Nature lovers around the world take their dogs for granted on hikes, recreational activities or to the nearby city park. But what about cats, anyway? Hiking with cats is the new hiking trend, which is slowly spilling over from the USA to Europe! Numerous photos show cats in front of breathtaking scenery in green forests or in front of snow-covered mountains. They wear raincoats, pose in cool sweaters or enjoy the view from their cat carrier backpack!
Many cats enjoy going exploring with their humans. Before you explore the world with your cat, you need to check if your cat is suitable for walking. In short, does your cat or tomcat enjoy it!
If your cat loves the outdoors and races to the door or window whenever she can, she’s probably the perfect candidate for cat walking. However, if she’s afraid of the outdoors and prefers to just sleep on the couch, you might be better off leaving your cat at home.
Harness & Leash
First train your cat to walk relaxed in a harness on a leash. For some cats this is already a big hurdle, others walk on the leash as if they had never done anything else. Take your time and don’t overchallenge your cat. Small steps will get you there, guaranteed! To learn the best way to get your cat used to walking on a harness, check out our blog post.
Cats have different personalities! Some cats simply don’t want to go outside. Give yourself enough time, don’t force your cat to do anything and it’s best to start training at home, in your familiar surroundings.
A safe place
Hiking backpacks for cats are particularly suitable as a safe place for hiking. Because while you are leading your cat on a harness and lead, there is a chance that something will startle it. Maybe it’s a dog, a strange-looking tree or other hikers. To make your cat feel safe wherever it goes, you should always have a safe place for it. A cat backpack is best for hiking, biking and much more. With a cat backpack, you can also carry your cat when its short legs get tired. After all, cats’ legs are much shorter than ours. Cats don’t have the same stamina as dogs! That’s why they need to be carried more often. In the cat backpacks from TARIGS you also have enough storage space for clothes and food. Discover our latest cat backpack now, the ROOFPACKER – the ideal companion for safe and comfortable hiking adventures with your cat!
Your equipment
In addition to the harness, a lead and the cat backpack, there are a few things you should definitely take with you. Make sure your cat always has enough water. The same goes for you! If it’s a hot day or you’re planning a longer hike, you should always have enough water with you and not rely on finding water sources along the way. Treats, sunscreen or sun protection for pets, a first aid kit for pets and poop bags are an absolute must-have depending on the hike.
Your tour
Before you go hiking with your cat, you should make sure that you choose a suitable route. You should choose quiet paths, especially to start with. Tours without large gatherings of people and ideally also without dogs. Hiking trails that don’t pass busy roads and without things that could scare your cat. The less excitement, the better you can concentrate on your cat and its needs.
The less popular the route, the more likely it is that you won’t have any unpleasant encounters. Incidentally, there are far fewer people out and about during the week than at the weekend. The same applies to early in the morning or late in the evening. If your cat is more confident about walking, people and other animals, you can walk on busier paths.
Cat-friendly trails
Check whether your planned tour is pet-friendly and particularly cat-friendly. Cats are not allowed everywhere (especially outside Germany). There may be animals living in the area that are frightened by your cat’s scent. (This can even prevent these animals from reproducing!) Ideally, you should only walk on paths where dogs must be kept on a lead. This helps to prevent interactions with dogs off the lead.
By the way: Don’t be afraid to ask dog owners nicely to call their dog back. Even if you are out and about in a dog walking area. Your and your cat’s safety are the most important thing!
Which walking paths
Many cats prefer paths that are narrower and well defined as they can follow them better. They also tend to prefer narrower paths to wide open spaces. On many walking websites you will find photos of parts of the path. These will help you decide whether the route is suitable for you. Many cats are also afraid of running water. Therefore, avoid paths with rushing water for your first tours. Once your cat has gained more confidence in hiking, you can also hike on trails with greater challenges such as running water or even bridges.
Hiking with a cat is slightly different from hiking with humans and dogs. Give your cat the time to stop, smell a bush or even climb a tree. Give your cat the time to explore nature and use it to enjoy the little beautiful things in the world. After all, you should both have fun with your adventures!
Weather & distance
Every cat is different. Many cats don’t like wind. You should also choose walking routes with sufficient shade on hot days.
As with everything else, start small and plan a shorter walk for the first tour. If your cat feels very comfortable in nature and you start to develop a walking routine, you can extend the tours.
Car training
If you live within a few meters of the trail, you will need to reach the hiking trail first. Practice relaxed car driving with your cat. Secure your cat in a transport box or on a harness with a belt. A calm car ride is the first step towards an eventful hike. The same applies to driving: start with short journeys.
Many cats have a natural desire to explore the wild! What are you waiting for?
Don’t forget: Tag us on your adventures! #tarigs
