Pet Strollers: Would you - Could you - Should you?
- positivepurrenting
- Aug 8, 2024
- 10 min read
Updated: Aug 27, 2024
Pet strollers can be a fantastic way to add enrichment to the lives of indoor only cats. I have been walking my cats in a pet stroller for a long time, we even had a photo of our adventures go viral on social media many years ago:
Note the grumpy little white cat in the back of the stroller? That’s Mim- we will talk about her later....
Would you (walk your cats in a stroller)?
Because you’re reading this, I’m assuming that at least a small part of you is curious about stroller walks with your cat(s). I also understand that you might be feeling a bit of anxiety or trepidation about whether walking your cat in a stroller is going to get you a lifetime membership in the ‘crazy cat person’ club, or if you’ll end up being a social pariah in your local neighbourhood. As someone who is not immune to what other people think (but has also been walking their cats in a stroller for years) I’m here to reassure you that:
Most people don’t even notice you have cats in the stroller. Really! I suspect that people are conditioned to see strollers and think 'babies' - not 'cats'. There have been many instances where I've been walking our local circuit and have passed the same people 3, 4 sometimes even 5 times before they eventually realise there are cats- not kids in that stroller!
If people do notice you have cats in your stroller, the vast majority are either completely unbothered, or utterly charmed, delighted, intrigued and- most importantly- respectful. It’s actually proved to be a lovely way to meet people in my own neighbourhood- why should dog owners get all the social fun?
I can count on one hand the amount of times people have been outwardly rude or intentionally disruptive when they see me walking my cats. That’s 5 negative experiences in years and years of daily walks- not bad stats really!
So if it's something you think your cat would love, why let what other people might think stop you? Chances are they will hardly notice your cat anyway!
Could you?
The walking environment
A big deciding factor when considering whether stroller walks would be great for your cat (or not) is the environment in which you plan to walk.
Is it quiet? Is it peaceful? Are paths paved, smooth and even so your cat won’t be jostled? Are there lots of interesting things for your cat to look at i.e. birdlife, bunnies etc? Are paths wide with good long-distance visibility so you can easily spot and avoid potential scary stimuli?
Busy urban environments with lots of loud, unpredictable or overwhelming activity that your cat isn’t familiar or comfortable with aren’t likely going to set you or your cat up for positive stroller explorations. Off leash dogs (even on-leash dogs), lots of unfamiliar people, loud traffic, places of commerce, playgrounds, nearby sports events, bicycles, skateboards, bouncing balls, other neighbourhood cats roaming around- if your cat isn't used to those things they can prove to be very anxiety or fear inducing and you will need to be as mindful of managing or avoiding those things as as best you can. If your local area is a bit too frenetic and unpredictable, there is the option of driving to a quieter location (provided your cat is a happy car traveler, and you can safely juggle transitioning your cat out of their carrier into the stroller and vice versa).
The right (or wrong) environment can make or break your cat's happiness to participate in stoller walks, so do give your situation some serious thought before diving in.
Good strollers don't come cheap.
Strollers can be a big investment, and without having prior experience using one you might be finding it difficult to know what to look for. I have invested in many different strollers over the years, and can say with confidence that you get what you pay for. But premium models don't come cheap! Quality models tend to sell for over $500 AUD, although you might be lucky enough to find a cheaper model that perfectly suits your needs, or a second-hand premium model. If you do go for a second-hand option, look for something that is lightly used and do make sure you take the time to thoroughly clean and air it, and rub it all over with something that smells reassuringly familiar to your cat (i.e. their favourite bed or blanket) before you introduce it to your cat. Wheeling a stroller that smells of strange cats into your home carries a risk of your cat perceiving the stroller to be a threat, and we don't want that!
So what features make stroller walks a breeze?
Zipperless design – cats can easily open models that rely on zippered entry points. If you do fall in love with a model using zips I recommend permanently zip tying all entry points closed except one (that remains under your ever watchful eye).
Safety tether – so you can secure your cat/s in their stroller via their harness as an extra layer of safety.
Air filled tyres - they make for a smoother, more comfortable ride and pick up less debris during travels.
Good suspension – makes all the difference between a smooth, comfortable ride or a bumpy unpleasant experience for you and your cat/s.
A large, well ventilated cabin with strong and durable mesh windows – good air flow is important but so is strong mesh that determined claws cannot rip through.
Lockable front wheel – when you’re walking in a straight line for a long time this feature keeps your stroller pointed exactly where you want it to go.
Foldable – enables easy storage and vehicle transport.
Good brakes – so you can pause your walk and be sure your stroller isn’t going to roll away.
Lightweight – heavier models can be exhausting to push, light weight aluminium frames are much easier to manage.
Good maneuverability - three wheel models tend to be the best for this.
Some other features which are nice to have are:
Detachable cabin
A rain shield/cover
Storage pockets
A basket below the cabin (great for storing jackets, keys and other personal items)
A tray to hold drink bottles/treats etc
If you already have a stroller and love it, go ahead and mention the model in a comment on this post. You might help someone!
The model I currently use is the Ibiyaya Happy Pet Trailer V2. I love most things about this stroller but it does come with a few concessions- I had to zip tie all the entry points closed permanently (except the top entry), it doesn’t have a safety tether, it’s missing a few of the ‘nice to have’ features and it also doesn’t come with a padded interior (but that was easy fixed by putting a large cosy cat bed inside).
If buying a stroller is out of reach for you financially at the moment, there are loads of other things you can do to add enrichment to your cat’s life on a more modest budget. Simply making time to play with your cat using an interactive wand each day can be fabulously enriching for your cat, as well as strengthening the bond between you. Or you could try home made puzzle feeders (check out this great site for ideas: http://foodpuzzlesforcats.com/homemade-puzzles), or even try your hand at clicker training. Strollers can be great, but they aren’t the only way to have fun with your cat!
Should you?
By far the most important factor to consider when contemplating whether or not to invest in a stroller (aside from the suitability of your local environment) is whether or not your cat has the right temperament.
Is your cat gregarious, outgoing and extremely confident in a wide variety of settings? Do they possess an intense curiosity about new people/animals/objects, and are they resilient? If you said yes to all of that, then stroller walks and your cat could be a great match.
But for cats who tend to be anxious, less confident, highly attached to their home environment, retreat from new things/people/experiences, and may spook/startle or frighten easily- they would probably rather you explored other enrichment ideas- or at least take things very, very slow, stay in their comfort zone and pay attention if they tell you ‘No thank you, this is NOT for me!’.
Remember Mim, the grumpy white cat in the photo? She didn’t look very happy, did she. And it turns out she really didn’t love stroller walks, even though I took the time to acclimate her to it carefully. When I gave her choice and control over whether or not to she wanted to go on a stroller walk, she never chose to come. Even if she was able to go by herself, and the weather was gorgeous, she just wouldn’t have a bar of it! Because I respect her choice, she stays home where she's happy.
If you have a 'Mim', enrichment ideas located within your home might be a better idea than investing in a stroller that may end up gathering dust.
But then there are the 'Axel's' of the world. Axel is my outgoing, confident, gregarious, friendly, highly resilient cat- he never, and I genuinely mean NEVER passes up on an opportunity to go for a stroller walk (unless he’s unwell). When I wheel that stroller to the front door and click the handle into place he appears within seconds from wherever he was in the house. He jumps into the stroller and assumes his front and centre position- ears forward, eyes wide, whiskers alert- eagerly waiting to go outside for his daily adventure. For Axel, stroller walks are just about one of the best things in life! If you have an 'Axel', stroller walks might be brilliant for you too!
Taking the first steps:
It’s so exciting when you get your first stroller, believe me I know! Once you've chosen a model and brought it home you’re probably eager to get started on outdoor adventures. But a little patience is needed yet! It’s really important to take the time to positively introduce the stroller to your cat, and gradually ease into movement at a pace your cat is comfortable with. Slow is fast because you don’t need to wind things back to the beginning and start again because your cat wasn’t comfortable with all the newness- or worse yet have spent all that money on a stroller your cat now won't go near.
There are several basic stages involved when acclimating your cat to stroller walks, and it starts right from the moment you bring the stroller home. If you have multiple cats, proceed at the pace of your most hesitant cat.
1. INTRODUCING THE STROLLER
Unpack and assemble the stroller. If your cat is an inquisitive, curious, confident creature who doesn’t bat a whisker at new large things- feel free to go ahead and do this step while they’re around (but call a halt if they seem at all unsure!).
If your cat is wary of new things (or you’re unsure if they’ll be ok with the process) it’s best to assemble the stroller away from them and then move to step 2.
2. GETTING USED TO THE STROLLER
Position the stroller neutrally (i.e. away from important or valued cat specific resources such as food/water/litter/beds/vertical space/scratch posts etc.) with the cabin open in a large room (so your cat has choice about whether they want to go near it or not).
Place a blanket or bed that smells strongly of your cat inside the cabin. This will help your cat to feel more comfortable with ‘the new thing’.
Scatter treats your cat likes inside and around the stroller, and allow your cat time to explore. Reinforce your cat with more treats when they confidently approach the stroller or sit/sleep in it.
Once your cat is treating the stroller like a familiar piece of furniture (i.e. sitting and napping in it of their own free will), you can progress to the next step.
3. CLOSING THE CABIN
This stage may require multiple sessions. You’ll need treats, and it’s important to keep sessions short (so your cat doesn’t get satiated by the treats which will make training less effective) and positive (so the stroller is paired with good times).
Giving cats choice increases their sense of confidence and control, so wait until your cat chooses to go in the stroller of their own accord- or ask them to go into the stroller if they are target trained.
Once they are in the stroller gradually close the cabin bit by bit, going at a pace your cat is comfortable with. Reward your cat for confident behaviour with treats, go slower if they are unsure. If training isn’t going well or you went too fast, return to the last point at which your cat was completely comfortable, give them a treat and end the session. Try again another time and (you guessed it…) make it more gradual and take things slower!
Once you get to the point where you can completely close the cabin, make sure to give your cat lots of treats and praise for getting that far. Only close the cabin for a second at first, then gradually begin to increase the amount of time the cabin is closed but make the duration variable around a gradually increasing mean (i.e. 2 seconds, then 3 seconds, then 2 seconds, then 4 seconds, then 3 seconds, then 3 seconds, then 5 seconds then 4 seconds, then 5 seconds etc) until your cat is reliably comfortable sitting in the stroller with the cabin closed for at least 10 seconds. Don't forget the treats!
Once your cat is comfortable sitting in the stroller with the cabin closed, you can progress to stage 4.
4. TIME TO GET MOVING
Again, this stage may require multiple short training sessions.
With your cat inside the stroller and the cabin closed, gently move the stroller a very small distance (i.e. a half metre). Give your cat praise and a treat for confident behaviour (move a smaller distance and move more gently if they were hesitant).
Gradually increase the distance you move the stroller until you can wheel it around the room, then the house, all the while reinforcing your cat with treats for confident behaviour.
This stage will go as fast as your cat allows, if it takes one day or one week the goal remains the same- for your cat to be confident and at ease with being transported in the stroller within the familiar boundaries of your home.
Once your cat is completely happy going for stroller rides inside your home, it’s time to progress to the final stage!
5. GOING OUTSIDE
Choose a time of day where the outdoor environment is likely to be the most peaceful and calm. Avoid times of peak traffic or days with weather extremes.
As in previous stages, go slowly and don’t ask too much of your cat all at once! Start with the goal of getting to the end of your driveway and then returning back to your house. If you can achieve that in your first training session you’re doing really well!
Gradually build distance over multiple training sessions and multiple days if need be, always going at a pace your cat is comfortable with. It might take a few days, it might take a few weeks (or more, it depends on the cat!). Building up slowly to longer walks is the best way to ensure that you and your cat enjoy positive stroller walks for years to come.
One last thing...
There’s nothing quite like the peace of mind knowing that IF the zombie apocalypse ever hits (or an earthquake, fire or other disaster…) you’ve got a safe and secure way to transport your cats away from danger on foot if necessary.
I hope this post has given you lots to think about! Monique van Maanen, FBST
Positive Purrenting
"Helping cats and their people to live more harmoniously together."
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