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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/19/2008 9:27:31 AM
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We have two cats, both of which are trained to go outside on harnesses and leashes. One of them always escapes from his harness. My daughter, and I am afraid one day, he won't come home, or he'll get hit by a car (we live a couple streets away from a main road). He is getting braver and braver as to where he goes. Should we be concerned about this? Stopping letting him go outside isn't an option as he would be bored out of his mind staying inside. Should we just let him go outside whenever he wants? Or should we find a better harness that he can't escape from?
[i]Ferdy- Male Ginger Tabby Shorthair
Tiger- Male Ginger and White Longhair[/i]
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Supreme Being
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Last Login: Today @ 5:25:54 AM
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| what makes you think he'd be bored? If you have a variety of toys and take time to play with him he'll be just as entertained as if he went outside. (keep in mind, that the stereotype of a cat sleeping all the time is based on reality. As cats are nocturnal and are supposed to sleep the day away). But I digress; a better harness definately! The one he has now is apparently a bit too big, or is somehow not secure enough. Maybe go to a harness that isn't a safety closure?
My cats own my house they just permit me to live there. Only cat lovers know the luxury of fur-coated, musical hot water bottles that never go cold."
- Susanne Millen 
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Supreme Being
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Last Login: Today @ 5:49:21 AM
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| If you live a couple of streets away from a main road and your cat wanders away when he gets out of his harness -- that sounds like a recipe for disaster! I would find a better harness -- I'm sure they sell ones they can't escape from - or the one you have doesn't fit right. You could build an outdoor cage/enclosure for them. They do sell these and they let the cats be outdoors, off their leash and safe. When your cats are outside on a leash do you leave them unattended? They could get attacked and killed, they could strangle -- a secure outdoor enclosure would be safer. 
SuperCat
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Supreme Being
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 9:10:58 PM
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Harnesses generally are not "safe" in that they do not open up if they get caught on something. This is OK, because a harness does not pull on the heck like a collar can.
I use a "figure 8" harness. Twice, when the harness got snagged, my cat was able to get free of it .... but the design does defeat most escape attempts, and the cats seem to wear it well. Even cats that have never worn a harness seem not to mind it.
Perhaps the leash is the issue; I have a 20 ft. cord attached to the harness. I don't "walk" the cat like you would a dog .... rather, I have a series of things around the yard that I can tie the leash to. I then let the cat explore at will, only stepping in to move the leash as needed.
Now .... here's another 'secret.' Since I am always nearby, and the cats are used to my walking near them, they have never learned how much fun it is to run from me. When a cat gets loose, I simply walk behind them for a few minutes .... letting them explore a bit ... then simply reach down and pick them up 
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