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Whens a good time to put a harness on a kitten2007-11-25 12:30:35

My two kittens are about 14 weeks old. We introduced them to collars last week and after a day of tantrums they're fine with them.

I want to harness and leash them so I can take them out into the garden safely (there are a lot of big, rough cats around, and careless drivers, etc) as they're itching to go out and explore, and one of them has found out that it's fun to run away and play 'It' with us!

What would be a good age to put harnesses on them? I know they're likely to hate the harness at first, but they'd soon get used to them when they learn that leash means going outside, so that aspect doesn't worry me.

Answers:

As soon as they've had all the jabs they need and are safe to go outside, start using the harnesses. I believe you can get your own cat used to anything at any age if you keep trying and are patient.

My cats are very trainable because I handled them A LOT from when I first got them. I use harnesses on them and I didn't introduce them until they were fully grown and they still managed to get use to wearing them. I don't walk them on the leads so much now but they still wear their harnesses when they are out in the garden.

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You need to introduce them as soon as possible. When working with any animal the younger you introduce them to something new the better.

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If a harness is what you plan to use, there is no age too early to get them used to it. You are right, they will hate it at first, but, if you start now, they will learn sooner.