Harness Walking

Today was the first day we took our cat on a harness outside and he seemed to like it pretty well! The harness we got looks like the most basic ones for dogs and cats from value village and it works... but does anyone have any suggestions for specific ones?

Yes. I love the kitty holster ones and also my custom ones from Hyendry Hyendry_cat_walking_jackets_and_harness

These are a lot more secure and I have seen too many cats escape from the more simple type harnesses.

Fish Em said:

but does anyone have any suggestions for specific ones?

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No suggestions for specific ones, but here's a TCS article on Harness And Leash Training For Cats that might be helpful.

I think the most important thing, though, is to ensure it's snug enough that your cat can't wiggle out of it.

And now that he's gotten a taste of outside, you'll have to watch that he doesn't sneak out the door. Here's another article with some tips on How To Prevent Your Cat From Darting Out The Door | TheCatSite

My Chrissy had a way of escaping almost every harness I ever put on her, she would turn around backwards and wiggle her way out. If you find your cat escapes, the only one I ever found that held her was called a 'figure 8 harness'. it actually tightened if the cat pulled backward against it. I spent a lot of time chasing her through the neighborhood!

Thanks for the heads up! The harness we have does seem like he could escape if he tried. I will look into the figure 8.

Fish Em said:

Today was the first day we took our cat on a harness outside and he seemed to like it pretty well! The harness we got looks like the most basic ones for dogs and cats from value village and it works... but does anyone have any suggestions for specific ones?

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Hello Fish Em -- definitely a figure 8, as other posters have suggested. Never use a harness for dogs on cats, because though they are both quadrupeds, cat' physical structure is different from dogs'. Make sure it's a cat-specific one.

Yes the harness sometimes did not look right.

Personally, I prefer the jacket-style ones as I think they're more comfortable for cats. (Like this - Kitty Holster® Cat Harness one, the Kitty Holster). I also prefer these ones because I've seen cats with abrasion sores from wearing the strappy styles of harnesses.

And I wouldn't get an H-style harness because I think they're easier to escape from. Ultimately, whatever your cat likes best is good and what everyone else has said - a cat-specific harness, not one for small dogs.

Best? Kitty straitjacket on a 1" diameter rope!

I have never tried to harness any of my cats. However, the information here would guide me to the right one.

These ones are good and sturdy.
My cats have been able to use this kind for over a year.
They do flay if they itch them but its still sturdy enough where it won't break even if it does so you just need to make sure you clip off the little bits when it happens to keep it looking nice.

Ah so many choices. I took my Teddy Bear outside again today and he did manage to get his legs out not on purpose but after awhile and he even jumped on top of the fence wearing it. So I dunno the vest ones looks nice but so do the H. I might have to take him for a fitting. The reviews on sizing cats for harnesses is pure pandamonium.

Fish Em said:

Ah so many choices. I took my Teddy Bear outside again today and he did manage to get his legs out not on purpose but after awhile and he even jumped on top of the fence wearing it. So I dunno the vest ones looks nice but so do the H. I might have to take him for a fitting. The reviews on sizing cats for harnesses is pure pandamonium.

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Just use a tape measure and wrap it around his chest area and neck and find out what they are. Then you can use that as your base for what size to get him. Yeah, the vest ones are a bit of a struggle and can be more of a hassle when it comes to slip-outs. That why I like the H harness. They can't just jerk out.

Of the three cats I have under my care, only one of them somehow manages to get it off... and I'm... still... not sure how.

She doesn't do it when I'm around her so shes fine walking in it but she unbuckles it(yes UNBUCKLES not slips out) when shes inside and doesn't feel like wearing it all the time.

So after a long time, we got our cat the H harness. It works just perftect! Cat seems more comfortable as well.

That's great. Do you have any pictures you can post?

Looks nice and snug. Glad she likes it.