At Treehugger, we really discourage people from letting their cats roam freely outdoors. It’s dangerous for the cat and it’s very risky for birds and other critters. One study found that about one-third of cats that go outside kill their prey, and those outdoor cats average one kill every 17 hours spent outdoors.
But that doesn’t mean your cat has to be stuck inside for the rest of their lives. You can teach your feline friend to walk on a leash and one of the best ways to do so is with a harness. Some cats might want to actually go for a walk, while others might just want to hang out in the yard on a leash. Just be patient and take cues from your pet. It’s also a good idea to put a collar on your kitty, even if they’re indoor cats, just incase they manage to escape.
Here are some of the safest and best cat harnesses, as well as some nice collar selections.
There are two types of harnesses: vests and a combination of straps. Vests hug your cat like a jacket while straps are a little less confining but could be a little easier for Houdini cats to escape. Cat-walking fans love this Kitty Holster harness. It’s lightweight and comfortable with a soft lining that’s gentle on your cat’s hair.
Best Overall
Kitty Holster Cat Harness
It’s also very secure with tough Velcro enclosures, making it difficult for your cat to back out during a walk. Recommended by cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy, this harness is rugged enough for adventurous felines that go on hikes and comforting for nervous cats that need a little extra feeling of security.
Price at time of publish: $23
If a vest-style harness is too hot or too confining for your cat, this strappy version is a popular option. It has two points of adjustment to help guarantee a secure fit and comes in three sizes to help make sure you have a snug, safe restraint when you hit the great outdoors with your cat.
Best Strap-Style Harness
PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness and Bungee Leash
The harness comes with a bungee leash that keeps your cat from getting yanked if they pull when you’re walking. The little bit of resistance can make the trip a more pleasant experience.
Price at time of publish: $17
This mesh harness with leash has four adjustable buckles and straps to ensure a safe and comfortable fit. It’s easy to put on, simple to adjust, and can’t can’t slip out and escape.
Best Harness and Leash Combo
Rabbitgoo Adjustable Cat Harness and Leash Set
Even if you don’t plan to take your cat on outdoor adventures, this is a handy set to have on hand for emergencies in the car or in your bag in case you have to rush your cat to the vet or out of the house. It’s also a good starter set if you’re just learning to walk your cat.
If you only make occasional trips out of the house to the vet or into the car for travel, this inexpensive set is a super choice to have on hand. Made out of lightweight soft mesh, it has some comfortable cushioning to make the experience pleasant for your pet. The harness comes in four sizes and 10 colors and is trimmed with reflective tape for safety.
Best Budget
Supet Cat Harness and Leash Set
There are two side clips for adjustment, Velcro enclosures, and double D-rings for security where the leash attaches. The edges are soft so they won’t irritate your cat’s skin.
Price at time of publish: $18
This simple mesh harness comes in such a wide variety of sizes that you’re sure to find one that fits your cat, even if they’re on the tiny or massive side. The Voyager comes in sizes ranging from XXXS all the way to XL. Although designed for dogs, many cat owners say that they also work for their pets.
Best for All Size Cats
Voyager Step-in Air Dog Harness
Be sure to measure your kitty before purchasing to ensure the safest, most comfortable fit. There are no adjustments other than Velcro on the back and a buckle with double-D rings. The fabric is soft, breathable mesh and the harness comes in nearly 30 colors.
Price at time of publish: $13
If your cat desires something a little more fashion-forward when outdoors, the Yizhi Miaow collection offers several colorful and interesting patterns. Choose from polka dots or plaid, camouflage or even a jaunty sailor suit.
Most Stylish
Yizhi Miaow Cat Harness and Leash
But it’s not just about looks. The chest and neck on this padded vest are both adjustable with Velcro with no added buckles. It’s easy to put on and hard for cats to slip out of, plus it comes with its own matching leash.
The harness is made from a soft, breathable mesh to keep your cat from getting overheated. It has adjustable straps at the neck and chest for better comfort and security. Both the harness and leash have reflective strips for better nighttime safety if you’re walking in dim light.
Best Kitten Harness
AWOOF Kitten Harness and Leash
This harness also comes with a car seat belt attachment that fits most vehicles, but we only recommend using this option when you have no other choice. The safest way for cats to travel in cars is in a carrier placed in the back seat.
If you’re not going to take your cat for a walk, but want them to have a collar, these colorful creations from the Good Dog Company are also suitable for felines. Made of hemp and certified organic cotton, they feature a breakaway clasp in case your kitty gets into trouble.
Best Collar
The Good Dog Company Hemp Cat Collar
The collars are hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. They can be machine washed and the colors won’t run. They come in eight mostly earthy colors including avocado, bronze, and marigold. There’s only one size, but should fit most cats. It measures from 7-13 inches.
Keep in mind that that it’s not safe to clip a leash to a cat’s collar, and that you should never leave your cat unattended while wearing a harness.
If you want to keep a collar on your cat just in case they get outside accidentally, check out this colorful option. Besides just being so attractive, it comes with an engravable buckle. You can personalize it with your kitty’s name and your phone number or just note that your pet is microchipped.
Best Cat Collar with ID
Glorious Pet Boho Striped Cat Collar
The collar is made of durable yet soft nylon webbing and is secured by a quick release clasp. The collars come in four striped patterns and are adjustable from 7 to 10 inches. There’s a D-ring if you want to hang your own ID tag and skip the personalization. Shipping is free in the United States.
Price at time of publish: $16
What to Consider When Shopping for a Cat Harness
Fit
The most important factor is fit. Be sure to measure your cat around the tummy and neck, and keep those measurements handy as you shop. Most designs have some room for adjustments, but you don’t want to buy something outside of the manufacturer’s recommended size range.
Our top pick is the vest-like Kitty Holster Cat Harness, because it’s lightweight and comfortable but it will keep your cat secure and won’t let them escape. If your cat prefers a strap harness, we like the popular PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness that comes with a bungee leash.
A properly fitted harness should have just enough space for you to be able to slip two fingers between it and your cat’s body.
Design
Cat harnesses generally fall into two categories: strap harnesses (including H-style and Figure 8 style) and vests/jackets. Vest-style harnesses tend to be more secure, and harder for kitties to escape. However, if you cat strongly dislikes having more of their body covered, a strap harness may make them feel more comfortable.
Remember, it’s never safe to clip a leash to a cat’s collar, because breakaway collars can release easily, and other styles can cause injury.
Why Trust Treehugger
When recommending pet products, Treehugger always puts pets’ comfort and safety first. We also look for sustainable and durable materials. When researching cat harnesses and collars for this article, we didn’t find a lot of eco-friendly options, but we hope our readers will choose carefully and use any cat harness or collar for many years. If more eco-friendly choices become available, we’ll update this this list.
The proud mom of a rescue dog, Mary Jo DiLonardo pet sits all the neighborhood cats. For more than 25 years, Mary Jo has covered a wide range of topics focused on nature, pets, health, science, and anything that helps make the world a better place. She has spent more than six years with Treehugger, formerly under the Mother Nature Network brand.
We are advocates of animal welfare, including our pets and other domestic animals. We hope our readers will adopt rescue pets instead of shopping from breeders or pet stores, and will also consider supporting local animal shelters.
