5 Reasons You Should Start Taking Your Cat for a Stroll
Taking your cat for a walk is a simple, enjoyable way to keep your cat happy and stimulated. In addition to providing a shared activity that can help you and your cat bond, taking your cat for a stroll can help curb destructive behavior. Below are five reasons why you should start taking your cat for a stroll and the best way to establish a fulfilling walking routine with your cat.
1) An outdoor stroll helps to alleviate boredom for your cat
"The stress of boredom can be a contributing factor in a number of destructive behavior problems (e.g., furniture scratching)...While much can be done to make the home environment more interesting for the cat, for some cats nothing can compare to the excitement of the ever-changing outdoors."
- Wisconsin Humane Society
Cats and other animals can become depressed, destructive, and even aggressive if they do not receive the proper stimulation. Going for a stroll outside provides exposure to interesting sights, sounds, and scents that will delight your cat and keep your feline family member eager to hop back inside their pet stroller!
2) Your cat will enjoy the fresh air
Cats are like people in the sense that they enjoy a bit of variety in their lives. The feline wellness experts at Koop note that there are multiple reasons why your cat will love a nice dose of fresh air. In addition to preventing boredom, a stroll outside offers a refreshing change of pace from life indoors while also satisfying a cat's internal instinct to roam the outdoors.
3) An outdoor stroll strengthens the bond between you and your cat
"Many felines find great pleasure in time spent outside, enjoying the sounds of birds chirping and the scent of freshly cut grass, just like humans do. Even more, that activity can help strengthen the bond between a cat and his owner, giving the pair something to experience together."
- Kate Bratskeir, Writer and Editor, Huffington Post
Maintaining a strong bond with your cat is important in forging a lifelong relationship. A stroll is a productive and pleasurable activity that you and your cat can enjoy together on a regular basis. In fact, you may find that your cat begins to gravitate toward the door as the time you usually go walking approaches!
4) Taking your cat for a stroll offers health benefits for cat owners, too!
Clearly, there are many reasons to take your cat out for a breath of fresh air. However, going for a stroll with your cat can also help improve your own physical and mental health. Here are some of the many benefits of taking your cat out for a stroll:
- Weight control: You are less likely to become overweight when you walk your cat regularly
- Improved sleep: The National Sleep Foundation notes that even a short 10-minute walk can improve the quality of your sleep
- Beat the blues: Taking a stroll with your cat could "work as well as antidepressants" to improve your mood if you have a case of the blues
- Connect with neighbors: Going for regular walks with your cat can help you build strong relationships with your neighbors
- Soak up vitamins: Many Americans are deficient in vitamin D. By taking a stroll with your cat, you will boost your absorption of vitamin D
5) Taking your cat for a stroll is just plain fun!
It does not take an industry expert to discover that going for a stroll is an enjoyable way to pass the time with your cat. But in the words of the experts with The Animal Rescue Site, "There's no denying that taking a stroll with a cat seems like a fun way to spend more time with your pet." Cat owners also agree that going for a stroll is a blast, as evidenced by the increase in the number of cat owners who are taking their cats for walks outdoors.
What is the best way to establish a walking routine for your cat?
By now, you likely agree that taking your cat for a jaunt outdoors offers many benefits. However, there are three primary ways you can take your cat for a walk, and it is important to choose the one that is the most beneficial for your cat. Here are three ways you can take your cat walking:
1) Use a harness and/or leash to walk your cat
When some people think about starting a walking routine with their cats, their first instinct is to head to the nearest pet store to buy a harness and leash. But cats are not like dogs. They often do not adapt well to being on a leash, and being on a leash is stressful for many cats.
2) Carry your cat in your arms while going for a walk
Holding your cat for the duration of a thirty-minute walk can be tiring and may limit your enjoyment of your outdoor stroll - especially if your cat is on the heavy side. Additionally, some cats simply do not like to be held, leaving you at risk for an extended period of feline squirming.
3) Use a pet stroller to take your cat walking
Using a pet stroller eliminates many potential stressors for you and your cat. Additionally, pet strollers are safer for cats because they help provide protection from cars, bikes, dogs, and other loose animals that can inflict harm while taking your cat for a stroll. And if you own multiple pets, you can check out a Double Decker Pet Stroller that enables you to bring your small dog, bird, or another cat along for the ride!
Finalizing your cat's strolling routine
Investing in a pet stroller for your cat is the single best step you can take to establish a regular strolling routine for your cat. A pet stroller enables your cat to enjoy the scents, sights, and sounds of the great outdoors while providing a layer of protection from dogs, cars, and uneven terrain. To discover why cat owners across the globe are turning to pet strollers to walk their cats, we invite you to check out our website. We look forward to helping you and your cat enjoy the benefits of a stroll together!