Harness Training. Is Mr. Kitty doing OK?

[kirathecat]

Hi everyone, 

I finally got the Kitty Holster harness yesterday and of course couldn't wait to put it on Whiskey. He looks just darling in red 

 He let me put the harness on no problem, wasn't afraid of the velcro sounds. He actually started purring right after I put it on, but he's weird this way, he purrs after a bath, when i put him in the carrier, and now in the harness too 

But I'm not sure if it's comfortable for him or not, especially around the neck. His neck, I think, is short compared to the harness, and the neck part of the harness is very stiff from all the velcro, and overall he moves really awkward... Is it normal for the first ever harness training attempt? Do you think he'll get used to it? Or the harness isn't a good fit? I feel like I'm putting him in a straight jacket judging by the way he acts and moves.

Couple of videos I've made (sorry for the quality, i don't have a clue how to edit videos)

First one: the harness was pretty loose, and the second, I think, it's a bit tighter on him.



We did try again today, he did pretty much the same thing, walked a bit, plopped down, rolled around, went after some treats, went backwards a few times...

General thoughts, advice or encouragement is greatly appreciated.

 

[kissthisangel]

I tried my cat with a harness and it did not go nearly as well as this. She tried to flop on her side and fell off the work top cue 48 hours of close observation locked in one room.

I think the harness looks a little wide around his neck area, as you said, although he has very deep and thick fur, which I think adds to this he's not really showing any signs of discomfort or trying to remove it. so long as you can still get a couple of fingers under the straps I think you will be fine.

 

[kirathecat]

 
I tried my cat with a harness and it did not go nearly as well as this. She tried to flop on her side and fell off the work top cue 48 hours of close observation locked in one room.

I think the harness looks a little wide around his neck area, as you said, although he has very deep and thick fur, which I think adds to this he's not really showing any signs of discomfort or trying to remove it. so long as you can still get a couple of fingers under the straps I think you will be fine.

Oh, my goodness! Was you kitty ok after the fall? I'll be sure to watch mine all the time.

Yeah, that fur and fluff makes it look even more weird 

 He did try to bite on the harness's collar and paw at the belly strap with his back legs when i put it really loose and after wearing it for quite a while. I think he just got a bit tired of it on the first try. Today he didn't do that pawing or biting thing.

I guess, I'll keep trying Hopefully, he'll be able to adjust so I can take him outside to enjoy great outdoors 

 

 

[kissthisangel]

 
Oh, my goodness! Was you kitty ok after the fall? I'll be sure to watch mine all the time.

Yeah, that fur and fluff makes it look even more weird 

 He did try to bite on the harness's collar and paw at the belly strap with his back legs when i put it really loose and after wearing it for quite a while. I think he just got a bit tired of it on the first try. Today he didn't do that pawing or biting thing.

I guess, I'll keep trying Hopefully, he'll be able to adjust so I can take him outside to enjoy great outdoors 

 

 Oh she was fine, she probably did it on purpose devious little madam that she is. Recently she has learned the art of opening doors. She is quite the escape artist, which is why we tried the harness in the first place. She's only about 1 now so she will just have to put up with being indoor, I will try her with the harness again in another few months.

 the only time I got her to walk outside on the lead I heard some guy say "I've just seen a cat on a lead!!" no one walks their cat here.

Yes he will try it's limits in the first instance, but he looks rather placid in the second video, some cats get along with one easily, especially when they connect it to the possibility of being outdoors. On the first couple of tries when you take him out doors I've read their favourite wand toys can be an easy tool to lead them around in the first instance. Like a carrot and pony set up. Be sure to take lots of treats to reward him for exploring, and a camera so we can see how it goes!

 

[kirathecat]

 Oh she was fine, she probably did it on purpose devious little madam that she is. Recently she has learned the art of opening doors. She is quite the escape artist, which is why we tried the harness in the first place. She's only about 1 now so she will just have to put up with being indoor, I will try her with the harness again in another few months.

Glad she was fine! What a crafty smart little kitty! Mine only knows how to squeeze inside a partially open closet 

If at first you don't succeed, try and try again, right?

the only time I got her to walk outside on the lead I heard some guy say "I've just seen a cat on a lead!!" no one walks their cat here

Ahahahaha 

 I bet I'll get the same reaction

Yes he will try it's limits in the first instance, but he looks rather placid in the second video, some cats get along with one easily, especially when they connect it to the possibility of being outdoors. On the first couple of tries when you take him out doors I've read their favourite wand toys can be an easy tool to lead them around in the first instance. Like a carrot and pony set up. Be sure to take lots of treats to reward him for exploring, and a camera so we can see how it goes!

I'll try the harness for a few more days indoors only. As for the toys... he despises any wand toys, guess I'll just have to stuff my pockets full of catnip mice and throw them around for Mr. Kitty's enjoyment. That will definitely get me some weird looks 

 Yep, lots and lots of treats and pictures

 

[kissthisangel]

 
I'll try the harness for a few more days indoors only. As for the toys... he despises any wand toys, guess I'll just have to stuff my pockets full of catnip mice and throw them around for Mr. Kitty's enjoyment. That will definitely get me some weird looks 

 Yep, lots and lots of treats and pictures

you can try laying a path with some treats around the  area you will want him to be walking in before you take him out but you may need to be quick if you have lots of neighborhood cats. When we were trying to get Mojo in at about 12am one night my partner and I were flinging treats and Mackerel everywhere and we got every cat in the neighborhood except ours!

Even a little hedgehog wandered over to see what the commotion was.

I look forward to hearing about your adventures!

 

[kirathecat]

 
you can try laying a path with some treats around the  area you will want him to be walking in before you take him out but you may need to be quick if you have lots of neighborhood cats. When we were trying to get Mojo in at about 12am one night my partner and I were flinging treats and Mackerel everywhere and we got every cat in the neighborhood except ours!

Even a little hedgehog wandered over to see what the commotion was.

I look forward to hearing about your adventures!

Oh my god, I laughed so hard picturing this whole thing 

 You just made my day!

 

[kissthisangel]

 
Oh my god, I laughed so hard picturing this whole thing 

 You just made my day!

I like to think that she was watching somewhere laughing and rubbing her paws the whole time