Is taking your cat for a walk good for them or just good for TikTok?

Is taking your cat for a walk good for them or just good for TikTok?

Roo, a cat, is fitted with a harness and her owner, Alana Kestle, holds a lead—preparing for an outing. But Roo isn’t the only feline embracing the idea of going outside. Over recent years, platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become flooded with videos of cats engaging in outdoor adventures, from balancing on paddleboards to hiking trails or strolling along sandy shores.

Owners of urban flats, where space is limited, argue that supervised outdoor excursions provide cats with necessary stimulation without exposing them to risks like traffic accidents or fights. Emily Blackwell, a cat expert, acknowledged the practice but cautioned that its success hinges on individual cat behavior and owner preparedness.

“It’s essential to pick a cat that can adapt to your lifestyle and environment rather than forcing them to change,” said Cats Protection.

Alana, a 22-year-old veterinary student at the University of Surrey, adopted Roo as an indoor cat. However, after witnessing videos of cats walking on leads on her social media, she and her partner decided to give it a try. The couple began by experimenting with harnesses and gradually introduced a backpack for Roo’s safety during outings.

“It took her several months to understand, ‘this is safe,’” Alana shared. “Now she’s full of energy, tail high, and running freely on her lead.” While some veterinarians support the activity, others remain cautious about its potential stress on cats.

Lucy Francom, 26, from Llandudno, trains her cats Bongo and Fifi for outdoor activities. She believes the key to successful training is patience and using positive reinforcement, such as a clicker paired with treats. “They come back when I call, but I worry about people on social media dragging their cats without proper preparation,” she added.

“I can’t help but smile seeing his happy tail as he trots along,” Lucy said about Bongo.

Candice Stapleton, a dog trainer with a Welsh family, noted that not all cats are suited for walks. “Some, like Chikondi, struggle with their hips, so I don’t harness-train them,” she explained. She emphasized the importance of teaching cats how to react to threats, offering a rucksack as a portable sanctuary.

“There’s a lot of social media presence, but people might do it for likes instead of the cat’s well-being,” Candice said.

Abby Mayers and her wife Melody, both 22, from Cheshire, often take their cat Olive for walks in Wrexham and Llangollen. The couple has three cats, with Robin currently undergoing harness training, while Ginny remains indoors.