The Best Cat Harnesses
Harnesses are one of the most important tools of having a cat who explores the world with you. But they're also the hardest to get right.
While walking your cat, you attach their leash to their harness. Their harness needs to fit well – not too tight that it is restrictive and not too loose that they can wriggle out of it. You also need to think about whether it is appropriate for the adventures you go on with your cat. Some harnesses may be made out of materials that are too thick and hot for your climate, while these would be perfect for another kitty on the other side of the world.
And then, of course, each cat is different and has their own preference. And there are so many options out in the marketplace!
It can all get rather overwhelming when you are trying to pick a harness for you kitty.
To make it easier for you, we asked our community about the harnesses they use to walk their cats and why they picked these harnesses. We asked them what works well, what doesn’t and what they would recommend.
Always attach a leash to a harness and not a collar. If you attach a leash to your cat’s collar, and they make a sudden movement, it can strangle them.
Type of Harness for Cats
There are 3 main types of cat harnesses: a H-harness, a vest harness or a jacket harness.
H-harness
H-Harnesses are shaped, you guessed it, like a letter H. They are typically the most popular harness for kittens as they have the least amount of contact area with your kitty. Typically they do not need to be put over your kitty’s head and have 2 points to be fastened on your kitty’s side.
Due to the design of H-harnesses, they do focus pressure on limited areas on your cat, especially in moments of fast movements
In saying that, many kitties prefer them as they have less contact area and their heads do not need to be ‘pushed’ through the harness.
Vest Harnesses
Vest harnesses (and once again, you guessed it!) look like a vest.
As such, they have more contact with your cat than a H-Harness. Typically they are fastened on the back.
As they have more contact with your cat’s body it does mean that the pressure points are more spread out, which is helpful when your cat makes sudden movements.
In order to put a vest harness on a cat, you will be usually required to out their head through the harness, and this may have the turtleneck effect. Many cats do not like this, but some cats do get used to the sensation.
Jacket Harnesses
Another popular type of harness is the jacket harness, otherwise known as a butterfly harness.
These cover more of your kitty’s body and typically fit better. This means that your kitty is less likely to wriggle their way out of their harness, if they get spooked while you are out and about.
How to Decide What Harness is Best for Your Cat
There are positives and negatives to each of these harness types and even to each harness brand (see below) but there are a few other factors you should consider.
Your Cat’s Size
A smaller cat would need a harness that can be easily adjustable. In fact kittens can even wear a ferret harness!
A larger cat may fit well into a dog harness.
The Activates You & Your Cat Will Be Doing
If your cat might get wet while exploring, a harness that dries quickly would be ideal. This could be a H-harness as it has less material area.
Similarly harnesses with mesh and more material are more likely to hold onto sand. However, these tend to be more comfortable for some cats.
The Weather
Yes, just like the weather impacts what we wear, it can impact the harness we pick for our cats.
In very cold weather, when our cats might wear a jacket, they will need to wear a harness that fits comfortably under their jackets like a H-harness. Perhaps your cat will prefer to wear a jacket harness in cold weather instead. While at other times they may prefer a vest harness.
Your Cat’s Fur
Some cats with longer fur may find their fur gets tangled when wearing vest harnesses while other cats prefer to wear vest harnesses as they feel more comfortable.
If your cat has long fur it is also important to think about how the harness will be fastened. Longer hair cats tend to get their fur caught in Velcro and clasps.
Illnesses
As much as we don’t want to think about it, some cats do have some chronic conditions, like asthma, that we need to consider while picking a harness.
If they have asthma, a harness that clasps around the neck can trigger an attack.
A cat with arthritis may struggle with harnesses that require a lot of movement to put on.
Your Cat & You
The harness you pick, really depends on what is important to you & your cat.
And most cats have several harnesses, either because they have tried a few or because they have a different harness for different activities or climates.
Cat Harness Brands
Puppia makes several types of vest harnesses including:
Instagram: @maplethemews
Soft Harness - probably their better known ones, but do need to be put over your cat's head and the neck may be too large
Catspia range for cats which surprisingly is not used in our community
Ritefit, which has an adjustable neck but does not come in a XS
Positives of Puppia Harnesses for Your Cat
Fully adjustable
Provide more coverage on you cat
Good for cats with long fur due to material
Easy to find in stores and online
Negatives of Puppia Harnesses for Your Cat
Cats can get out or get a limb out
Like all vest harnesses – it is like putting on a turtleneck
Can create tangles on cats with longer fur
Might not fit under jackets
Easy to slip out of
The Voyager Soft harness is a vest style harness and XS usually fits cats
Positives of the Voyager Soft Harness for Your Cat
Comfortable and secure
Affordable
Comes in a variety of colours
Velcro makes it easier to fit
Negatives of the Voyager Soft Harness for Your Cat
Too big for kittens as made for dogs
The Rufus & Coco soft mesh harness is a vest harness and the XS size can be used for cats.
Positives of the Rufus & Coco Soft Mesh Harness For Your Cat
Fits well, soft
Comfortable
Can be put on one handed by one human
Negatives of the Rufus & Coco Soft Mesh Harness For Your Cat
Some cats can wriggle out of the harness
Only available in Australia
Come With Me Kitty Cat Harness
The Come With Me Kitty Cat Harness & Bungee Leash is a H-harness and is available in most pet stores.
Positives of the Come With Me Kitty Harness for Your Cat
Not restrictive
Adjustable
Sits low on chest rather than neck so doesn’t pull on him
Slides over neck and doesn’t require clipping around the neck
Feels like he is not wearing a harness
Easy to find in stores
Negatives of the Come With Me Kitty Harness for Your Cat
Some cats slip out of the harness
Tip for The Come With Me Kitty Harness
Knot the harness section where the leash ring is to make it snugger on your cat. This will help prevent them from escaping from the harness
The Supakit Gatsby Harness is a H-harness.
Positives of the Supakit Gatsby Harness For Your Cat
Easy to size
Easy to put on
Made of natural products
Fits well
Difficult for your cat to wriggle out of
Negatives of the Supakit Gatsby Harness For Your Cat
Only available on their online store
Slightly dearer than other harnesses
The Kitty Holster Cat Harness is a vest harness. It does cover a lot of the body, so it may be warm in summer but would be suitable in winter.
Positives of the Kitty Holster Cat Harness For Your Cat
Secure and fits well
Easy to put on and don’t have to slide anything over their heads.
Negatives of the Kitty Holster Cat Harness For Your Cat
Secured using Velcro, which some cats do not like
Warm in Summer
RC Pet Products Adventure Kitty Harness
The RC Pet Products Adventure Kitty Harness is a vest style harness.
Positives of the RC Pet Products Adventure Kitty Harness for Your Cat
Secure
Easy to put on
Good for growing kitties due to ability to adjust
Comfortable
Has many colour choices
Made for cats
Negatives of the RC Pet Products Adventure Kitty Harness for Your Cat
Cat may take some time to get used to it (perhaps use it as a second harness)
The RC Pet Products Dog Harness is also a vest harness.
Positives of the RC Pet Products Dog Harness
No chance for your cat to escape from harness
Easy to put on
Doesn’t pull on you cat’s neck
Negatives of the RC Pet Products Dog Harness
Not adjustable
Made for Dogs
The Cat Walking Jacket by MetPet
The Cat Walking Jacket is a jacket harness for your cat.
Positives of the Cat Walking Jacket by MetPet for Your Cat
Adjustable and easy to put on and off
Negaitves of the Cat Walking Jacket by MetPet for Your Cat
If your cat pulls hard or makes sudden movements, it can be harsh against their neck
The SturdiPet Walking Vest is a jacket harness for your cat.
Positives of the SturdiPet Walking Vest for Your Cat
Secures well
Cat unlikely to escape
Comes in a variety of colours
Negatives of the SturdiPet Walking Vest for Your Cat
Attaches around the neck
Uses Velcro for attachment and adjustment. Some cats may be afraid of the Velcro noise or fur can get caught.
Hyendry Pet Products make harnesses as walking jackets.
Positives of Hyendry Pet Products Walking Jacket For Your Cat
Comfortable and secure
Hand Made
Negatives of Hyendry Pet Products Walking Jacket For Your Cat
Attaches around the neck
Uses Velcro for attachment and adjustment. Some cats may be afraid of the Velcro noise or fur can get caught.
Mynwood Cat Jackets are custom made jacket harnesses
Instagram: @roxythe_kitty
Positives of the Mynwood Cat Jacket for Your Cat
Adjustable
Comes in different materials for different weather
Reversible so 2 colours in one
Fits well
Don’t pull at neck
Supplier is great at custom making
Negatives of the Mynwood Cat Jacket for Your Cat
Uses Velcro for attachment and adjustment. Some cats may be afraid of the Velcro noise or fur can get caught.
Rieriebird harnesses are vest style.
Positives of Rieriebird Harnesses for Your Cat
Custom made
You can pick your preferred fabrics
Has buckles that adjust as your cat grows
Negatives of Rieriebird Harnesses for Your Cat
Only available on Etsy
The Gooby harnesses are vest harnesses.
Positives of the Gooby Harnesses for Your Cat
Fit cats well
Cats don’t escape from the harnesses
Negatives of the Gooby Harnesses for Your Cat
Need to be re-tightened every few weeks.
The Animates Harness is a H-harness.
Positives of the Animates Harness for Your Cat
Has additional leash attachments which means your leash doesn’t get tangled wherever they are.
Adjustable
Negatives of the Animates Harness for Your Cat
May require your cat’s legs to go through to attach the harness
Rukka Pets Harness
Rukka make 3 types of vest style harnesses for dogs (which can be used for cats!). These are:
Positives of Rukka Pet Harnesses for Your Cat
Comfortable for your cat
Soft material
Easy to wear with long fur
Negatives of Rukka Pet Harnesses for Your Cat
May have to place cat’s head through harness
The Catit Harness is a H-harness.
Positives of the Catit Harness for Your Cat
Cost Effective Option
Easy to find in stores
Negatives of the Catit Harness for Your Cat
Some cats can wriggle out of the harness
Make Your Own Cat Harness
Did you know that you can even make your own harness?
Perhaps you can use this option on Etsy, or this one on Cutness, or this one from Instructables or this one from Catspro.
Other Harnesses Used by The Catexplorer Community
The Gauterf Universal Harness in XS is a vest harness.
Zeedog has a variety of H and vest harnesses for cats and dogs, which are all considered to be comfortable
Red Dingo Harnesses are h harnesses and come in a variety of colours.
Trixie make a variety of harnesses.
Buddy’s Belts Harnesses are H-harness that adjust like a belt.
Up Country harnesses are H-harnesses that come in a variety of colours.
Gustaf och Evita have a range of H-harnesses that come in pretty patterns.
Dharf Cats has a range of cat harnesses that have beautiful patterns.
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