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The Spruce Pets / Chloe Jeong
The expert-approved Travel Cat Reflective Cat Harness is the top pick for most cats. However, if your cat is a true escape escape artist, the Kitty Holster Cat Harness may be your safest choice.
Training your cat to use a leash is a great way to let your pet enjoy nature without the fear that they'll run away or get lost. However, leashes should never be attached to a cat's collar for safety reasons (cats can easily slip out of collars), so you'll need a harness for any leash activities.
To inform our cat harness research, we spoke with Jackson Galaxy, cat expert and host of Animal Planet's show “My Cat From Hell,” about what features to look for in a cat harness. "There are people who will stand behind a lot of different types of harnesses. The kind that I go for are the ones that are more like vests, that cover the top part of a cat’s chest." The most secure styles are vests or jackets, but some cats will only tolerate H-style harnesses (also called a figure-eight style), which consist of more minimal straps and loops.
We analyzed dozens of harness options to make this list, but you’ll also want to consider what style of harness your individual cat will tolerate best.
Here are the best harnesses for cats.
Best Overall
Travel Cat Reflective Cat Harness and Leash
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Amazon
Very hard for cats to slip out
Doesn’t need to be put over the cat’s head
Several ways to adjust the size
Not all cats tolerate vest-style harnesses
The Travel Cat Reflective Harness makes the top of our list because it balances a secure, customizable fit with kitty comfort, plus extra safety features. This vest-style cat harness is recommended by cat behavior expert Jackson Galaxy (and is one of the products he sells on his site).
It comes in four different sizes, and each size can be adjusted to your cat’s body using the straps and an adjustable Velcro closure. The harness slips over the front legs and fastens at their shoulders, so it’s easy to put on and good for cats that don’t like having things put over their heads. It has a reflective strip, to help you see your cat even in low light. It’s made from breathable mesh that’s available in several color choices, and comes with a matching 3.9-foot leash.
Price at time of publish: $29.99
Closure Type: Buckle | Sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large | Colors: Black, Grey, Orange, Red, Cash Print, Groovy Print | Reflective: Yes | Leash Included: Yes
Best for Travel
Rabbitgoo Adjustable Cat Harness and Leash Set
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Amazon
Comfortable fabric
Many ways to adjust the fit
Reflective strips
Leash included
Not all cats allow a harness that slips over their head
Even if you don't plan to take your cat on regular walks, keeping a harness and leash on hand can be a good idea for any travel where your cat might need to be out of a crate.
Another vest-style harness, we like this pick because it combines robust construction with features to keep cats comfortable. That includes chest and back pieces that distribute pressure and are made from breathable mesh. The back panel has a durable D-ring where you can clip the included leash. Reflective strips help kitty stay visible in the dark, while reinforced stitching means it should last a long time. The vest is available in two sizes, and a wide range of ten colors.
Price at time of publish: $17.98
Closure Type: Clip | Sizes: X-Small, Small | Colors: Black, Emerald, Grass Green, Grey, Light Blue, Light Purple, Navy Blue, Pink, Purple, Yellow, Orange, Red, Rose Red | Reflective: No | Leash Included: Yes
Best Budget
PUPTECK Adjustable Cat Harness Collar with Leash
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Amazon
Low price
Clips on both the neck and chest strap
Leash included
Only available in one size
H-style harnesses can be easier for cats to escape
If you need a harness purely for occasional vet visits or trips to the airport, a low-cost harness may be a better option for you. The H-style PupTeck Adjustable Cat Harness is incredibly affordable, but this design is easier for cats to escape from. It's made from nylon and has two straps with buckles that can be adjusted individually to adapt to your cat's body measurements. You can pick from a variety of bright colors.
The PupTeck is easy to use, but it only comes in one size, so it may not be suitable for bigger-than-average cats. 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.
Price at time of publish: $12.99
Closure Type: Buckle | Sizes: One Size Adjustable | Colors: Black, Colorful, Orange, Pink | Reflective: No | Leash Included: Yes
Best for Kittens
Rabbitgoo Escape Proof Cat Harness and Leash Set
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Amazon
Single clasp is easy to use
Reflective strips
Extra small sizes
Fewer ways to adjust the size
If you want to your kitten to start getting used to a harness at a young age, this slightly newer version of the Rabbitgoo harness (our pick for Best Travel) is easy to put on, so you can get a wriggly kitten into it quickly. The small size is suitable for cats with a chest girth of 9 to 12 inches. It doesn't have many adjustment points, so you'll likely need to buy another harness when your cat eventually grows out of it, but bigger sizes are available if you want the same design. The step-in style vest is hard for cats to escape from, and breathable mesh fabric is less likely to overheat.
Price at time of publish: $14.98
Closure Type: Buckle | Sizes: Small, Medium, Large | Colors: Black, Blue, Bright Yellow, Forest Green, Grey, Lemon Yellow, Light Blue, Olive Green, Orange, Red, Pink, Purple | Reflective: Yes | Leash Included: Yes
Best Escape-Proof
Kitty Holster Cat Harness
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Amazon
Easy to clean
Hard for cats to wriggle out
Four sizes available
Doesn't come with leash
Not all cats tolerate this style of harness
The Kitty Holster is popular with both cat experts and owners alike. This is a jacket-style harness, which are the hardest for cats to escape, but not all cats tolerate having so much of their body covered. However, they do a good job of distributing pressure across a cat's body in case they pull on the leash. The harness fastens with Velcro, which you can also use to adjust the size to some degree, and four sizes of this harness are available. It also comes in several different colors and prints, and has a soft lining.
Price at time of publish: $27.15
Closure Type: Pull On | Sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large | Colors: Black, Purple, Green, Tiger Print, Red Bandana, Grey, Denim, Butterfly Camo Print, Blooming Gold Print | Reflective: No | Leash Included: No
Cutest Style
Yizhi Miaow Cat Harness and Leash
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Yizhi Miaow
Hard for cats to wriggle out
Four sizes available
Comes with matching leash
Not all cats tolerate this style of harness
This cute cat harness combines the safety of a jacket style with cute prints and lace trims. It's available in XS, XS, S, M, L, and XL sizes. Several different prints are available, including plaid, polka dot, camo, and a sailor-style vest if you fancy a nautical theme. Each style comes with a matching leash, and the harness has two different D-rings to attach the leash, so you can pick which position works better for you and your cat. It fastens using Velcro.
Price at time of publish: $16.99
Closure Type: Hook and Loop | Sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large | Colors: Black Plaid, Blue Camo, Blue Plaid, Camo, Grey Camo, Pink Plaid, Polka Dot Black, Polka Dot Blue, Polka Dot Pink, Sailor Suit Red, Sailor Suit Navy | Reflective: No | Leash Included: Yes
Best Velcro
Hipet Velcro Cat Harness and Leash
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Amazon
Easy to put on
Comes with leash
Not all cats tolerate this style of harness
If you're looking for a harness that uses Velcro (also known as hook and loop) to close for a cat that doesn't tolerate the full jacket-style harness, this option from Hipet will cover a bit less of the cat's body. The two hook and loop straps allow you to adjust the fit, but be mindful to check that the fit is not too big each time you use it, otherwise, there's a risk your cat will wriggle out. The harness comes in four colorful prints with matching leashes and four sizes. It has two D-rings to attach the leash, and is made from a breathable mesh.
Price at time of publish: $12.99
Closure Type: Hook and Loop | Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large | Colors: Blue, Dark Green, Gold, Florescent Green, Pink | Reflective: Yes | Leash Included: Yes
Best for Large Cats
Rose and Bramble Shop Escape Proof Cat Harness
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Etsy Rose and Bramble Shop
Custom made to fit
Easy to put on
Available in a lot of colors and prints
Doesn't come with leash
Although many harnesses come in large and x-large sizes, some people with larger breed cats still have a hard time finding gear to fit them. Before turning to a harness designed for a dog, Jackson Galaxy recommends looking for a custom-made cat harness.
We like this one from Etsy maker RoseandBrambleShop. Each harness is custom-made to fit your big kitty's exact dimensions, with hook and loop closures. They come in several different prints from bold graphic patterns to petite florals, so you may want to browse around the shop to find the pattern you like the most.
Price at time of publish: $23.92
Closure Type: Hook and Loop | Sizes: Small, Medium, Large| Colors: Multiple | Reflective: No | Leash Included: Yes
Buyers Also Like
PetSafe Come With Me Kitty Nylon Cat Harness & Bungee Leash
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Leash included with bungee
Easy to put on
Multiple points for adjustment
No reflective component
The coordinating leash with PetSafe's Come With Me Kitty H-Style harness features a unique bungee design that stretches from 4 feet to 6 feet to give cats a little bit more freedom while still keeping them secure. The set comes in a variety of colors and sizes, and adjustable points along the sternum and belly allow for a more custom fit that can adjust as your cat grows and/or loses weight. The harness is also easy to put on by slipping your cat's head through a thin loop with snap closures along each side of the body. It's highly rated by customers for its ease of use and high rate of acceptance from cats who do not tolerate a vest-style harness.
Price at time of publish: $16.95
Closure Type: Snap | Sizes: Small, Medium, Large| Colors: Black, Purple, Dusty Rose, Red, Navy Blue, Blue Glitter | Reflective: No | Leash Included: Yes
Our top pick for a cat harness is the Travel Cat Reflective Cat Harness and Leash. We also like the Kitty Holster Cat Harness, because cats will have a hard time slipping out of it.
What to Look for in a Cat Harness
Fit
Cat behavior expert Jackson Galaxy says that proper fit is the most important thing when it comes to cat harnesses, so your cat can’t wriggle out of it. “A lot of the harness companies will ask you to measure your cat around the chest and neck," he says. "Take that seriously.”
A properly fitting harness should not restrict a cat’s movement in any way, including their ability to turn their head. Just like a collar, you should be able to slip two fingers (but not more) between the harness and your cat’s body.
Many harnesses have straps that can be adjusted to get an even more exact fit.
Style
There are three main styles of harnesses for sale for cats: figure eight, vests, and jackets.
Figure eight harnesses are the lightest and the easiest for cats to escape, but cats who really dislike wearing anything on their backs may tolerate them better. Galaxy recommends vests and jackets over the figure eight styles.
Vests cover more of the cat’s back and shoulders, and tend to be made out of breathable materials. They’re much harder for cats to escape.
The best jackets-style harnesses cover more of the cat’s back, and are the hardest to escape. However, some cats really don’t tolerate this style well. “I try to stay away from the belly,” says Galaxy, adding that he would avoid putting a cat in a harness that reaches from the neck to the groin.
“You’ve got to think about what your cat may or may not go for, and you may have to do a little bit of trial and error,” says Galaxy.
Closures
Different cats will be more comfortable with different closure locations. You’ll want to think about their personality and what they might tolerate best.
Also, some cats have an aversion to the sound Velcro makes and it has even been known to trigger seizures in some cases. If that’s your pet, you’ll want to avoid harnesses that use this for closures.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
To make this list, we interviewed Jackson Galaxy, cat expert and host of Animal Planet's show “My Cat From Hell,” about what features to look for in a cat harness. We then rigorously researched the market to find the best products.
Senior Editor Margaret Badore is a lifelong cat lover, and keeps a harness on hand for her cat Marbles.
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