The 6 best cat harnesses for 2024, approved by vets

Most veterinarians agree — keeping your cats indoors is safer for them. Letting your cat roam outside alone is dangerous due to predators, cars, and people. Vets (and cat parents) will also tell you that the call of the wild is strong with your favorite feline. Time outdoors can be good for their energy and even help combat depression.

That’s where the best cat harness for your kitty comes in! Keep reading to get the scoop on our favorite cat harnesses, tested by the betterpet lab.

#1 Best overall: RC Pets Adventure Kitty Harness

#2 Best budget-friendly cat harness: rabbitgoo Cat Harness and leash

#3 Best for big cats: PUPTECK Soft Mesh Cat Harness

#4 Best for kittens and small cats: PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness and Leash

#5 Best reflective harness: Travel Cat: True Adventurer - Reflective Harness and Leash Set

#6 Best harness for fashionable cats: Kitty Holster Cat Harness

Why harnesses are better than collars

The best cat collars alert you (and birds or other small prey, for outdoor cats) to a cat’s presence and help identify kitties that wander too far from home. They’re not well-designed for walks or other supervised adventures. That’s where a cat harness comes in! Swapping out the daily collar for a harness is easier said than done, so we have tips for getting your cat accustomed to wearing one.

Prep your cat for a harness in 3 steps

Like anything new, it takes time for your cat to get used to wearing a harness and walking on a leash. Ease them into it with these three steps.

1. Familiarize your cat with the harness — To do this, leave it lying on the couch while you and your cat relax, or place it in areas where they can smell it, touch it, and essentially accept it as part of their environment.
2. Make it safe — No, don’t modify the harness. Lay it over your cat without buckling it.
3. Use it around the house — Once your cat realizes the harness is safe, it’s time to try it on. Keep it on for a few minutes at first, building up to more time. Always use positive reinforcement to make it a good experience.

Once your cat is used to wearing the harness, try it outside! Once again, start slow with short periods and in an area you know, like your backyard.

👉Don’t leave your cat unattended while wearing a harness! If it snags on something, there isn’t a breakaway feature, and your cat may become injured.

How we chose the best cat harnesses

The betterpet lab developed a set of criteria and then put them to the test in real-world situations. Those factors included:

• Fit. We matched manufacturer sizing charts to cats and then judged whether the sizing ran too small, too large, or fit as advertised.
• Features. We also looked at each harness’ particular features. Was it reflective?  Did it have padding for sensitive cat joints? Our testers evaluated how well the cat harnesses performed with those features in mind.
• Durability. We know pet parents expect gear that lasts. We determine how durable a cat harness is so you can make an informed decision.
• Maintenance. Our testers also considered how easy it was to clean each cat harness. A simple matter of throwing it in the wash, or permanently discolored after playtime? While our testers may not be able to say if a harness will fade years later, we can let you know if this is a harness that your cat can only wear for indoor strolls.

Why trust betterpet?

The writers, editors, and staff of betterpet are pet parents, and we know the value of accurate, trustworthy information. The content we create is reviewed and approved by our vets. We tested these cat harnesses so that when we say a cat harness is best, it comes from firsthand experience.

Frequently asked questions

What type of harness is best for cats?

Vest-style harnesses are a popular choice for many cat parents because of how it distributes weight and pressure. For stronger or bigger cats, this makes vests one of the best cat harnesses.

Are any cat harnesses actually escape-proof?

Unfortunately, no harness is 100% escape-proof. Measure your cat before ordering one, but also consider its personality and strength. Certain harnesses do better with anxious cats or stronger cats, while others are designed for smaller cats.

Why do cats fall over when wearing a harness?

This dramatic move can happen for a few different reasons. When cat harnesses are too tight, their movements might be too restricted. In some cases, cats simply do not know how to react, and they freeze. This is a normal part of cat body language.