The 9 Best Cat Harnesses for Taking Your Cat On A Walk (2024)

Our Top Picks

The Adventure Kitty Harness from RC Pets is our top choice for most cats because it is made out of breathable mesh and features a straightforward vest design with two adjustable points—at the neck and around the belly—along with two buckles to easily snap on and off.

The Adventure Kitty Harness comes in three sizes (small, medium, and large) for girth measurements as small as 11 inches and as large as 22 inches. To ensure you get a proper fit that isn't too tight or too loose, you should measure your cat around their neck where a collar sits and around the fullest part of their chest. With adjustable webbing, the Adventure Kitty Harness is capable of providing a custom fit that should make it close to impossible for a cat to escape. But even with harnesses that claim to be "escape-proof," you should never leave a cat in a harness unattended, especially if you are traveling with your feline friend.

To put the Adventure Kitty Harness on a cat for the first time, you should begin by loosening each strap. Then calmly place the chest panel between your cat's front legs. While holding in place, clip the neck webbing into the front buckle and then clip the girth webbing around the torso. Adjust both straps as needed for a snug fit that leaves a comfortable amount of space for one or two adult fingers.

This machine washable harness from RC Pets is available in a variety of colors and prints, comes with a matching leash, and is made in Canada.

_{Harness Type: Vest | Closure: Plastic buckles | Sizes: Small, medium, large | Colors: Blue, pink, yellow, black, splatter, maze, daisies, and camo}

This step-in style harness from Rabbitgoo is designed to keep a cat comfortable and secure with light padding and soft edges throughout to prevent chaffing on a kitten's delicate skin. While it's officially called the Escape Proof Harness, we do not recommend you leave your cat unattended while wearing this harness (or any harness). Cats are capable of many things, and removing themselves from a space they no longer find suitable is one of their specialities.

This durably constructed harness has two armholes and is made out of breathable nylon mesh. There is an adjustable strap around the middle so any pressure your cat might feel from the leash (which is included) will be distributed across their chest and not around their tiny neck. Since your kitten is growing every day, you should check on the fit of this harness each time you put it on and loosen the strap when needed.

A a hook-and-loop strap joins the two sides together along with a quick-release buckle made out of plastic, and reflective strips around the neck and chest provide visibility in the twilight hours.

_{Harness Type: Vest | Closure: Hook-and-loop and quick-release buckle | Sizes: Small, medium and large | Colors: 13 bright solids and prints}

An unpadded H-style harness is useful for vet visits, trips to the airport, and other situations where your cat will spend most of the time in the carrier. Although a minimal, H-style harness can be easier for cats to escape from than a jacket or vest harness, but it offers more security than a collar. The Pupteck Cat Harness is adjustable across both your cat’s neck and mid-section, making it a minimal option with enough flexibility to fit securely on most adult cats.

The Pupteck Cat Harness is made from nylon webbing and both of its adjustable straps close with quick-release buckles, so you can either put it on over your cat’s head, or clip it around instead. A sturdy, metal D-ring connects to the leash.

You can pick from a variety of bright colors. It could be used as an entry-level harness to test your cat’s interest and help train them to start to explore the outdoors.

_{Harness Type: H-style | Closure: Plastic buckle | Sizes: Extra-small, small, medium, large | Colors: Black, orange, pink, multicolor}

The Kitty Holster Cat Harness is made of 100 percent breathable cotton. This jacket-style harness comes in a variety of colors with a natural, dye-free inner cotton lining that makes it suitable for use with cats who have allergies or are sensitive to fabrics. bonus for cats with allergies. And Jackson Galaxy, Animal Plant's resident cat expert, has used this harness on his show.

Putting it on your kitty is a little less stressful than some other harnesses because you only need to secure two hook-and-loop closures at the neck and tummy. Plus, this harness is machine washable, which makes it easy to clean between adventures.

_{Harness Type: Jacket | Closure: Two hook-and-loop closures | Sizes: Extra-small, small/medium, medium/large, extra-large | Colors: 10 solids and prints}

Some cats are sensitive to weight or pressure on their fur. Those kitties might prefer a lighter, less obtrusive harness like this Roman-style harness (which differs from H-style with a strap along the chest). It's made of 0.38-inch nylon webbing and it's suitable for cats and kittens. The PetSafe patented design allows for pressure on the leash to gently tighten the shoulder straps, restraining any forward motion, but without putting pressure on the delicate throat area. It gives you gentle, comfortable control of your cat or kitten while you explore the world together.

The harness has points of adjustment in three places (two girth straps and a sternum slide), allowing you to achieve an excellent fit. It’s also easy to put on your cat, since the belly strap comes in a different color, allowing you to quickly see which strap goes over the shoulders and which goes under the belly. This harness will allow them to retain a complete range of motion.

The Bungee leash that’s included provides gentle flexibility when your kitty pulls. The PetSafe Gentle Leader harness even includes a detailed fitting and harness training guide.

_{Harness Type: Roman | Closure: Quick release plastic buckles | Sizes: Small, medium and large | Colors: Seven two-tone, solid color combos}

This H-style, silk polyester strap harness is quite minimal so your cat will barely notice it while they’re wandering with free range of motion. The quick release polyoxymethylene (POM) buckles are durable to match the chic back metal ring that attaches to the matching leash. The harness straps are made of a soft blend of silk and terylene polyester webbing.

The two main harness straps that wrap around the neck and chest are adjustable with a slide so you can get a snug fit. Customers love that this harness is so adjustable and some noted that even their escape artist couldn’t get out of this one. This is too small for some cats in the 12- to 15-pound range, so try the Voyager (Best for Big Cats) or the RC Pets Adventure Kitty Harness (Best Overall) if your cat is larger than that.

_{Harness Type: H-style | Closure: Two plastic buckles | Sizes: One size adjustable neck 7.8-12.2 inches, chest 10.2-16.9 inches | Colors: Dark gray, blue, yellow and multicolor}

The Voyager Step-In Flex Harness doesn't require any piece to go over a cats head so it's generally an easier style of harness to put on a cat, something that comes in handy when you are dealing with a hefty kitty. The pressure of pulling is distributed across the chest area which is made with soft, breathable, synthetic polyester mesh that’s functional in any weather. Plus, reflective stitching on the webbing offers added visibility and safety for those twilight hunts.

To find your cat's size, measure around your kitty’s neck and chest and then consult the chart from Voyager. This harness is adjustable in four places, with slides, so it's possible to get a fully custom fit. Two metal D-rings on each side of the harness connect to the leash to further reinforce the security of the harness around your cat's fluffy body. Among the 10 colors available, red and orange will provide higher visibility outdoors, and some retailers offer this harness in a set with a matching leash.

_{Harness Type: Step-in | Closure: Plastic side buckle | Sizes: Extra-small, small, medium, large, extra-large | Colors: 10 solid colors}

An H-style harness (named for it's streamlined strap-based design that looks like the letter H) adds a minimal amount of coverage to a cat allowing them to move without feeling weighed down. It's a great choice for a cat that is not accustomed to wearing a harness, and the wrap around design doesn't require anything to go over a cat's head. The The H-Style Cat Harness from Lupine Pets is made out of soft yet durable nylon, and Lupine Pets offers a chew-proof guarantee to replace your harness if your cat (or another pet in your home) chews through the straps.

There are two adjustable points, one around the neck and one around the torso, and two sizes to choose from, 9-14 inch girth and 12-20 inch girth, which corresponds to the fullest part of a cat's chest. The harness comes in 8 solid colors along with a variety of prints, seasonal patterns, and reflective neon colors, but the price varies depending on the selection. There is also an eco-friendly version of the H-Style Harness constructed with nylon made from recycled cans. Plus, Lupine Pets offers a coordinating leash for all of their H-Style Harnesses that's lightweight.

_{Harness Type: H-style | Closure: Plastic buckles | Sizes: 9-14 inch girth; 12-20 inch girth | Colors: 8 solid colors, 17 prints, 6 reflective colors,}

A step-in style harness is the most straightforward type of harness to put on a cat. The Little Kitty Co. Step-In Harness has no overhead component, which is a shared feature among traditional step-in harnesses, and is made out of easy-to-clean neoprene and lined with breathable mesh.

The harnesses come in three sizes, extra-small, small, and medium, so if you have a very large cat, this harness might not work for you. Little Kitty Co. is based in Australia and offers a variety of colorful prints that speak to shared interests of cats and their humans alike, such as sushi, rainbows, and sunflowers.

Each Step-In Harness from Little Kitty Co. has reflective strips for safety, and most of their original vibrant prints are available on coordinating accessories, like leashes, collars, and kitty bandanas.

_{Harness Type: Step-in | Closure: Hook-and-loop and quick-release buckle | Sizes: Extra-small, small, medium | Colors: Various colorful prints}

The Figure Eight Cat Harness from Hamilton is made out of durable nylon webbing with reflective strips. This style of harness, named after the number eight because of the shape it makes when laying flat, is typically easier than other styles for a cat to escape from, but with a proper fit, the minimal design can be very freeing for cats that are accustomed to walking on a leash.

One adjustable strap goes around the base of the neck comes together at the top side of the cat and then wraps around the torso. A D-ring for leash connection is located at the top, and this harness from Hamilton comes in three sizes, small, medium, and large.

_{Harness Type: Figure eight | Closure: Quick release buckle | Sizes: Small, medium, large | Colors: Hot pink, black, green, graphite}

Final Verdict

We like the Adventure Kitty Harness from RC Pets because it’s the right balance between enough coverage while still offering a good range of motion. Being adjustable in four places makes it easier to get the perfect fit, and therefore more likely to stay put, keeping your cat safer wherever you roam. If your cat is in the extra-large range, they’ll like the Voyager Step-in Flex Harness that is easy to put on and comes in ten bold colors.

FAQ

• How do you measure a cat for a harness?

  To determine your cat’s harness size, you’ll need use two key measurements: neck circumference and chest girth. Using a flexible measuring tape (the kind a tailor uses), take these two measurements sung to the cat’s body. Measure the cat’s chest girth right behind the front legs. If you have a particularly fluffy cat, you’ll want to gently press their fur. Then check these numbers against the manufacturers’ size guide, and see if they have any sizing additional tips specific to their product.

• How do you get a cat used to a harness?

  It takes lots of patience to get a cat used to a harness, so introduce it slowly in a comfortable and calm environment.Galaxy says you want to establish a strong a positive association between the harness and the treat. He recommends picking a particularly special treat to use only when training.

  Start by putting the harness on and adjusting the fit. “It’s OK for them to do the falling over on their side thing, or backing up out of it,” he says. “Try to keep it on them for at least five minutes before you take it off and give them their treat.” Don’t attach the leash at first. “It’s another source of weight, it’s another weird feeling on their back.”

  In your next sessions, slowly increase the amount of time your cat has the harness on. “The second step is taking a step,” says Galaxy. “You want them to start feeling it and feeling what it’s like to walk in this thing. That’s when you use your treat again.” Once your cat is comfortable wearing the harness by itself, then introduce the leash inside.

  Once your cat is comfortable walking around the house while wearing both the harness and the leash, you’re ready to venture out into the world.

  Galaxy says it’s very important to keep in mind that going outside is not suited for every cat. If you get to the point where your cat is comfortable with the harness and leash, but once outside is frozen or showing signs of distress, don’t force it. For more of Galaxy’s advice on determining if outdoor walks are right for your cat, check out his video on the subject.

• Can you put a dog harness on a cat?

  Yes, some cat owners have success using harnesses marketed for small dogs on their cats. “I have a cat that’s bigger than a dog, and one of the dog vests fits her better,” says Jackson Galaxy. “But you’ve got to be very careful.”

  He explains that dog harnesses may have larger leg openings than those designed for cats: “If they can get a leg out, it’s not even a matter of them escaping, it’s a matter of them hurting themselves if they freak out.”

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