The best cat harness for your adventurous feline

We've got a list of the safest cat harnesses to buy online so you can go exploring with your kitty.

Beautiful brown and white cat in harness and on lead enjoys exploring the countryside whilst out adventuring with her owner on a spring day.

by Ruby Barry |
Updated on

If your cat is prone to a little adventure, likes to climb counters and curtains, chase the birds in your pet-friendly garden, and has mad zooming sessions at 3 am, take your cat for a walk with the best cat harness. Though cats are known to be finicky, hopefully, the result will be happier, more fulfilled cats and kittens.

Yes, that's right, dogs aren’t the only pets going for walkies these days. A growing trend is of cats walking on a cat harness blow-up across the UK, with more cat owners understanding that exposing their cats to new environments, smells and sights can enhance their lives tenfold.

Best cat harness at a glance:

Best escape-proof cat harness: BINGPET Escape Proof Cat Harness and Lead Set - View on Amazon UK
Best cat harness for kittens: rabbitgoo Escape-Proof Cat Kitten Harness with Leash Set for Walking - View on Amazon UK
Best lightweight cat harness: pidan Cat Harness and Leash Set - View on Amazon UK

The best cat harness also allow cats to experience the outdoors if they are restricted indoors because of choice or lack of garden space. According to the RSPCA, walking your cat on a harness and leash can prevent both obesity and unwanted behaviours developed from boredom. Of course, you’ll need to judge your own furry friend on their temperament and whether they’d enjoy walking outside their known territory. More nervous cats may prefer to lay in a cat bed at home and sleep, which is entirely relatable.

So what are the safest cat harnesses to buy online? We’ve got the ultimate guide to the best cat harnesses with a variety of specifications, from the lightest to the smallest, to the largest for big cats like Maine Coons. If you want to keep tabs on your cats when they're exploring, consider a cat GP tracker.

Best cat harnesses UK

Best cat harness overall

BINGPET Escape Proof Cat Harness and LeashBINGPET/amazon

Our Editor's Choice goes to the BINGPET escape-proof harness, which stands out due to its large sizing range and low price point. To get the perfect fit, make sure to measure your cat's girth snug against its fur. Then add two to six inches to that measurement for comfort.

Customer review: "We have two young Abyssinian cats, for which we have been harness & lead training. I have bought several other harnesses in the past, but the kittens have been able to get their legs through the neckpiece or it has caused them a lot of stress in the first place to put it on. This is so easy and stress-free to put on your cat. My cat walked taller as if he knows he looked good. It is far more secure. I will be ordering another one for my other cat today. I would have perhaps liked a bit more choice in colours, as the pink one is unavailable now, but extremely pleased with this product, definitely the best I've found."

Pros

  • It comes in sizes S to XL
  • Designed to be escape-proof

Cons

  • Only available in black

Best cat harness for kittens

rabbitgoo Escape-Proof Cat Kitten Harness with Leash Setrabbitgoo/amazon

Although you can teach an older cat how to wear and use a harness (more on that below), it's recommended you try to start as young as possible. Therefore, the rabbitgoo leash is ideal for kittens. The vest style makes sure to distribute pressure to avoid the neck, because oh boy are kittens energetic.

Customer review: "My cat needed a harness, she used to have the smaller ones that didn't cover her whole body and eventually escaped it. This harness is great, fits her perfectly and is escape-proof for her. The amount of times she pulled on it and tried to run at the beginning, the harness has stayed intact and is of great quality and I've had it for months. I dropped one star because the neck part eventually loosens no matter where you've put it. She hasn't noticed it and hasn't tried to escape it but it's frustrating I have to keep tightening it up. I wish they put on small clasps there like the waste part, that bit never loosens up but I've been thinking of buying another too because I love the colours!"

Pros

  • Smaller sizes make it perfect for little ones
  • Escape-proof adjustable straps

Cons

  • It is not available for larger cats

Best lightweight cat harness

pidan Cat Harness and Leash Setpidan/Amazon
Price: $11.99

If you've tried bulkier harnesses like the ones above, but your cat reacts badly to their head being put through the hole, it might be time for a lightweight harness and leash like this stylish one from pidan. With no tight fits it instead has adjustable buckles and straps and the pidan harness still distributes pressure evenly for comfort.

Customer review: "I got those for my two kittens as they are not old enough to venture out on their own. They both love it and it’s comfortable and very secure there is no way they would wriggle out. They both run to the doors when I show them harness because they know it’s a walk time!"

Pros

  • Ideal for claustrophobic kitties
  • Great for cats that are experienced in harness training

Cons

  • The leash is shorter than other brands (48 inches)

Best cat harness for nervous cats

Leather Cat Harness - SupakitSupakit

If you've got a particularly nervous cat, but they have shown a real interest in the outdoors, Supakit's leather or cork harnesses are specially designed to ease stress. Furthermore, their materials are sustainably and ethically sourced, supporting small local communities of artisan producers.

Customer review: "Our kitten outgrew his old harness, so I decided to try one from Supakit. So, far, it’s great — both for him and for the humans who put it on him! This leather is very soft and seems comfortable for him to have on for long periods of time. He has better movement when walking or trotting, and he hasn’t tried to Houdini himself out of it, so far. It’s been easy to get him in, and now there's no loud Velcro sound to spook him."

Pros

  • The smell of cork or leather appeals to a cat's strong sense of smell.
  • The natural smell is appealing to them, and so they are more inclined not to freak when wearing it

Cons

  • This is just the price for the harness, the leash is sold separately for £30

Best stylish cat harness

Mynwood Cat Jacket/Harness Royal Stewart TartanMynwood/amazon
Price: $28.00

Who said your cat couldn't be a fashion icon while out and about? We are in love with this gorgeously designed tartan harness from Mynwood. Designed and made by Maria who lives in the Highlands with her two Bengals and Maine Coon, it is certainly made with love and attention.

Customer review: "My cat is 15 years old and I didn't think she would take to this jacket but did very quickly. I like the fact that it is made specifically for cats. It is very easy to put on and looks smart. I use it with a flexi-lead. There are Velcro straps but because it is hand stitched it is very sturdy. it also arrived quickly. An Excellent Product."

Pros

  • Designed through rigorous testing and feedback from cat owners
  • Fufils their six main aims for success: security, strength, practicality, design, comfort, and customer satisfaction

Cons

  • It does not come with a matching leash

Best cat harness for size range

Anlitent Soft Mesh No Pull Cat Harness and Lead SetAnlitent/Amazon

Available in five sizes from extra small to extra large, the Anlitent Soft Mesh No Pull Cat Harness and Lead Set is designed to fit cats of all breeds and sizes. Ultra soft and highly durable, this lightweight harness will be comfortable for your cat to wear and they won't get too hot while wearing it, thanks to the breathable mesh. If walking your cat in low light conditions, the reflective strip will help keep you both seen and safe.

Customer review: "I have tried many harnesses for our house cats and this one is by far the best!
It fits our large cat perfectly and is super easy to put on. You just need to lift up their front paws to put into the holes and then clasp it around their back / shoulders. It is really sturdy and has reflective strips on it for night time!"

Pros

  • Reflective strip for more visibility
  • Soft and comfortable

Cons

  • Some reviewers had difficulty deciding what size would be best for their cat

Best cat harness for night time walks

Reflective Cat Harness with LeadPets at Home

Keep your cat safe while out in and about with the Reflective Cat Harness with Lead from Pets at Home. If you're taking your kitty out for walks after dark or in low visibility settings, such as fog, this harness and lead set will be ideal. It's made entirely from reflective fabric for increased visibility whenever your kitty is out on the prowl in the evenings.

Customer review: "My kitten can't be let out outside but she loves the outdoors so this is perfect for her! It is very easily ajustable, so I can change the size as she grows!"

Pros

  • Reflective fabric from increased visibility
  • Comes with matching lead

Cons

  • Some reviewers say the harness is quite stiff

Verdict: Which is the best?

Our pick is the BINGPET Escape Proof Cat Harness and Leash.

FAQs

How to harness train a cat

One reviewer who tested the BINGPET harness shared their tips and tricks on how to get a cat used to a harness, even a cat over 10 years of age. You could follow their advice and soon have your cat by your side to explore the world with.

"A large harness fitted my full-grown cat perfectly. He's at the stage of sniffing the air and the flowers and hardly notices he's got it on. He does wear a collar, so perhaps he's used to having some form of dress. I carry him out of the door so he doesn't expect to do that for himself (this prevents lots of scratching at the door and making demands!) The harness is brilliant, very sturdy and well made and quite clearly comfortable."

Can you harness-train an older cat?

Introduce your cat slowly to a harness:

1. Place the harness under your pillow/in your bed for two days to give it a familiar smell.

2. Grab a handful of treats or their favourite dry cat food. Let the cat have a couple before placing the harness, unbuckled, across its back. They will be too busy grabbing snacks to notice. If they're not ready for this, hand the treats through the harness, held in your other hand. Do this until they make the connection between treats and the appearance of the harness.

3. When they're relaxed in the presence of the harness, try reaching in and joining the velcro straps. Do the neck first, then the chest, and then the buckle around the neck.

4. Only leave it on as long as they're happy with it (this may be just while they are eating snacks).

5. Please do not make a silly video of your cat struggling to get out of its harness. Cats are dignified creatures and this likely means they are distressed.

6. Finally, when they're OK with it, snap on the lead, carry them outside and put them down where all the gorgeous smells will distract them.

Ruby Barry is a Fashion & Beauty Products Writer for Bauer Media and specialises in anything cat-related (having owned cats for 24 years, she is a certified crazy cat lady).

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