Do Apartment Cats Need Walks? A Vet Explains the Real Benefits — and Risks

In a viral Instagram post, a dog trainer showed how he trained his apartment cat to walk outside with the family.

Although he explained everything step by step, many owners had doubts about the topic. That’s why, Amo Meu Pet (our Brazilian pet news website) spoke with veterinarian Francisco Rodrigues Neto to better understand the idea and learn more about the benefits and possible risks involved.

Known on social media for educating and training thousands of dogs, Guilherme Repullio shared some time ago how he managed to get his cat, Miau, to wear a harness and go on hikes and to the beach.

As he explained, the first step is to assess whether the cat is extremely sensitive to this kind of interaction.

After that, Guilherme listed every step he took to train his cat before their actual walks.

“We started by playing with the harness, kind of encouraging him to hunt it. You shouldn’t put it on right away, otherwise he might associate it negatively and get upset,” he explained.

The trainer gives one last tip: take the carrier backpack in case the kitten gets scared or tired.

“Speaking of tiredness, there’s no point in doing a marathon with your kitty — they tire more quickly, so keep an eye on their breathing,” Guilherme concluded.

Okay, it might seem easy (well, maybe just a little — haha), but what does the vet think about this idea for cats?

“I think it’s great, it’s similar to training cats. Cats don’t usually tolerate very ‘busy’ places, so it’s a good idea to bring a comfortable and easy-to-carry carrier bag,” says Francisco.

Francisco emphasizes the need to respect the unique traits of the species. “We have to remember that felines aren’t as fond of walks and fun activities as dogs, so we must be cautious about walk duration, distance, and even the temperature,” he says.

The veterinarian also emphasizes that, in addition to being comfortable, the harness must be the correct size.

“If the cat manages to slip out of the harness, a lot can happen — they might jump on neighbors, climb trees, or even get into an accident. So the harness must be the right size and comfortable,” he explains.

Regarding their well-being, Francisco reminds us that cats are domesticated and don’t like too much movement or noise. Going for a walk is a way to break their routine.

“Cats enjoy solitude, and crowds or loud noises aren’t for them. Even small changes in routine or environment can stress them out. But I’ve never seen a case of stress after exploring new places. As I said, it depends on how they were raised. Caqui, for example, handles walks just fine — he even enjoys car rides when I run nearby errands,” he concludes.

Who is Caqui?

You might remember the kitten who made the news on Amo Meu Pet after being rescued from a rooftop by a veterinarian — soaked and sick. That’s right! This kitten is Caqui, who became his father Francisco’s faithful companion!

We asked Francisco how Caqui is doing these days, and he said that, besides being curious and playful, the kitten is a wonderful companion to the family!

Check out a cute moment between the two:

Remember this story? Click here!

Watch the video shared by Guilherme:

Ready to take your kitten for a walk? Let us know in the comments!