How to choose a cat harness is one of the most commonly-asked questions by new cat parents. Your curious cat likes to climb all over the place, so keeping them safe when you’re out together can be tricky. Kip cat and dog boarding has multiple locations around Australia, including Brisbane and Hunter Valley, and we’ve got years of experience keeping your fearless feline feeling safe and loved. In this article, we’ll discuss how to choose a cat harness, give you some examples of the best cat harnesses and let you know how to put a harness on your cat. We hope this article will help you know how to choose a cat harness that’s fantastic for your feline.
Cat Harness
First thing’s first: what do you need to know about choosing a cat harness? You might be looking for a cat harness because you’ve got an active, outgoing feline master who demands you accompany them on their daily survey of their kingdom. Or perhaps you’ve got to take a scaredy-cat to the vet. Maybe you just want to be able to take your terrific tabby travelling. Either way, we’re here to help with some great cat harness tips.
There are, of course, lots of things to consider when choosing a cat harness outside of how it looks! Our feline friends are all different and can be sensitive and picky. So, you may need to do some harness experimentation. In general, though, some of the main points to remember when thinking about buying a cat harness are:
- Fit
- Leash type
Fit
It might go without saying but it is important that you make sure you buy a cat harness. Dog harnesses are made for the broader shoulders and build of a dog and can be easy for your feline to free themselves from. Cats also have more delicate throats than dogs. Harnesses made specifically for cats have more cushioning to protect this area and offer a better, more streamlined fit. Remember also that your cat moves differently to a dog. Cat harnesses allow them to move freely the way they like to, which in turn makes them more likely to let you put them on a leash.
There are many different types of cat harness. The most popular, however, are h-harnesses and figure-of-eight. What the best one for you and your feline is depends on what you’re looking for. Expect to experiment with different types – cats can be stubborn, after all!
Leash Type
You can buy different leash types for your cat’s harness. Some are more rigid than others. If you’re worried about meeting other cats when you’re out then you might find a firmer leash works better for you. A firmer leash will make it easy to control your kitty and keep them safe from less friendly fellow felines. On the other hand, more adventurous cats might prefer a more flexible leash. We’ll leave the leash experimentation up to you.
Cat Harness Australia
You need to consider the climate when choosing a harness for your Aussie kitty. Vest harnesses are great for cat harness Australia when the weather is hot, allowing them to keep cool while they move and enjoy the nice weather. On the other hand, jacket cat harnesses Australia can be used when the weather is cooler.
The material makes a difference, too. Mesh harnesses help to keep your kitty cool but tend to pick up dust and sand. Harnesses made with nylon are sturdier but can dig in to your cat’s delicate coat. Keep these things in mind when kitty harness shopping.
Best Cat Harness
What the best cat harness is for your feline depends on many things. There’s no need to get overwhelmed, though. We’ve narrowed down the things your harness needs to have to be crowned the best cat harness for your feline ruler. Apart from your cat’s willingness to try a harness, some of the best cat harnesses are:
- Safe
- Well-made
- Comfortable
Safe
Of course, the best cat harness is a safe one. One that your cat can’t crawl out of. Buying a harness made for cats ensures you get one that is streamlined to a cat’s body. It’s best to buy a harness that’s snug, but not tight. You should be able to fit two fingers between the harness and your cat. Your feline may still be firmly fixed on freeing themselves, but it’ll be a harder task with a harness that’s made for them!
Well-made
We all want the best for our feline friends, and their harness is no exception. Even if you only use the harness a couple of times a year to take kitty to the vet, you need to know you can rely on it to do the job. In general, the best cat harnesses cost $20-35. Buying from a local pet store helps ensure the harness will be good-quality. Make sure to ask about the store’s return policy, too, in case your kitty decides it’s not for them. Research cat harnesses in advance to decide what’s the best type for your cat or you can ask your vet for recommendations.
Comfortable
Even the most willing harness-wearing cats don’t like to have their movement restricted. If that’s the case for your kitty, consider experimenting with different harness types. It’s also a good idea to consider how the harness is attached. Many kitties are sensitive to the noise Velcro makes. You can help your cat get used to this type of harness by making the Velcro noise during playtime, for example.
How to Put on a Cat Harness
Asking how to put on a cat harness is often another way of asking how to persuade your feline master to allow you to put a harness on them. But that title isn’t as catchy. How to put on a cat harness depends, of course, on the cat. To avoid getting mauled, you might consider the slow and steady approach. Get your kitty used to the harness by making it a part of playtime or mealtimes. Once they’ve had a few days of this, gently put the harness on their back and reward them with food or play. The next step would be finally attaching the harness to them and, again, rewarding them.
You can also consider the type of harness, too. Some harnesses are easier to put on than others. Step-Ins are probably the easiest to attach but can be easier to wriggle out of. Figure-of-eight are some of the more difficult to attach, but also among the most secure. Be patient with your feline friend and work together to figure out which harness is best for you both.
Escape Proof Cat Harness Australia
Ah, the big question – How to find an escape proof cat harness Australia. Our feline rulers can be fiendish and sly and put the great Houdini to shame with their twisty tricks. If you’re despairing trying to keep your kitty under control, don’t panic. We’ve got some great escape proof cat harness Australia tips.
The first thing to remember, though, is: no harness is ever going to be 100% kitty escape proof. If your cat is determined to launch their rendition of The Great Escape, you’d better believe they’ll succeed. You’ll also need to remember to update your harness as kitty grows (remember to buy a harness for cats, not dogs) or when the weather changes.
The next thing to remember is: training is important. Even if your pussycat lacks patience, you don’t have to. Part of having an escape proof cat harness Australia is patience. With patience (and, of course, time), you can persuade your precious pussycat prince or princess to wear a harness. Make wearing one a part of your kitty’s daily routine. Allow them to get used to wearing one in the comfort of their own kingdom (or, as you know it, your home). Then, take them outside. By slowly introducing them to the idea of the harness, you stand a better chance of success.
Wow, there are a lot of things to think about when choosing a harness for your cat. But we hope this article has helped you narrow down the things to consider. Perhaps one of the most important takeaways from this article is that you’re going to need patience. A lot of it. You likely already know that, being a cat servant, after all. Don’t get discouraged if harnessing your cat takes longer than you expected. And, remember, some cats just won’t take to harnessing, even if you give it all you’ve got. If that’s the case, just jot it down to experience and enjoy being a loyal subject to your cat ruler.
