Are you thinking of getting a cat? Then you might want to go for a breed that you can take outside and walk on a leash. While all breeds of cats can be walked on a leash, certain ones are more suitable for it. In this post, I have listed the 20 best cat breeds.
Leash walking is a great way to allow a house cat to go outside. People have been doing this for many, many years, and most cats love it. But, if you want to make sure you have a good experience with leash walking, you better make sure your cat is ready for it. There are some preparations you should take before venturing outside with your cat for the first time, and in this post, I’ve tried to compile the most important parts.
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20 Cat Breeds You Can Walk On a Leash
Here’s my list of the top 20 cat breeds that like to walk on a leash. It isn’t conclusive, and you might have success with other breeds as well. I’ve seen and heard these work well, though!
Ragdoll
These lovable cats, who get their name for their love of being held, are one of the easier breeds to train for leash walking. With naturally friendly dispositions and an almost dog-like sense of loyalty and companionship, they’ll tend to stick by your side while out walking, making them a great choice if you’re keen to get a cat that you can take on walks.
The only possible issue is that these cats might be too friendly and docile. By this, I mean that they might have problems dealing with strangers that you might encounter on your walks. Be it humans or other animals.
Abyssinian
Thought to be one of the oldest existing breeds of cat, Abyssinian cats are great companions and, as such, make for one of the better options for people looking to walk their cat. Athletic and energetic, if anything you might have trouble keeping up with them!
They are curious and enjoy attention, so you may just have to be a little bit careful in terms of keeping them under control. Make sure you have a good leash, so he or she stays in it!
Bengal
Are you looking for a good cat to walk on a leash? Bengal cats are a far cry from the average domestic house cat and have a reputation for being hyper-curious and also incredibly intelligent. These traits make them one of the best breeds for leash training, and one Bengal cat even has nearly 2 million Instagram followers due to its frequent adventuring!
These cats tend to be very strong-willed, however, so you might find yourself getting pulled along and struggling to contain their intense curiosity and energy.
Siamese
One of the oldest and best-known cat breeds, Siamese cats are also known for their prominent intelligence and curiosity, as well as certain dog-like qualities. Due to their propensity for being trained, these cats will often enjoy walking on a leash once you’ve properly trained them.
They are endlessly curious and very active, however, so, like the Bengal, you might have some difficulty keeping these smart and energetic cats under control.
Maine Coon
The Maine Coon breed, possibly the oldest native to America, is well known for its muscular and sizable body and considerable weight. Quite simply, they are massive. As big or bigger than some smaller dog breeds, they also have some dog-like characteristics, which means they’re a solid choice for people hoping to leash train their cats.
These gentle giants can often be a bit tentative toward strangers, however, which means they might be a little hesitant or even fearful when out for walks if strangers approach.
British Shorthair
These very round cats are known for their friendly and calm demeanors. They also have a very docile, almost dog-like quality to them, making them a reasonable pick for a cat to leash train.
On the other hand, however, they don’t tend to like being held or carried and are not quite as energetic as many of the previously mentioned breeds. As such, they aren’t necessarily the best pick from this list.
Savannah cats
These hybrid cats still possess a lot of their wild ancestral traits, meaning that they’re incredibly athletic and love jumping and climbing. They also tend to be highly sociable and stranger friendly, meaning that they’re another great pick for leash training.
As with many of the other breeds, however, you’ll just have to be mindful of their intense energy and curiosity so you can keep them under control.
Korats
These cats originate from Thailand, where they’re symbols of luck and prosperity. Related to the Siamese, these cats are quieter but still crave plenty of attention. As such, they’re likely to train well and stay by your side when you take them out for a walk. Looking for a good cat breed that can walk on a leash? Then Korats are one of the best options.
Although they tend to get along well with dogs and children, they are less keen on strangers, so this could be one issue for choosing the Korat for leash training.
Domestic house cat
These are the most common cats out there, sometimes referred to as a “house cat”. While there are a number of different types—American/British Shorthair mix, Maine Coon mix, Oriental Shorthair mix, etc.—they all tend to be very playful and adaptable.
As long as you train these cats when they’re young, you should have a good chance at successfully leash training them. If they’re older, well, not so much.
Bombay
This cat is a cross of Burmese with black American Shorthairs and bears certain characteristics of each. Since Bombays tend to get along well with visitors, you can depend on these cats to do well on walks.
Like the American Bobtail, however, they aren’t necessarily the most energetic breed, so don’t count on them to be ready at a moment’s notice to go for a walk.
Burmese
These thick and sturdy cats tend to be appreciated for their energy and curiosity, particularly as younger cats. Because of these attributes, as well as their desire to be close to their owners, Burmese cats are a great breed for training to be on a leash.
Burmese cats are great at walking on a leash. Like the ragdoll, however, these cats tend to be very friendly and docile, which could potentially pose an issue on your walks.
American Shorthair
The American Shorthair is fairly similar to its British counterpart. It’s a more easy-going and adaptable cat, however, which means it’s more likely to take to going for walks on a leash.
These loving and playful cats, although they tend to take well to training, might not necessarily adapt as well to training if they’re older. It’s important, whenever possible, to train these (and really any) cats as young as possible for the greatest chance of success.
Turkish Van
Energetic and friendly, the beautiful Turkish Van cat tends to be a good breed for leash training, thanks in part to their affectionate and loving dispositions. Like Bengal cats, they also love water and will happily splash around in any water they can find!
One aspect that might make them more difficult for going on walks, however, is their independent streak. You might find that you have a little bit of trouble getting them to do what you want while out on a walk.
Pixiebob
You’ve maybe never heard of the Pixiebob cat. Well, they’re essentially larger house cats! They tend to take to training well, so make a good choice for leash training. They’re also a good choice because they’re highly adaptable, affectionate, intelligent, and stranger friendly.
Due to their great energy, however, you might just need to take a little bit extra care to ensure that you train them well so that they stay under control when out walking.
Ocicats
These wild-looking cats—a cross of Abyssinian, Siamese, and American Shorthair—make a great pick for leash training as they tend to be very active and sociable. If you have other cats, dogs, or children, you probably don’t need to worry too much as Ocicats usually get along well with others.
One possible issue, however, with these beautiful spotted cats, is their high energy level means they may be a little harder to manage than more docile cats.
Somali cats
Somali cats share the confidence and athleticism of Abyssinian cats but are longhaired. These adaptable and affectionate cats tend to be very stranger friendly and easy to train, making them a great choice for leash training.
They tend to be highly energetic, however, so you’ll need to train them well to help keep that energy in check.
American Bobtail
The American Bobtail is a confident, affectionate cat who tends to be fairly friendly toward strangers. As such, these cats are a great choice for leash training and many American Bobtail owners enjoy doing so.
They tend to be less energetic than some cat breeds, however, so you might have a little trouble motivating them to go for a walk whenever you want.
Manx
These cats are well known for their lack of a tail. Originating from the Isle of Man, they are highly adaptable and affectionate cats and make a good pick for a leash training breed. They are also sociable and tend to be child and dog-friendly as well.
They are typically highly energetic, however, so you’ll need to take care to keep them under control while you’re out walking.
Siberian
The Siberian is the national cat of Russia and could be a great choice if you plan on taking your cat out for walks in a colder location. Highly intelligent and adaptable, they are a great overall pick for leash training.
That said, these cats can be both highly energetic and wary of strangers, meaning that taking them for walks might end up being more of an adventure than you’d like.
American curl
These cats are known for their unusual, curled-back ears. These cats tend to be very adaptable, affectionate, and overall a joy to be around. They tend to be great around kids and dogs, making them a good choice for leash training.
American Curls can be a little bit stranger shy, so you’ll have to keep that in mind should you want to leash train yours.
What to think of before walking a cat on a leash
Get a good leash and harness
There are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. For example, getting your cat a good harness. A well-fitting harness will make sure your cat doesn’t escape, a nightmare for any cat owner. The harness will need to be tight enough to make sure your cat won’t escape, but loose enough for the pet to be able to move & breathe comfortably.
This was a problem for me when I started walking my own cats. The harness I had simply didn’t fit them, and they managed to escape it a few times. I bet you can imagine how scary this was, and I was super worried about them running away. Luckily, I had a big field next to my apartment in the city so nothing bad happened. Had I been in the city center with cars driving by, I imagine the story would have had a bad ending though, seeing how scared they are of loud, moving objects!
Plan a good walking path
Before going out on your first walk, you should map out a good route. Ideally, this will be in a quiet area without cars, foot traffic, and dogs. Depending on where you live, this isn’t always possible, but you should do your best, especially on the first few walks. Also, some cats are just more scared of the outside world than others, so if your cat is one of these, take some extra precautions.
The reason many people keep their cats inside is to protect them from the dangers of the outside world. Cars, dogs, people, and other animals are just some of the threats your cat could potentially face when walking outside of the home. You’ll have to slowly make your cat comfortable with these things, keeping in mind that they will probably be overwhelming at first.
Training
Many cats are overwhelmed with the great big world when they venture outside of the house for the first time. Often, and this happened with my cats, they lay down, hiding & observing what is around them. My cat did this for the first hour, every time we went outside the first few times. Naturally, this won’t make for a very productive walk, and there are some things you could do to make your cat more comfortable being outside.
I recommend trying the “targeting” method. As a cat owner, I am sure you already know that when you stick your finger out in front of them, they almost always want to check it out. Usually, they will approach and sniff it. This can come in really handy when your cat doesn’t dare to move. Using this method, you can often get your cat to move in the direction that you want. Doing this a few times, until your cat has covered at least a few meters, will make him or her more and more comfortable with the outside.
Another great tip is to start walking your cat inside. Use the harness and leash that you will take outside, and make your cat accustomed to it in the safe environment that is your home. As I’ve already covered, it is not impossible that your cat will be able to escape the harness, and it is best to discover this inside. The longer your cat wears the leash, the more comfortable it will become, so I recommend letting him or her wear it for at least a few hours before it is time to go outside.
Is it weird to walk a cat?
No! It is becoming more and more common to walk cats on leashes. It is just like walking a dog, just a little more uncommon. If you do decide to walk your cat, don’t be ashamed. Most people will appreciate the effort you are putting in to make sure your cat is having fun.
I remember feeling kind of awkward when walking my cats the first couple of times. It felt like people were looking at me, thinking I was weird for doing it. As I became a more experienced cat-walker, this feeling went away, and I would have no problem doing it today. It happened multiple times that people stopped me, and asked if they could pet my cats, so most people seem to be very positive.
Is walking a cat on a leash cruel?
Not at all! As long as you don’t force your cat to walk on a leash if it doesn’t want to, you are doing him or her a service. Most cats will love being outside, even if it means wearing a leash, and making the effort to do this is a good deed.
Hey, I’m Peter. During the last 25 years, I have owned and raised over 20 pet animals. On this blog, I do my best to share my learnings during this time, to hopefully help others.