Take your indoor cat for a walk or jog outside in a pet stroller

While you can train your cat to walk or perhaps even jog with you on leash, there are reasons or times when the leash option isn't best (e.g., your cat's just not up for it in terms of attitude or health, you don't want to spend the time or have the patience to train your cat to walk on leash, you simply want to get from point A to point B without being slowed down, etc.). A pet stroller offers another option.

A pet stroller is very similar in concept to a stroller for a child. The big difference is that it's also an enclosure that keeps your pet from running off and for cats in particular offers some sense of security from the outside world.

Four Wheels vs. Three Wheels

There are both three and four wheel models of pet strollers. Basically, the three wheel model is easier to turn but the four wheel model is more stable and less likely to tip.

Mesh Viewing Areas

Ideally, look for four areas where there's mesh for looking in and out of the stroller.

1. For your cat to look out front while sitting or standing.
2. For your cat to look out front while laying down.
3. For your cat to look out back.
4. For you to look in while pushing the stroller.

Entry Ways or Openings

You need an entry to get your cat in and out of the stroller.

There should be a rear entry that opens up the full height of the pet area. This not only makes it easier to get your cat in and out but also allows you to more quickly get your cat out when your pushing the stroller if the need arises.

The front viewing area should open up to not only allow access to your cat from the front but also give you the option of opening up the stroller to offer your cat a more open air experience.

Leash Attachments

If you do open up the front viewing area for that more open air experience, you may want to make sure your cat doesn't jump out and run off. A good way to do that is to put a cat harness on your cat and attach it to the inside of the stroller.

Some strollers come with one or two leash attachments and may include short leashes as well.

Lockable Back Wheels

You don't want the stroller to start rolling on its own when you're not pushing it. You should be able to use your foot or some other simple method to lock the wheels when needed.

Storage Area

There may be things you want to bring along with you when you use the stroller. If so, there should be adequate storage underneath the pet area.

Easy To Clean

You'll want to clean out the pet area of the stroller from time-to-time. You can put down a blanket or your own material and just clean and replace that, but if the stroller comes with material for that purpose then it should be removable and washable.

Foldable

If you want to take the stroller with you in a car or you don't have room in you home for it then it should be foldable to transport or store more easily.

Drink Holder

For your own convenience, you may want a drink holder on the handle.

Weight Capacity

30 pounds is standard. Think about not only your cat's weight but what you'll be storing in the stroller. You may want to just check weight capacity when buying a stroller to be sure.

Zipper vs. Zipperless

While most pet strollers use zippers to attach the viewing mesh, Pet Gear makes a variety of pet strollers that are zipperless. So, if you want to avoid any problems with zipper issues then you may want to go with them.

Pet Jogger Stroller

Whether the low-end pet stroller for walking with your cat will work for jogging depends on your jogging style. If you take it slow and only run on hard smooth surfaces then many strollers might work for you. On the other hand, if you want a faster paced run and/or on a softer or bumpier surface then the low-end strollers may not do it for you. You'll have to go up in price and get a stroller made for jogging.

Jogging pet strollers have an overall higher quality to them than low-end walking strollers. The frame is more solid and the wheels are larger and better. They're generally three wheel strollers where the front wheel can be locked to go straight.

If you know upfront that you'll want to take your cat along with you on jogs or you just want a higher quality stroller that you can use on varied terrain then you may not want to bother with a low-end walking stroller in the first place, just use the jogger for everything. The one downside to the jogger, besides higher price, is that it's heavier and may not be as easy to carry or transport for some people.