The 6 Greatest Cat Harnesses of 2024, Examined and Reviewed
With a correctly becoming cat harness in place and a leash connected, your cat can discover the surface world whereas remaining tethered to you. Stephen Quandt, a licensed feline coaching and habits specialist (CFTBS), with The Spruce Pets shares that cat harnesses are nice at “offering security and to make sure your cat will not be going to run away” when exterior.
Quandt additionally underscores the significance of coaching your cat to make use of a harness and stroll on a leash by slowly acclimating them to the harness to assist ease any anxiousness they (and also you) could really feel whenever you first get began. “Begin slowly and transfer progressively, draping the harness gently on a cat with out fastening it in any respect, and finally you get to the purpose the place you begin to fasten it loosely after which tighter till you get to the match that you simply want.”
You’ll be able to learn extra steerage from Quandt within the What to Look For part of this story, and all the time do not forget that utilizing a collar on a cat will not be a secure attachment level for a leash—particularly breakaway collars—as a result of feline necks can simply slip out of a collar or get injured from extreme pulling.
The Winners
After a number of weeks of testing, the RC Pets Journey Cat Harness took the highest spot because of its ease of use, obvious cat comfortability, and the actual fact it nearly completely prevents escape. It’s additionally mechanically cleanable—an enormous plus for long-term use. The Yizhi Miaow Harness and Leash is jacket-style harness that can be resistant to flee makes an attempt. It affords extra protection and plenty of of our testing individuals discovered it snug. Relying on the place you’re in your cat harness journey, we additionally discovered extra kinds which could work higher to your wants.
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The Journey Kitty Harness from RC Pets is our best choice for many cats, receiving excessive marks throughout all classes—match, efficiency, ease of use, and sturdiness. The vest-style harness is constituted of breathable mesh with two adjustable factors—on the neck and across the stomach—together with two buckles to simply snap on and off. The calmly padded physique additionally appears to be snug for many cats, offering an amazing steadiness between safety and softness.
The minimize and design of the vest permits a cat to keep up full vary of movement, and we discovered it simple to discover a good match. That is one in every of my two go-to harnesses for my cat, Bo. As a cat who doesn’t like feeling trapped in a harness, this appears to be a contented medium the place he feels freedom of motion and I really feel he’s secure and comfortable. He’s additionally a wiggler, however can’t shake this harness (although he hardly ever tries with this harness).
We examined this harness with a kitten who was decided to interrupt free and the harness remained in place till our taking part cat adjusted to their new regular. (Nonetheless, even with a harness that claims to be “escape-proof,” it’s best to by no means go away a cat in a harness unattended, particularly in case you are touring together with your feline good friend.) Our tester discovered that the adjustable webbing was able to offering a custom-like match that appeared virtually escape proof. The truth that this harness is mechanically cleanable is one other plus because the mesh padding can acquire filth and micro organism over time out of your cat and out of doors environments. This harness and matching leash set are available a variety of colours and patterns with various costs based mostly on dimension and shade.
To make sure you get a correct match, it’s best to measure your cat round their neck the place a collar sits and across the fullest a part of their chest. To place the Journey Kitty Harness on a cat for the primary time, it’s best to start by loosening every strap. Then calmly place the chest panel between your cat’s entrance legs. Whereas holding in place, clip the neck webbing into the entrance buckle after which clip the girth webbing across the torso. Modify each straps as wanted for a comfortable match that leaves a snug quantity of area for one or two grownup fingers.
Accessible in three sizes
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The Cat Harness and Leash set from Yizhi Miaow permits a cat to keep up full vary of movement whereas wanting additional lovable. It’s a first-line selection for a lot of of my associates with journey cats. The jacket-style harness additionally occurs to be a favourite of Stephan Quandt, the Licensed Feline Coaching and Habits Specialist (CFTBS) and founding father of Cat Habits Assist, whom we spoke with to information our alternatives.
Our tester cat for this harness was a comparatively calm cat that enjoys leisure time on their patio. The hook and loop straps felt safe and our taking part cat confirmed no indicators of discomfort, however it is probably not your best option in case you have a really energetic cat and/or a talented escape artist (we’ve obtained a decide for these Houdini-inclined cats under!). Our tester discovered the harness is straightforward to placed on with hook and loop straps on the neck and chest, however we suggest being additional cautious when placing on and taking off to maintain your cat’s fur from getting trapped and pulled within the velcro.
This cat harness is offered in a wide range of colours and prints to reinforce your cat’s pure coloring or persona, together with polka dots, camouflage, gingham, and an lovable sailor-style design for theme-friendly summer season outings. All harnesses come paired with an identical leash. Sizes from x-small to x-large, give a superb vary of choices beginning with a chest girth as slender as eight inches and going as extensive as 18 inches.
The smaller increments of sizes could make it trickier to find out the perfect dimension to your cat (and in case you have a big breed of cat, like a Maine Coon or a Norwegian Forest Cat, even the x-large could also be too small) and you’ll have to a good bit of dimension swapping as your kitty grows in case you begin them on this leash. It is vital to measure your cat’s neck and chest girth to get the proper dimension to your cat’s finest consolation and safety. The harness can be outfitted with two D-rings for leash attachment, one on the again and one within the center.
Accessible in six sizes
How We Picked
Testing: We chosen 12 cat harnesses and despatched each to a house with at the very least one cat for real-world testing. Every of our feline individuals was fitted by their human based on their assigned harnesses.
The Spruce Pets / Cara Milhaven
For 2 weeks, our human individuals gathered insights and took be aware of what they favored and did not like. On the finish of our trial interval, they supplied suggestions on match, sturdiness, ease of use, and general worth together with images of the harness in use.
The Spruce Pets / Johanna Neeson
Outfitted with this first-hand info, we ranked and categorized our high picks to satisfy a wide range of wants. All of our suggestions acquired very excessive marks from testers.
The Spruce Pets / Cara Milhaven
Why I am The Skilled
I am Alex, a author for The Spruce Pets, and I began harness coaching my cat Bo as quickly as he was sufficiently big to suit right into a harness. I adopted him from the Humane Society in the course of the pandemic and wished to have the ability to take him with me to discover the outside, sit within the park, and, finally, journey with me.
Bo was a 4 pound kitten after we slipped on his first harness, the vest-style Journey Cat True Adventurer Harness. It was just a little roomy, however the nylon safety straps (and his personal wide-eyed uncertainty in regards to the yard) stored him from wiggling out of the harness. Bo grew rapidly, and I discovered myself always shopping for harnesses making an attempt to maintain them cosy however safe sufficient for his constantly-changing dimension.
He started to dislike the fuller-coverage of the vest-style harness and realized to wriggle out, which was terrifying. That is once I found the RC Pets Journey Cat Harness, which Bo appeared to tolerate extra and couldn’t escape from. Ultimately, I might inform he can be extra snug in a lighter, much less constricting harness, and we gave the H-style Journey Cat “The Day Tripper” Harness a go. Bo instantly appeared extra snug all through our excursions. We nonetheless use this harness for out of doors walks, alternating with the RC Pets Journey Cat Harness for automotive rides or journeys the place I want him to remain put.
What To Look For
When selecting a cat harness that’s best for you and your kitties, you should definitely think about type and supplies, sizing and match and closures.
Sizing & Match: Every producer could have their very own suggestions on how and the place to measure your cat, however most are based mostly on a chest and neck measurement. You then’ll reference a sizing chart or desk to get the correct dimension to your cat. Most supply from two to 6 dimension selections supplying you with the perfect likelihood for an ideal match. And match is probably crucial function as a result of with out the correct match, your cat can slip out of the harness and danger getting misplaced or injured.
Some are adjustable whereas others aren’t, so take that into consideration when measuring your cat. Measure twice to keep away from errors in dimension choice and search opinions about match to see in case you ought to spherical up or down whenever you’re on the sting between two sizes.
Your Cat’s Weight: In case your cat’s weight fluctuates between winter and summer season like mine, then go for one with a number of adjustment straps or hook-and-loop across the chest, like our Greatest General decide, RC Pets Journey Cat Harness, which is adjustable in across the neck and the chest for the proper match.
Types: The six commonest forms of cat harnesses are Vest, Step-In, H-Fashion, Roman, Jacket, and Determine Eight, however phrases are sometimes used interchangeably by manufactures or to replicate designs which might be a mix.
- Vest Harness: This type of harness has a chest piece (usually made out of breathable mesh) that’s related to 2 adjustable straps on one facet that can be part of the other facet with buckles. One strap goes across the base of the neck and the opposite strap goes across the torso. There may be additionally a strap that goes alongside the highest (backbone facet of cat).
- Step-In Harness: This type has two armholes and the harness comes collectively on the high of the backbone close to a cat’s shoulders. There may be sometimes an adjustable strap for a cat’s girth and the singular piece comes along with each hook-and-loop tabs (generally referred to as Velcro) and a fast launch buckle. There is no such thing as a piece that goes overhead.
- H-Fashion Harness: This type has two loops, one across the neck the place a collar sits, and the opposite across the fullest a part of the chest. There is just one strap connecting the 2 loops, so this type resembles the letter H when seen from the highest. It’s generally made out of nylon webbing.
- Roman Harness: This type has as a loop across the torso, a strap alongside the underside (chest facet of cat), and a strap alongside the highest (backbone facet of cat). The underside and high straps join alongside the shoulders. This type varies from H-Fashion in that it has a two heart straps (chest and backbone) and the strain from a leash is distributed throughout the shoulders and chest as a substitute of the neck.
- Jacket Harness: This type sometimes has extra floor protection however is light-weight. The type connects across the neck and the torso with hook-and-loop strips. This type makes use of minimal {hardware} save for a D-ring to attach a leash. When you have a really fluffy cat, it may be troublesome to keep away from getting their fur caught within the connective straps.
- Determine-8 Harness: This type seems like a quantity eight when laid flat. There may be one strap that goes across the entrance of a cat and the torso. It’s adjustable and crosses over itself on the high the place a D-ring leash attachment is positioned.
Supplies: Polyester cloth and nylon webbing is the most typical choice accessible as a result of it’s stain and water-resistant, cheap and sturdy. Those who use polyester or nylon mesh are extra breathable and so a superb choice for hotter climates and seasons. In case your cat will stroll within the rain, keep away from cotton that absorbs liquids and takes longer to dry than polyester materials.
Denim, canvas and different cotton materials are breathable and supply extra choices with regard to cute colours, prints and patterns, however not all supply the identical sturdiness and stain resistance, so select rigorously.
Closures: You need to discover the steadiness of a safe closure technique to make sure the clasp gained’t by chance turn into undone but additionally quick-release sufficient to return undone if the harness turns into snagged on a fence or shrub.
You additionally need one thing that’s simple so that you can open and near make the method stress-free for you each. Many have one or two fast launch plastic buckles. Be sure the buckles are sturdy and on the highest or sides the place you’ll be able to see them simply. And examine their situation often since breakage is frequent after they’re used steadily.
Different harnesses depend on safe and adjustable hook-and-loop closures. Whereas most hook-and-loop might be tremendous sturdy, some can turn into much less efficient over repeated use and if fur will get within the closure. So preserve the hook-and-loop freed from hair and particles for optimum efficiency.
A number of of the perfect harnesses use a twin system of hook-and-loop and a plastic buckle, just like the Rabbitgoo Escape Proof Harness and Leash, providing extra peace of thoughts and added security.
Ideas For Getting Began
Stephen Quandt, the founding father of Cat Habits Assist, likes to strengthen that cats aren’t the identical as canine, and cat harnesses aren’t the identical as canine harnesses. A cat won’t “stroll” on a harness and leash like a canine does. With a cat, it’s a must to observe the cat and let it discover.
Earlier than you head exterior on an journey together with your cat, Quandt strongly recommends taking just a few days to permit your cat to acclimate themself to the harness. It is vital to maintain them in a well-known area the place they really feel comfy. “First, you allow them to see the harnesses, you allow them to odor it, they get to eat a snack subsequent to it,” advises Quandt.
Begin by gently draping the harness on high of your cat. The subsequent day you’ll be able to attempt placing the harness on them loosely and allow them to stroll round your own home. In case your cat is responding effectively to the harness, you’ll be able to modify the match and put it again on them. Then join the leash and observe your cat whereas holding the harness. They won’t stroll in any respect, and that’s completely high quality.
Maintain making an attempt with the harness and leash in your house till you’re feeling just like the match is safe. You’ll be able to enterprise exterior close to your own home (like a patio or yard) the place you’ll be able to preserve exterior stimulation to a minimal.
The Spruce Pets / Kate Donovan
Extra We Suggest
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Greatest for Coaching: This sturdy and well-made harness from Rabbitgoo is designed to maintain a cat snug and safe, with mild padding and mushy edges all through to forestall chaffing on a kitten’s delicate pores and skin. The step-in type design has two armholes and is made out of breathable nylon mesh. We’re followers of the simple-to-secure hook-and-loop strap that joins the 2 sides collectively, together with the harness’ quick-release buckle made out of plastic. Plus, the reflective strips across the neck and chest present visibility within the twilight hours.
Our tester felt assured of their cat’s consolation because of an adjustable strap across the center. Any strain a cat may really feel from the pull of a leash might be distributed throughout their chest and never round their tiny neck. Since your kitten is rising day-after-day, it’s best to examine on the match of this harness every time you set it on and loosen the strap when wanted. The adjustability of this harness was a standout level for our tester who mentioned they initially bought the bigger dimension for his or her grownup cat, however ended up with the ability to modify the harness down and likewise use it for his or her kitten. This big selection of sizing makes this harness a strong decide for coaching because you gained’t must always exchange and reintroduce your cat to a brand new harness because it grows (both in dimension or girth).
Once more, whereas it is formally referred to as the Escape Proof Harness, we don’t suggest you allow your cat unattended whereas carrying any harness. Cats are able to many issues, and eradicating themselves from an area they not discover appropriate is one in every of their specialities. Nonetheless, as soon as our testing contributor cat was acclimated to this harness, that they had full vary of movement to securely discover the outside and did not attempt to take away the harness.
Accessible in 4 sizes
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Greatest for Night Outings: In case your adventures exterior together with your cat happen throughout low mild hours of the day, the Supet Cat Harness and Leash with Reflective Trim will make it simpler for you, and all you encounter, to identify your cat. Though this reflective harness set is just made in small and medium sizes, each are extremely adjustable to suit a variety of feline physique varieties.
Whereas testing with a 19 pound cat, the medium dimension was simple to switch and supplied our tester cat full vary of movement.
The harness goes on headfirst and buckles on both facet of the torso snap collectively for a extra cosy and safe match. There are 5 factors of adjustment: two on the neck, one alongside the again, and two across the physique to customise the match to your cat.
The design of the harness distributes any pulling from the leash throughout the complete entrance, decreasing general strain on anyone level whereas decreasing the chance of abrasion to your cat’s delicate pores and skin. There may be one D-ring on the again to connect the matching leash, and the moonlight-ready harness is available in eight colours.
Accessible in two sizes
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Greatest Light-weight Set: When Journey Cat lastly got here out with this H-style harness in 2022, I couldn’t wait to attempt it on my cat Bo. Though he educated in a vest-style harness, he was more and more much less excited by carrying a fuller-coverage harness (particularly within the Southern California warmth).
He instantly took to the barely-there light-weight nylon straps of this harness, although it took a minute for me to correctly dimension it because it was a brand new type of harness for me. Nonetheless, one factor I really like about this harness is that when you dimension it, there’s mainly no want to regulate it until your cat modifications in dimension steadily, and even then it’s a cinch to slip the 2 straps into a comfortable however safe match.
We’ve had the tri-color model of this harness for over two years and it’s pretty much as good as after we first obtained it with no fraying, damaged plastic buckles, or different anticipated put on and tear points. That is the harness I exploit in scorching climate or after we are heading out on “walks” because it provides him wonderful freedom of motion. Plus, he has but to wriggle out of it and has truly by no means actually tried as a result of when he’s carrying it he’s normally on the transfer or plopped down within the solar.
Accessible in a single dimension
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Greatest for Escape Artists: The Houdini Escape Resistant Harness and Leash from OutdoorBengal is light-weight and extremely adjustable to make sure a correct match round your cat. We examined the harness with a 17 pound cat who likes to enterprise exterior to roll on the bottom and wiggle about to their coronary heart’s content material. The harness confirmed no indicators of holding them again, permitting full vary of movement whereas staying securely in place and related to the six-foot leash it got here with.
Regardless of its safe connection to your cat, the harness offers minimal physique protection together with an adjustable tether on the again for optimum shoulder freedom. When correctly match, the harness stays in place with out slipping or coming free, and whereas no harness is really escape-proof, this one did maintain as much as our expert escape-artist who was unable to take away the harness even after carrying it for an prolonged time frame. The straps are tough to regulate whereas a cat is carrying the harness, however as soon as you discover the correct match the straps will keep in place.
We additionally love this harness to be used on all the large boys and chonks on the market because the giant dimension can accommodate a girth as much as 27 inches (most harnesses top-out someplace between 19-22 inches). Plus, there are three materials to select from: mesh, leather-based, or vegan leather-based—all solely in black.
Accessible in three sizes
Different Cat Harnesses We Examined
Listed here are just a few different cat harnesses we examined that didn’t make our last superlative minimize:
Journey Cat The True Adventurer Harness and Leash Set: This step-in harness is straightforward to placed on and I discovered it very handy once I first began harness coaching my cat, Bo. Nonetheless, Bo quickly realized he might wiggle out of it, and our at-home tester’s cat additionally rapidly managed to flee this harness.
Coastal Pet Merchandise Adjustable Determine 8 Cat Harness: Determine-8 harnesses might be among the most troublesome varieties to get cats to put on, and, sadly, this was the case with our candy tester cat. After 4 or 5 tries of getting this harness on, our courageous tester cat nonetheless completely hated it. To be truthful, we’ve additionally discovered this type to be one of many extra complicated choices. Though it was one of many first cat kinds available on the market, the market has grown and we imagine it’s higher to look into different choices.
Greatest Pet Provides Voyager Step-in Harness: We determined to check this harness regardless that it’s technically a canine harness, and our tester discovered it to be troublesome to search out the correct match. Regardless of quite a few changes, our tester could not get the correct match for his or her 10-pound cat nor their 6-pound cat. This can be a good reminder that, once more, the cat harness market has grown, and there’s no have to fuss and fumble with a canine harness—so simply skip it!
FAQ
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To find out your cat’s harness dimension, you’ll want use two key measurements: neck circumference and chest girth. Utilizing a versatile measuring tape (the sort a tailor makes use of), take these two measurements sung to the cat’s physique. Measure the cat’s chest girth proper behind the entrance legs. When you have a very fluffy cat, you’ll need to gently press their fur. Then examine these numbers towards the producers’ dimension information, and see if they’ve any sizing extra suggestions particular to their product.
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It takes plenty of persistence to get a cat used to a harness, so introduce it slowly in a snug and calm surroundings. Galaxy says you need to set up a powerful a constructive affiliation between the harness and the deal with. He recommends choosing a very particular deal with to make use of solely when coaching.
Begin by placing the harness on and adjusting the match. “It’s OK for them to do the falling over on their facet factor, or backing up out of it,” he says. “Attempt to preserve it on them for at the very least 5 minutes earlier than you’re taking it off and provides them their deal with.” Don’t connect the leash at first. “It’s one other supply of weight, it’s one other bizarre feeling on their again.”
In your subsequent classes, slowly enhance the period of time your cat has the harness on. “The second step is taking a step,” says Galaxy. “You need them to start out feeling it and feeling what it’s prefer to stroll on this factor. That’s whenever you use your deal with once more.” As soon as your cat is snug carrying the harness by itself, then introduce the leash inside.
As soon as your cat is snug strolling round the home whereas carrying each the harness and the leash, you’re able to enterprise out into the world.
Galaxy says it’s crucial to understand that going exterior will not be suited to each cat. If you happen to get to the purpose the place your cat is snug with the harness and leash, however as soon as exterior is frozen or exhibiting indicators of misery, don’t drive it. For extra of Galaxy’s recommendation on figuring out if out of doors walks are proper to your cat, take a look at his video on the topic.
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Sure, some cat homeowners have success utilizing harnesses marketed for small canine on their cats. “I’ve a cat that’s greater than a canine, and one of many canine vests suits her higher,” says Jackson Galaxy. “However you’ve obtained to be very cautious.”
He explains that canine harnesses could have bigger leg openings than these designed for cats: “If they will get a leg out, it’s not even a matter of them escaping, it’s a matter of them hurting themselves in the event that they freak out.”
Why Belief The Spruce Pets?
Okay.Alex Beaven is a proud supporter of taking your cat exterior. She started harness and leash coaching her cat, Bo, as early as doable within the hopes of giving him extra stimulation—and it labored. When Bo isn’t making an attempt to set off his automated feeder, he’s begging to go exterior. Alex has written for The Spruce Pets since 2023 and a few of her articles embrace The Greatest Kitten Meals, Greatest Bone Broth for Cats, and Greatest Lickable Cat Treats.
A earlier model was written by Anna Mejorada, an editor for The Spruce Pets, who shares her house with a pomeranian named Gidget. Regardless of being a canine, Gidget usually wears the Come With Me Kitty Harness and Bungee Leash from PetSafe.
For recommendation on methods to discover the perfect harness to your cat, we spoke with Stephen Quandt, Licensed Feline Coaching and Habits Specialist (CFTBS) and founding father of Cat Habits Assist.
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