Adventure cats—those special kitties who accompany their humans on outdoor activities—are truly living their best nine lives. In honor of National Hiking Day on November 17, Rover interviewed a handful of cat parents about their adventure cats who hike, ski, climb, and see the world right along with them.
All of these devoted cat owners agreed on one thing: Adventuring with your cat takes patience, practice, and the ability to listen to your pet’s needs. If your cat decides it’s for them, it’s a lifestyle that can be well worth the effort.
Meet a few of these brave explorers: Liebchen, Pinecone, Mushroom, Kodiak, and Mila.
Liebchen’s Story
Liebchen is a two-year-old rescue cat living in Aspen, Colorado, a community known for its active outdoor lifestyle. This feline is no stranger to adventure, and frequently joins his parents, Dan and Erin, for hiking, biking, paddling, and even skiing! His name, which means sweetheart in German, is fitting for this good and curious boy.
How did you come to rescue Liebchen? We had been searching for a kitten for a while and weren’t finding the right fit. In 2020, Erin’s friend sent us a picture of Liebchen—a nine-week-old, fluffy orange kitten—and something about him felt right. We went to meet him shortly after and instantly fell in love. Dan didn’t even know we were going to meet Liebchen, but held him first and instantly knew it was the right cat. Liebchen’s breed is unknown but we’ve actually been planning to do a DNA test soon since we are so curious!
Any favorite memories from “gotcha day?” One of the things we noticed right away is how vocal and outgoing Leibchen is; he came right up to us the day we met him! He was also sitting in the corner of the crate hissing with cattitude at the other kittens.
When did you know you had an adventure cat? Liebchen was so curious about the windows and doors in our apartment, so we got a harness and leash right away to start taking him on walks. He took to being outdoors really well, so we started to wonder, “What else might he enjoy?”
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Since then, he has been hiking, climbing, skiing, on road trips, and to restaurants and hotels. He absolutely loves experiencing the world. As soon as we realized that he enjoyed being out and about, we just kept taking him with us. Leibchen became our best friend companion and nothing felt right if he wasn’t at our side.
Adventure superpower? Liebchen is flexible and versatile and will try to explore anything. We think his superpower is his courage. He’s fearless!
Favorite trail snack? He loves puréed chicken and dehydrated rabbit snacks on the go.
Any notes for cat parents interested in this lifestyle? We choose to keep Leibchen on a leash for his safety. We’ll let him explore settings first while we’re on a hike (he’s good at following a trail), but he’s a cat! He loves to walk around in circles to smell things, look under logs, explore tree wells and root systems, and just sit and sniff the air! Cats tend to need more rest than a dog, so we often carry Liebchen on hikes too. We make sure he has a comfortable bag that he loves!
We also spend time with friends who have dogs, so Leibchen isn’t scared, which can be helpful on a trail. Overall, taking a cat hiking is so fun and rewarding, and much different than a dog. We recommend it to anyone.
Follow Liebchen on Instagram: @liebchen.travels
Pinecone & Mushroom’s Story
Meet adventurous siblings Pinecone and Mushroom! This dynamic duo braves new things every day. Two-year-old Mackerel Tabby Pinecone, and one-year-old Tabby-Calico mix, Mushroom, are two girls who are making the most of their nine lives on the beautiful hiking trails of Georgia.
How did you come to rescue Pinecone? We started entertaining the thought of having a cat around 2020 when the pandemic was beginning to take its toll. Right before the state of Georgia went on lockdown, we went and visited our local animal shelter. Pinecone, at three months old, was the only cat available but we still took our time deciding if she was a match.
Any favorite memories from Pinecone’s “gotcha day?” As soon as we opened the crate at the shelter, Pinecone took a few steps toward us and belly-flopped. I looked at my husband kind of shocked since I had never seen a cat roll over so comfortably during a first meeting. She let me rub her belly and continued to belly flop all throughout the meeting session. I knew we were taking her home.
How did you come to rescue Mushroom? Mushroom came into our lives at the end of 2021 during Christmastime. My friend was running to a local pet store and I tagged along to love on the adoptable cats there. I was busy loving another kitten when my friend saw Mushroom first and knew I would love her.
Any favorite memories from Mushroom’s “gotcha day?” She was so tiny and kept rubbing her head where our hands could slip into the crate. We sent a video of Mushroom and I to my husband and joked that he should adopt her as a Christmas present. It worked. He brought her in one evening on his shoulders and I cried from the excitement.
When did you know Pinecone would be an adventure cat? I’ve loved hiking since college, but I had a time gap of not being able to when the pandemic happened. I spent a lot of this time with Pinecone instead, since she helped lift my mental spirits. She was comfortable during car rides and wearing a harness, so I decided to bring her with me when I started hiking again.
A favorite memory of one of our first hikes together is when we ventured to Cloudland Canyon State Park during Georgia’s peak leaf season in November. We hike early in the day since Pinecone doesn’t enjoy crowds, so we were the only ones at the trailhead when we arrived. We hiked down to the main waterfall and sat at a rock close to the falls so I could give her a treat. The leaves were falling around us and for a moment the park was ours. It is still the most magical memory we’ve shared together.
I really knew Pinecone would make a good adventure cat the first time she jumped out of her backpack. She is also leashed, but she will shift around or wait for me to bend down when she wants to jump out. Now, I’ll usually keep the backpack open (with the leash securely in my hand) so that she has options!
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When did you know Mushroom would be an adventure cat? Mushroom’s journey was totally different than Pinecone’s! We adopted her when she was around four months old and helped her practice wearing a harness indoors with supervision. Mushroom also has one eye so we let her set the pace for adventuring.
One of our favorite memories together also takes place at Cloudland Canyon State Park. We were there in January and the park was a winter dreamland. Mushroom loved walking around in the snow! This park holds a special place in my heart because I’ve made great memories with both cats.
Mushroom also just embarked on her first true hike this October at Fort Mountain State Park. She was a rockstar! I had previously been taking her on shorter voyages, but she walked the entire trail at her pace and loved the exploration.
Adventure superpower? Their superpower would have to be saving me. They have really changed my life and enriched it in so many ways. I don’t think it would be the same without them.
Favorite trail snack? Their favorite trail snacks are lickable ones! We love the snacks by the Kitty Up brand. The girls go crazy when I open their treats.
Any notes for cat parents interested in this lifestyle? Let your cat be the leader. Cats adventure much differently from dogs and each has its own set of quirks when it comes to being outside. They will tell you what they like and what they don’t like and it’s a learning process. Pinecone and Mushroom have helped me understand what’s right for them. Adventuring with cats takes patience and practice, but it’s so rewarding and fun!
Follow Pinecone and Mushroom’s adventures on Instagram: @lifeof_pine
Kodiak’s Story
Kodiak (fondly known as ‘Kodi’), is a playful explorer who is “half Main Coon, half mystery,” according to his human, Caleb. This two-year-old boy spends his days lounging in nature, traveling from place to place in an adventure van, and experiencing new sights.
How did you come to rescue Kodiak? Kodiak was the last of his litter from a family in eastern Germany. At the time, we were actually looking for kittens with the best possible qualities for an adventure cat. The idea was to start training Kodi at around three months to walk with a leash, travel by car at four months, and by plane at seven months. If he enjoyed these things, we would continue, but if he didn’t, we wouldn’t! Kodiak was able to take the lead.
Any favorite memories from “gotcha day” As a “mini floof,” Kodi was ridiculously cute, energetic, and playful.
When did you know you had an adventure cat? It just so happened that Kodi really took to our training plan. It’s like he was born for it. Going outside and on adventures quickly became his favorite thing and still is. Some of our first adventures were just 15 to 20-minute car rides to wooded areas away from people. This helped him associate the van with going on walks, which he already loved to do. Then, when Kodi was seven months old, we flew to Wyoming where my family has a ranch. This was definitely his first big adventure!
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Adventure superpower? Kodi’s superpower is adaptability. Through kittenhood, he was exposed to constant change. If situations were intimidating, I would often provide him with treats and play with him. I wanted to make change a good thing, and ensure he understood he is always cared for and safe. Now, no matter how long the travel days are, as soon as we are in a new environment, he is happy and at ease. He’s curious about everything and loves to explore. He’s not a cat that hides under the bed after a long day!
Favorite trail snack? The only food I can get Kodi to pay attention to when he’s outside are these little chicken sticks by Sheba. He’s obsessed with them. If he ever slips beyond my reach, I can lure him back with these.
Any notes for cat parents interested in this lifestyle? For those considering the adventure cat life, manage your expectations and do your research. We have a training series playlist on our TikTok (@kodiakthetravelcat) that shows the ups and downs!
Walking a cat will never be like walking a dog and each cat is different. Patience is key, as well as allowing your cat to lead. Your adventures are only safe and fun when it’s something that is comfortable for your specific cat! Backpacks and leashes are essential, and it’s also good practice to find hikes that are less noisy and crowded.
Follow Kodiak’s adventures on Instagram: @kodiakthetravelcat
Mila’s Story
Mila is an adventurous queen residing in Northern Ireland. This three-year-old domestic medium hair has a sweet disposition and a wild side. She and her parents, Rachel and Sam, embark on numerous outdoor adventures, discovering magnificent mountain ranges, coastlines, and forests.
How did you come to rescue Mila? A friend of ours told us about semi-feral kittens living at a farm who needed a home. [Sam] and I had been talking about getting a cat for a while and this seemed like a good opportunity. I talked Sam into going to see them, knowing full well I would try to convince him to rescue one. Who can’t resist a cute kitten? When we arrived at the barn, there were only two black kittens left. Mila was a little black fluff who fit into the palm of my hand! As predicted, Sam also couldn’t resist.
Mila has been such a wonderful presence in our home, especially during the pandemic. We love taking her out on walks, exploring nature together, and making memories. Adventuring with our cat has helped us to connect with nature and really feel at peace.
Any favorite memories from “gotcha day?” We were originally told the kitten was a boy, and settled on the name Milo, but decided to change it to Mila, upon finding out she is a girl.
When did you know you had an adventure cat? Our very first family holiday together marks the start of our adventuring. We brought Mila with us to a little cottage in Donegal and she made herself right at home! She has always been so confident exploring new places, and we feel lucky we’re able to bring her with us when we go away on trips. (She also loves meeting new people and getting pets!)
Mila has always been an incredibly curious cat, which I think made her the perfect cat candidate for adventuring. She has a severe case of FOMO (fear of missing out), so whatever we do, Mila has to do the same.
Adventuring has such a positive effect on Mila and her behavior. Apart from when we go on adventures, Mila is an indoor cat. We live close to a main road so, for her own safety, we don’t let her free roam. After she’s been outside exploring with us, she definitely becomes more relaxed at home. These adventures provide her with mental stimulation and allow her to see the world safely.
Some days, she enjoys sitting on my shoulders and looking around, while other days she enjoys walking and exploring every nook and cranny. Mila also has a fascination with water, so when she hears a stream or waterfall, she wants to check it out!
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Adventure superpower? Mila’s superpower is her level of confidence when exploring new places. Loud waterfalls or ocean waves don’t phase her, which means our locations for adventuring aren’t restricted.
Favorite trail snack? This is an easy one to answer! She loves Weebox “Lick-e-Lix” treats. Mila will do just about anything to get her paws on these things and they are easy to bring with us when we travel or hike. They are cream treats so they also provide a bit of hydration.
Any notes for cat parents interested in this lifestyle? We started getting Mila comfortable with being outside the house early. For example, we took her in the car, starting with short trips. My childhood cat always hated car rides, because she associated them with vet visits, so we made sure Mila was happy and rewarded after drives. We would also get her used to wearing a harness by putting it on her for 10 minutes daily, and then gradually increasing this duration. Consistent training in small doses was a great way to go!
Patience is key, as is learning to read your cat’s body language. Understanding how they feel, and when they are at ease or uncomfortable, is important when adventuring. If you are pushing the boundaries of your cat’s comfort zone, do it in a supportive and reassuring way so that they still feel safe with you. Slow exposure can be good and rushing things can have a negative effect.
In our experience, slower-paced walks and adventures are great. Your cat may want to sniff every branch and nibble every piece of grass in sight. Starting with quieter, secluded places can also help grow the cat’s confidence. Leash laws in different areas vary, but it’s also smart to be vigilant about off-leash dogs. Whenever we spot a dog in the distance, I always pick Mila up and place her on my shoulders just to be on the safe side.
The adventure cat community is amazing. There is so much support and advice out there. It’s so lovely to see more people beginning to open up to the idea that they can travel the world with their cats by their side. It is such a rewarding thing to do.
Follow Mila on Instagram: @irish_adventure_kitty