- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
When it comes to enjoying nature, fresh air, and sunshine, why should dogs get all the fun? Letting your cat explore the outdoors with a well-fitting, safe cat harness is easier than ever. Whether you’ve got a full-blown adventure cat on your hands or an outdoor-curious kitten, harnesses are a fantastic way to develop a stronger bond with your cat and allow them to experience the world around them in a way that they can’t from a window bed or catio alone. They’re also a safer and more responsible alternative to letting your cat free roam around your neighborhood.
Harness training isn’t complicated and only requires patience and consistency, and it has many benefits for felines. So let’s look at simple ways to put a harness on your cat, help pick the correct one, and learn how to harness-train your curious kitty.
5 Easy Steps to Putting On a Cat Harness
Before you put a harness on your cat, make sure your cat is microchipped and wearing a GPS tracker collar, says Dr. Shakira Free Miles, an award-winning veterinary nurse and activist. No harnesses are completely escape-proof, so microchipping and trackers provide some protection in case of any mishaps.
Once you pick the proper harness for your cat (more on that later!) and are sure it’s something they want to do, Kristyn Vitale, Ph.D., CAAB, and Assistant Professor of Animal Health and Behavior at Unity College, recommends a slow exposure approach to put a harness on your cat.
Here are five simple steps to achieve a happy, harnessed cat.
- Familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions: Read the instructions and watch videos from the manufacturer to see how to put the harness on your cat and adjust and maintain it.
- Introduce them to the harness: Before attempting to put the harness on your cat, let them investigate it independently. Then, while supervising them, leave it out for them to sniff and paw at. Do this for a few minutes every day.
- Put the harness on your cat inside your house: Dr. Vitale encourages cat parents to put their cat in their harness for a few seconds a day and gradually increase it to minutes to build their confidence. She suggests using positive reinforcement like treats and toys to help them associate the harness with good things.
- Put the harness on outside your house: Once your cat is relaxed and comfortable wearing their harness inside, Dr. Vitale says it’s ok to bring them outside and to use the same technique and “slowly work up to being outside for longer and longer periods of time.”
- Practice walking outside in a small area: When your cat is used to the harness, you can begin leash walking them in a small, secure place, like a fenced backyard. Then, gradually expand your outdoor range while paying particular attention to your cat’s body language and behavior to detect discomfort.
What Is The Right Fit For A Cat Harness?
The right-fitting cat harness depends on your cat’s size, body shape, comfort, and security needs. For instance, an adult Maine Coon will have different needs than a six-month-old kitten. Start by measuring your cat’s neck size, chest size, and length. Pay special attention to their chest because this is the area where the harness provides the most support.
Many harness manufacturers recommend adding an inch or two to your cat’s measurements so the harness isn’t too tight. “If you can place one finger under the harness, then the sizing is correct,” Dr. Vitale explains.
Lastly, always choose harnesses specifically designed for cats. Dogs have different bodies than cats, so using a dog harness on a cat could lead to injuries or accidents like slipping out of the harness.
What Are The 4 Types of Cat Harnesses & Which Is Right For My Cat?
You should know your options when looking for the correct harness for your cat. There are four types of cat harnesses. All cats are individuals, so the right one depends on their size and the specific activities you plan on doing with them. Always pick harnesses with flexible options, especially for growing kittens, and consult your veterinarian or a feline behaviorist for help.
Type Of Harness | What It Is | Is It Right For My Cat? |
H-Style | H-shaped harness with two loops: one for the chest and one for the shoulders. | All around the best harness for most cats. |
Vest | A padded vest that covers the chest, back, and stomach. Vest harnesses use velcro, buckles, and adjustable straps, often made from a durable but still lightweight and breathable material. | Great for cats with neck sensitivities and active cats who like to run around on a leash. Not ideal for cats who live in hot weather due to possible heat stroke. |
Figure-8 | Shaped like the number eight, it slides around your cat’s torso and chest. It has adjustable straps and is one of the best ways to get a customized fit. | Effective for cats who frequently slip out of other harnesses. |
Jacket | Full coverage, snug-fitting harness made of sturdy, breathable fabric with velcro, snap closures, adjustable buckles, and straps for the most secure fit. | Best for cats who frequently escape from other harness types. |
How to Harness-Train Your Cat
Dr. Miles says harness training isn’t appropriate for all cats. For example, those with certain medical conditions or senior cats with age-related challenges like poor balance, body stiffness, and loss of flexibility aren’t ideal candidates for leash and harness adventures.
But if your cat is in good health and has no special needs, a patient attitude is a crucial first step in successful harness training. In addition, cats are cautious creatures; even the most curious ones need time to acclimate to a harness. So it’s unrealistic and unfair to your cat to strap them into one and expect them to hit the streets (or trails) running.
If you’re adopting a kitten, Dr. Vitale says it’s ideal to start harness training them around two to three months. However, you can harness-train cats at any age.
Remembering harness training is a partnership between humans and felines is critical. Ensure you understand your cat’s body language and know cues indicating they’re feeling unsafe and uncomfortable. For example, Vitale says to look out for dilated pupils, frequent lip-licking, flattened ears, and a crouched posture, as these all indicate stress and anxiety.
What Are The Benefits of Cat Harnesses?
Once you’ve picked the perfect harness for your cat and fit them, you might still wonder if walking your cat is worth it. Below are five surefire benefits of walking your cat with a harness just for them.
1. Exercise and mental stimulation
“Indoor cats can be at risk of living in a fixed and unchanging environment,” Dr. Vitale says. Walking cats on harnesses outside allows cats to engage in more physical activities like climbing and running and to explore new locations. It’s a multi-sensory, mentally stimulating experience that can reduce boredom.
2. Better cat-human bond and socialization
Outdoor walks also allow cats and their parents to develop a deeper, trusting bond. In new outside environments, cats encounter different people and animals, helping them become more socially confident and less fearful.
3. Behavioral management help
Dr. Vitale says harnesses give cats the freedom to engage in natural behaviors like scent marking, promoting their overall welfare and quality of life. It’s also a way for cat parents to redirect their cat’s energy, especially if they’re prone to certain behaviors like play aggression.
4. Safe alternative to free roaming
There are so many dangers and risks for free-roaming outdoor cats. Dr. Miles says harnesses are a controlled way to give your cat an outside experience to enrich their lives and feed their curiosity with a lower risk of them running away.
5. Easier vet visits and emergency preparedness
Harness training also has practical benefits. It can make it easier and less stressful to bring your cat to their annual vet visits or trips to their groomer. In the case of emergency events like floods, fires, and evacuations, it’s easier to safely transport them over small or long distances in a harness with less risk of them fleeing or hiding.
Cat Harness FAQs
What if my cat doesn’t like the harness?
Dr. Miles says sometimes a cat doesn’t click with harness training. If you’ve tried multiple times to get them into a harness, and they continue to fight against it, stop. Never force a cat to wear a harness. “Some cats are true home kitties, and the outside, especially [large] open spaces, may be too scary,” she says.
Why do cats lay down when you put a harness on them?
Some cats lay down, go limp, or freeze when you put a harness on them because it triggers their survival instincts and an anxious response. This is an entirely normal reaction and another reason why taking a patient and slow approach to harness training your cat is crucial.
Should I make a cat harness?
You should not make your own cat harness. Instead, buy cat harnesses from trusted online retailers and pet supply stores. Unfortunately, DIY harnesses don’t have the same safety standards and features as ones created by manufacturers.
How is a cat harness different than a dog one?
Cats have different anatomy than dogs, and the styles and features in their harnesses reflect that. Cat harnesses are designed to provide a secure, escape-proof fit that accommodates their flexible bodies. The leash clip-in position is also different on cat harnesses and is often behind their shoulders to provide more security and not put pressure on their neck or throat, which can cause choking. Dog harnesses are more rigid and have different leash clip-in positions.
Can I leave a harness on my cat all day?
You should not leave a harness on your cat all day. Unlike many cat collars, cat harnesses are not breakaway, and cats can get caught and entangled, especially when unsupervised.
Is it good to walk a cat on a harness?
Walking a cat has many benefits, including quality exercise time with you and your cat, freedom to engage their instincts, and more enrichment activities.