Cat harnesses have increased in popularity in recent years. Not every indoor cat has the luxury of a garden, and even those that do often aren't allowed outside if they have a tendency to escape! A safe way to take your indoor cat outdoors is on a cat harness.
Taking an indoor cat outside, even with a harness, does require preparation and caution. We found that the best cat harnesses keep your cat secure, but don't restrict their movements. We liked the Escape Proof Harness from Rabbitgoo which is secure, easy to use, and comes with instructions for any owner new to cat harnesses. Read on for more of our top 10 picks and a guide to help you pick the bests one!
Quick List - Top Cat Leashes, Harnesses
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
Table of Contents
Every mybest article is crafted with hours of in-depth research and interviews with experts. Each month, we are continually expanding our database of products based on our research. By emphasizing user insight and reliable information, we deliver trustworthy content to readers.
Now that you've seen some of our top picks, it's time to figure out why we chose them. You should be looking out for size, adjustability, and more.
Cat harnesses come in a variety of sizes for a variety of different sized-cats. It’s very important that you measure your cat’s neck and chest size so that you can get the right-sized harness. An ill-fitting harness can cause the cat distress or result in them escaping.
For the chest, measure snugly against the fur and for the neck measure where a collar sits. You should be able to get a finger or two between the cat and the harness. You want your cat to be secure inside the harness, but the harness shouldn’t be too tight.
Some harnesses fasten with Velcro, but this is loud and can scare some cats. If you think that your cat might be scared by this, choose a harness that fastens in a different way.
The material of the harness can also be an issue. Some cats don’t like mesh, whereas others don’t like thick and stiff fabrics around them. Basically, it might be a lot of trial and error!
If you can, try other items made of similar materials with your cat to see if they react badly to a type of material before buying a harness.
Cat harnesses come in a few standard styles. The first is a step-in harness. The cat steps into the harness and it’s then fastened around them. This avoids putting anything over their head, which can be traumatic for some cats.
Next is a vest-style harness. This is the most secure type, but can be bulky and too restrictive for some cats. If your cat is an escape artist or likely to try and run away, this is the most secure. It can also make some cats feel more safe and soothe their anxiety.
The third is an H-style harness. It consists of straps that form an H-shape and wrap around the cat's neck and chest. The thin straps of this style can make the cat feel like they’re being squeezed and isn’t for every cat. If you have a cat that likes to run away a lot, this probably wouldn’t hold them in!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | rabbitgoo Cat Harness With Leash | ![]() | A Sturdy but Lightweight Vest Harness | |
2 | Scirokko Cat Harness and Leash Set | ![]() | A Glow-in-the-Dark Harness With Adjustable Straps | |
3 | Pupteck Mesh Cat Harness With Leash | ![]() | A Soft Harness With Strong Velcro Fastenings | |
4 | Kitty Holster Cat Harness | ![]() | More Suitable for Short-Haired Cats | |
5 | Pupteck Cat Harness With Leash | ![]() | Strong Velcro Fastenings and Easy to Use | |
6 | Pupteck Adjustable Cat Harness and Leash | ![]() | Quick to Fit and Adjustable | |
7 | Yizhi Miaow Cat Walking Jacket With Leash | ![]() | Cute Designs With Velcro Fastenings | |
8 | pidan Cat Harness and Leash Set | ![]() | An H-Shape Harness That's Adjustable and Secure | |
9 | Awoof Adjustable Kitten and Cat Harness With Leash | ![]() | Adjustable Neck Strap That Can be Buckled into a Seatbelt | |
10 | Supet Harness and Leash Set | ![]() | Full Coverage with a Reflective Strip |
This harness is primarily for small cats. It is made from a soft mesh material that keeps it both breathable and lightweight—perfect for small cats! The harness has four quick-release buckles that can be adjusted to make sure that it fits correctly. It also has reflective strips for any night walks.
Although this is marketed as being suitable for small cats, the manufacturers recommend that any cat that wears it has a head circumference of at least nine inches. Some reviewers that have smaller cats have reported issues of their cat escaping the harness.
Most reviewers like this sturdy harness. They say that it is easy to put on their cat and feels secure when properly adjusted. They like that the harness comes with an instruction manual that not only explains how to fit it but also how to introduce a cat to wearing it.
This harness has two thin adjustable straps—one that circles around the cat's neck and the other around their chest. Another strap connects the two and it has a hook for a leash. The buckles on the adjustable straps are sturdy but also have a quick-release.
A few reviewers had issues when their cat suddenly jerked and the buckles popped open, but most found the buckles to be secure and fit their cat well.
Users were pleasantly surprised to find that the material of the harness glows in the dark. They praise how quick and easy it is to put the harness on and that the cat still has a full range of movement.
This vest-style harness has Velcro fastenings around the chest and neck making it easy to adjust. There is also a buckle closure on the neck to keep it fastened securely. The vest is made from breathable air-mesh and has two D-rings for a leash to be attached.
Some reviewers say that their cat was able to wriggle out of the harness and could easily unfasten the Velcro around their chest. They also say that it doesn't come with any instructions on how to fit it correctly.
But other users liked this harness and praise its sturdiness. They say that buckle at the neck keeps it secure and that it doesn't impede the movement of the cat at all. They like that it is soft and fits well once properly adjusted.
This harness has an undyed cotton lining and fastens with Velcro. There is a D-ring on the back to attach a leash to. The harness is washable and 10% of profits are donated to an animal sanctuary!
This may not be the best vest for long-haired cats as some reviewers report that their cat's hair can get caught in the Velcro. As it fastens underneath, it can be awkward to put on cats that don't like to stay still.
Reviewers say that the material of the vest is very soft. They say that the Velcro is very strong and they are confident that it will hold and not come apart. Reviewers also praise how easy the harness is to clean.
This harness fastens with Velcro at the neck and chest and has an additional buckle at the neck for security. It is made of a soft mesh and has two D-rings on the back for the leash to be attached to.
For a few reviewers, the vest was too bulky and heavy for their cat. It may suit larger and older cats better than small kittens, but several mention the sizing runs small.
Most users like this harness and say that it is very sturdy and well-made. They say that the Velcro is stronger than the Velcro on some similar products. It's easy to put on and take off and they find that the neck buckle gives an extra layer of security.
This harness is made from nylon and is thicker than many other H-style harnesses on the market. This harness can fit various sizes of cats, including small kittens.
There are straps around the neck and chest of the cat that can be adjusted and are fastened with a buckle, and a third strap between the two that the leash can be attached to.
Reviewers say that this may not be suitable for larger cats. The strap between the neck and chest straps is short and the adjustable straps remain small even at their largest sizes.
They do say that the harness is well-made and sturdy, though! Some of the colors come with reflective strips and these are also praised by the reviewers. It also comes with instructions for fitting the harness and also on how to get your cat used to it.
This harness is adjustable at both the neck and chest with Velcro fastenings. It is made of breathable mesh and is padded for the cat's comfort. There are two D-rings on the back that a leash can be attached to and the harness does come with a matching leash.
Several reviewers say that the sizes run small and that despite measuring their cat, the harness they ordered didn't fit. Some also found that the neck fastening was too wide for their cat to be comfortable.
Reviewers say that the Velcro fastenings are sturdy and solid and easily adjusted. They praise the quality of the material and stitching and say it is well-made. They also think the colors and designs are cute!
The straps of this H-style harness are made from soft silk polyester and fasten with quick-release buckles. Both the neck and chest strap can be adjusted and they are held together with a third strap that a leash can be clipped onto.
A few reviewers express the wish that the middle strap (the one holding the neck and chest straps together) was also adjustable. Some also say that the leash paired with the harness is too short.
Overall though, reviewers do praise this harness. They like that their cat has a full range of movement. They say that it is sturdy and easy to safely put on their cat.
This cute harness has a soft and breathable mesh panel to cover the chest and two adjustable straps that fasten at the cat's back. The straps are edged in reflective material and seal with sturdy buckles. It comes with a leash that has a seatbelt fastener at the end, so you can easily buckle your cat into your car.
A few reviewers had issues with this harness as they didn't receive the middle strap that connects the neck and chest straps and has the leash attachment. None of these reviewers report on whether they were able to get a replacement from the seller.
Overall, though, users like that both the neck and chest straps are fully adjustable and say it gives them peace of mind that their cat is secure and won't escape. They also say that the harness is soft and comfortable and those that bought the bright green color love the shade!
This harness is made of lightweight and soft mesh fabric that covers the cat's chest and back securely, distributing any strain from the leash without harming the cat. It has two side buckles that fasten with metal rings to keep it secure.
Some reviewers criticize the quality of the materials used for this harness, but despite this say that it still does the job. Some also had issues with the sizes, as some were bigger than expected and others smaller.
Reviewers do praise how easy it is to adjust and say the buckles are strong and secure, however.
You can never have too many toys or gifts for your cat, so here's a few more your feline friend will love!
No. 1: rabbitgoo|Cat Harness With Leash
No. 2: Scirokko|Cat Harness and Leash Set
No. 3: Pupteck|Mesh Cat Harness With Leash
No. 4: Kitty Holster|Cat Harness
No. 5: Pupteck|Cat Harness With Leash
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Health
Beauty
Home goods
Home electronics
PC
Camera
Food and drinks
Kitchen
Fashion
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior
Hobbies
Outdoor
Home, garden, and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Media
Games
Apps
Automotive
Gifts
Mobile devices