Cats love to be outside, but usually, it’s not safe to let them wander on their own. If you live in a city, there are people, dogs, and cars to contend with. For country dwellers, there are predators that your unsuspecting feline might run into. To keep them safe and still allow them to enjoy the outdoors, a cat harness is a necessary precaution.
Using a harness that is adjustable and secure is important to reduce the risk of our favorite felines escaping mid-walk. We put together these reviews to showcase the 10 best escape-proof cat harnesses.
S (9–11-inch chest); M (10.5–14-inch chest); L (13–18-inch chest)
Harness Type:
H
Closure:
Buckle
Leash Included:
Yes
Reflective:
No
The PetSafe Come With Me Kitty Nylon Cat Harness & Bungee Leash is a simplistic H-style harness that uses shoulder straps rather than the traditional collar to avoid putting pressure on your cat’s throat. Featuring quick-release fastenings and multiple adjustment points for a more secure fit, the PetSafe harness is the best overall escape-proof cat harness.
A favorite for nervous cats that don’t like having heavy material pulled over their heads, the H-style design keeps your cat safe without overwhelming them with too much material. The included leash is 5.6 feet long and uses a bungee design to stop your cat from jarring to a halt if they get spooked and bolt.
There’s no reflective material used with this harness.
Pros
Bungee leash eliminates tugging
Quick-release fastenings
Multiple adjustment points
6-foot leash
Shoulder straps don’t apply pressure to your cat’s throat
Cons
Not reflective
2. SCIROKKO Cat Harness and Leash Set — Best Value
S (11.4–13-inch chest); M (13.8–15.3-inch chest); L (15.7–17.3-inch chest)
Harness Type:
Vest
Closure:
Buckle and Velcro
Leash Included:
Yes
Reflective:
Yes
Available in blue, black, or gray, the SCIROKKO Cat Harness and Leash Set is the best escape-proof cat harness for the money. It’s made from a soft, durable polyester with a breathable mesh lining to keep your feline cool during summer walks. The soft edges ensure that your cat has the freedom to move without uncomfortable chafing. A 3.9-foot leash is included with the purchase.
For extra security, the SCIROKKO cat harness uses both Velcro and buckle fastenings, along with reflective stripes for nighttime strolls.
Although there are three sizes available — small, medium, and large — this harness is recommended for smaller cats.
Designed for cats of all ages, the Kitty Holster Cat Harness is available in four sizes: extra small, small-medium, medium-large, and extra-large. The Velcro fastenings are durable and easy to use, and your anxious cat doesn’t need to put their head through a collar.
Featuring a metal D-ring to easily attach a leash and keep your feline secure, this harness is also available in five colors — gray, blue, black, green, and purple — or two different patterns — tiger stripe and red bandana.
As a premium choice, this harness is expensive. Also, it doesn’t come with a leash. With the limited adjustment options, it’s extra important for this harness to be fitted properly to avoid the risk of your cat escaping.
Pros
Available in multiple colors and patterns
Suitable for cats of varying sizes
Velcro fastenings
Metal D-ring
Cons
Cats can escape if it’s not fitted properly
Expensive
4. Rabbitgoo Cat Harness and Leash — Best for Kittens
S (6.6–8.5-inch neck, 9–12-inch chest); M (7.5–9.5-inch neck, 11–13.5-inch chest); L (9.3–10.6-inch neck, 12.2–14.2-inch chest)
Harness Type:
Vest
Closure:
Buckle
Leash Included:
Yes
Reflective:
Yes
The Rabbitgoo Cat Harness and Leash is a vest-style harness that comes in various adjustable sizes to suit kittens and adult cats. Adjustable straps and the fast-release buckle make this option easy to put on and take off, all while ensuring a snug fit so your cat can’t wiggle free.
Made from breathable mesh material with a soft edge design, the Rabbitgoo harness doesn’t chafe and uses reflective stripes to keep your feline safe during nighttime strolls. The metal D-rings give you a secure place to attach the included leash.
If not fitted correctly, thin or small cats can escape this harness.
S (8.5–11-inch neck, 13.5–16-inch chest); M (11–13.7-inch neck, 18–20-inch chest)
Harness Type:
Vest
Closure:
Buckle
Leash Included:
Yes
Reflective:
Yes
With four adjustable straps, you can make sure the PUPTECK Cat Harness and Leash Set is a snug fit for your cat, while the soft edge design stops the material from chafing. The included reflective strips and metal D-ring keep your feline safe, both at night and if they get spooked.
This harness includes a 4.9-foot leash and is available in six colors — black, green, pink, red, blue, and rose — so your cat can match your fashion style. The PUPTECKs vest design includes two quick-release buckles to make fitting this harness on your cat simple.
With only two sizes — small and medium — this option isn’t big enough for large cats.
XS (8–10-inch neck, 11–15-inch chest); S (9–12-inch neck, 13–17-inch chest)
Harness Type:
Vest
Closure:
Buckle and Velcro
Leash Included:
Yes
Reflective:
Yes
The Azuza Cat Harness and Leash are constructed with a breathable mesh material to make sure your cat stays comfortable during hot days, and the reflective patches allow for added visibility during nighttime strolls. To suit your cat’s style (and so they can match you), the harness is available in black, hot pink, buffalo plaid, and royal blue.
This option is only escape-proof when properly fitted, and cats that are too small or too big might find it easy to break free. The Azuza harness only comes in extra small or small and is unsuitable for medium or large cat breeds.
Pros
Available in black, hot pink, buffalo plaid, and royal blue
Reflective
Breathable
Cons
Not escape-proof if fitted incorrectly
Not suitable for medium or large cats
7. Travel Cat: The True Adventurer Reflective Cat Harness and Leash Set
XS (10–14-inch chest); S (14–16-inch chest); M (16–18-inch chest); L (18–20-inch chest)
Harness Type:
Vest
Closure:
Buckle and Velcro
Leash Included:
Yes
Reflective:
Yes
The Travel Cat: The True Adventurer Reflective Cat Harness and Leash Set is available in red, black, gray, and orange and comes in four sizes: extra small, small, medium, and large. Made with breathable mesh material, this product has a reflective strip for added security and a 4-foot leash to keep your cat safe as they wander. It uses adjustable straps to ensure a snug fit and prevent your feline from escaping.
Besides being expensive, this design requires you to take accurate measurements to ensure that the harness fits correctly; otherwise, the wide neck will enable your four-legged Houdini to escape.
Designed with unique fish buckles, the Red Dingo Classic Nylon Cat Harness & Leash is durable, stylish, and sure to draw attention to your beautiful feline. While the H-style makes fitting this harness a breeze, the adjustable straps enable you to make sure it fits your cat and doesn’t let them escape. This option includes a 4-foot leash.
Thin cats can escape if the harness isn’t fitted correctly. As the Red Dingo Classic harness only has one range of measurements for neck and chest width, it won’t fit all cats. The fish-shaped buckles make snazzy additions to the harness, but they are tricky to use, especially for cat owners with arthritis.
Fastened with durable Velcro for an extra snug fit, the Frisco Wrap Cat Harness is a poly-cotton harness that doesn’t chafe and is easy to clean for those days when your cat rolls in the dust. This harness comes with a 6-foot leash and a metal D-ring to keep your feline safe and secure.
With only two sizing options, this harness is recommended for kittens and average-sized cats. If you have a large breed of cat, they won’t fit. The single Velcro fastenings can be unreliable and break open if your cat gets scared and tries to run away.
Patterned with glow-in-the-dark stars for extra nighttime safety, the PAWCHIE Cat Harness With Leash and Collar Set is an H-style harness available in pink, black, or red. Along with the included 4.9-foot leash, you also receive a matching collar with a bell, so your cat can look and sound stylish on walks and at home.
The H design enables you to put this harness on your cat without having to convince them to put their head through tight neck holes. Two quick-release buckles keep the harness secure, and you can adjust the size to properly fit your cat with the two adjustable straps.
Cat owners with arthritis may find the buckles too small and fiddly to use, and cat fur can get caught in the plastic.
Pros
Reflective
Two quick-release buckles
Two adjustment points
Metal D-ring
Matching collar with bell
Cons
Buckles are too small for cat owners with arthritis
Cat fur can get caught in the buckles
FAQ
Our beloved felines have a knack for fitting themselves into objects that we would assume don’t have enough space for them. Their ability to squeeze themselves into things also makes them great escape artists, whether they’re wriggling out of your arms at the vet or climbing through the open window that you didn’t know they could reach.
For this reason, it’s important to take a few things into consideration when it comes to escape-proof cat harnesses.
What Makes a Harness Escape-Proof?
Unlike dogs, cats are incredibly flexible, and their harnesses need to be specially tailored to avoid the inevitable escaping cat. Cats are wily enough that no harness will ever be completely escape-proof — felines have a way of worming their way out of everything — but we can take steps to make escape more difficult.
Image Credit: PUPTECK, Amazon
When you’re looking for a harness, following these tips will help you find one that will keep your cat safe and comfortable.
Adjustable Straps: Getting a harness that fits your cat exactly, without any adjustments, can take a great deal of time and money. Without ordering a custom-built harness, the odds are against you. This is where adjustable straps come in handy. Most harnesses come with a set range of sizes, and the straps enable you to tighten or loosen your chosen model to better fit your cat. The more straps that you can adjust, the fiddlier the harness is, but it’ll also make a better fit and be more escape-proof for your Houdini feline.
Dual Fastenings: Buckles or Velcro are common fastenings when it comes to cat harnesses. They work well on their own, but occasionally, Velcro gives out and buckles snap. Dual fastenings, where the harness has both Velcro and strong buckles, give you a fail-safe if one of the fastenings breaks. For example, if your cat panics when you’re mid-walk and struggles so much that the Velcro on their harness loosens, the buckle will keep the harness together and on your cat long enough for you to calm them down.
Comfort: Part of making a harness escape-proof is making sure your feline is comfortable, and choosing the style of harness comes down to your knowledge of your feline’s preferences. While most vest harnesses have soft edges to reduce chafing, not all cats like having something pulled over their heads. H-style harnesses don’t have padded edges, but they do have fewer points of contact and don’t feel as restrictive for your kitty.
Durability: As an extra line of defense against escape, the harness that you choose should be built to withstand anything that your cat tries. Look for double-stitching and stainless-steel D-rings. The buckles and Velcro should be hard-wearing and strong too. Also, take into account the material that the harness is made from. Polyester is generally tougher than nylon, but a blend of different materials will have benefits from each fabric, along with breathability and strength.
What to Look For in a Cat Harness
Along with the features to make your cat harness escape-proof, there are several other additions to pay attention to when making your choice. A harness might look appealing, but if your cat dislikes the style or the design doesn’t include any safety features, you’ll be no better off than when you started.
Image Credit: rabbitgoo, Amazon
Style: There are three popular styles of cat harnesses available, and each has a range of pros and cons.
Vest: All-around sturdy options, vest harnesses are durable and robust. They’re also secure and one of the safest options for your feline. You can find them in different colors and styles, so your cat can look fashionable on your walks.
H: Simpler in design than the vest harness, the H-harness is made with several straps in an H shape. With fewer contact points than a vest, these are ideal for nervous cats that don’t like feeling constricted. They offer more freedom of movement due to their minimalistic design.
Figure 8: A hybrid of both the H-style and vest harnesses, a figure 8 harness is secure and will tighten if your cat tries to run away. While this can deter escape artists, it can make more nervous cats feel trapped.
How to Measure your Cat for a Harness
Note: You need to measure your cat before you buy a harness.
A perfect-fitting harness should be snug but allow for two fingers of space between your cat and the straps; this will allow them to breathe and move around so they’re not uncomfortable. Using a tape measure or a piece of string if your cat is particularly fidgety, measure around their neck and behind their front legs. Remember to double-check all measurements, just in case.
How to Get Your Cat Used to a Harness
Like with all new things, acclimatizing your cat to their new harness is essential before you try to take them on a walk. Whether you’re in a quiet country town or a city, making sure your cat is used to the harness will take one element of stress out of their new experience.
Image Credit: PetSafe, Chewy
Ideally, these steps should take several days each before you consider heading outside.
Step 1: Desensitize
Before you try to put the harness on your cat, you need to make sure they’re used to the sight and smell. Place it by their favorite napping spot so they can get used to it.
Step 2: Try it on
When your cat is more comfortable with the sight of the harness, follow the instructions on the packaging to properly fit the harness on your cat. Distract your cat when you do this by using treats. Getting them to wear it while they’re eating will help them associate the harness with good things.
Letting the leash trail behind them while they wear it is another way to get them used to the weight. Don’t try this outside, though. It’s best if you start indoors, where your cat feels safe and they’re not at risk of running anywhere except under the couch.
Step 3: Outside
When your cat is used to the harness — they should have worn it on and off around the house for days before you try this — it’s time to gradually introduce them to the outside world. If you have an indoor cat, be prepared for nervous behavior with all the new sights and smells. They’ll be curious but also wary of everything.
Don’t try to take your feline on a long walk from the start. Instead, stay close to the door so they can dart for safety if they do get loose. As your cat gets used to the harness and your yard, you can take them for longer adventures.
Helpful Tips
Training cats might take longer than dogs, but the basics are the same. Positive reinforcement goes a long way toward convincing your stubborn feline to do what you want them to. Stay calm, and be ready with plenty of chin scratches and a handful of your cat’s favorite treats.
Final Thoughts
To keep your cat comfortable and safe, the PetSafe Come With Me Kitty Harness uses a simple H-style design to soothe nervous cats and includes a bungee leash to prevent sudden jarred stops if your feline bolts. If your cat is more of an escape artist, the budget vest harness — the SCIROKKO Cat Harness and Leash — combines buckles with Velcro and reflective material to keep your cat super safe.
These reviews are 10 picks for the best escape-proof cat harness. Carefully consider your options, and you and your cat will be rocking the catwalk in no time.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
