A must-have accessory for adventurous cats
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Cats will run away if they feel threatened, just like many other animals will (not because they don’t love you as much as you love them; it’s instinct).
Train your pet to go on walks or use a leash to let them explore the outdoors as two secure ways to let them appreciate nature without worrying that they’ll run away or get lost. Leashes should never be attached to a cat’s collar for safety reasons, so you’ll need a harness for any activities that call for one.
Jackson Galaxy, a cat behavior specialist, claims that the fact that your cat cannot escape from a cat harness is its most important feature. He asserts that all that is necessary is finding the perfect fit. Observe that carefully. It’s common for harness makers to ask you to measure your cat’s neck and chest.
Consider the kind of harness your cat might accept the best as well. Some cats can only tolerate H-style harnesses, also known as figure-eight varieties, which have fewer straps and loops, despite the fact that vests or jackets are the safest options. Even if you don’t intend to walk your cat frequently, it can be a good idea to have a collar and leash on hand in case you need to take your cat somewhere without a box.
Here is a list of the best cat harnesses on the market.
Best Overall: Travel Cat Reflective Cat Harness and Leash
What We Like
- Very hard for cats to slip out
- Doesn’t need to be put over the cat’s head
- Several ways to adjust the size
What We Don’t Like
- Not all cats tolerate vest-style harnesses
What Experts Say
“There are people who will stand behind a lot of different types of harnesses. The kind that I go for are the ones that are more like vests, that cover the top part of a cat’s chest.”
Jackson Galaxy
Best for Travel: Rabbitgoo Adjustable Cat Harness and Leash Set
What We Like
- Comfortable fabric
- Many ways to adjust the fit
- Reflective strips
- Leash included
What we Don’t Like
- Not all cats allow a harness that slips over their head
What Editors Say
“My skittish cat usually hates new experiences, but she doesn’t mind this vest, even from the very first time I tried it on her. I don’t think she’ll ever become an adventure cat, but I like having this set on hand in case I need to take her somewhere where we may not be able to use her crate.”-Margaret Badore, Senior Editor
READ NEXT: The 8 Best Cat Trees of 2022
Best Budget: PUPTECK Adjustable Cat Harness Nylon Strap Collar with Leash
The PupTeck is simple to use, but since it only comes in one size, larger-than-average cats might not be able to utilize it. It could be used as a trial harness to gauge your cat's interest in exploring the outdoors and to assist in training them to do so.
What We Like
- Low price
- Clips on both the neck and chest strap
- Leash included
What We Don’t Like
- Only available in one size
- H-style harnesses can be easier for cats to escape
Best for Large Cats: Clothings4Cats Casual Harness for Cats
We like this one from Clothings4Cats on Etsy. Each harness has Velcro fasteners and is tailored to your big cat's exact measurements. You might want to look around the store to discover the pattern you like most because they come in a variety of prints, from large graphic motifs to small florals.
What We Like
- Custom fit
- Easy to put on
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t come with leash
Best for Kittens: Rabbitgoo Escape Proof Cat Harness and Leash Set
What We Like
- Single clasp is easy to use
- Reflective strips
- Extra small sizes
What We Don’t Like
- Fewer ways to adjust the size
Best Escape-Proof: Kitty Holster Cat Harness
What We Like
- Easy to clean
- Hard for cats to wriggle out
- Four sizes available
What We Don’t Link
- Doesn’t come with leash
- Not all cats tolerate this style of harness
Cutest Style: Yizhi Miaow Cat Harness and Leash
What We Like
- Hard for cats to wriggle out
- Four sizes available
- Comes with matching leash
What We Don’t Like
- Not all cats tolerate this style of harness
Best Velcro: Hipet Velcro Cat Harness and Leash
What We Like
- Easy to put on
- Comes with leash
What We Don’t Like
- Not all cats tolerate this style of harness
Final Verdict
Our top pick for a cat harness is the Travel Cat Reflective Cat Harness and Leash. It will be challenging for cats to escape from the Kitty Holster Cat Harness, which is another reason we enjoy it.
How to Pick the Right Cat Harness Size
The harness’s fit is its most important component. A correctly fitted harness shouldn’t in any way limit a cat’s ability to swivel their head. Similar to a collar, the harness needs to have a gap of no more than two fingers between it and your cat’s body.
A few harnesses feature adjustable straps for an even better fit.
Style
Figure eight, vest, and jacket cat harnesses are the three main types.
Despite the fact that they are the lightest and easiest for cats to escape from, figure eight harnesses may work better for cats who really dislike having anything on their backs. Galaxy recommends figure-eight-style vests and coats.
The cat’s back and shoulders are often covered by vests, which are typically made of permeable materials. Cats find it far more difficult to get away from them.
Most of the cat’s back is covered by the best jacket-style harnesses, which are also the most challenging to escape from. However, some cats really don’t enjoy this appearance. I try to stay away from the belly,” Galaxy says, adding that he wouldn’t put a cat in a collar that reached all the way to the groin.
You have to think about what your cat could or might not go for, and you might have to do a little bit of trial and error, according to Galaxy.
Closures
For diverse cats, different closure locations will be more comfortable. You ought to take into account their temperament and what they would be able to withstand the greatest.
In certain cases, the sound Velcro creates has even been known to send allergic cats into convulsions.
1 If that is your pet, you should avoid leashes with this style of fastening.
FAQ
For a harness, how should a cat be measured?
The right harness size must be determined using your cat’s neck circumference and chest girth measurements. Using a flexible measuring tape, take these two measurements in proportion to the cat’s body (the kind a tailor would use). Measure the cat’s chest size just behind the front legs. If you notice that your cat’s fur is particularly fluffy, you should gently stroke it. Then, determine whether the manufacturer offers any further sizing guidance specific to their product by comparing these figures to their size chart.
How can a cat become used to wearing a harness?
Because breaking a cat into a harness takes a long time, do it gradually and in a calm environment. Galaxy suggests making the connection between the harness and the reward strong and favorable. He proposes choosing a unique incentive that will only be used during training.
Make the necessary fit changes after you put on the harness. He says, “It’s okay for them to back out of it or fall on their side.” Try to leave it on them for at least five minutes before you take it off and give them their reward. Fasten the leash loosely at first since “it’s another source of weight and my back feels weird again.”
During your subsequent sessions, gradually extend the amount of time your cat spends wearing the harness. Galaxy states that moving forward is the next step. You want them to start doing it and feeling what it’s like to walk in this thing. Then you should make another use of your reward. Once your cat feels secure wearing the harness by itself, bring the leash inside.
You’re prepared to go outside once your cat feels at ease using the collar and leash while moving around the house.
Galaxy emphasizes how crucial it is to remember that not every cat is suitable for going outside. Don’t push it if your cat becomes accustomed to the collar and leash but becomes frightened or distressed once outside due to the cold. Check out Galaxy’s video on the issue for more information on how to decide whether taking your cat for walks outside is a good idea.
Can a cat wear a dog harness?
The use of harnesses designed for small dogs on cats works well for some cat owners. Jackson Galaxy explains, “I have a cat that’s bigger than a dog, and one of the dog vests fits her better.” But you need to exercise extreme caution.
Dog harnesses, he continues, may feature wider leg openings than cat-specific models: “If they can get a leg out, it’s not even a question of them escaping, it’s a question of this hurting themselves if they freak out.”
Why Should I Trust the Product Review from the Cat?
We spoke with Jackson Galaxy, a cat specialist and the host of the Animal Planet program “My Cat From Hell,” about the qualities to look for in a cat harness in order to compile this list. After that, we conducted extensive market research to identify the top products.
Lifelong cat lover Senior Editor Margaret Badore always has a harness on hand for her cat Marbles.
