Cat Harnesses: Allowing Your Cat to Safely Explore the World

Cats are fearless explorers. They climb to the top of objects so they can view the world below. (Sometimes this means your favorite bookcase) They stake out window perches to keep tabs on the neighbors and wildlife. And, under the proper circumstances, they set their paws outside. If you have the time and patience, you can train a cat to walk on a leash. And cat harnesses make that outdoor exploration as safe as possible.

The Great Outdoors

Yes, some people laugh over the idea of cat harnesses. They refuse to believe it’s possible to walk a cat on a leash. But cats enjoy getting outside – and for a lot of the same reasons as their canine companions.

Cats need exercise. If they remain too sedentary, it can lead to problems of feline obesity. Taking that walk around the block is often enough to keep your cat trim and healthy.

It’s also a change in scenery. Your cat gets to experience new sights and smells. But with a cat harness, they have a measure of safety an outdoor cat misses out on. You protect them from traffic, strange dogs, and unknown people. You also limit how far they dash up that tree, preventing possible calls for assistance with a ladder.

All three of my cats have learned to walk on a harness. Granted, the youngest is a bigger fan of it, but all of them learned.

Types of Cat Harnesses

When you start looking at cat harnesses, you’ll find four different styles:

• Figure-8: Figure-8 cat harnesses consist of loops that form (you guessed it) the shape of an “8.” One loop goes around the neck, and the other goes around the chest. As your cat pulls or moves back, the straps tighten. It’s NOT a good choice for nervous cats.
• H-Harness: A lot of cat owners are familiar with the H-harness. They resemble the letter “H.” The straps have one or two buckles, usually on the sides. They’re also the easiest to escape from.
• Jacket Harness: You may also see these cat harnesses referred to as butterfly harnesses. They cover most of a cat’s body, ensuring a better fit. And they prevent most escapes.
• Vest Harness: If you have a dog that wears a harness, it resembles a vest harness. They usually fasten between the shoulder blades or back, and you slide your cat’s head through the main opening. They fall in the middle on the “escape” ranking.

Some people are tempted to use harnesses from the dog section for their felines. That’s understandable; you don’t always find many options in the cat section. But you need to remember that dogs have a shorter torso than cats. This means that dog harnesses often pinch your cat’s armpits. It doesn’t mean you CAN’T go this route, but consider switching to a cat harness if your kitty’s uncomfortable.

Choosing a Cat Harness

When you DO find a nice collection of cat harnesses, you want to take your time. Not every harness is created equal. Some are (honestly) cheaper versions of their canine counterparts that will fail within a few uses. That’s not going to keep your cat safe. You want a cat harness designed with felines in mind. As such, look for these important features:

• Safety: You need that D-ring for the leash. Otherwise, you’re buying cat clothing (good luck with that). It also helps if there are reflective seams or tape to increase visibility.
• Adjustment: No two cats are the same. Most harnesses will have at least ONE adjustment point, but the more points, the better the fit.
• Material: Most cat harnesses come in nylon. It’s durable and weather-proof. However, you may want to look for padding – especially if your cat goes on plenty of adventures.
• Type: Which cat harness type suits your kitty best? You know their personality and tolerance levels. Don’t feel bad if you need to change types down the road as your cat learns to walk on the leash.
• Comfort: You want walking with the cat harness to be pleasant. That means straps that distribute weight across the body – not straps that dig. Wider is ALWAYS better.
• Unique Features: Do you have a Maine Coon or Bengal? These big cats have LONG bodies that require special cat harnesses. Other cats HATE Velcro and need buckles. Make sure you’re catering to your cat’s specific needs.

Using a Cat Harness

If you’ve never introduced a cat harness to your feline before, take things slow. Popping it on them and rushing outside is a recipe for disaster. But working through a system (complete with praise and treats) will see you walking around the neighborhood in no time.

1. Your cat NEEDS to be current on their vaccines. You don’t want to expose them to something dangerous accidentally.
2. Put the harness beside your cat. Let them sniff and touch it. Offer praise and treats.
3. If the cat harness has Velcro, make sure you open and close it, so your cat adjusts to the sound.
4. On a DIFFERENT day, place the harness on your cat without securing it. Only leave it on for a few minutes. Make sure you offer treats.
5. Continue building up the time your cat wears the harness.
6. Next time, secure the cat harness.
7. Repeat the process of building up time.
8. Once your cat is used to the harness, add the leash.
9. Start by walking your cat around INSIDE. Keep in mind that cats DON’T leash-train the same way dogs do.
10. When comfortable, move to walking around the backyard.
11. If your cat is handling the cat harness and leash well, you’re ready to venture into the neighborhood!

Tips and Reminders for Using Cat Harnesses

You need to watch your cat closely when they wear a cat harness. Are they giving you behavioral clues that they’re upset?

The odds are that the first time the harness goes on, they’ll flop over into “kitty paralysis.” Keep talking in a positive voice and offering treats. The protest WILL let up.

If your cat acts afraid, they’re not ready for the next step. Take it easy. And ALWAYS keep the reassurance coming. Some cats take to cat harnesses without a problem, while others need longer to adapt.

And keep an eye out for squirming escapes. Cats LOVE to back out of cat harnesses. You want to catch that while you’re still in the training phase (and preferably inside). Outside and near a street is NOT the ideal place to discover your cat hates their harness and wants to bolt.

If they’re consistently sneaking out of the type of harness you picked, you may need to adjust the fit. Or you may need to consider a different style.

Best Cat Harnesses

When you have a cat that walks on a leash, you open yourself up to opportunities. Suddenly, you can take your feline on outdoor excursions. Trips to the vet become easier, allowing you to leave the carrier in the car. And on long family vacations, your cat can get out and stretch their legs with the rest of the family. That little cat harness makes a big difference. It also gives your feline the freedom to see the outside world up-close. Does it take work to do the training? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely!

Best H-Harness Cat Harnesses

For the most part, H-harnesses work for temporary trips. These are the cat harnesses you use to go to the vet or when you’re first training your cat to walk on a leash. Why? Because cats often escape from this style. It’s easy to back out of. However, they’re lightweight and don’t have many contact points on a cat’s body, which many owners like. And for kittens, they’re a great introduction to cat harnesses. So they DO have a place in the feline world. But be cautious if you plan to head into the neighborhood with one of them.