After showing you my pretty harness yesterday while I was out, I thought I’d pull out some others you never see. These cat harnesses all look nice, but they aren’t very functional. Either they don’t fit well, or they’re easy to get out of, or the D-ring (where you attach the leash) is in the wrong place. Or a combination of all of that. So let’s get started!
I’m starting with the one you already saw. It’s pretty and secure enough to wear in the backyard. But the velcro isn’t all that strong. And while it can be fastened relatively snugly, I bet I could bolt out of it if something scared me. I would not wear it outside in an area I didn’t know well.
The rest of the harnesses I wouldn’t wear outside at all. At least not as harnesses. Maybe as fashion, or with a real harness underneath them.
This harness has a cat skull pattern and a hoodie attached to it. Except the hoodie is really small and wouldn’t fit over my big ears, even though I have a tiny head. It’s not a good harness because it is big on me.
Here’s a cute semi-formal cat harness. It’s black velvet with a leopard print bowtie and crystal buttons. It’s also big on me and I could slip out of it without even realizing it! I might wear this at an event for photo ops, but that’s about it.
This harness is really cute! But again, it’s way too big for me. It makes an adorable dress, but totally does not work as a harness unless you are a much bigger cat than I am.
This one is my favorite. It’s beautiful and stylish… and it is a lousy harness. Why? Because the D-ring is in totally the wrong place! For a cat harness, the D-ring should be right by my shoulder blades. This one is a third of the way down my back and it would be kind of awkward to walk in. I should probably pull it out as one of my fashion choices for events. But that’s about all it’s good for.
A couple of notes on cat harnesses:
- Measure your cat before getting one! Fit is everything. A cat harness should be very snug once it’s on and fastened. You should just barely be able to fit a finger under the neck and torso. With our little heads and lack of defined shoulders, it’s really easy for us to back out of a harness or slip out of it.
- Check to see if the D-ring hits at or just below the shoulder blades. The location of the D-ring will either help or hinder making leash time enjoyable for your cat.
- If the harness fastens with velcro, it should be the heavy duty kind that really stays. Anything less, and your cat could escape from it.
- Always test out the harness before you take your cat outside. Try to anticipate ways in which he could squeeze, bolt or struggle out of it. Make adjustments, if necessary.
I hope you enjoyed seeing these nice, if useless harnesses, and the (hopefully useful) tips! Does your cat go for walks with a harness or leash? Let me know in the comments!
(Funny enough, some of the harnesses below break the rules I just laid out! Shopping well is everything.)
2021 Somali Cat Wall Calendar, Starring Summer
See all of Summer’s merch at her her Zazzle Designercat Shop
We don’t walk outside. Mom says it’s too dangerous. Mom had a kitty when she was a teenager that loved going for walks. He had a collar and leash, harnesses really were flimsy in the dark ages. When a friend was approuching them, Tinker got spooked and tried to get away and injured his paw pads. He ended up jumping in the sewer. Ewww. And, he got an infection on his pads and had to go to the icky v e t.
Gus, Petey and Lennie
When I was adopted from the shelter Mom and Dad started me on harness/leash just like Angel Sammy. I loved being outside (they think I was a feral before coming to the shelter). I wore harness/leash for two years and now I’m allowed to go outside with Mom or Dad (or both) of them snoopervising. I don’t leave my yard – I’ve learned that – and I don’t run around – I prefer lying in the grass! Anyway, we still have my harnesses and if I go somewhere that’s not my yard I’ll wear it again…….it’s not fashionable but it’s comfy and works – It’s a HOLSTER harness and has such strong velcro Mom can sometimes barely get it off me! HAHAHAHA Stay safe dear Summer and keep these harnesses as fashion statements instead of being functional.
Hugs, Teddy
Oh yeah, mom forgot to mention that anytime she takes us on an outing, she always makes sure to put a harness on us and leash. While we may not walk on a leash, it is a must for going out of the house she says, like to Petsmart and Petco. It’s just smart she says. The only good harness is a harness that fits perfectly. Purrs
Mom says harnesses are like shoes, they must be tried on. Too loose and it may just fly off, too snug makes us look too puffy. And no two are alike. Great points on getting that perfect harness. Thank you so much for posting this. Mom will definitely be sharing this valuable information on FB. Purrs
What a shame you can’t wear them because they’re so cute!
Thanks for the tips! I need to get a harness for Lowenstein that fits well. He’s a small kitty and he can easily get out of the ones we already have.
Can’t your human take off and sew the D ring on the last one where it belongs. I know TW couldn’t.
It’s unfortunate so many of your harnesses aren’t functional. Maybe your mom could do some alterations to make them better. Moving the D ring on the last harness (or adding another ring) might be an option.
Yeah, good luck getting one of those on this big old girl! No thanks.
They all are so purrty Summer butt mee can see they not snug….THE velvet harness iss lovelee an THE dress harness iss gorgeeuss!
Do you reememburr how ‘angel’ Unkell Siddhartha cuud get out of his harness?? An even Kitty Holster walkin vest….an it was made speshelly fore him! An even with a sweater or jackit on OVER THE vest hee cuud still get out….
LadyMew an mee meowed ’bout mee goin out walkin an shee told mee shee did not want to walk another kitty. Too many people inn here scared Unkell Siddhartha an shee wuud not want that to happen to mee. An wee have mew (new) peepell here now an mee not sure ’bout any of them.
Mee iss happy inn Condo….
***purrss*** BellaDharma
Summer
Totally beautiful harnesses your right. Thanks you for the helpful hints.
Try it before you buy it!
Purrz!
Selina
I like several of them but with your comments about them, they have no safe use for you.
Great tips about harnesses! I *love* the black velvet with leopard print!
You look beautiful in all of them. The last one with polka dots reminds me of Angle Phoebe’s harness.
Those harnesses look cute, but it is a pity that they weren’t designed to be secure.
Some of those harnesses don’t look like harnesses at all!
The only ones we have ever used are Puppia harnesses, and they certainly fit and work well.
Purrs,
Tama and Genji
Those are all cute harnesses.
WE like the information on fitting.
Knowing how we cats can squirm out of things, proper fit is important!
Purrs,Georgia and Julie
(I followed the trackback – I didn’t know you were on WP, so am I. I’m now following you, so I get to see you twice a day plus FB)
Those are really nice looking but you’re sure right, not practical at all!
Yes, these are attractive even if they aren’t so
functional. Good instructions on fitting a
harness. Some of us may be using these
instructions soon.
They are all beautiful, too bad they are not practical as harnesses. Thanks for the good info on harnesses today, I’m hoping to train my Ozzie, so this is good to know.
Summer, when we first purchased harnesses for Celestial Angel and Chuck, there were only small dog versions!
Should we decide to get new ones, we’ll measure length and girth (heheh, don’t tell CB that I typed that!), to make sure there are no slipsies!
Too bad they don’t work for you since they are all really cute.
The Florida Furkids
Those are some nice harnesses, Summer. You’re such the fashion statement even with harnesses.
Good info about the fit. I’ve got the cat skull one, but mostly just wear it inside to look cool.
You are quite the trendsetter, gorgeous Summer=we love all your adorable harnesses!…We’re always impressed with your professional modeling skills, sweetie!…XO…J, Halle, Sukki
What cute harnesses! Great information too!