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 11 best escape-proof cat harnesses.
At a Glance Our Top Picks in 2023
| Image | Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
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Hepper Harness & Leash Set |
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Check Price |
Best Value
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SCIROKKO Harness & Leash Set |
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Check Price |
Premium Choice
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Kitty Holster Cat Harness |
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Check Price |
| Best for Kittens |
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Rabbitgoo Cat Harness & Leash |
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Check Price |
| Best Overall |
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PetSafe Harness & Bungee Leash |
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Check Price |
The 11 Best Escape-Proof Cat Harnesses
1. Hepper Harness & Leash Set— Best Overall
| Size: | XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL |
| Harness Type: | H |
| Closure: | Buckle |
| Leash Included: | Yes |
| Reflective: | Yes |
Our best overall choice for a harness and lead set is the Hepper Cat Harness & Leash Set. It is the perfect solution for cat owners looking to provide their feline friends with a comfortable and secure outdoor experience. This harness and leash set is available in various sizes, ensuring a perfect fit for cats of all shapes and sizes.
Made from lightweight premium velvet fabric, breathable air mesh, and soft edging, the harness offers a comfortable fit that won’t irritate your cat’s skin. Plus, it’s machine-washable, making it easy to keep clean.
The secure and safe design features multiple adjustable points, allowing you to tailor the vest to your cat’s frame for a snug fit. A larger magic tape (Velcro) area, aluminum metal double D-rings at the back, and reinforced stitching ensure added security when walking your cat.
Reflective stripes and strips maximize visibility, while quick-release buckles make it easy to put on and remove the harness. And for added durability, the included leash is made from high-quality nylon climbing rope with a 360-degree rotating clamp. Now you can look forward to tangle-free walks!
Measuring 5 feet long and ½-inch in diameter, the leash provides ample space for your cat to explore. Rounding out the harness is a padded neoprene handle that ensures a comfortable grip for you during your outdoor adventures.
At PetKeen.com we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
2. SCIROKKO Cat Harness and Leash Set — Budget Buy
Available in blue, black, or gray, the SCIROKKO Cat Harness and Leash Set is another good escape-proof cat harness. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. When you’re looking for a harness, following these tips will help you find one that will keep your cat safe and comfortable. 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. 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. 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. Ideally, these steps should take several days each before you consider heading outside. 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. 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. 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. 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. To keep your cat comfortable and safe, the Hepper’s Harness & Leash Set uses a simple H-style design to soothe nervous cats and has padded air mesh and reflective stripping for your cats comfort and safety. 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 our 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. Featured Image Credit: Scirokko, Amazon
Size:
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
3. Kitty Holster Cat Harness
Size:
XS (5–9-inch neck, 10–14-inch chest); S/M (9–12-inch neck, 13–17-inch chest); M/L (10–13-inch neck, 16–20-inch chest); XL (11–15-inch neck, 19–23-inch chest)
Harness Type:
Vest
Closure:
Velcro
Leash Included:
No
Reflective:
4. Rabbitgoo Cat Harness and Leash
Size:
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
5. PetSafe Come With Me Kitty Nylon Cat Harness & Bungee Leash
Size:
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
6. PUPTECK Cat Harness and Leash Set
Size:
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
7. Azuza Cat Harness and Leash
Size:
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
8. Travel Cat: The True Adventurer Reflective Cat Harness and Leash Set
Size:
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
9. Red Dingo Classic Nylon Cat Harness & Leash
Size:
8.3–13.8-inch neck, 10.6–18.9-inch chest
Harness Type:
H
Closure:
Buckle
Leash Included:
Yes
Reflective:
No
10. Frisco Wrap Cat Harness
Size:
S (9–14-inch chest); M (11–16-inch chest)
Harness Type:
Vest
Closure:
Velcro
Leash Included:
Yes
Reflective:
No
11. PAWCHIE Cat Harness With Leash and Collar Set
Size:
7–12-inch neck, 10–18-inch chest
Harness Type:
H
Closure:
Buckles
Leash Included:
Yes
Reflective:
Yes
FAQ
What Makes a Harness Escape-Proof?
What to Look For in a Cat Harness
How to Measure your Cat for a Harness
How to Get Your Cat Used to a Harness
Step 1: Desensitize
Step 2: Try it on
Step 3: Outside
Helpful Tips
Final Thoughts
