- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Exploring the great outdoors with your dog is a great way to keep your pet (and you) happy and healthy. Does the same go for cats? It certainly does for Sullivan, aka Sully, a three-year-old Selkirk Rex who resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts with his mom, Katie Chang.
Sully’s experiences are documented on Instagram (@sully_of_boston), where he is often seen running, hiking, and exploring his neighborhood. His adventuring alongside Chang is a testament to his strong bond with mom, and shows that some cats enjoy the same kind of activities as dogs.
View this post on Instagram
Adventure Awaits
“I’ve always loved being outdoors and hiking, so during the pandemic, I decided to try this hobby with Sully,” Chang tells Rover. “I would see leashed cats on social media and started to follow accounts that posted cat adventuring training tips, like @kittycatgoadventure.”
The pair have been at each other’s side since Chang adopted Sullivan as a three-month-old kitten, and sharing this hobby together has only strengthened their bond.
“Sully loves to climb and is always on the lookout for a good tree,” says Chang. “We take him everywhere from residential sidewalks and neighborhood parks to peaceful paths in the woods. We’ll hike with his dog friend, Yahtzee, and recently enjoyed a small mountain climbing trail. He really liked it!”
Finding the Right Fit
While some cats enjoy outdoor exploration just as much as dogs, others just don’t. If you do have an adventure kitty on your hands, there is a definite learning curve to ensure your cat is safe and comfortable, and Chang says finding the right harness and leash is essential to an enjoyable adventure for everyone.
“Leashing your cat keeps them safe, and keeps other people, pets, and wildlife safe as well. We let Sully acclimate to his harness indoors before taking him outside. Finding the right harness can be tricky, so if one style doesn’t work, try another. I know that not all cats are suited for the outdoors, but after some training and treats, Sully took to it naturally.”
Chang and Sullivan prefer their Good2Go harness, but it took a few tries to find the perfect fit. “Sully was able to escape the first harnesses we tried. The one that works for us has good coverage, and we have a bungee-style leash, which provides security if he jumps or lunges.”
Once Sully was used to his leash and harness, Chang says she transitioned her indoor kitty to the outdoors by letting him spend time in the backyard. Once he became comfortable exploring his surroundings, they moved to a routine walking path that sparked his knack for running.
“He loves to run and has certain spots where he enjoys sprinting. He’s always excited to get back to our yard, so he’ll start to jog at the end of the block every time.”
The Art of Exploration
When it comes to visiting new places, Chang prefers to check things out before bringing Sully along to note how busy an area is and if there are dogs off-leash. Since Sullivan’s pastimes include trotting down paths and climbing trees, Chang brings a cat backpack along on all of their hikes.
“When we see a dog, I try to make sure the dog owner knows that I have a cat, so they aren’t caught off guard. It’s good to be able to stow Sully away if need be, and we are working on teaching him to jump into the backpack on his own. The backpack acts as a safe space so that he always feels comfortable on hikes.”
Like with dogs, extra safety precautions are always wise when spending time outside with your cat. Fleas and ticks can be harmful to your pet and may infect others in your household, so Chang says it’s important to keep Sully on his monthly flea medication. Chang also notes that Sully is microchipped and wears a collar with her contact information in the event of an emergency.
With warm weather on the way, Chang says she and Sully and gearing up for another season of hiking, jogging, and trail running—and bonding, of course.
“This summer, we’re planning to try paddleboarding together,” says Chang.
Follow Sully and all of his adventures on Instagram: @sully_of_boston