How to Measure a Cat for a Harness

As cat guardians we want to give our feline friends a safe, comfortable, and enriched life. Taking your cat outside provides tons of enrichment, and finding the right harness for your cat’s outdoor explorations is going to provide them with that safe and comfortable experience. 

As you might be discovering, cat harnesses are not one size fits all, and there is a ton of variety in the styles of cat harnesses available. So what’s the key to finding the safest and most comfortable one? 

In this article, I will share with you the difference in cat harness styles, the ins and outs of how to measure a cat for a harness (with my favorite hack for the cat that won’t sit still), why the style and fit are key, and what to do after your new harness arrives. 

Knowing these pieces before buying the harness will help you purchase one that properly fits. And a well-fit harness is not only comfortable for your cat but also reduces the risk that they might escape.

Choosing the Right Cat Harness

Before you go running out to buy the same cat harness that the neighbor down the street has or that you saw someone using online, you’ll want to learn more about the different styles of cat harnesses on the market. The harness that is best for one cat might not be what’s best for another.

Each style of cat harness comes with pros and cons. Some offer more coverage over the cat’s body, reducing the likelihood that they can back out of the harness. Others are less restrictive in their design, providing for more comfort. Some use thinner and lighter materials, while others can be a bit bulkier. There is also variety in the design of these harnesses, so each will lay and put pressure on different areas of your cat’s body.

For those cat owners who are asking where to buy an escape proof cat harness, there is no such thing! Cats are notorious for fitting into strange and tight spaces. Their ability to do so is due to their floating collar bone. It is this same floating collar bone that makes no harness 100% escape proof, despite what some marketing might advertise. 

But don’t be discouraged. For added peace of mind on your outdoor adventures with your cat, it is a good practice to have your cat wear a collar with an identification tag and even a tracker, should they ever happen to escape their harness. You can check out Cat Collars: The Ultimate Guide to find the right collar for your cat.

To learn more about the different styles, my cat harness style guide can support you in making your selection. No matter what style you decide upon, ensuring it is a proper fit by knowing how to measure your cat for a harness is going to be vital to finding that safe and comfortable harness for your cat’s adventures.

Fitting Your Cat for a Harness

Now that you’ve chosen the style of harness you want for your cat, how should a cat harness fit so you know what size to buy? You want your cat’s harness to be snug enough to reduce the chances of escape while still allowing your cat to move comfortably and naturally. The foundation for finding a well-fitted, safe, and comfortable harness comes from taking your cat’s correct body measurements.

What You Need to Measure Your Cat for a Harness

You might be wondering at this point exactly how to measure your cat for a harness. There are a few simple tools you will need that you likely already have at home:

• a soft tape measure
• a long piece of string approximately 1’5” – 2.0’ long AND a stick ruler or retractable tape measure (if you don’t have a soft tape measure)
• your cat’s favorite treats or food (to help keep them calm and cooperative)

You will also want to ensure that you are measuring your cat in a calm, distraction-free environment where they feel safe. Also, since our cat friends sense and respond to what we are feeling, your own patience for this task will go a long way in supporting that calm environment. 

How to Measure a Cat for a Harness

Your tools are prepped and you’re ready to measure. But what exactly are you measuring? Next we’ll discuss the specifics of how to measure a cat for a harness so you know the correct size to buy for your cat. 

There are typically two key measurements that are needed to discern what size harness will fit your cat best:

A: Around your cat’s neck (where a collar would sit)
B: Around your cat’s girth (an inch behind their front legs)

Some harnesses might also require
C: Body length measurement (length from their shoulders to the base of their tail)

There are three methods that you could use to take these measurements. Use whichever is going to be the least stressful for your cat.

1. Soft tape measure method: Using the soft tape measure, begin wrapping the measuring tape around your cat’s neck (pressing through the fur for those extra poofy cats) so that it is snug but not tight. At the point where the end of the tape measure meets the body of the tape measure, take note of that number—this is their neck measurement. You’ll use the same technique to find their girth measurement, which is most accurate when taken with your cat sitting or standing.

2. String method: If you don’t have a soft tape measure, you can use a simple string to grab your cat’s measurements. Wrap the string around your cat’s body, again snug but not tight, and pushing through any fur. Hold onto the spot on the string where the end meets the body of the string. Let go of the string’s end to remove it from around your cat and then, using your stick ruler or retractable tape measure, measure the string from the end to where you are holding it on the string’s body. This is your cat’s measurement.

3. LickiMat / Food dish method:  For the cat that is a bit squirmy, distracted, or playful making it near impossible for you to get their measurements, there’s nothing that a little treat won’t fix. Try putting their favorite squeezy treat or wet food on a LickiMat or in a food dish, which will distract them just long enough for you to get their measurements using your soft tape measure or string.  

You want to keep this experience positive for your cat, so use treats if you need to, and don’t worry if you aren’t able to get your cat’s measurements on the first try. You don’t want to force them. You can try again at another time and your patience will prevail. 

The Importance of Following the Size Guides

You’ve taken your cat’s measurements and you’re ready to buy their new harness. When shopping around, be aware that there is no universal sizing system for cat harnesses. Every brand of cat harness uses different measurements for small, medium, and large sizes. Your cat’s measurements might be a medium in one brand but a large in a different brand.

To avoid poor fit and escape risk, it is essential that you check the brand’s sizing chart and compare it to your cat’s actual measurements. 

How to Fit a Cat Harness

Now that you’ve learned how to measure a cat for a harness and how those measurements are used to buy the right size harness, it is also important to understand how to fit a cat harness to ensure your cat’s optimum safety and comfort. 

When the time comes that they are fully wearing their harness, you should be able to fit 1–2 fingers between the harness fabric and your cat’s body. They need to be able to walk, sit, and lie down comfortably while wearing the harness. You want them to be held securely by the harness but you don’t want it too tight where it makes for a negative experience. 

A well-fitted harness is key for your cat’s comfort and reduces escape risk. Remember, even though you’ve taken all the proper steps to find that properly fitting harness for your cat, no cat harness is 100% escape proof.

To make your cat’s outdoor adventures in their harness as safe and successful as possible, there is one last consideration that is equally, if not more, important than the harness fit—harness training.

What’s Next After You’ve Bought a Harness

Most cats are not accustomed to the sensation of wearing something against their body and fur. So simply making your cat wear their harness fully for the first time will likely create stress for your cat and can lead to a negative association with the harness. You can avoid this with harness training. 

A slow introduction to your cat’s harness is best. Taking the time to harness train will acclimate your cat to the presence of the harness, how it feels and sounds, and even how you handle them while putting it on. So when the time comes to fully wear the harness your cat knows exactly what to expect. 

Once you are able to get your cat fully in their harness, this is typically the point where you can fine-tune the adjustments for that purr-fect safe and comfortable fit!

Frequently Asked Questions

How tight should a cat harness be?

You will want to ensure that you can fit 1–2 fingers between the fabric of the harness and your cat’s body. Any tighter and your cat will be uncomfortable. Any looser and your cat could easily back out of the harness.

What if my cat hates / won’t let me measure them?

If your cat is not cooperating with being measured, don’t force them. You don’t want to make this stressful for you or your cat, so take a breath and try again at another time. Take it slow, over multiple days if needed. Use high-value treats and short sessions to get them comfortable with the measuring tools and process to create a positive association before handling. This is where patience will be your best friend. 

Can I use a dog harness for a cat?

You can but it is not ideal. Dog and cat body types are entirely different. Cat-specific harnesses are designed specifically for a cat’s body type and to reduce the risk of them escaping. 

What kind of harness should I use for a kitten?

If you can’t find a cat harness that fits your kitten, a rabbit harness or ferret harness can be a good fit until your cat is big enough to wear a regular cat harness.