While some people wrongfully assume that it’s just dogs that require a leash or a harness, there are plenty of cat owners out there who understand the utility of a cat harness. This might explain why these harnesses have enjoyed such an increase in popularity in recent years and it certainly explains why there are so widely available everywhere you look. Add to that the fact that they are fairly inexpensive and you begin to understand why these practical and convenient items are so easy to come by.

Having said that, we should point out that their popularity sometimes works against them, in the sense that lesser products have entered the market in recent years after taking advantage of how popular decent cat harnesses have become. It is for this reason that you want to take the time and learn as much as you possibly can about what makes a good cat harness and what to look for when buying one. To guide you through, we put together a list of the ten best cat harnesses the market has to offer right now.

Best Cat Harnesses – Reviews

10OFPUPPY Adjustable Cat Harness

Lightweight, durable, and extremely soft, the OFPUPPY Adjustable Cat Harness is uniquely designed for kittens and adult cats. Crafted from premium quality nylon material with a soft velvet outer cover, this harness comes with a long leash that gives your pet freedom of movement. For easy taking off and putting on, it features an H-style harness with heavy duty snap-lock buckles. Thanks to its adjustable neck and chest girth, it provides your cat with the perfect, most comfortable fit.

9EXPAWLORER Escape Proof Cat Harness

Made from premium quality cotton with a soft lining, the EXPAWLORER Escape Proof Cat Harness features a heavy-duty nylon webbing that offers optimum security and comfort. Lightweight, durable, and quite efficient, this harness comes equipped with a leash that can be attached to the harness with the help of the strong D-ring, giving you full control of your pet. Thanks to its sturdy design with even pressure distribution, it enhances safety and ensures your pet does not experience any strain or discomfort. Equipped with adjustable straps, it can be stretched out to give your cat the perfect fit.

8Mihachi Adjustable Cat Harness

Known for its premium quality and adorable design, the Mihachi Cat Harness features a fun detachable bowtie and comes in three colors including red, beige and black. Crafted with an H-style design, it is easy to put on and take off and is great for all size cats. The neck and chest straps are adjustable and provide a good snug fit for your pet, while its heavy duty stainless steel D-ring and leash hook give you optimum control. Made from premium grade nylon webbing on the sides of the leash and harness, the other side features a vibrant plaid attern that is both stylish and fashionable.

7Ruri’s Cat Jeans Jacket Harness Vest

Featuring a fashionable denim jacket design and construction, this cat harness vest from Ruri’s can be the ideal seat harness, costume, party wear or photo apparel for your pet. Easy to put on and take off it comes with a velcro closure on the chest and neck area. Made from high-quality washable denim, it features a unique faded texture that adds to the style and outlook of the vest. What’s more, the harness also comes with a matching leash for added control and can be easily attached to the harness with the help of the D-ring.

6SCENEREAL Escape Proof Cat Harness

Featuring a premium grade design and construction, the SCENEREAL Escape Proof Cat Harness is made with quality, soft, and durable materials that ensure your cat is secure and comfortable at all times. Easy to put on and take off, it comes designed with a Velcro closure and 2 strong metal rings for enhanced control. Along with the Velcro and for additional control and security, it comes with plastic buckles along with an adjustable clip. Available in 3 sizes including small, medium and large, this harness comes in a stylish blue denim color that is vibrant and eye-catching.

5Dexil Luxury Cat Harness

Boasting an adjustable chest girth, the Dexil Luxury Cat Harness fits small to medium size cats with a chest size measuring between 13 inches to 18 inches respectively. Made with high-quality materials, it comes equipped with soft padding that is not only comfortable but also provides warmth during the cold winter months. Thanks to its unique design, it comes with an additional front no-pull D-ring and is resistant to water.

4Meeyou Adjustable Soft Mesh Cat Harness

Available in a wide range of colors to choose from, the Meeyou Adjustable Soft Mesh Cat Harness is the ideal product for small breed dogs, puppies, and cats. Great for walking, running, and hiking, this harness features a heavy-duty 1.2-meter leash that helps with optimizing control. Made from 100% premium grade polyester with a meshed material, it is breathable and comfortable for your pet in any weather condition. Thanks to its adjustable chest belt, you can select the correct size to ensure your cat gets the best, most snug fit.

3Yizhi Miaow Escape Proof Cat Harness

Crafted with adjustable neck and chest straps, the Yizhi Miaow Escape Proof Cat Harness features soft, durable material with a magic tape closure. Thanks to its strong, reliable construction, it ensures your cat is safe and well-protected at all times. The harness is also well padded and more secure than just a traditional leash. It also features a mesh lining that provides optimum breathability and comfort while running or walking.

2PUPTECK Adjustable Cat Harness

Another trendy, durable, and effective product to make it to our list is this adjustable one from Pupteck. Featuring a heavy-duty nylon strap with plastic buckles, this harness can be easily adjusted at the neck and chest area to give your pet the perfect fit. Crafted with an H-style, the strong Snap-On plastic buckles allow easy putting on and taking off. The harness also comes with a matching leash for added control and can be connected easily by the D-ring present on the harness.

1PUPTECK Escape Proof Cat Harness

Available in a variety of exciting vibrant colors and designs, the PUPTECK Escape Proof Cat Harness features a long robust leash and is best for walking your cat. Including soft, durable Velcro in the neck and chest areas, it comes with an additional plastic buckle to ensure the cat does not escape if the Velcro accidentally opens up. Made from durable, premium quality materials, it comes equipped with two heavy-duty D-rings that easily connect to any leash, keeping you in full control while you walk, jog or run. Overall, it is perhaps one of the most practical cat harnesses out there.

Can’t Find What You’re Looking For? Check these suggestions:

Choosing The Perfect Cat Harness

The main purpose of a cat harness is to train your cat to walk on a leash, which is the main thing to consider when buying one. A cat harness will not only provide your cat with a sense of safety and security but it will also put your mind at ease whenever your furry friend is out on a stroll. This enables you to safely and securely supervise your cat while they explore their surroundings. That said, we should point out that you cannot expect all cat harnesses to meet the same standards regardless of price tag, design, or material construction; which is why you want to take the time and learn more about what constitutes a decent cat harness to begin with.

Harnesses Vs Collars

Seeing how cats are a lot different than dogs in regards to their mobility and general comfort requirements, you are better off using a harness rather than a collar for practical reasons. Among them, the constant and paramount need for mobility that all cats share, a free spirit that dogs rarely exhibit. It is well-established that cats don’t really like collars, especially the bulky, restrictive ones that leashes require. Not just that but cats have a habit of slipping out of collars whenever they feel like it due to their increased flexibility, thus the need for a well-fitted harness for the task ahead.

Types Of Cat Harnesses

While most cat harnesses are built for roughly the same purpose, some stand out from others on account of their strength, flexibility, design, and durability. You also have to understand that cat harnesses come in different forms, about three to be more precise. In this respect, we have Figure-8 harnesses, H-harnesses, and V-harnesses, each with their own particularities. Needless to say, they tend to differ mostly in design, even though most of them are used for pretty much the same purpose.

  • Figure-8 Harnesses – These harnesses are seen as the de facto ‘standard’ design, one that consists of two circles that go around the cat’s neck and torso. These circles attach at the back of the cat’s neck for a close fit, thus restraining the cat inside the harness without affecting their overall mobility. At the same time, these types of harnesses are surprisingly easy to put on, which is definitely something any responsible cat owner should consider when buying one.
  • H-Harnesses – With H-harnesses, you get two loops with an additional piece that forms the letter H when looked at sideways. This particular type of harness is intended to reduce the amount of pressure on your cat’s neck, which in turn helps to prevent neck injuries if your cat ever tries to pull away. It also has to be said that this type of harness is a lot more reliable when it comes to restraining the cat, even though you don’t really want to do that too much.
  • V-Harnesses – It is the overall design of the ‘V’ harness that gives it its name, a design that needless to say, resembles the letter V from afar. This vest-type harness is slightly bulkier than the other two models, yet guaranteed to safely and securely constrain the cat when needed. You are advised to employ this type of harness if you are dealing with a rowdy cat or if you walk it around in areas where it might get attacked by dogs or easily distracted by traffic.

Materials

When pondering about the material construction of a harness, you have to understand that there simply isn’t a universally accepted construction for a harness. Instead, you can find these harnesses in nylon form, cotton, leather, and even a combination of the three. It does seem, however, that nylon or cotton harnesses are the most comfortable because leather can be a bit heavy and uncomfortable, especially for smaller cats. You should, first of all, consider the comfort of your feline friend before committing to a purchase of any kind.

What To Look For

If you are shopping for a cat harness, you have to make sure that you get one that you can clean properly. At the same time, the harness has to be easy to use, safe, durable, adjustable, light in weight, and the right size for your cat. In regards to its construction, it should be made from a sturdy yet lightweight material, it should have secure buckles, and must be machine washable to help with its maintenance. In any case, you should practice common sense when buying a harness, just as you would when buying a piece of clothing for yourself.

Benefits Of Using A Cat Harness

Perhaps the most important aspect of introducing your cat to a harness is the added security. With a decent harness, you minimize the risk of your cat getting hurt whenever he/she is out exploring, especially if it’s in a crowded place where dangers lurk at every turn. Whether it’s stray dogs or cats, cars driving by, or dangerous elements in the environment, a cat harness can help protect your feline friend against it all. Although it might take a bit of time to get your cat accustomed to the harness, it is sure to pay off in the long run.

Getting Your Cat To Wear The Harness

When it comes to getting the cat to actually wear the harness, it should be said that the process is quite tiresome and more than a little stressful. This is done by first introducing it to the cat, mainly by placing it on the ground next to the cat. Seeing how cats are curious by nature, it is only a matter of time until the cat will interact with the harness one way or another. Over the next few days, place a few treats all around the harness to help the cat associate it with happy thoughts. Afterward, try putting it on the cat as loosely as possible and letting the cat wear it around the house.

With that out of the way, you should try and take the cat out in a controlled environment to get it acclimatized. It is very important that you do not force the cat to wear the harness as it might cause the feline to resent the sight of it. Take your time and understand that it is just a matter of letting your cat get comfortable with the idea of wearing a harness and you’re set.