse 鈥 at least for confident and curious felines.Article content鈥淚t just leads to happier cats when they get that outdoor time,鈥 says Connolly. 鈥淭hey are still wild animals to some extent, so I think (harnesses) help them experience that, but in a safe and controlled manner.鈥滱rticle contentPet owners have to realize, though, that not every cat is an adventure cat, says Kahlee Demers, a pet behaviour specialist with the B.C. SPCA. So if you鈥檝e had an indoor cat for years, you can鈥檛 necessarily leash it up and hit the road.Article content鈥淓very cat is different, so the ideal enrichment activity depends on what your cat enjoys and feels comfortable with,鈥 says Demers. 鈥淪ome cats may want to explore the outdoors, so we encourage guardians to do it safely.Article contentArticle content鈥淚t鈥檚 important to note that training a cat to walk on a leash takes time, and some cats may never be comfortable with walking on a harness and leash, and that鈥檚 OK.鈥滱rticle contentDemers recommends taking it slowly, paying attention to your cat鈥檚 comfort level and starting with low-traffic areas.Article contentIf the cat takes to outdoor adventure, the benefits are there for both pet and guardian, says Connolly.Article content鈥淎nimals have become more and more a part of the family,鈥 she says, noting the days of wandering barn cats and dogs that aren鈥檛 allowed inside the house are long past for most pet owners.Article content鈥淚 think it鈥檚 just people wanting to do the activities they love, and sharing that with pets they consider family members. So, wanting them to join them on a lot of their hobbies and things that they enjoy doing.Article content鈥淭hey want their best friend with them, and in a lot of cases that鈥檚 a cat or a dog.鈥滱rticle contentArticle contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentDon鈥檛 have an adventure cat?Article contentWhat can you do if your cat is outdoor-curious but doesn鈥檛 take to a harness or like being out in public?Article content鈥淎 鈥榗atio鈥 is another fun option for cats who want to venture outside but are uncomfortable walking on a leash,鈥 says Demers. 鈥淭hese are great as they mimic an outdoor environment by offering new sights, sounds and smells while protecting your cat companion from external dangers.鈥滱rticle contentIf you鈥檙e building a catio on a balcony, deck or elsewhere, Demers recommends having lots of perches, tunnels or huts for the cat to explore and hide in. Also remember to always have fresh water available.Article contentCatios can be bought fully assembled at pet retailers and online, or you can get a custom one built by a local contractor like CatiOasis.Article contentArticle content
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