The best cat harness and leash will enable your feline friend to explore the world safely while taking adventurous trips with you.
Some cats love walking almost as much as dogs. While they don’t understand the “heel” command, you do need a high-quality and secure harness that fits your budget. When purchasing one, look for the quality of materials, Amazon ratings, and brand quality.
*This page contains affiliate links to products I recommend. If you purchase something from this page, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
I’ve done some research for you and you’ll find the best one for Fluffy. But first, let’s take a look at whether or not you should get a harness for your cat.
Best Cat Harness and Leash
We’ve done some due diligence to find the best, affordable and most secure harness to keep your cat as safe as possible. We all know that cats can be elusive, super quick and flexible. Which means that they can get through the tiniest of spaces.
Our Top Recommendation
- Simplicity in Design: Compared with other very fancy cat harnesses, this one uses a very simple vest-style design, which is classic and never out of date. It's always an excellent harness no matter...
- Quality Material: The harness is made of durable polyester, and we adopted an air-mesh design, which is very soft and breathable for cat wearing. Even though on hot days, your cat still will feel cool...
To avoid escapes, the Pupteck Escape Proof Cat Harness gets our recommendation for the best harness for walking your cat. The two heavy D rings connect both you and your pet while you are hiking, jogging, walking or running.
Best Cat Harness for Air Travel
- Metal Free for Hassle Free TSA airline Inspections
- Easy Step In Design, Black Mesh
If you spend a lot of time flying with a cat, then you need to check out the TSA Fast Pass Cat leash and harness. It contains no metal, which makes it quick and easy to get through the TSA inspections. It’s perfect for traveling in the cabin of airplanes.
Now that you know about the two harnesses that are perfect for your adventurous feline, let’s take a look at why you need to get a harness if your cat spends a lot of time outdoors.
Perfect for Cat Lovers on A Budget
- Comfortable Webbing: This cat harness is made of soft and smooth polyester fabric, it won't rub the cat's fur, and your cat will always feel lightweight and comfortable
- Neck size: adjustable from 18cm - 26cm/7inch-10 inch, Chest size: adjustable from 26cm -44cm/10inch - 17inch, Lead length: 120cm/47.2inch, please measure your cat carefully and refer to the size chart...
Cat harnesses are more affordable than dog harnesses. There is a smaller selection to choose from and they come in much smaller sizes. However, if you don’t spend a lot of time outdoors or travel, you don’t want to spend a lot on a harness for an occasional trip to the vet or indoor training. The PUPTECK Adjustable Cat Harness is the best budget cat harness for those that don’t have a lot of disposable income.
It’s perfect for cats that weigh less than 12 pounds. Extremely durable product that is constructed with a lightweight nylon material, it features an H-style design with durable snap-lock buckles that make it easy to put on and take off.
Award Winning Walking Vest
- Ultra-lightweight and comfortable for cats to wear
- Undyed cotton lining that is gentle on cats delicate hair and delicate skin
The Kitty Holster Cat Harness is perfect for walking with your cat. It’s a vest style harness and is constructed with 100% breathable cotton with an undyed lining.
This vest comes in four different sizes and several different colors. It’s easy to put on and off and machine washable. This vest style harness is designed to secure your cat securely with the wide velcro closures.
The Best Cat Leash
- Perfectly designed 10 ft. tape leash in two-color format for dogs, cats and small animals weighing up to 26 lbs.
- Very lightweight, compact pocket format
Okay, so you know which harnesses are the best, what about the leash? If you’re planning on walking your furbaby outside, you’ll need a good leash to go along with your harness.
Most new pet owners usually buy the traditional nylon leash. While it may be the right length and weight for a cat, however, it just doesn’t offer you the control you’ll need for your feline friend.
I prefer a lightweight retractable leash because it gives you so much control over your cat. My top pick for the best cat lead is the Flexi Vario Cord Leash.
It’s perfect for small dogs and cats and provides with great control. The best part is that it’s lightweight and won’t bog you down on your adventures with your cat.
The Flexi Cord Leash is constructed with a compact ergonomic grip to provide the most comfort. It also has a one-handed braking system to keep your feline friend out of trouble.
The cord is 10 feet long and is rated for pets up to 18 pounds. They do have larger versions of the leash available if you’re looking for one with more cord.
This is an affordable leash that is perfect for cat outdoors.
Now let’s take a look at whether or not you should get a harness and leash for your cat. After all, it’s kind of weird to walk cats. Most of us are used to seeing dogs on leashes, but not cats.
Can Cats Wear Harnesses?
I know it can be weird to think of a cat on a harness. But believe it or not, cats can be trained to walk outdoors in a harness and leash. The hard part will be getting them used to wear the harness while walking around the house.
However, just like training a dog to walk on a leash, you will want to use positive reinforcement to train your feline friend.
Do Cats Like Harnesses?
Unlike dogs, cats are independent and would rather do what they want to do. Your cat will be hesitant to wear the harness at first. However, with proper and persistent training, they can get to a point where they like going for walks wearing the harness.
Are Cat Harnesses A Good Idea?
If your cat spends a lot of time outdoors or travels with you, then wearing a harness with you holding the leash, is a very good idea. It will help prevent your cat from running away and getting lost or hurt.
However, if your cat is a homebody and never leaves home, they will be just as happy if they never see or wear a harness.
Most cats never get walked, but these harnesses and leashes can be great safety devices that prevent a cat from escaping when you’re going anywhere, even the veterinarian’s office.
Is It Okay To Leave A Harness On A Cat?
If your cat loves going for walks, it’s easy to just leave the harness on while they are indoors. Even if your kitty doesn’t mind the harness, you still want to take it off frequently or once a day.
She needs time to groom herself and it will be impossible to do so with her body strapped in a harness. There’s no harm in leaving the harness on for a few days.
Of course, if she struggles against the harness or constantly rubs up against the wall, furniture or etc, you will want to remove it. Otherwise, she can end up hating it and it will be hard to put it on next time you want to go for a walk.
The leash is a different story. You never want to leash on if you’re not walking your cat. An unattended cat on a leash can get hurt or even killed.
When you’re not walking your cat, always remove the leash.
Your Guide to Buying the Best Cat Harness
If you’ve never had a cat or purchased a leash or harness before, it can be confusing. There are tons of different brands to choose from such as; Puptek, Puppia, Gauterf, and etc.
It can be so confusing as what to look for when making a purchase. I always suggest looking at the following things when finding the harness for your feline friend.
Safety and Security
Cats are nimble and can slip out of almost anything. It’s important to find a harness that secures your cat snuggly inside to keep them safe.
Avoid using a dog harness for your feline. Dog harnesses are not made for cats, even if you use a small dog harness. Dogs have a very short torso and are designed to fit a dog.
The harness will not fit your cat comfortably, and they would end up hating it and it may even trigger anxiety whenever they see the harness.
Quality and Durability
Look for a quality leash that is durable and can last for several years of enjoyment. Not all leashes are equal and some are built with more quality than others.
It’s important to find one that is designed with quality fabric that is easy to wash and clean. All the cat harnesses on this page have high customer reviews and are of a high enough quality, you’ll be happy with the durability of them.
Sizing
Cat harnesses come in several different sizes, you’ll find a chart below of all the available sizes to help you find the right one for your pet.
How to Fit Measure Your Cats Measurements
To measure your cat, you’ll need a flexible tape measuring tape, pen, and pad right next to you. You may also want to have someone hold Fluffy so you can get the measurements down correctly.
Grab your feline’s measurements in these two places:
- Around the neck
- Just behind the front lets (or girth)
The measuring tape should be snug against Fluffy’s body. Make sure that you don’t make it too tight and squeeze your cat. You’ll want to add 2-3 inches to the measurement for comfort, now you should have the size you should buy.
Once you have your cat’s size, use the measurement chart below to find out what size of harness your cat requires.
Harness Measurement Chart
| Size | Width/Girth | Pet Size |
| Small | 9-11 inches | Kittens and Small Cats |
| Medium | 10.5-14 inches | Small and Average Cats |
| Large | 13-18 inches | Average and Large Cats |
Comfort
You don’t want one that is too snug or loose. You want enough room for your cat to walk comfortably and freely.
Most harnesses are constructed from nylon, polyester, or a soft mesh which makes it extremely comfortable for your feline friend. You won’t have to worry about your cat suffocating or overheating in hot temperatures.
Budget
Pets can be expensive and there’s absolutely no reason to overspend on a cat harness. I’ve found some of the best products on Amazon with over 4-star ratings.
The best part is that they are extremely affordable and will provide you peace of mind while adventuring with your cat.
Types of Cat Harness
Just like dog harnesses, cat harness comes in several different types. You’ll find a short description of the various types you can buy. This will help you decide which type of product to choose for your kitty.
Escape Proof Harness for Cats
Comes with adjustable straps that allow you to customize it to your cat’s body. This customized fit prevents your cat from escaping, and the pressure is evenly distributed across the chest, and shoulders to prevent discomfort or shoulder strain.
Perfect for small domesticated animals such as:
- Cat
- Rabbits
- Small Dog
- Other small pets
Figure 8 Harness
This type all allows the neck and girth to be perfectly sized. It’s adjustable from 12 – 18 inches, which means that it can fit any size feline.
It features two loops that secure tightly on the top of your cat’s shoulder. The swivel ring allows for easy movement to help you control your feline.
Perfect for small domesticated animals such as:
- Cats
- Kittens
H-Style Harnesses
Constructed with a short strap that secures your cat comfortably around the shoulder blades with loops that secure on both ends. The neck and girth straps make it comfortable for your cat and you’ll love how easy it is to secure on/off.
The best escape artists will have trouble slipping away. The steel D-rings make it easy to attach your cat’s leash and ID tag.
Perfect for small domesticated animals such as:
- Cats
- Puppies
- Small Dogs (up to 20 pounds)
Step In Harnesses
The step-in design makes it easy to put on and take off. Most are designed with a breathable mesh fabric that makes it perfect for all seasons.
The strong velcro closures are wide enough to provide the best a secure fit. The heavy-duty metal D-ring makes it available for leash attachment and proper ID tags. Durable quality and built to last.
Vest Harnesses
The vest style harness is better for larger cats or if you have one that is known as an escape artist. They offer a larger surface area with wider straps that help minimize uncomfortable pinching and added support.
The downside is that most have velcro closures. The sound of velcro can scare some cats and it may take some time to get your feline friend used to the vest.
This is known as the walking jacket because it secures your cat just like a secure coat. The D-ring makes it easy for you to attach a retractable leash.
Where to Buy Your Cat Harness?
You can buy one from pretty much any place such as; Walmart, Petsmart, Petco, Pet Supermarket and etc. If you’re looking for the most affordable prices, I highly recommend shopping on Amazon.
You can get great deals at great prices. Whenever I am shopping for something on Amazon, I always take the time to read the reviews from happy customers. If you’re ready to buy a harness for your cat, then visit this link as I’ve rounded all the best cat harness and leashes for you.
Bottom Line
We personally like the PupTek Cat Harness along with the Flexio Vario Cord Leash. The harness will provide your cat with the security they need and it’s effective design makes it easy to put on and take off.
Both the harness and leash can provide you with years of outdoor adventures for you and your cat.
Regardless of which harness you decide to purchase for your cat, the important thing is to make sure that you use the harness size chart to help you measure your cat properly.
Most new pet owners make the mistake of ordering the wrong size. If you want your cat to have a positive association with the harness, it’s important to make it comfortable.
You should be able to get a finger or two underneath the harness. This will ensure that your cat can still move freely and it’s not too tight.