Best Cat Harness 2020: Make Outdoor Walks of Your Pet Safe and Comfortable
Author Alisa Mendoza Reading 1 min Views 33 Published by
Outdoor walking is one of cats’ basic needs. Regular walks make our furry friends healthier and less prone to obesity. Kitties that spend all the time indoors, in turn, are lazier, weaker and less vigorous, though it is not a good idea to let a cat walk alone, even if you live in the countryside, not to mention a city. This is why a cat harness and leash are must-haves for cat owners.
Table of Contents:
What is a Cat Harness and Why do You Need it
Top Cat Harness Models: A Comparative Chart
Things to Consider When Choosing a Cat Harness
How We Picked out the Best Cat Harnesses 2018
Best Cat Harnesses 2018: Our Choice
1. Kitty Holster Cat Harness
2. Pupteck Escape Proof Cat Harness with Leash
3. PetSafe Come With Me Kitty Harness and Bungee Leash
4. Pupteck Adjustable Cat Harness Nylon Strap Collar with Leash Black
5. Petetpet Puppy Harness and Leash
6. Smalllee_Lucky_Store
7. Mynwood Cat Jacket/Harness Black Adult Cat
8. Voyager by Best Pet Supplies
9. LupinePet Originals
10. PUPTECK Reflective Adjustable Cat Harness
Five Amazing Facts about Cats and Cat Harnesses
Cat Harness Benefits
How to Use a Cat Harness. General Tips
How to Leash Train a Cat
How to Care for an Outdoor Cat: Tips for Cat Owners
Frequently Asked Questions
Verdict and Recommendations
Even if your cat never walks outside, you may need a cat body harness in some situations. Suppose, you need to take your pet to a vet – using a harness is the easiest way to control it on the way. There are known cases when cats escaped from cars and pet clinics; if you put a harness with a leash on your cat, the chance of escaping will be minimal.
Another example is travelling with a cat. No matter how you are travelling – by car, by air or by train – always use a harness if you don’t want to lose your pet. In some places, cats are not allowed without a harness at all.
Before we proceed to description of top harnesses models, let’s talk about the types of this important accessory. Basically, there are two main kinds of it.
Leads (aka straps) are simple textile straps that go around the cat’s neck and body behind its front legs with a buckle on the back. A well-trained cat can feel comfortable enough with the harness of this type. Young, nervous, and non-trained kitties tend to slip out of their leads or struggle with them, causing discomfort to themselves.
As the name implies, such a lead resembles the figure 8 by its shape. Roughly speaking, it is made of two round loops. The first one is the collar; the second one wraps around the chest. These two loops are interconnected with a D-ring, which is located on the pet’s back. If the leash is pulled, the loops are tightened, improving the fixation.
An H-shaped lead also consists of two loops, but they are connected with an additional strap on the back. The D-ring is attached to the chest loop. Both lops are usually adjustable.
They are put on like people’s vests and fastened on the back (usually with Velcro fasteners). They provide a better distribution of pressure and cause less discomfort to a cat. Also, there are models resembling jackets that protect a pet from dirt and cold like clothes. Vests are slightly more expensive than leads but they are easier to use and more comfortable.
Image | Product | |
---|---|---|
Best Choice | Kitty Holster
| Check Price |
Also great | PUPTECK Escape Proof
| Check Price |
Also great | PetSafe Come With Me
| Check Price |
Also great | PUPTECK Adjustable
| Check Price |
Also great | Smalllee Lucky Store
| Check Price |
Best Choice | Mynwood Cat Jacket
| Check Price |
Also great | Voyager All Weather
| Check Price |
Also great | LupinePet Originals
| Check Price |
Also great | PUPTECK Reflective Adjustable
| Check Price |
A cat harness is a popular accessory, and with plenty of models on sale, it can be quite difficult to make a choice. There are several crucial criteria that you need to consider to choose the best option for your beloved feline. An ideal cat harness must meet the following requirements.
Cats are small pets, and they are not as strong as dogs. A heavy harness with a lot of metal rings and fastenings will be uncomfortable and inconvenient to wear. Choose lightweight vests and leads that won’t cause serious discomfort to your feline.
A good cat harness must be easy to put on and take off; otherwise, your kitty will be scared or irritated, and you will be scratched and bitten. The whole process of putting on, fastening and adjusting a harness should take less than a minute. A harness is predominantly used outdoors, so it will often get dirty. Fortunately, most cat harness models are washable.
Needless to say, a cat harness must be safe for cats. Firstly, it should be made of non-toxic materials – don’t forget that it contacts directly with a pet’s skin. Secondly, it should not cause any real harm to a kitty. It means, it should not be excessively tight (a cat can choke), hamper a pet or be too heavy.
Cats’ outdoor behavior is unpredictable. They can roll on the ground, climb on trees, or play with fallen leaves. Some cats try to get rid of the annoying harness, tear and bite it. Finally, they pull the leash, trying to escape, and if the harness is not durable enough, it won’t last long.
There are no two similar cats. Meanwhile, most cat accessories come in standard sizes. A good harness is the one that can be easily adjusted for the size of a particular pet.
To pick out the best cat harness 2018 we used a comprehensive approach. It was not just an analysis of the best cat harness reviews of real customers (though it was one of steps). We also tested a range of popular models in a live situation. We compared harnesses based on several criteria – materials used, size adjustability, quality of fastening, cat’s comfort, as well as some secondary characteristics. The result of this comprehensive testing is a list of top cat harnesses 2018.
Here are ten different cat harnesses that were considered the best based on the results of testing. All of them are of decent quality and made with a full compliance with existing norms and requirements, so you can safely buy any of them for your pet. Also we tried to pick out the best cat harness no escape, the cheapest option, the extra small cat harness and the largest one.
The Kitty Holster cat harness is made is the form of a vest. It is designed to control a cat without making harm to it. The vest is fastened on a pet’s throat and behind the front legs with a Velcro, which lets adjust the size. Available in four sizes – from XS to XL.
This is a well-made cat harness for walking designed in the form of a vest. It is marketed as an escape-proof model because of an additional adjustable closure on the neck. The vest is made of soft breathing materials that are comfortable to wear.
This Petsafe cat harness is a lightweight affordable lead for outdoor walking. It has an H-shape, which helps to shift pressure from the cat’s throat to its shoulders. The leash included has a smart bungee construction, which provides spare length.
This is one of the cheapest models intended for small cats and kittens. It also suits to small puppies. An H-shaped lead and a leash both are made of nylon. The size of this small cat harness can be easily adjusted with the help of plastic buckles.
As the name implies, this harness is intended for both small dogs and medium-sized and big cats. It has a classic V-shaped vest style that is optimal for even pressure distribution. Three sizes – from S to L – are available, and plastic buckles allow further adjustment of straps. On the minus side, the durability of the harness is average. If your pet is active or aggressive, it will tear off the harness in a short time. It is for calm or passive animals.
This is another amazing kit for small dogs or cats. The harness is a V-shaped vest with soft pads around the neck opening, which reduces skin irritation. The model is available in three sizes (S-L); a nice leash is included.
If you like upscale and unique designer products, this cat harness is for your cat. It is a hand-made jacket – comfortable, durable, and, what is most important, escape-proof. Every item is created manually from quality materials.
This is a lightweight and soft harness made of breathable mesh fabric. It can be adjusted to some extent to fit the cat’s size more precisely. The piece is easy to put on and fasten with a strong Velcro fastening, and the leash is securely attached to the harness with the help of a classic metal D-ring.
This is a universal harness of the one-size-fits-all type. It is fully adjustable and fits to all cat breeds and smaller dog breeds. The harness is made of woven nylon – durable, lightweight, and easy to wash manually or in a washing machine. Multiple color patterns are available.
A simple affordable harness with reflective strips provides a better visibility in the low-light conditions. It is made of nylon, which means it is lightweight, durable, and easy to clean. The harness is fully adjustable to fit cats of different sizes.
1. A cat harness can be a fashion accessory. There are models with embroidery, beading, rhinestones and even hand-made unique items.
2. Even the best cat harness doesn’t guarantee a full control over a pet. Cats are so tricky that they manage to get out of virtually any fixings.
3. Unlike dogs, cats are uneducable. You can’t make a cat walk on the leash if it doesn’t want to, but you may try to persuade it to do so.
4. Never try to put a usual collar with a leash on your cat – you may simply choke it.
5. Resolve yourself to the fact that it’s your cat that walks you and not vice versa. It will never follow you like a dog; instead, you will follow it during walking.
A cat harness is often perceived by people as something excessive. After all, a cat is not a dog: it won’t follow your orders and will never be your faithful companion during walking. Why take it outdoors at all? If you hold this view, here are some more arguments that can make you change your mind one day.
Joy and new experience. Like all the creatures in the world, cats need new sensations and experience. Indoor cats often suffer from the lack of sensory experience; even a short walk is a perfect stimulation for a kitty – it makes her healthier and happier.
It is crucial to use a cat harness correctly, otherwise, you may unwillingly make harm to your feline. When unboxing a new harness, read the manual and make sure that you’ve bought the right model. You must clearly understand how to put on, adjust, and take off a lead or a vest.
Basically, a harness consist of two loops: the smaller one is put on the neck, and the larger one is wrapped around the chest. Unfasten the longer loop and carefully slip the pet’s head through the shorter loop. Then wrap the longer strap around the cat’s chest and fasten it: try to do it quickly in order not to irritate the cat much.
When you put a harness on your cat for the first time, you need to adjust it properly. If the harness is too loose, the cat will easily escape, and if it is too tight, the pet can choke. The happy mean is somewhere in the middle – it is usually found empirically. For a rough estimate, try to place fingers between the harness and the cat’s body – there must be enough space for two or three fingers, no more.
Take off the harness right after the walking. Don’t leave your cat in a harness unsupervised – it can get tangled in it. To free a pet from a harness unfasten it and then gently take it off
Don’t take your cat outdoors immediately. Chances are it will be scared and stressed by both the harness and the new environment. A better approach is to train your kitty for some time before taking it outdoors: be patient and quiet to get the desired result.
A cat harness is an absolute must-have for anyone who walks cats outdoors. But to take advantage of this accessory you need to understand how to harness train a cat correctly. Cats are freedom-loving creatures. If your kitty is not leash-trained, using a harness can grow into a real problem.
It can seem simple – if your cat is big and heavy – buy a large cat harness, and if it is small – choose something lightweight and compact. But in fact, there are many variations available – it is important to find the harness that will fit your kitty perfectly. Use our cat harness review to choose a high-quality model.
Keep in mind that at the beginning of harness training a cat can get irritated and even aggressive, trying to get rid of the accessory at any price. Start with trying on the harness when the cat is calm and satisfied or when it is eating; then give it a reward treat. Repeat the procedure for several days in a row, gradually increasing the time in a harness. The cat will get used to it, and you will learn how to put on a cat harness quickly and correctly.
The best age for training is 6-7 month. It is much easier to train a kitten than an adult cat. Take your kitty outdoors regularly – this is the best way to train it and to form a habit. After some weeks of regular practicing, you will get a leash-trained young cat.
Outdoor walks are crucial for cats’ health and well-being. However, if your furry friend often walks outdoors or lives in a barn, it faces much more dangers that any indoor cat. Here are four main problems you will have to deal with.
Of course, it is unlikely that an owner of an expensive pedigree cat will let it walk alone, but even alley cats are sometimes stolen. But there is another, more frequent sad scenario: a cat is scared of something, runs away and gets lost or run over by a car. The best way to avoid it is, of course, a harness. A cat in harness is gently but reliably controlled. If it is scared, you can quickly take it in your arms.
Cats do not just walk on the road. Try actively contact everything they see during walking: they touch and lick ground, taste plants, roll on the grass and, finally, lick their paws. The risk of infecting is rather high, and harnesses won’t help to prevent it. The only method to avoid infecting is vaccinating.
The risk of trauma for cats, walking outdoors, is very high. Your pet can be attacked by dogs or other cats, hit by a car, hurt by malevolent people. It can fall from a tree (yes, indoor cats are not good at tree climbing). You can avoid it if you learn how to put a harness on a cat and use this accessory for walking your pets.
Needless to explain that for a cat, the chance of catching parasites during outdoor walks is almost 100%. Parasites can be both external and internal, but all of them cause noticeable discomfort. The best approach here is to combine preventative measures and regular consultation with a vet.
A: Using of a cat harness is the easiest and the most reliable way to control a cat outdoors. It ensures the pet’s safety and prevents its escaping and getting lost.
A: Yes, it can. Cats are very tricky, and it is virtually impossible to hold a kitty if she really wants to escape. The harness marked as escape-proof may be more reliable, but it doesn’t provide 100% guarantee as well. The best approach is to train a pet so that she wouldn’t make attempts to escape.
Vests and jackets are considered to be safer than leads. Firstly, they are more comfortable to wear because of an evener weight distribution. Secondly, they are more escape-proof if compared to the narrow leads.
A: If you can’t place a single finger between a harness and a cat’s body, it is too tight – you need to loosen it. It relates to both a neck loop and a girth. Ideally, there must be space for two fingers.
A: Yes, there are some. The final choice will depend on your goal: whether you want your cat to have some fresh air or physical activity, or you just want to take it with you somewhere. There exist cat patios that are attached to the window, cat strollers and back sacks for walking around with a pet, tents for outdoor exercising, and various carriers.
We have reviewed some modern and convenient harnesses. But what is the best cat harness? It depends on a number of variables.
If your cat is leash-trained already, you may choose a low-budget leads option, such as PetSafe Come with Me or Pupteck Adjustable Cat Harness. They are lightweight, cheap and durable, while their size can be easily adjusted.
If you need the maximum escape-proofness, try Mynwood Cat Jacket, which is more expensive, but provides a stronger fixation. Mind that your cat can sweat under it, especially if you live in a hot region.
If you are looking for a nice design combined with a reasonable price and convenience, try vests models, such as Kitty Holster, PUPTECK Escape Proof, Petetpet Puppy Harness, or Smalllee Lucky Store. Meanwhile, our choice is Kitty Holster – a lightweight, adjustable, durable and versatile model for everyone.