Allow your kitty to explore the great outdoors safely with cat harnesses and leads

Outdoor exploration can be done safely with a cat harness and lead...

cat harness and leads

by Rosie Floyd |
Updated on

If you’re seeking a way to let your cat explore the world outside of your front door safely, consider using a cat harness and leads. Combining these two items together provides a secure way for your kitty to experience the sights, sounds and smells beyond your home, without the risk and worry that come with a cat free-roaming their neighbourhood by themselves. Whether you want your indoor moggy to experience everything your garden has to offer or you want to give an energetic kitty a chance to burn off some energy on a walk around the block, cat harnesses and leads offer a safe way to do it.

We’ve all heard horror stories of cats that have left the safety of their home to explore and never made it back. With the dangers of traffic and wandering too far to find their way back, it’s understandably a worry to let your kitty head off on their own adventures. However, there are lots of benefits for your cat being outside, such as being able to run around outdoors and climb and jump fences and satisfy their natural hunting instincts by stalking insects and birds. Some kitties may also benefit from using a cat harness and lead as a form of exercise, particularly if they are prone to weight gain. Walks are also great for cats who get bored easily, so you won't have to rely solely on cat toys to keep them entertained.

Best cat harness and leads at a glance:

When choosing a cat harness and leads, you’ll want to consider factors like fit, material and design. You’ll want to make sure the harness is snug but comfortable, with enough room to fit two fingers between the harness and your cat’s body. If the harness is too loose, your kitty will be able to easily escape from it and if it’s too tight, your kitty might panic about wearing it and hurt themselves trying to get out of it. You may find that an adjustable harness would be the best option for your kitty as you can suit the fit to them and adjust it as needed. You should also look for a harness that is made from breathable mesh or padded fabric for an extra layer of comfort. When it comes to choosing a lead, you should opt for one that feels quite lightweight while also being robust. You don’t want a lead to feel too heavy so it will weigh down your cat but at the same time, you want one that will be able to withstand any pulling, plus be nice for you to handle.

Whatever the reason for wanting to use a cat harness and lead, you’ll want to choose one that offers the purr-fect balance of comfort and safety. That’s why we’ve searched the web to bring you all the best options so you can expand your cat’s horizons while giving you peace of mind that you know where they are and you have control of them.

Best cat harness and leads

Best overall

rabbitgoo Cat Harness with Leash Set rabbitgoo/Amazon

Designed with energetic cats in mind, the rabbitgoo Cat Harness with Leash Set is designed to evenly distribute pressure across your cat's body as they dart and run about to prevent discomfort and strain. It's crafted from a padded fabric so it'll feel nice and soft against your kitty's skin.

The padded design is heavily praised by customers on Amazon, and they also mention that it's lightweight and easy for their cats to wear too. One thing that does come up frequently in the reviews is that the sizing runs small, with sizes XXS to M available, so be sure to check the size guide before ordering as it may not be suitable for larger cats.

Pros

  • Designed to evenly distribute pressure across your cat's body as they dart and run about
  • Padded so it'll feel soft and comfortable against your cat's skin

Cons

  • Some reviewers felt this harness came up small so make sure to double check the size guide before ordering

Best for size range

Anlitent Soft Mesh Cat Harness and Lead SetAnlitent/Amazon

With options ranging from extra small to extra large, the Anlitent Soft Mesh Cat Harness and Lead Set offers a fit for cats of all breeds and sizes. This lightweight harness is designed with your kitty's comfort in mind, with breathable mesh material that keeps your cat cool however long they wear it. Plus, with reflective strips around the edges, your moggy will remain seen if you're heading out on walks in low-light conditions.

Feedback on the softness of the harness is mixed; some reviewers noted that the harness felt a bit stiff while others praised its softness and comfort for long-term use. Overall, this harness is a popular choice for cat owners seeking a secure and breathable harness for their feline friends.

Pros

  • A choice of sizes to fit all different cats
  • Made from a breathable mesh to keep your cat cool

Cons

  • Opinions are mixed on the softness, with some reviewers saying it felt a little stiff

Best for kittens

FEimaX Small Cat Harness and Leash SetFEimaX/Amazon

If you've got a small kitty you want to take for a walk, consider the FEimaX Small Cat Harness and Leash Set. It's available in sizes XS to M so it'll offer the purr-fect fit for kittens and small breed cats. The fit of the harness is easy to adjust as it is fitted with a Velcro fastening and it has an adjustable belt so you can tighten and loosen it as they grow. Made from a breathable and comfortable polyester, it'll feel nice and comfy against your kitty's skin.

Customers appreciate the comfort and sturdiness of this harness and lead set. They also appreciate how easy it is to put on as it goes on like a jacket. Opinions are mixed about the fit, however, as some have found it's not true to size and comes up small.

Pros

  • Easy to adjust with a Velcro fastening and adjustable belt
  • Available in sizes XS to M, so it a good choice for kittens and small breed cats

Cons

  • Some reviewers felt it came up small

Best less restrictive cat harness and lead

pidan Cat Harness and Leash Setpidan/Amazon
Price: $12.99

For cats that may struggle with a bulkier, padded harness and would freak out at having their head pushed through a harness hole, the lightweight pidan Cat Harness and Leash Set could be a great solution. It has a more minimalist design compared with other cat harnesses we’ve featured with adjustable buckles and straps, so you can customise the fit to your kitty’s size. As it has a less restrictive design, it’s an ideal option for those moggies who may experience claustrophobic feelings while wearing a harness.

Praised by customers for its stylish design, the pidan Cat Harness and Leash Set gets points for its bright colours and bold prints, and for using quality materials that are both sturdy and lightweight. However, options are mixed on how easy it is to adjust the harness. Some users found certain parts too short for their cat’s length and mentioned that the buckle can be tricky to fasten, while others had no issues and felt it provided a good fit.

Pros

  • More minimalist design so not as restrictive compared to others on our list
  • Both the harness and lead have a stylish design with bright colours and bold prints

Cons

  • Some users found the buckle tricky to fasten

Best cat harness, lead and collar set

Pets at Home Cat Collar, Harness & Lead SetPets at Home

You get the full works with this Pets at Home set. A harness, lead AND collar all in this gorgeous green-blue print. The ideal set for adventurous moggies, it ensures safety and comfort with its adjustable fit and breathable mesh lining. After your kitty has finished their outdoor pursuits, you can easily get the harness looking completely fresh again as it's machine washable at 30 degrees so you can say goodbye to any dirt and debris they may have picked up on the way and have it ready for the next walk.

One thing to note with this harness is that it's only available in one size. The adjustable fastenings do mean it could be suitable for a wide range of breeds but it's important to check the dimensions before ordering to ensure it's right for your cat. For this reason, Pets at Home advises that this set isn't suitable for kittens.

Pros

  • Comes with a collar as well as a harness and lead, all in a matching green-blue print
  • Machine washable at 30 degrees to keep it looking fresh and clean

Cons

  • Only available in one size so check the dimensions before ordering to ensure it's right for your cat

Best reflective cat harness, lead and collar set

Pets at Home Reflective Cat Collar, Harness & Lead SetPets at Home

If you're planning on taking your kitty for strolls in the evening, you need the Pets at Home Reflective Cat Collar, Harness & Lead Set. It's designed with reflective patches which ensures your moggy remains seen at all times, keeping them safe and seen by oncoming traffic and fellow pedestrians. There's also a bell on the collar to help them to be heard as well as seen.

The secure Velcro and buckle fastening provide a secure fit for their cat that's not too tight but not too loose either. Just like the other Pets at Home cat harness set we've featured above, this reflective one is only available in one size which may mean that it won't fit kittens or larger cats, so be sure to check the dimensions before ordering.

Pros

  • Reflective patches to keep your cat seen during nighttime strolls
  • The collar is fitted with a bell so they can be heard as well as seen

Cons

  • Only available in one size

Best padded cat harness

VavoPaw Cat Harness and Leash SetVavoPaw/Amazon
Price: $9.99

Made from a soft and breathable polyester mesh with plenty of spongy padding, the VavoPaw Cat Harness and Leash Set will provide your moggy with plenty of extra protection to ensure a comfortable wearing experience. All that padding will feel comfortable against the skin and ensure that it doesn't rub uncomfortably against it during longer walks around the block. As well as being comfortable to wear, it has reflective strips across it that are designed to make sure your kitty is seen in low-light conditions.

Sturdy, lightweight, easy to put on, and comfortable are words and phrases that pop up time and time again in reviews of this product from real-life pet owners on Amazon. Some reviewers felt the fit of the harness could be better as they felt they couldn't get the straps to tighten up enough but this will ultimately depend on how big or small your cat is and what size from small to x-large that you choose.

Pros

  • Plenty of padding to ensure a comfortable wearing experience
  • Designed with reflective strips to ensure your kitty is seen in low light

Cons

  • Some reviewers had issues with the overall fit as they struggled to tighten the straps

FAQs

Is it okay to put a harness on a cat?

Generally, it is okay to put your cat in a harness as it allows them to explore outdoors safely. Using cat harnesses and leads means you can let your moggy learn more about the world outside your house, even if that’s just your garden and they can roam their surroundings while you’re in complete control of where they go so you don’t have to worry about them getting lost. Cat leads and harnesses also mean you can take your moggy on a walk around the block so they get a little bit of exercise, preventing obesity while stopping them from getting bored. However, they may not be suitable for all cats…

Do cats like being in a harness?

Many cats won't have an issue with being in a harness, but some moggies may not like it for a number of reasons. The main one is that it could cause them to feel stressed or anxious when wearing one, as it may make them feel like it's something to be fearful of, or it could feel too tight or painful to wear. This could then lead to behavioural problems down the line, such as your cat becoming more anxious or acting aggressively, like trying to bite you. A harness shouldn't be too tight that it's uncomfortable to wear, but it also shouldn't be too loose as they could escape out of it. If the harness isn't fitted properly or if they panic while wearing it, your cat may hurt themselves getting out of it by twisting or contorting their body.

Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.

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