Do you secretly dream of taking your cat on an adventure? Think of: going on vacation together, walking with a cat backpack, or even letting your cat roam free with a collar camera to capture everything. These two owners have already done it: Kees & Céline. They are the owners of Ros (also known on Instagram and TikTok as Ros Adventure Cat). Today we take a look into the life of Ros: the cat with his own camera, fanbase, and an Instagram account full of adventures. We spoke with Céline & Kees about everything and anything: training, traveling, safety, and the most hilarious moments with Ros.
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Sounds familiar? Then you might already know Ros
How it all began: from indoor cat to camera cat
Ros was not a typical house cat. His owners found him through an address where cats were a bit wild. Ros was the only one from his litter and clearly looking for a home. What followed was not a standard cat life. As a kitten, his journey started with small steps: short guided walks outside. But Ros quickly got the taste for it. His owners (who themselves love bike holidays) decided to train him step by step for the big adventure. Not only with a harness, but also with a collar camera. This way, Ros became not only a travel companion but also an influencer.
"We really trained him like you train a dog. But also with clickers, voice commands, and above all: patience."
It took some getting used to
It was a lot of training indoors and rewards during the first months: the process had its ups and downs. Ros was not easy: if he didn't want something, he made that clear.
"He growled at the window screen when he had to stay inside for a month after surgery. He was really furious," says Céline.
But his curiosity always won over his stubbornness. The cat owners also didn't use a tracker at first. Now they can never do without it.
"We cycled all the way to Cologne without a tracker on Ros. Looking back on it now, we wouldn't dare do that anymore."
Tips for indoor cats in training
Ros was one of those: a true adventurer as soon as he set one paw outside the door, but inside he found peace. And such a balance is important for cats that go outside. Céline and Kees share their step-by-step plan for owners who want to find out if their house tiger is also ready for an outdoor life:
- Start at a young age. Kittens are still malleable and learn new routines faster.
- Work in small steps. Start indoors, then take a walk outside on a leash. Everything in its own time.
- Use a clicker. Combine that with voice commands to encourage desired behavior.
- The travel carrier is your secret weapon. For Ros, his travel bag is not a prison, but rather his safe haven.
- Use a tracker. Especially if your cat roams freely: it gives peace of mind to always know where they are hanging out.
- Check vaccinations well in advance. This is crucial for a trip abroad.
"We had to have Ros vaccinated three weeks in advance, otherwise we were actually not allowed to enter Germany. The first year we forgot that😅"
Climbing trees and napping in bird nests
Ros is not just any outdoor cat: his talent is climbing. When he climbed a 30-meter high tree as a kitten, Kees & Céline stood frozen.
An old man came by and said: "Tie a piece of cloth to an old bicycle tire and run around the tree. Then he thinks it's a little animal." And sure enough: Ros came down meowing.
Ros is either 'on' or 'off', no middle ground: "Inside he is zen, outside he is on an exploration journey"
Practical tips when you go out with your cat
Feeling inspired to take your cat on real adventures? Preparation is everything. Here’s what Céline and Kees recommend:
- Plan vaccinations well in advance. Some countries, such as Germany, require a rabies shot that is at least 21 days old.
- See training as a process. Training a cat is not a quick fix: it is about trust, safety, and mutual respect.
- Choose calm over haste. Do not force your cat. Ros also clearly showed when he did not want something, and respecting that worked to their advantage.
- Invest in a spacious travel bag. If your cat becomes overstimulated or wants to escape the hustle and bustle or new environment for a moment, he will automatically crawl back into it.
"It is also important to have a travel bag or travel basket where your cat has enough space and does not feel 'trapped'"
What we can learn from Ros
Ros shows that cats can do much more than we sometimes think. What makes Ros so unique is not his camera or his followers, but his bond with his owners. He doesn't scratch, doesn't run away (not often anyway), and only grumbles if something doesn't suit him. But with a lot of patience, training, and love, your cat can also grow along with your adventurous lifestyle. It all starts with trust and respecting their boundaries. And that's exactly what Kees and Céline have done.
"We then pick him up and say: 'No Ros, we're not going to do this.' And then he grumbles a bit, but he accepts it," says Céline.
Ros has also learned that his travel bag is not a prison, but a place where he can always retreat when things get a bit too much. And that trust is worth its weight in gold, especially if you want to take your cat out into the world.
So it doesn't have to be a big step. Start small. Learn to understand your cat, respect its boundaries, and always offer it a safe haven where it can retreat. Once your cat is used to it, a forest walk or vacation with your cat becomes something never to forget.
Travel essentials
Are you still looking for a spacious and sturdy travel basket?
1 reaction
Ik herken een heleboel in hetgeen Celine en Kees hebben gedaan om Ros overal mee naar toe te nemen.
één van mijn katten, Bas, had vanaf zijn geboorte in 2017 extra zorg en medicatie nodig. Die heb ik dus altijd in de zomer meegenomen naar een camping hier in de buurt en elke dag een rondje lopen aan de riem. Op een gegeven moment sprong hij al in de reismand op het moment dat ik de campingspullen van zolder haalde. Helaas heeft Bas zijn ziekte zijn levenslust ingehaald, hij is 12 juli 2022 in huis overleden, toch denk ik met plezier aan hem terug als ik de videoavonturen van Ros zie, zo herkenbaar :)