If you’ve ever wanted to walk your cat on a leash there are some breeds that will make this more possible than others. Below I have created a list of the best breeds that you can walk on a leash or lead.
There are many different cat breeds that have the qualities that are needed to be trained to be able to walk on a leash. Of course, even within these breeds, the cat’s willingness and ability to do this will vary. It’s important that your cat is happy to do this. And that you are guided by his needs. Below are 15 cat breeds that love to go out for a walk.
The cats listed here are most of the cats that are also suited for indoor cats as house cats are more likely to be the ones that are needed to walk and be walked to give them the extra exercise they need.
15 Cat Breeds You Can Walk On a Leash
Below have put together a list of the 15 best cat breeds that you can walk on a leash if you want to. That’s not to say you can’t walk others on a leash only that these are the most likely ones to be successful if that’s what you want.
1. Ragdoll Cats Love to Walk on a Leash
Ragdolls are sweethearts for walking on a leash. They’re called the puppy cats for a reason.
They love to be with their human at all times and will naturally follow you about.
The only issue that I can think of with walking around is there is a tendency for Ragdolls to be a maybe a little too easy-going and soft-natured.
You have to be careful about where you take them. Most Ragdoll cat owners will only walk their cats in the garden or safe areas outside.
2. The Abyssinian is Perfect for Walking
The Abyssinian is perfect for walking has it enjoys being out and meeting people and getting all the attention and is great for training.
It is quite a highly energetic athletic and energetic cat with amazing green or gold eyes.
The Abyssinian has a high need for social interaction and attention.
It has medium-length silky soft fur which only needs a little grooming and low shedding.
It is a medium-weight cat of between 3 and 5kg.
3. The Willful & Intelligent Bengal Cat
Bengal cats are much more willful than many other cats mentioned on this list. However, because they are highly intelligent and have a curious nature you can train them to walk on a leash.
Due to their strong will, however, it is more likely that it will be taking you for a walk rather than you taking it.
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4. The Burmese
Burmese cats are energetic and curious cats especially when they are younger. They love to be with you and can be taught to walk on a leash.
The Burmese are medium-sized cats of about 3 to 5 kg. They have lovely short smooth coats in lots of different solid colors like chocolate, blue, sable cream and red, etc.
Due to their short coat, their grooming needs are very low. They do however have medium to high needs for attention.
5. The Maine Coon
Maine Coon cats are huge cats and they are another cat that many people consider to have dog-like personalities.
Maine Coons are gentle giants, and they are fun-loving and love attention.
They are also curious and will learn to walk with you on a leash.
6. Siamese Cats
The Siamese cat is another cat that is highly intelligent cat that is curious and has some doglike qualities.
Many Siamese cats will take to walking on a leash.
They have a smooth short low shedding coat that comes in many different colors like cream, blue, lilac, and seal for example. Of course, they have those stunning blue eyes.
They love a medium to a high amount of attention.
7. Turkish Van
The Turkish van is another energetic friendly cat that is a good hunter and will take well to going out for walks with you among other tricks it can learn.
They are quite independent cats. However, they are also affectionate and loving as long as it is on their terms. These are one of the larger cats topping 8kg.
They have beautiful white and auburn fur although these days there are other colors.
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8. The British Shorthair
The British Shorthair cat is a friendly cat but is not very energetic so you can walk it on a lead (UK term for a leash).
They are more of a sit and look at the world go by type of cat so may not be the first choice if this is a priority for you.
9. The American Shorthair Cat
The American Shorthair is an easy-going cat that learns quickly and will take two going out for walks with you in a harness and lead/leash.
The American Shorthair cat is really affectionate and adaptable.
It has a medium level of shedding its fur but low maintenance grooming.
10. Ocicats Can be Trained
Ocicats are highly intelligent cats that can easily be trained to walk on a leash. They are super energetic cats as well that need lots of exercise and activity.
11. The Pixiebob
Pixiebobs big great house cats. They’re really easy to train and are perfect for walking on a leash.
12. Somali Cats
The fun-loving boisterous Somali cat is a cousin to the Abyssinian and is a cat that will easily take to walking on a harness and a leash if you want it to.
13. The Korat Cat
The Korat is another friendly cat that likes to follow his human around. Korats are a friendly loving cat that likes to be trained. They are great cats if you want to walk them on a leash.
14. Savannah Cats
Savannah cats are so much more energetic than either the ragdoll dolls or the Korats they can be indoor cats however because of their energy levels they do need lots of outdoor experience. The Savannah cat is another cat that is classed as a cat that has doglike traits. And because of this, they are able to walk on a leash.
Here, I have included the good old domestic moggy as an example. Although, the success rate of walking your moggy on a leash may be less than that of some of the breeds mentioned above some of these cats will take to leash walking. In my own family, we have varying success rates at this. Again I think it’s down to your cat’s own personality type and willingness to learn.
15. Domestic Mixed Breed (Moggy)
I used to have a cat that didn’t need a leash it would walk with me everywhere I went all the time. There are of course famous cats like Bob who do have a leash. So don’t be disappointed if your cat does not take to walking on a lead if it is a Moggy.
A Final Note
That’s the list of all the cats that would enjoy walking out with you and those that are easy to do. Most of these are also by nature more indoor cats than the outdoor ones although not necessarily all.
This article is not about the ethics off-leash walking your cat nor about how to walk your cat on a leash this is covered in separate articles.
Please be aware that each you know to be a cat as an individual and some will take better to leash walking and others. It’s always important to take your cat’s preferences into consideration, and also to make sure that you have a safe location within which to walk them.
There just seems however to be a high correlation between the ability to walk your cat on a leash as a breed and that breeds tend to have some doglike qualities. While it may not be necessary to pick a cat with doglike traits many breeds of cats can be trained to walk on a lead with a higher success rate and tend to have those traits.
Note: Please do not expect simply to take your cat out on a leash first time many cats will need training and time and practice to get used to the leash and if they’ve not been outside before they will also need to be able to get used to being Outdoors this can take time and effort.
This list is simply those that have been successful in general with walking on a leash with many different people and those that are more suited to it.
However, I would say that if your cat is distressed either give it more time to get used to and adjust to walking or just don’t do it. It’s not for all cats.
If you have any other cats that you think are suited to walking on a leash/lead please let us know below. I’ll be interested to hear about your own experiences.