If you want to take your cat out for a walk, then having a leash or a harness is a must. A leash and harness are the best way to keep things under control and avoid losing your cat because it gives you the means to be mostly in control of your cat.
Many readers have asked what the best cat leash and harnesses are. This article will address that in case you’re on the hunt for an ideal leash and harness for your kitty.
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Cat Harness and Leashes FAQ
Are dog harness and leashes an option?
This is a question that many cat owners ask because finding cat harnesses is not as easy as you would expect it to be. With a lot more options available for dogs, cat owners usually resort to buying harnesses for small dogs. But is this a good idea?
It is all trial and error when it comes to harnesses because they have to be a perfect fit for the animal. This is why adjustable harnesses are the ideal choice. With these, you can be sure that they are adapted to the exact size of the pet. So, instead of looking at the species a harness was made for, make sure you take a look at the features it offers.
Please note that the safest options are those tailor-made for the animal, according to its exact measurements. However, from the options available online, those featuring adjustable closings are the best ones.
How do I make sure that the harness will be a good fit?
As mentioned above, finding the ideal harness is a trial and error process. But, to make the process as short as possible, you can start by measuring your cat around the neck and around the belly (tight to the body – not over the fluff of their coat), where the two portions of the harness will go.
Then, before ordering your harness online, make sure the size range of the harness is a good fit for your cat. If you are not sure about the exact dimensions of the product, contact the company before placing the order.
How do you make sure your cat is strapped on tight enough?
Cats are much more agile than dogs, which means that they have a good chance of escaping the harness you want to put them in. While the harness would not have to be put on too tight around a dog, when used for cats, these have to be secured in properly.
This means that the Velcro or buckle closing should be tight enough for you to be able to put in one finger inside the harness. If you can’t put in your finger, then the harness might be on too tight, which will be uncomfortable for your cat. But with one finger of space, your cat should be both safe and comfortable.
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Are cat harnesses and leashes safe?
Cat harnesses and leashes are not foolproof, but they are a very good option for owners who want to take their cats outside. When used properly, they can keep cats from pulling disappearing acts on their owners.
Here are some of the best choices available on the market for cat leashes and harnesses:
SCENEREAL Escape Proof Cat Harness and Leash – Adjustable Soft Mesh Vest for Rabbits Puppy Kittens
This cat harness is made especially for cats and it is made to be the safest option possible. It features a wide format with a large amount of fabric compared to the other harnesses on the market. It has an adjustable front and back and it has a Velcro closure on both of them.
The part featured with Velcro is quite generous, which makes the SCENEREAL harness very safe. Having a large portion of Velcro tightly closed off will make it impossible for the cat to open it. Aside from that, it has plastic buckles, both for the area around the cat’s neck and the one for the back.
The outer surface is made out of blue denim, giving it a fashionable style. The SCENEREAL harness also has two buckles on the back, where you can hook on the leash that comes with this product. This should provide you with a good grip on your cat as it is walking outside.
PUPTECK Adjustable Cat Harness Nylon Strap Collar with Leash
This is the standard cat harness model and it is a very safe option for pet owners who want to take their cats outside. It is an H-shaped harness with two leads that go around the cat’s neck and back. Each of these is adjustable, which means you can make the harness fit your cat perfectly. Please note that the harness should be tight enough to prevent the cat from escaping, but loose enough to let the cat be comfortable.
The harness also comes equipped with a buckle, where you can hook the leash on. The buckle is positioned halfway between the neck and back parts of the harness to distribute pressure evenly during walking and ensure that the cat is comfortable every step of the way. The adjustable leads are the main advantage of the PUPTECK harness and it is a great first choice for pet owners who want to try out a new experience by walking their cats.
Soft Mesh Dog Cat Harness No Pull Comfort Padded Vest for Small Pet Cat and Puppy
This dog harness is small enough to fit a cat as well and it is a comfortable choice for the animal because it comes with a padded mesh. This ensures ventilation, as well as a soft surface that goes onto the cat that does not hurt them when they walk. Compared to the PUPTECK harness, this one has an adjustable lead only in the front.
The part of the harness that goes around the cat’s back is fixed, which means that you have to make sure that it is a good fit for your cat. Getting a harness that is too large may be unsafe because having it adjusted only in the front may not be enough to keep the cat in. As any cat owner knows, cats are escape artists, so you have to be extra safe. This type of harness is best suited for larger cats because the size ranges are bound to be appropriate.
PUPTECK Adjustable Cat Harness Nylon Strap Collar with Leash
This is another option for cat owners who want to try out H-shaped harnesses. The PUPTECK harness is adjustable. The neck portion is adjustable from 18cm – 26cm/7inch – 10 inch and the chest portion from 26cm -44cm/10inch – 17inch. These also come with a plastic buckle.
The lead is 120cm/47.2inch long and it can be hooked onto the back of the harness. This is the simplest harness model available on the market and it is a good fit for owners who want to experiment.
Niteangel 2-Pack of Adjustable Cat Harness with Elastic Leash
This is the more comfortable harness model from Niteangel, which also comes as a 2-pack. This is a lightweight harness made out of breathable mesh. It features wide Velcro closing, both in the front and back to keep the cat safely inside the harness.
To make it extra safe, this Niteangel harness also has a buckle in the front area. The 47-inch-long elastic lead extends all the way up to 98 inches. You can hook it on at the back of the harness, which will keep the cat comfortable during the walk.
For UK Cat Owners Only
These are a couple of high-quality choices for cat harnesses available for UK cat owners. These were recommended by our Facebook friends and they are certainly worth taking into consideration:
Mynwood Cat Jackets
As the name suggests, these are no mere cat harnesses, but actual cat jackets. With a wide range of options to choose from, including superhero- and holiday-themed jackets, this British store will catch your eye.
They make the harnesses tailored to the specific measurements of the cat, thus making them an extremely safe option. All you have to do is put in your cat’s measurements along with your order and they will take care of the rest. There are tips on how to measure your cat available on their website, as well as many special features you can request for the harness to make it tailored to your every need.
Butterfly Cat Jackets
This is yet another British cat-jacket provider that has a lot of options for cat owners looking for more than a mere harness. The Butterfly Cat Jackets have neat designs, bold patterns, and crazy colors. They are also extremely safe because they feature an extra-wide Velcro fastening system.
While they do have a metal D-ring at the bottom of the harness, the Butterfly Cat Jackets do not come with a lead as well, so if you want to go with one of their products, remember to order a leash separately.
Here are links to discussions we have had about this on Facebook – just click on the image to read the comments on our Facebook page, if you’d prefer.
A reader recommended Walking Jacket Soft Sided from MetPet in the post above.
Do you use a cat leash and harness to walk your cat? Which one do you prefer and why? Please share in the comments below.
Wonderful post, Jenny! TYSVM for all this great product info! Miss PSB is strictly an indoor kitty so we don’t have a harness/leash for her. But I am fascinated by those who do take their indoor kitties outside for walks as I never even knew people did that until I became a Floppycatter! 🙂 <3
Big hugs & lots of love!
Patti & Miss Pink Sugarbelle 🙂 <3 <3 <3
P.S. Lurve those pink harness vests soooo much! 🙂 <3