Walk Story

Out and About with Leonie and Lea

Walk Story

Out and About with Leonie and Lea

Leonie lives in Switzerland with her two Bengal cats, Lea and Elfi. She goes out every day with her cats, whether it’s for short walks or longer adventures in the mountains. In our Walk Story, Leonie shares her experiences on the topic of ‘Out and about with your cat’ and offers fascinating insights into how to enjoy walks and outings with your feline friend without any hassle.

I had always wanted a dog and considered myself a true dog person. Then, by chance, I came across people on Instagram who were taking their cats on walks and hikes. That's when the idea was born: if we ever got a cat, we wanted to get her used to the outdoors from the very beginning and take her along on as many adventures as possible.

Leonie

For us, the most important thing about a harness is that it's lightweight and doesn't restrict Lea's movement. It also needs to be secure enough that she can't slip out of it.

When choosing a cat backpack, we look for two things above all: stability and comfort. It should be sturdy enough to give your cat a safe, secure place to retreat to whenever they need a break. We also prefer a backpack with plenty of storage compartments. Whether you're heading out for a short walk or a full-day hike, it's incredibly useful to have space for everything your cat might need along the way.

What Qualities Should a Cat Have Before you Start Going on Adventures Together?

We started with Lea when she was still a kitten. In the beginning, we used a leash. For that, we simply used a long training leash for puppies. We took her to the forest and let her explore her surroundings entirely at her own pace.

Over time, we noticed that Lea actually follows us everywhere. After her spaying, we initially let the leash just drag along behind her and eventually stopped using it altogether. Today, she walks completely off-leash. She always stays close to us, and if she briefly loses sight of us, she meows and comes running straight back. I believe that the most important factor here is not the breed, but the individual personality and character of the cat.

Modena Cat Harness

I would recommend starting with a harness that is as light as possible and allows the cat plenty of freedom of movement.

View Modena Cat Harness

Modena Cat Harness

How Did You train Your Cat to Wear a Harness, and What Tips do You have for Beginners?

Start by introducing the harness indoors. Don’t worry if your cat freezes or seems unsure at first - that’s completely normal. It often takes a little time for them to realize they can move around just as freely with the harness on. Their favourite treats can make all the difference. Rewarding and distracting them with something they love helps them build a positive association, and before long, they'll barely notice they're wearing it. These days, Lea happily lets us put on any harness without a second thought.

Looking back, there’s one thing we’d do differently today: we’d be more relaxed ourselves, without expecting everything to go perfectly right from the start.

Our favorite adventure together so far was spending two weeks exploring the Pyrenees in a Jeep with a rooftop tent.

When Do You use a Cat Backpack, and how Did You get Lea Used to It?

Whenever we go on holiday or head out for a walk, we always bring a cat backpack so she has a safe place to retreat to whenever she wants. A few days before we leave, we put it out in the apartment so she can get used to it. She loves curling up in it at home, too. In fact, the moment we set the backpack down, you'll usually find her already tucked up inside.

Find out more about Leonie, Lea and Elfi and their Adventures together on their Instagram Account.

The key is to let your cat explore everything at their own pace. Start small and gradually find out what works best for your individual cat. For cats, being outdoors is a much more intense experience than it is for us. That’s why patience, a calm approach, and good preparation are essential.