- Do you keep your cat on a lead? If so please email frankie.elliott@mailonline.co.uk
The RSPCA has slammed the Gen Z social media trend of taking cats for walks on a lead.
Recently, many TikTok users have been posting videos of themselves taking their cats for walks while wearing harnesses and leashes.
Leads have become increasingly popular as owners worry that their animals will get injured if they let them loose.
Figures show that demand for cat leads and harnesses is on the rise, with 6,000 searches for leads every month.
But animal experts say owners who do this are stressing out their cats because the collars can “take away control of the cat”.
Pet insurance company Waggel, which carried out the survey, told The Sun: “There is growing disagreement among pet owners about whether cats should be kept indoors or allowed to roam free.”
“More and more cats are being kept indoors to protect them from traffic accidents, illnesses and other animals.”
“The trend is also driven by concerns about the impact of domestic cats on local wildlife.”
Responding to the data, the RSPCA said: “Some cats may become frightened when put on a lead.”
“They may find it harder to escape or hide from stressful situations, such as being approached by an off-leash dog.”
“We understand that social media is encouraging this trend, but it’s important to consider whether this is right for your cat.”
Last year, the president of a major pet care company said that Gen Z adults, those born between 1997 and 2012, are buying pets instead of homes.
This may be because animals are relatively cheap compared with traditional milestones, which are becoming increasingly unaffordable.
“Gen Z is getting pets earlier than previous generations, perhaps because they are delaying having children, getting married or buying their own apartment,” said Lissa McGowan, CEO of Pets at Home.
“Especially in urban areas, they’re putting all their time, energy and attention into their fur babies.”
Pets at Home says lockdowns and an increase in working from home have led to a “huge boom” in pet ownership, with pet numbers up 10 percent since the start of the coronavirus outbreak.
“But this isn’t just about the coronavirus outbreak,” McGowan added. “The outbreak hasn’t gone away. The numbers of puppies and kittens are still high. [lots of] The owner got a second pet.
She said: “The reason is mainly to do with working from home – I can be at home to let the dog out during my lunch break.”
