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The Path to Becoming a True Adventure Cat

Many people think it’s just a matter of taking the cat along for a walk, but fortunately, most understand that the cat needs to get used to a harness first.

We usually go for walks in forests and natural areas – places where we encounter as few people as possible and can enjoy the calm of nature. Small, idyllic spots where we can appreciate the surroundings without too many distractions.

Neither I, the dog, nor the cats find it very pleasant to be surrounded by a lot of man-made noise during our outings. Such sounds are often unpredictable and can be frightening or stressful for a cat – cars, city noise, people, dogs...

That’s why, when training with your cat, it’s smart to start in quiet surroundings, so the cat can focus on you and not all the unfamiliar and potentially scary things around.

To have a good hiking companion, you and your cat need a strong bond and mutual trust.

You must:

• Know your cat’s needs and what makes it feel insecure.

• Recognize when it needs support and when it needs praise.

• Understand your cat’s body language and behavior.

• Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert.

• Teach the cat that it can’t go wherever it wants.

• Get it used to walking on paths or along roads.

• Train it to use the bathroom in new places.

• Practice lifting and carrying it.

• Get it comfortable sitting in a backpack.

• Let it rest or sleep (especially on longer trips).

• Make sure it eats and drinks when necessary.
  
  

If your cat is comfortable encountering new things on a walk – like people along the path or dogs on a leash – that’s fantastic. But the most important thing is that you can pick it up if it feels unsafe, without it panicking or trying to run away. A panicked cat might scratch, bite, or wriggle free – and then you risk losing it.

Most cats can handle a lot if they feel safe – both with you and the environment. And when the cat feels secure, it will also have a much more enjoyable walk – especially on longer trips. On shorter walks, not all of this is necessary, but it’s still helpful.

When I talk about an Adventure Cat, I’m not referring to a cat that just gets walked on a leash around the house. I mean a cat that can join you on day trips in nature.

Even if your cat is only going out into the garden, many of these points are still important. It might not need to sleep, eat, or sit in a backpack – but safety and trust are always the foundation.