The Best Cat Harnesses

A cat harness with a leash is a safe way to allow your cat to explore the great outdoors by your side. Since cats have soft throats, hooking a leash directly to their collar can cause injuries. A harness fits securely but comfortably around the cat's neck and back. This design distributes pressure evenly and allows you to gently lead your cat. When you purchase a cat harness, you need to pay careful attention to the size so you get one that fits your pet properly. If it's too large, your cat can easily escape, and if it's too small your cat won't be comfortable. I've reviewed the top 5 cat harnesses to help you select the best one for your feline. Pick your favorite and let your outdoor adventures begin.

rabbitgoo Cat Harness and Leash for Walking

Safe and Comfortable

Your cat will be very comfortable and cute in this vest-style cat harness.
Best Overall

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If the idea of getting your cat into a harness scares you a bit, you’ll appreciate this easy-to-put-on design. It goes on and off with two snap side buckles. There are four adjustable straps so you can ensure it fits your feline perfectly. As you adjust it, you can check the tightness in a few places. You should be able to get one finger between the straps and your cat’s body.

Also included is a long (59-inch) nylon leash. There’s a metal leash clip on the back of the harness, so you can easily attach the leash. If your outdoor adventures take place at night, the reflective strips will help keep your cat visible and safe.

You can get this cat harness in several different colors, so you can pick your favorite. It comes in two sizes. One is designed for average adult cats and the other larger cats. This harness isn’t designed for kittens or small cats.

Pros

  • The clips are simple to put on, so you won’t struggle to put this on your cat.
  • There are reflective strips that keep your cat safer at night.
  • The vest-style design if comfortable for your cat, and helps to keep the pressure off the neck.

Cons

  • If you have a small cat, the small size will likely still be too big.

Escape Proof Cat Harness with Leash

Escape Proof Design

Should you have named your cat Houdini? Here's a harness that will stay put.
Best Soft Harness

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My cat hated her harness at first and became a pro at escaping from it. I went through several different options before trying this one, and it’s been a game-changer. It secures with Velcro at the chest and neck, and then there’s a snap closure at the neck. This double layer of closure made a difference for my cat. It takes a little more time to put on at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will be able to do it with confidence.

The soft mesh material is breathable, and comfortable for your cat, even if it’s on for longer periods of time. This material won’t cause your cat to overheat while you’re out and about. You can adjust the fit of the harness with the adjustable slider. There are two heavy-duty D-rings that you can use to attach the included nylon leash. It’s 59-inches long, so you can let your cat explore a little ways away from you.

There are some fun colors and plaid patterns available, so you’ll be able to find one that looks great on your cat. There are four different sizes available, so no matter how big or small your cat is, you should be able to find one that fits.

Pros

  • Two different closures make it much harder for your cat to escape.
  • Soft and breathable material that your cat won’t mind wearing for long periods of time.
  • Two heavy rings attach the leash and keep it secure so it doesn’t accidentally come undone while you are outside.

Cons

  • With four different sizes available, it’s really important to take the time to measure your cat before you select one.

rabbitgoo Cat Harness and Leash Set for Walking

Step In Design

Take the hassle out of getting a cat harness on your pet thanks to this great design.
Best for Kittens

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You don’t have to wait until your kitten is fully grown before you begin harness training them. This small vest-style harness is manufactured with kittens in mind. It’s easy to get on and off since you have your kitten step into it and then you securely fasten it. You use Velcro in the front and a buckle in the back. The buckle is a fast-release design.

This cat harness is very comfortable, which is important when your cat is first learning to wear one. The material has soft edges, and air-mesh padding to reduce irritation. The metal D-rings for the leash hold it tightly, so your kitten won’t be able to pull off of the leash unexpectedly.

There are four color options available. All of them have reflective strips to help keep your pet safe at night. There are two sizes available, and the smallest one fits a 6.6-inch neck girth.

Pros

  • Soft edges and air mesh padding to help make it comfortable for your cat to wear.
  • Small size is perfect for kittens and small cats.
  • Step-in design is a cinch to put on even active cats.

Cons

  • The Velcro closure makes a loud noise that might startle your kitten at first.

PUPTECK Adjustable Cat Harness Nylon Strap Collar with Leash

Flexible and Lightweight

If your cat balks at wearing a heavier vest-style harness, give this type a try.
Best H-Style Harness

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Some cats don’t enjoy the restrictive feeling of a vest-style harness, so this is a great alternative. The H-shape harness fits snugly against your cat’s body, which helps prevent escapes. It’s lightweight, and won’t heat your cat up when it’s hot outside. There are secure buckles at the neck and chest.

The harness and leash are both made from high-quality nylon. It’s a thick and durable material that holds up well even with frequent use. You can adjust this harness quite a bit, making it appropriate for many different sized cats. When you put this on your cat, the shorter strap goes around the neck, and the longer one around the chest.

There are several different options available for color, including a colorful rainbow one. Some of the harnesses are reflective, so if you plan on being out after the sun goes down, you should consider getting one of those. The leash is a little shorter than the one that comes with many other cat harnesses, but it is still 47.2-inches long.

Pros

  • Lightweight H-style design means your cat might not balk at this type of harness as much.
  • It’s very adjustable, so should fit almost any sized cat.
  • There are some fun color options available, so you can find one that looks great with your cat.

Cons

  • The leash isn’t as long as most other options, it’s 47.2-inches long.

Escape Proof Cat Harness with Leash

Your Cat Will Look Great

If you want your cat to look stylish when you go out together, you'll find several fun designs and patterns here.
Best Designs

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I really like the way this harness looks on my cat, and it brings a smile to my face each time we use it. The available designs are so stylish and fun.

Looking great isn’t the only good quality of this harness. It’s really soft, with some padding, which helps make it easier for cats to get used to it. There’s an extra layer of mesh that keeps it breathable so your cat won’t overheat.

It closes with magic tape, which is fairly secure. But, there aren’t any buckles reinforcing it so if your cat isn’t used to a harness, they may find their way out.

Pros

  • Several stylish design options so your cat looks great while you’re out.
  • Soft with padding to help keep your cat comfortable.
  • Plenty of ventilation to keep your cat from getting too hot.

Cons

  • Some cats can wriggle out of the magic tape enclosures with some acrobatics, if your cat isn’t harnessed trained, definitely begin inside.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I teach my cat to wear a harness?

If your cat isn’t used to wearing a harness, you can’t put one on and expect to lead them on a walk immediately. It will take time and patience for you to get to that point.

When you first get the harness, leave it nearby so your cat can sniff it and begin to get used to it. If it makes a noise when you unfasten or fasten it, do this a few times to help your cat learn to not startle when they hear it.

Once your cat has gotten used to seeing and smelling the harness, try putting the harness on. Go slowly and speak comforting words to your cat. Having a favorite treat on hand can help. Let your cat wear the harness a few minutes, and then take it back off. You want to ease into the harness.

Gradually increase the frequency and length of your practice sessions as your cat tolerates. It’s best to do this inside, so if your cat gets free they won’t be in danger outside.

What size harness should I get?

Buying a cat harness that fits well is of utmost importance. Take the time to measure the girth of your cat’s neck and chest and then refer to the size charts to get the right one.

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