How to Train Your Cat to Sit in a Stroller

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

There are many benefits to taking your cat outside in a stroller. Your pet can enjoy the sunshine, take in the fresh air and interesting smells, and see some wildlife—and you won’t have to worry about her running off.

But before you buy a stroller for cats, consider that your frisky feline might not be too keen on the idea—at least not at first. It may take some time to train your kitty and get her comfortable with being inside a stroller.

Start Inside the House

After buying a pet stroller, it isn’t a good idea to immediately put your kitty in it and go outside. Instead, set it up and let your cat inspect it, but don’t force her to spend a lot of time in it. Instead, let her decide when she’s had enough.

To entice your cat to stay in the stroller, you could use treats, catnip, and toys. Be there while she’s in the stroller so you can pet her, give her some food, and tell her how good she is. That way, she can start to see it as a safe and happy place.

Then, take additional steps to prepare for going outside. For example, get your cat accustomed to wearing her harness little by little, especially if she’s never worn one. And get her used to having the top of the stroller closed around her—you might close it for mere seconds the first few times, depending on how she reacts.  

The next step is to start moving the stroller around the house. The motion might be jarring for your kitty at the beginning, so be patient and consistent.

Take It Outside

It might take days or even weeks for your cat to feel totally at ease in an enclosed, moving stroller. Once that happens, you can start taking her outside. It’s best to go slow again, as this will be a new experience. Calming pheromone sprays, treats, and plenty of reassurance may help at this stage of the training process as well.

Stay close to home, such as by only going into your backyard. A few minutes might be all that she’ll tolerate at first. Do this often and consistently, keeping an eye on your pet’s reaction every time.

When both you and your cat are ready, you can take it to the next level by going for short walks near your home. If you live near a park, you might even walk there and sit for a while as your cat takes in the surroundings.  

Take Your Time and Consider Your Cat’s Preferences

Although you might really want to take your cat for a walk in a stroller, the truth is not all kitties will enjoy the experience. If you find that your pet just isn’t having a good time, and no amount of training is making a difference in how she feels, it may be best to let go of the idea of taking her outside. Or, there might be other things you can try, such as using a catio to give her the opportunity to spend time outdoors safely. Ultimately, it’s all about working with your unique kitty so you and your pet can be happy.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Avert Your Eyes! These Dog Toys Prove That Ugly Is The New Adorable

So ugly, they’re cute! Ummmm, can we have all three, pretty please? Meet Fabio, Isabella and Leo. The Uglies (from Envvy) are not your average chew toy…
Can Cats Eat Apples?

A crisp, sweet treat, chowing down on an apple is a nutritious way to satisfy your hunger. But can cats eat apples?
Palm Cockatoo

Without any doubt whatsoever, the Palm cockatoo is one of the most unique and sought-after parrots- one bird can cost up to $16,000.
Make Sure Your Pet is Kung Fu Ready With Warrior Samurai Armor

With the constant threat of ninja attacks, what''s a concerned pet parent to do? There''s only one option - outfit your cat or dog in awesome samurai armor!
DIY Vintage Suitcase Dog Bed

An easy do-it-yourself project, all it takes to make this vintage suitcase dog bed is some bargain hunting, a little elbow grease and a touch of flair!
Yorkie Bichon

The Yorkie Bichon is a cross between a purebred Bichon Frise and Yorkshire Terrier. You can expect that your pup will be a vivacious and smart little dog.
Dishing Up the Truth About Pet Food Bowls

For every dog, there''s a bowl that fits his eating needs. Feeding dishes come in all different shapes and sizes, proving that one size does not fit all.
Piranha

Piranha are a family of extremely aggressive freshwater fish. They are characterized by two rows of extremely sharp, triangular shaped teeth.
Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Daisy

Things look better upside down – just as the winner of our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com. This is Daisy, a 2-year-old Siberian Hu…
The Solution For Boring Court Programming? Adorable Dog Reenactments!

John Oliver proves that everything – including the Supreme Court – is better with dogs I’m a huge fan of political satirist and comedian Jo…
Is Your Cat Losing Teeth? Here’s Why

Should you be alarmed if you cat is losing teeth? Let''s talk about why this happens and what you should do.
Is This the Dream Job of Every Cat Lover? Feline Sanctuary’s Job Ad

The feline loving-couple behind the God''s Little People Cat Rescue never dreamed that they''ll have over 35,000 applications from more than 83 countries.
Help Kickstart AiryVest, the World’s Lightest Dog Vest

Active dogs don''t want to be weighed down. Outfit your pooch in AiryVest, a fashionable Kickstarter project that claims to be the world''s lightest dog vest.
Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Lola

This is Lola, our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com. Lola is a 3-year-old female Bull Terrier Mix from Brussels, Belgium. Here’s what…
Rover Boutique Offers Designer Dog Clothes for Refined Pooches

Some dogs like glitz and bling, other prefer to don a more refined, classic style. And for posh pups that love designer dog clothes, theres Rover Boutique.