Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life

Cat Model, Therapy Cat, and Cat Lifestyle Expert

  • Home
  • Diary
  • Kitty Wisdom
  • Catinees
  • Store
    • Cat Beds
    • Cat Stuff for Humans
      • Cat Calendars
      • Cat Gifts
      • Cat Jewelry for Humans
      • Cat Stationery
      • Cat T-Shirts
    • Cat Trees, Towers and Furniture
    • Designer Cat Collars
    • Interactive Cat Toys
    • Litterbox Furniture, Cabinets and Covers
    • Scratching Posts and Cat Scratchers
    • Special Items for Special Kittys
  • Advice
  • Book Reviews
  • About
  • Contact Summer
    • -Advertise Here!
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fan Club
You are here: Home / Diary / How to Rock a Harness Like a Pro (and How NOT to!)

How to Rock a Harness Like a Pro (and How NOT to!)

September 16, 2014 By: Summer Samba66 Comments

I feel naked without my harness on!

Most of you know that part of being a therapy cat involves wearing a harness. When I am ready to go visiting, I will have to be on a leash, and a harness is the most comfortable way for a cat to be on a leash. Even if you are not a therapy cat in training, being on a leash is cool because you can go outside with your humans and still be safe. So if you think you would enjoy going outside, maybe you can talk your human into harness and leash training you.

Hey! It smells like me!

This is my first, and current harness. In case you are wondering, it is a Puppia Flame Harness, size small. My human was originally going to get a vest style harness like the one Charlie Rascal is wearing in this blog post, but when she saw this one, she decided it would be better to start me off with something a little more lightweight.

It only takes a minute to get it on me - I am very cooperative!

It slips over my head easily and closes with a heavy-duty, secure plastic snap.

Maybe I can be a supermodel like Sparkle was.

Doesn’t it look nice on me? I like posing with my harness on. I will confess it is just a little big around the neck, but I will grow into it in a few months, if not sooner.

Shopping for cat litter is serious business!

My human can securely fasten me into my carrier when we go out shopping. I like how the harness makes me look professional and stylish!

The reward of a job well done!

Every time I wear my harness I get treats and skritches! Since I don’t mind wearing it, it’s kind of like getting bribed for something I already like to do.

Oh yeah, I am also supposed to show you how not to wear a harness!

I refuse to tell how I did this.

Like I said, the neck is a little big on me right now. I am taking advantage of that because I know there will be a day that I won’t be able to do this!

Disclosure: Link to Amazon is an affiliate link, although my human actually purchased the harness at a local — gasp! — dog boutique.

* * *

Subscribe to my blog posts here!

2022 Somali Cat Starring Summer Samba Calendar
2022 Somali Cat Calendar Starring Summer Samba
See all of Summer’s merch at her her Zazzle Designercat Shop
How to Rock a Harness Like a Pro (and How NOT to!)
Share169
Tweet
Pin5
Buffer1
Pocket
Email
175 Shares

Comments

  1. Pawesome Cats says

    September 17, 2014 at 12:05 am

    You look gorgeous in your harness Summer. We all have Puppia harnesses too and are leash-trained so we can walk in the garden.

    Reply
  2. PHoebe Kitten says

    September 16, 2014 at 10:03 pm

    You look so cool! It’s good to see you like the harness, it’s part of your professional get up isn’t it. You dress for work! Mum and I laughed at your last picture – not the way at all * giggle *

    Phoebe

    Reply
  3. meowmeowmans says

    September 16, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    Way to rock that harness, Summer! That was a great tutorial. We like the expression on your face when you demonstrated how NOT to wear it. Hee hee!

    Reply
  4. spittythekitty says

    September 16, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    Hi darling Summer, OMC! You like your harness???? A Human tried to do that to me once. I ate her liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.

    Reply
  5. Raven says

    September 16, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    Summer, you’re rockin’ the harness even when you wear it as a belt. I’m glad you’re having fun with it.

    Reply
  6. Cathy Keisha says

    September 16, 2014 at 7:19 pm

    Whoa! You do rock the harness! Explain something to me. I read that pets that visit nursing homes and stuff aren’t technically therapy pets, they are emotional support pets. No comprendo.

    Reply
    • Summer Samba says

      September 16, 2014 at 9:04 pm

      I should do a blog post on that!

      Reply
  7. LP says

    September 16, 2014 at 5:39 pm

    Summer…you have it ALL..the looks AND the personality! We know that so many people will fall in love with you when you are visiting them as a therapy cat. The flames on your new harness are very stylish 🙂

    the critters in the cottage xo

    Reply
  8. Lone Star Cats says

    September 16, 2014 at 5:31 pm

    Ya do look cute in your harness!

    Reply
  9. William says

    September 16, 2014 at 5:28 pm

    Summer, you know what? My mom gets all swoony when she sees you!

    Reply
  10. Christie, Mikko and Jax says

    September 16, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    AWW! Sparkle you look absolutely ADORABLE in that harness! Pink is SO your color!
    I used to put Mikko in a harness and take him outside, but I stopped that once I got Jax.
    Have a pawsome day!
    ❀Siamese Smothers and Tuxie Tickles❀ from Mikko and Jax at Happiness is Siamese!

    Reply
  11. Sometimes Cats Herd You says

    September 16, 2014 at 3:42 pm

    Summer, you are such a natural. We love the expression on your face while you are getting buckled into your harness. You look so calm and wise!

    Reply
  12. Flynn says

    September 16, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    You look very smart and professional in your harness Summer.

    Reply
  13. Brian Frum says

    September 16, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    You look terrific in that pink harness Summer!!!

    Reply
  14. Crepes says

    September 16, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    Looking good! MomFOD Put me in Rocky’s old harness. It’s brown. I want a pink one, too! Curses. – Crepes.

    Reply
  15. Grace says

    September 16, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    So is pink going to be your color – ’cause I think you would look marvelous in purple and yellow. They didn’t have those kind of harnesses when I used to take my kitties for walks – but that was a long time ago. My Siamese Max objected to walking outside, even on grass, so leash/harness on he mostly rode around on my shoulders…Come to think of it he mostly rode around on my shoulders even when we were indoors.

    Reply
  16. Emma and Buster says

    September 16, 2014 at 11:58 am

    MOL on the last image, on how not to wear a harness…more like how to wear a bikini bottom 🙂

    Kicking myself now bec we didn’t harness Buster when we got him as a kitten; I’m sure he’d love the outdoors.

    Reply
  17. Famous SpokesGoat Pricilla says

    September 16, 2014 at 11:24 am

    Summer you just make the publicist smile so big every time she sees you. You are very pretty in pink

    Reply
  18. Christy Paws says

    September 16, 2014 at 10:59 am

    Summer, you are just so darn cute. I especially like the photo of you in your harness. Maybe I wouldn’t be having such a hard time with harness training if my mom had started when I was young like you.

    Reply
  19. Pipo &Minko ~ WeBeesSiameezers says

    September 16, 2014 at 9:53 am

    What a purrfessional kitty you are getting to be! No, not getting…already are!

    We liked how you were directing the driving of the cart with your dainty, wee paw.

    And you weren’t getting ready to go swimming were you? MOL! Did ya do that afur you liked it?

    No way can meowmy get a harness on us kitties,maybe dog-guy. Pipo would just go all limp and Minko would fight and bite…sigh…

    Purrs!

    Reply
  20. Pumpkinpuddy says

    September 16, 2014 at 9:52 am

    I wish my jacket was a pretty pink like your harness. I used to have one like yours, but I tend to back out of harnesses that can easily slide over the head. The only harness I haven’t been able to back out of is my jacket harness. The leash hooks on at the tail end of the jacket, and when I try to back out of it, it just bunches up on me but doesn’t come off.

    Reply
  21. BeadedTail says

    September 16, 2014 at 9:51 am

    You sure do rock that harness! We don’t have any harnesses because we’re not allowed outside at all. This is mainly to prevent Mommy from having a nervous breakdown from worry.

    Reply
  22. Angel AbbyGrace says

    September 16, 2014 at 9:49 am

    Summer it is always difficult to tell how small or how large something is unless there is a way to judge it. The photo of you with your human putting on your harness shows us all how tiny you are! YOU are so adorable and you look so pretty in pink!

    Reply
  23. Baby Tali says

    September 16, 2014 at 9:37 am

    Guess what Summer..wes gettin a new kitten!..I hasn’t meeted him yet but Mama says him is a little orange striped guy kinda like that Waffles boy..she wants to learn how to take hims out on a leash and harness with her..outside is to scary for mes..she was so happy to sees your post today..maybe shes can finds she tips online to helps her get started with the little kid..Wes thinks you is even prettier in pink..if yous can possibly bes any prettier..Mama says when she sees your pictures she just turns into a puddle of goo on the floors..I not sure what that means but it sounds funny..I’s don’t nows what goo looks like..

    Reply
  24. Toby & Leia says

    September 16, 2014 at 9:32 am

    Yep, that is a lovely harness on you, all right.

    Reply
  25. jmuhj says

    September 16, 2014 at 9:32 am

    Oh, Summer, that harness looks like it was MADE for you, from the color to the cool flame design! We know you’ll grow into it sooner than your mom can even imagine, so you won’t be wearing it “wrong” for long ;( Kjelle Bus does look handsome in his, too, doesn’t he?

    Our servant has a harness here, which we never wear because we don’t go out here in the dirty old city. But where we used to live, it was beautiful, and there was this stuff called SNOW that she wanted us to see and experience, so each one of us got a trial of the harness and going out to make pawprints in the snow. We wish we were back there!

    Reply
  26. Punapippuri says

    September 16, 2014 at 9:21 am

    That’s a pretty good harness, but we wonder if it will ever be totally escape proof, hehehehe! And Summer, we mancats do NOT make a big deal about our ‘tutoring’, especially when it happens later on in life. My goodness, we can see some girlcat attitude developing in you! Hehehehe

    Reply
  27. speedyrabbit says

    September 16, 2014 at 8:55 am

    you look gorgeous in your Harness,I like mine too,but mummy wants to try me on a new one,xx Speedy

    Reply
  28. Kat Gagliano says

    September 16, 2014 at 8:37 am

    MOL love the how NOT to mol mol. You look adorable in that cute little harness in your how to’s.

    Reply
  29. Eastside Cats says

    September 16, 2014 at 8:23 am

    Pink is your color, Summer! You look adorable in your harness!

    Reply
  30. Ellen Pilch says

    September 16, 2014 at 7:49 am

    You look adorable in your harness, even when you wear it wrong it looks like a cute little bikini.

    Reply
  31. Laila and Minchie says

    September 16, 2014 at 7:44 am

    Cuteness overload! Pink is definitely your color, Summer!

    Reply
  32. Glogirly and Katie says

    September 16, 2014 at 7:38 am

    Hey Summer! Waffles here.

    The Puppia harnesses are PAWSOME!!! I’ve tried out a bunch of different brands and styles of harnesses and the Puppia is by far the most comfortable and best-fitting. For me, the Puppia Rite Fit is the ticket. It’s identical to yours except that is has to more adjustable clasps at the shoulder. But it doesn’t have flames. : ( I really like your flames.

    love,
    Waffles

    Reply
    • the PDX pride says

      September 16, 2014 at 11:05 pm

      Hi, Summer! Tabby loves her pink Puppia harness, too! It’s the style that Waffles is talking about, but she likes yours with the flames better than hers. All of us think you already are a pawesome model! 🙂 P.S. Check out our bloggie on Friday and you may meet someone your age!

      Reply
  33. Random felines says

    September 16, 2014 at 7:35 am

    mom had the WORST time finding a harness to fit Coral. She would love to find one like yours, but anything close to that was way (!!) too big for the tiny girl. But we found one that fits and she can’t manage to get herself out of.

    Reply
  34. mariodacat says

    September 16, 2014 at 7:34 am

    Oh sweetie, you look so extra cute in your harness. Tell your human to watch you tho. If she sees you put your head down and try to back up, you might back yourself out of the harness. That happened to me when I tried wearing that style. I’m sure it will work out fine for you – just tell your human to be on the alert. I backed out of mine several times when I was outside, but D was right there so I couldn’t get away. I also backed out of my jacket-style harness too, but now it’s tighter and I can’t do that anymore.

    Reply
  35. Kitties Blue says

    September 16, 2014 at 7:07 am

    Mom thought that thing looked like a pair of bikini panties, and you proved her right, Summer. She bought us one of those PTUs after she saw it here. None of us have tried it out yet. She’d really like to take Astrid for walks as she rarely goes on the Catio. Guess she better start looking for a harness. We did notice that one is made for puppies! We won’t tell anybody. XO, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

    Reply
  36. Melissa & Truffles says

    September 16, 2014 at 6:46 am

    I would love to harness train Truffles and take her outside…thanks, Summer. (And that last picture made me MOL!!!)

    Reply
  37. Fuzzy Tales says

    September 16, 2014 at 6:04 am

    Summer, we especially love photo #4, you’re just such a beautiful young ladycat. Paws up for getting your human to give you treats and scritches for something you already rather like. Good job training her!

    Reply
  38. HaHnnah and Lucy says

    September 16, 2014 at 4:50 am

    Are you doing your striptease act Summer?
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

    Reply
  39. madi and mom says

    September 16, 2014 at 4:12 am

    Summer you are a pro…and OMCs do you look pretty in pink
    Hugs Madi your bfff

    Reply
  40. The Island Cats says

    September 16, 2014 at 4:02 am

    I have a Puppia harness too, Summer, for when I go outside, which is not nearly enough if you ask me. ~Wally

    Reply
  41. Marg says

    September 16, 2014 at 3:41 am

    Oh Summer, you sure look good in hour harness. What fun to get to go everywhere with the Mom. Now Two Two would definitely do what you did in the last picture. Just take it off. Happy Tuesday to you.

    Reply
  42. Fur Everywhere says

    September 16, 2014 at 2:49 am

    You look very cute in your little harness. There is nooooo way Carmine or Milita would let me put one of those on them!

    Reply
  43. Alice Marie says

    September 16, 2014 at 2:47 am

    That’s a VERY pretty harness! I’d be WAY too scared to go anywhere so I don’t have to wear a harness. But that’s so cool that you even get to go shopping with your harness on. I can’t wait to see all the cool places you’ll get to go in the future.

    Reply
  44. Charles Huss says

    September 16, 2014 at 2:20 am

    I tried putting a harness on Chris a few years ago but he would lie on the ground and push on it with his back feet until it came off. He is like a little Houdini. I want to use it for Frankie but he gives me such a hard time when I try to put it on.

    Reply
  45. The Kitties of Purring Pines says

    September 16, 2014 at 1:53 am

    You rock that harness!!! That’s definitely a good way NOT to wear it in that last pic! MOL!!!

    Reply
  46. Georgia and Julie says

    September 16, 2014 at 1:17 am

    Summer, you do look professional and cute in your harness 🙂
    We had a giggle at your last pic 🙂
    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure and JJ

    Reply
  47. Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal says

    September 16, 2014 at 12:53 am

    Hi Summer !
    You know what my vest style harness is VERY easy to escape from , so my mom-person say´s NO moore vest harness for me until she have fixed a xtra plastic snap to look it with 🙁
    You should have seen how she ran after me this weekend in my Grandpa´s BIG garden *MOL*

    P.S You look furry professional and stylish in your carrier at the store !

    XOXO

    Reply
  48. Gattina says

    September 16, 2014 at 12:47 am

    Beautiful harness ! suits you very well ! You are such a cute kitty ! I had to use once a harness, when Arthur nearly lost his tail and was not allowed to go out. But he wanted to so badly ! So he didn’t protest at all when I put a harness on and walked with him in the garden !

    Reply
  49. The Florida Furkids says

    September 16, 2014 at 12:34 am

    What a nice looking harness!! You made us MOL @ that last photo!!

    The Florida Furkids

    Reply
  50. The Poupounette Gang says

    September 16, 2014 at 12:23 am

    We also love Puppia harnesses and have several although we don’t use them much. Tama wears one when she goes to the vet, for example. You look very lovely in yours, Summer!

    Purrs,
    The Chans

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Me Here!

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Our Sponsor

Get Summer’s Newsletter!

Stay up to date and get subscriber-only exclusives!

Sign Up For Summer’s Weekly Newsletter!

Follow me on Flipboard!

My Zazzle Store!

Buy from Sparkle's Zazzle Store
T-Shirts, cards, mugs and more!

Summer on Video

Tweets by @sparklecat
Powered by Dealspotr
Read my blog on Kindle
Winner Best Cat Blog Dogtime Petties 2014 Winner Best Cat Blog Dogtime Petties 2010 I won Best Blog Post!
BlogPaws 2016 Nose-to-Nose Awards Finalist badge

Copyright © 2022 ·