Cat harnesses can be a great way to keep your cat safe and secure whilst still allowing them to explore the world outside. If you are thinking about getting a harness for your cat, be sure to do your research and choose one that is right for your cat or kitten. Cats and kittens are curious creatures who love to explore their surroundings, but they can also be too curious for their own good sometimes. Unfortunately it’s common for cats that go outdoors, not on a harness, to get stuck in sheds or garages and can go missing for a while until they are hopefully found safe. Cats can also sadly be victim to road traffic accidents and sometimes don’t survive. That's where cat harnesses can come in and help them keep their nine lives!
What’s the Best Type of Cat Harness
There are many different types and shapes of cat harnesses available, so you can find one that is perfect for your cat or kitten and the best type will be one that they will wear comfortably and that is secure. The most common type of cat harness is made from nylon webbing and is in a ‘H’ style with two buckles to secure your cat safely. At Noggins & Binkles, we make the most common ‘H’ style cat harnesses as these are what we use on our cats and have had success with them being comfortable and wearing them. Many years ago we tried a small fabric vest harness, which was actually for dogs, but we couldn’t even get it on our cats so back to the traditional cat harness it was! At Noggins & Binkles we make our cat harnesses with soft vegan cork leather so it’s comfortable for your cat and they feature strong buckles and luxury brass hardware too! We also make an optional matching cat lead to complete the look! It’s important that any cat harness that you do choose is fully adjustable so you can ensure a good escape-proof fit and that they can continue to enjoy wearing it as they grow. Our cat harnesses fit most kittens and cats, but we do make bespoke sizes too if you happen to have a very tiny kitten or very large cat.
Noggins & Binkles 'H' style blue vegan cork leather cat harness
When to Use a Cat Harness
Indoor cats can be perfectly happy and entertained staying indoors, but if you want to take them in the garden to explore, or they are hanging around the back door trying to go in the garden, a cat harness can be a great way of letting them explore safely and keeping them within your garden. Some braver cats also don’t mind being taken for a walk outside their garden, but this should only be done if your cat is comfortable doing this and it’s safe to do so. Cat harnesses can also be used for travelling to the vet and in the vet. For the more adventurous cats and humans out there they can also be used for traveling around on holiday in your home country or abroad!
How to Put a Harness on Your Cat
Putting a harness on your cat should be a relatively simple process if they are used to it, so if they are still a kitten or young you should get them used to wearing one then. Older cats often don’t mind wearing a cat harness, but if they aren’t sure at first, try putting it on them for short periods of time indoors so they can safely get used to it. Once they are comfortable with wearing it, you can then simply loop the neck part and attach the buckle and then do the same for the part around their chest. The part joining the two pieces should be on their back where the d ring will be to attach their lead. If you aren’t using a traditional ‘H’ style cat harness you will probably have a different way of putting it on and may need to put the harness over your cat's head or slip the harness through your cat's front legs before attaching the buckles. Regardless of the type of cat harness you are using, it is really important to adjust it to make sure it is comfortable and secure.
Binkles wearing our mint green vegan cork leather cat harness and lead
Tips for Using a Cat Harness:
- Make sure that your cat or kitten is comfortable wearing their harness before going outside.
- Make sure that the harness is the right size for your cat and can be adjusted.
- Make sure that the harness is made of a comfortable material.
- Make sure that the harness is not too tight or too loose.
- Make sure any buckles are closed and secure before going outside.
- Make sure that the d ring to attach the lead to is strong.
- Only take your cat outside on a harness where they are comfortable doing so.