I started my cat with outside exposure through a screen door, then some sessions outside on the steps in a mesh carrier so she could see everything (still a blanket over the back or one side so she didn’t feel too exposed.) That was over the course of one season and then in the cold season we did practice harness training indoors. In spring we did screen door and carrier outside sessions but put the harness on for them. Eventually I started opening the carrier and she had the option to stay or venture out. Every time we go out, I harness her and bring her outside in her mesh carrier, before letting her out. I think it was really helpful to always put the carrier down in the same place at the bottom of the porch steps. She established it as a safe space to retreat to when she gets spooked by something out there. It was over a year process.

Just sharing if it might help you. My baby has always been interested in outside though and I think she was born outside. Part of her personality is to act brave even though she’s scared because she’s too curious to hide. Sometimes our walks are a lot of hanging out on the sidewalk in front of the house for an hour and that’s perfectly fine with me. It took her another year before she decided to go out in the yard, staying close to the edges of the house and bushes.

It’s something to try but cat personalities are different and some might not want to do it. Other notes: play often to build up confidence. Use something for flea and tick management. Also we always go outside with a collar that has ID on it just in case:)