RSPCA slams Gen-Z social media trend of putting cats on leads and taking them for a walk

The RSPCA has slammed the Gen-Z social media trend of putting cats on leads and taking them for a walk.

A number of TikTok users have recently posted videos of themselves taking their cats out for walks whilst the animal wears a harness and lead.

The leads are becoming increasingly popular as owners fear the animal will get injured if they allow them to roam free.

Figures show the demand for cat leashes and harnesses is rising – with 6,000 searches per month for leads.

But animal experts say pet owners who carry out this practice will stress out their feline friends, claiming the collar ‘can take away' a cat's control.

The leads are becoming increasingly popular as owners fear the animal will get injured if they allow them to roam free

Animal experts say pet owners who carry out this practice will stress out their feline friends, claiming the collar ‘can take away' a cat's control 

Pet insurers Waggel, which conducted the research, told The Sun: ‘There is a growing divide among cat owners on whether to keep cats indoors or allow them to roam.

‘An increasing number now keep cats indoors to protect them from road traffic, diseases and other animals.

‘This trend is also driven by concerns about the impacts of domestic cats on local wildlife.'

In response to this data, the RSPCA said: ‘Some cats may be frightened by the experience of being on a lead.

‘It may be more difficult for them to be able to move away or hide from stressful situations — like being approached by a dog off the lead.

‘We understand social media has helped fuel the trend, but it's important to consider whether this is the right thing for your own cat.' 

Last year, the boss of a leading pet care company says adults in the Gen Z group, comprising those born from 1997 to 2012, were buying pets in place of homes.

This could be because animals are relatively cheap compared with the increasingly unaffordable traditional milestones.

Figures show the demand for cat leashes and harnesses is rising in the UK – with 6,000 searches per month for leads

Lyssa McGowan, chief executive of Pets At Home, said: ‘Gen Z are getting pets earlier than previous generations, maybe as they are delaying child rearing, marriage or getting their own flat. 

‘They are taking all that time and energy and attention and putting it into fur babies, especially in urban areas.'

Lockdown and increased working-from-home caused a ‘huge boom' in pet ownership, according to Pets At Home. It says the pet population has increased by 10 per cent since Covid hit.

‘But it is not just a Covid boom,' Ms McGowan added. ‘It hasn't gone away. We're still seeing high numbers of puppies and kittens and [lots of] owners have taken on second pets.'

She said: ‘The reasons for that are largely related to working from home, you can reliably be at home to let the dog out at lunchtime.'