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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Everyone can benefit from a little fresh air and exercise—even cats. Walking your cat can be a great way to expand their world and provide much-needed mental stimulation. But safety is paramount when taking your cat outside. That’s where a cat harness and leash come in.
A harness distributes force across your cat’s chest and back so it isn’t concentrated around their neck. Plus, regular cat collars are easy to slip out of. The best cat harnesses are specifically designed for cats. They’re adjustable to your cat’s size and fasten securely around their body with sturdy hardware for leash attachment.
Whether you’re training your cat to walk on a leash for the first time or looking to upgrade your current setup, there are plenty of options. We spoke to Dr. Lindsay Butzer, DMV and PetMeds partner, about the features of a great cat harness and what to consider when shopping for your cat.
Our picks
Best H-Style Harness: PetSafe Come With Me Kitty Harness and Bungee Set
According to Dr. Butzer, walking your cat on a harness “provides better control and reduces the risk of injury to your cat’s neck.” By distributing pressure evenly across your cat’s body instead of around their neck, a harness makes walking both safer and more comfortable.
The best cat harnesses for most applications are H-style harnesses. They feature two loops: one around the chest and one around the shoulders.
This H-style harness from PetSafe is durably constructed from lightweight 3/8” nylon. Dual adjustment points ensure a safe and snug fit while a heavy-duty metal leash attachment ensures security. The harness comes in three sizes and five colors. It also comes with a matching bungee leash.
Key Takeaways:
- Lightweight, durable nylon materials
- H-style design with dual adjustment points
- Available in 3 sizes and 5 colors
- Comes with a matching bungee leash
Best Vest: RC Pet Products Adventure Kitty Harness
RC Pet Products Adventure Kitty Harness
While stockier cats seem to do well with this harness, pet parents of smaller and slimmer kitties reported that their cats could get at least partway out of it.
Adjustability is key for cat harnesses, so it may be best to start out with an H-style harness. Once your cat becomes more comfortable with adventuring, however, they might appreciate something that accommodates a little more freedom of movement. Vest-style harnesses are a great option.
Cat vests cover your cat’s chest, back, and stomach for optimal security. This option from RC Pet Products is specifically designed for cats. It comes in three sizes and colors and is made from breathable air mesh to keep your cat comfortable. For improved safety in low-light conditions, it features a reflective logo and binding. It’s machine-washable for easy cleaning.
Because it fits so snugly around the cat’s body, Dr. Butzer suggests that a vest-style harness like this one “may be more comfortable for a cat with sensitive skin, such as a Sphynx.” These harnesses also work well for cats new to walking because they’re less likely to cause chafing.
Key Takeaways:
- Breathable air-mesh material for comfort
- Fully adjustable at the neck and waist
- Reflective binding for low-light visibility
- Comes with a matching 6-foot leash
Best Figure-8 Harness: Furee Push-Button Harness (Verified Review)
Furee Push-Button Harness
With its figure-8 design and easy adjustment button, this TikTok-famous cat harness goes on fast and stays on securely.
Dr. Butzer says that “a good harness should be adjustable, secure, comfortable for your cat to wear, and easy to put on and take off.” For nervous cats or cats who tend to slip out of their harnesses, a figure-8 style might work best. With fixed neck loops, these harnesses are still adjustable around your cat’s torso to ensure a snug but comfortable fit.
The relatively new Furee Push-Button Harness from Instagram-famous Cat Mando improves on the classic figure-8 with a padded neck strap and an easy-to-use button that lets you adjust the neck loop to get it on fast. Just drop the neck loop over your cat’s head, use the button to tighten, and buckle the chest strap around their torso.
Our testers found the Furee significantly cut down on escape attempts from test cat Zorian, who loves every part of outings except putting on his harness. Being able to get it on him in twenty seconds or less made the experience significantly more palatable to human and cat, and the lighter harness was just as secure as his regular vest on the trails.
Key Takeaways:
- Padded mesh neck loop adjustable with push button
- Buckling torso-strap adjustable with slide buckles
- Anti-tangling back strap with D-ring for leash attachment
- Available in medium and large sizes
Best Jacket: Kitty Holster Cat Harness (Verified Review)
The best harnesses for active cats may be in the jacket style. To put on the harness, you drape it over your cat’s back, slipping their front legs through two openings. Sizing is particularly important for this type of harness, so take your cat’s measurements carefully. Though they’re adjustable at the neck and belly, the straps won’t line up right if the harness is too big or too small.
The Kitty Holster is one of the best jacket harnesses designed specifically for cats. It comes in four sizes from X-Small to X-Large and an array of colors and patterns. This jacket harness is made from soft, breathable cotton materials with an undyed cotton lining. It’s also machine-washable for easy cleaning.
Keep in mind that this harness utilizes Velcro closures. Though adjustable to some degree, it’s important that the Velcro flaps overlap completely for security. If your cat is between sizes, choose the smaller of the two to ensure a snug fit.
Our walking kitties tend to find this a little restrictive out on the trail, but their cat parents find the security a relief—so we’ve worked out some compromises involving freeze-dried minnows.
Key Takeaways:
- Easy to put on and take off
- Available in 4 sizes from XS to XL
- Velcro closures
- Metal D-ring leash attachment on the back
Best for Kittens: Rabbitgoo Cat Harness and Leash
Rabbitgoo Cat Harness and Leash
Rabbitgoo, known for its excellent dog harnesses, has come up with a very substantial version for cats, engineered to make it difficult for a cat to back out and escape.
Dr. Butzer recommends “considering your cat’s size, shape, comfort level, and any specific needs when selecting a harness.” When it comes to kittens, harness and collar size is particularly important. If the harness is too big, the straps won’t line up properly on your kitten’s chest and back. It might leave room for your kitten to back out of the harness or may not distribute pressure evenly.
Our top pick for one of the best cat harnesses for kittens is the Rabbitgoo vest-style harness. Made from soft, breathable mesh, this harness keeps your cat comfortable. Four points of adjustment ensure a custom fit. Most importantly for kittens, this harness comes in four sizes, including XX-Small and X-Small.
Key Takeaways:
- Made from breathable mesh materials
- Available in sizes XX-S through Medium
- Four points of adjustment for security
- Comes with a matching nylon leash
Best for Large Cats: Supet Soft Mesh Harness and Leash Set
Supet Soft Mesh Harness and Leash Set
Soft and comfy, this vest-style cat harness is available in three sizes with adjustability around the torso for security.
While many cat harnesses are adjustable, some simply don’t work for bigger breeds like the Maine Coon. No matter your cat’s size, the harness should fit snugly without chafing. Dr. Butzer reminds cat parents that “it should also be made of a durable material that can withstand your cat’s movements and any potential escape attempts.”
The Supet mesh harness is available in three sizes to accommodate neck girths up to 13 inches and chest diameters up to 17 inches. The breathable mesh materials help keep your cat from overheating, while lightweight padding offers comfort. It features reflective binding for visibility and a quick-release buckle for convenience.
Choose from three sizes and over a dozen different colors. This harness comes with a matching nylon leash.
Key Takeaways:
- Breathable mesh materials with light padding
- Three sizes to accommodate larger cats
- Wide range of color choices
- Reflective binding and quick-release buckle
Best for Escape Artists: Travel Cat Adjustable Cat Harness (Verified Review)
Travel Cat Adjustable Cat Harness
The Travel Cat harness is substantial but lightweight for your cat’s comfort. It’s a breathable, synthetic mesh fabric secured with hook-and-loop fabric.
In addition to your cat’s size, consider your cat’s temperament when selecting a harness. “Bengal cats have more energy and wildness than a chill and calm Ragdoll cat or Persian cat,” points out Dr. Butzer. “Knowing behaviors and activity levels about certain breeds will help you decide how secure of a harness to get.” Dr. Butzer suggests that an H-style or figure-8 harness may provide more security for an escape artist breed like the Bengal or Abyssinian.
Specifically designed to ensure a snug and secure fit, the Travel Cat harness comes in four sizes—including an X-Small size for kittens. It’s adjustable around the chest with Velcro for additional security. This harness features a premium metal alloy clip with 360-degree rotation to prevent tangles. It also comes with a durable nylon leash.
Our test kitties were pleased with how fast it was to get on and off, though our test humans did have some trouble getting the sizing just right, especially for some kittens who fell between sizes.
Key Takeaways:
- Vest-style design with breathable materials
- Comes in 4 sizes with adjustable chest strap
- Metal alloy clip with 360-degree rotation
- Comes with a durable nylon leash
Best for Long Fur: Frisco Wrap Cat Harness
Frisco Wrap Cat Harness
With its simple wrap-style design, this cat harness is easy to take on and off. It fits close to the body, which helps prevent chafing and matting in long-haired cats.
Lightweight, breathable materials are best for harnesses for long-haired cats. Heavy material over thick fur—especially when walking in warm weather—can increase your cat’s risk for heatstroke.
The Frisco cat wrap harness is easy to use and comfortable for cats to wear. The jacket-like design drapes over your cat’s back, and you secure it around the neck and waist with Velcro closures. A breathable poly/cotton blend ensures comfort, while a sturdy metal D-ring leash attachment supports security.
We like that unlike with buckles that clip, long hair isn’t likely to get caught in the lightweight Velcro straps.
Dr. Butzer reminds cat parents that “it’s also essential to choose a harness that is compatible with their chosen leash.” You may need to try out different cat leashes and harnesses to find the combination that works best for you and your cat.
Key Takeaways:
- Easy-to-use jacket-style design
- Lightweight breathable poly/cotton materials
- Adjustable Velcro closures
- Available in two sizes: Small or Medium
How We Chose
We selected the products featured here based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, comprehensive analysis of customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts.
We prioritized harnesses designed specifically for cats with quality materials, adjustable sizing, and added safety features. Our picks are also influenced by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated cats, who are never stingy with their feedback.