Cat Harness Types: Ultimate Guide for Choosing the Best One

*Updated October 4, 2023

Finding the best cat harness can be overwhelming. There are SO many cat harness types out there. How do you know which one is right for your cat? How do you know which one is best?

Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer to these questions. Sure, there are cat harnesses that are better than others, but what works best for one kitty might not work best for another.

Finding the right harness for your cat will depend on their size, shape, and what they feel comfortable in. You might even have to try a few different ones before finding the perfect one for your kitty.

Before you start spending money on subpar harnesses though, read through this guide to help you made an educated decision on which harness might be right for your cat.

You will find answers to frequently-asked questions, pros and cons to several cat harness types, and my personal favorite cat harnesses. Armed with this info, you will be well on your way to finding the best cat harness!

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps me to continue creating helpful content. Don’t worry – I would never recommend something I don’t like or use myself!

Is There a 100% Escape-Proof Cat Harness?

While there are some companies that claim to make escape-proof cat harnesses, I don’t believe there is such a thing. There are definitely harnesses that are more secure and more difficult to escape from than others, but there will always be a cat somewhere that can escape from it.

If I see that a company sells a “100% escape-proof cat harness,” I usually run the other way. I think it is a dangerous claim to make and one that can result in a false sense of security for some cat owners, which can then lead to lost cats.

Whether or not your cat is able to slip out of their harness comes down to a few factors:

• How well your cat is trained – Going through the full harness and leash training process is a must! If your cat has been trained to accept the harness and has been acclimated to going outside or to new places properly, then they will be less likely to try to escape from their harness.
• Quality, security, and fit of the cat harness – You obviously want a harness that is high-quality and secure. You should also make sure it is fit properly for your cat. A harness that is too loose will be easy to escape from, and a harness that is too tight will be quite uncomfortable or even dangerous.
• The leash tension – When a cat escapes their harness, it is usually because they were able to back out of it. To prevent that from happening, you and the leash should always be behind your cat. If your cat gets behind you, the tension of the leash pulling forward will make it easier for them to escape. See image below.

Watch this video for more information on “escape proof” cat harnesses and how to best prevent harness escapes:

How to Measure for a Cat Harness

Whichever style of harness you decide to go with, you have to make sure it fits properly. If your cat’s harness is too big or too small, you run the risk of your cat being uncomfortable or even escaping.

Though most harnesses use the same measurements to determine size, not all harnesses have the same sizing system. For example, the measurements for a small size in one type of harness might be the measurements for a medium in another type.

Most harness sizing charts go by your cat’s neck and girth measurements. The neck measurement (A) should be take around the same area a collar would sit. The girth measurement (B) should be taken around your cat’s body, about an inch behind your their front legs. Some harnesses also include a measurement for the length of your cat’s body from shoulder to base of tail (C).

When you take these measurements, make sure the measuring tape is snug against their fur. If your cat is right on the edge of a size, it’s best to go up or down a size accordingly.

Here is a video of how to take your cat’s measurements:

When you put the harness on your cat, you should be able to fit a finger or two under the harness – both the neck and belly pieces. You want a snug fit, but it shouldn’t be uncomfortably tight.

Features to Look for in a Cat Harness

With so many types of cat harnesses, that means there are also lots of different features. You don’t need anything too fancy, but there are some important things you want to make sure a harness has:

• adjustable straps
• solid D-ring for leash attachment
• something lightweight yet durable
• one that’s easy to put on
• one with reflective strips or features for visibility (optional, but recommended especially if you plan to go out at night)
• a place to attach a tracking device (optional)

The Cat Harness Types Guide

In this section, you can find a list of several of the most popular cat harness types, including their pros and cons. This list is in no particular order.

Roman Harness

The Roman harness is a lightweight, no-bulk cat harness. It consists of a thin piece that goes around your cat’s body (usually behind the front legs/around the ribs) and another piece that goes around your cat’s neck. These two pieces are connected by pieces that run along your cat’s back and another that runs down your cat’s chest, between the front legs.

The pieces that go around your cat’s neck and body can easily be adjusted for a personalized fit. With some Roman harnesses, the pieces that run along the back and chest can be adjusted as well.

The Roman harness is a popular choice because of how commonly found it is. If you go to the cat section of most big-box pet stores, you will likely find Roman harnesses. They are also very secure.

The biggest downside to the Roman harness is that it isn’t the easiest to put on. Cats Going Places has a great tutorial on how to put on a Roman Harness though. Check it out:

PROS

• Lightweight, not bulky
• Very adjustable
• Secure – difficult for your cat to slip out of
• Common – found in most pet stores

CONS

• Not the easiest to put on
• Not the most comfortable
• Have to put it over your cat’s head – some cats don’t like that

H-Style Harness

The H-Style harness is very similar to the Roman harness. The only difference is that it doesn’t have the piece that runs down your cat’s chest between their front legs.

The downside to this harness is that, without that chest piece, the pressure will all be directed on their throat rather than across their chest if your cat pulls hard on the leash.

PROS

• Lightweight, not bulky
• Adjustable

CONS

• Chance of injury to your cat’s throat if they pull on the leash very hard
• Have to put it over your cat’s head – some cats don’t like that

Figure 8 Harness

The figure 8 harness is just as it sounds. It’s comprised of straps in the shape of the number eight. The larger part of the figure 8 goes around your cat’s abdomen, and the smaller part of the figure 8 goes around your cat’s neck. The straps are adjustable similarly to the Roman and H-style harnesses, and the leash attaches right behind your cat’s shoulder blades.

This style of harness is fairly easy to navigate; however, it is not very secure. Your cat can likely back out of it pretty easily.

PROS

• Lightweight, not bulky
• Adjustable

CONS

• Not secure – easy to escape from
• Puts strain on your cat’s throat if they pull on the leash
• Have to put it over your cat’s head – some cats don’t like that

Step-in Harness

The step-in harness is probably one of the easiest harnesses to put on your cat. It consists of a chest piece and straps that form two holes – one for each of your cat’s legs. Your cat steps in the harness, you pull it up against their chest, and it buckles behind their shoulder blades.

Because there are no straps that go around your cat’s neck, you don’t have to worry about any pressure being put on your cat’s throat. It is a no-fuss, comfortable harness.

The downside to the step-in harness is that it is not the most secure. It doesn’t take much for your cat to be able to back out of it. This has happened to me and my cat Kylo Ren on more than one occasion when using this style of cat harness.

PROS

• Not bulky
• Easy to put on
• Adjustable
• All pulling pressure is directed to your cat’s chest instead of their throat
• Common – found in most pet stores

CONS

• Not as secure as some other harnesses

Vest Style Harness

The vest-style cat harness is another popular style of cat harness. It slips over your cat’s head, has a piece that runs down your cat’s chest and in between their front legs, and another piece that runs along the back and connects the neck piece to the piece that goes around your cat’s ribs. It’s sort of like a cross between a Roman harness and a step-in harness.

These are a good harness choice because of how they distribute any pulling weight and pressure evenly across your cat’s chest. They are also very secure and difficult for your cat to slip out of.

While a great choice of harness, there are a couple of downsides. Nothing is perfect, after all. Depending on which one you get, the part that goes over your cat’s head and around their neck isn’t always adjustable. The vest-style harness is made with more material than the other harnesses mentioned, so it is a bit bulkier as well.

PROS

• Very secure – lower chance of your cat slipping out
• All pulling pressure is directed to your cat’s chest instead of their throat

CONS

• Depending on which one you get, it isn’t always as adjustable as some other harnesses
• Bulkier

Walking Jacket Style Harness

The walking jacket is kind of like a souped-up H-style harness. It is made of a piece of fabric with a wide piece that velcros around your cat’s neck and another wider piece that velcros around their abdomen. The Velcro makes the walking jacket one of the most adjustable harnesses.

While I wouldn’t claim they are escape-proof, I would say they are quite secure. They also come in all kinds of fun colors and designs and are easily customizable with pins, patches, and embroidery.

Unfortunately, the walking jacket doesn’t have a piece that goes down your cat’s chest, so any pulling pressure will be on your cat’s throat. The thicker neck piece is safer than the thin straps of an H-style harness though. Also, because of the amount of fabric, the walking jacket can be too bulky or hot for some cats.

PROS

• Secure – difficult for your cat to slip out of
• Very adjustable
• Nothing that goes over your cat’s head
• Easy to put on
• Stylish and customizable

CONS

• Puts strain on your cat’s throat if they pull on the leash
• Bulky
• Velcro sound can be scary for some cats

As you can see, no harness is perfect. To find the one best suited for you and your cat, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each and factor in the types of activities you’ll be doing.

Trying on different styles to figure out which one your cat is most comfortable in is a good idea as well.

My Favorite Cat Harnesses

In my almost-10 years of adventuring with my cats, I have tried out so many different harnesses. Some I’ve loved, and some I’ve hated. I have a couple favorites though that are what I consider to be the best cat harnesses that I use in different situations and with different cats:

• Mynwood Cat Jacket
• RC Pets Adventure Kitty Harness
• Cat School Cat Harness

My cats have all worn these harnesses with great success and no escapes (though I wouldn’t claim they are escape-proof)! I would recommend them to anyone.

That being said, I still recommend testing out different harnesses to find what’s best for you. Just because these 3 harnesses have served me and my cats well doesn’t mean they are necessarily the best for you and yours.

(In case you’re curious, I stay away from and would NOT recommend H-style harnesses, step-in harnesses, or figure-8 harnesses.)

Best Harnesses for Kittens

If you are starting to harness and leash train your cat when they are still a kitten, you may have a harder time finding a harness that fits. Many of the harnesses mentioned above are for full-grown cats and don’t always come in sizes small enough to fit a tiny kitten.

If you can’t find a cat or dog harness that fits your kitten, try a rabbit harness or ferret harness! They are typically a good fit for kittens until your cat is big enough to wear a regular cat harness.

Cat Harness FAQs

Can I use a dog harness for my cat?

Yes, you can… but I’d recommend getting a harness made for cats if possible. While some small dog harnesses might work well for cats, many of them won’t ever fit quite right. Cats and dogs are just built differently.

Clothing and harnesses made for dogs tend to be too short in the body for cats. And seeing as cats are masters at slipping out of things, it’s best to go with a harness that is specifically made for them.

So in the question of a cat harness vs dog harness, go with the cat harness!

How can I tell if a cat harness is too small? (or too big)

If you’ve adjusted the harness to the largest possible size and you can’t fit a finger between the harness and your cat (at both the neck and girth straps), then the harness is too big.

If you’ve adjusted the harness to the smallest possible size and you can still fit more than 1-2 fingers between the harness and your cat (at both the neck and girth straps), then the harness is too small.

Can I walk my cat with a collar instead of a harness?

While collars are great for attaching your cat’s identification and rabies tags, they are not so great for taking your cat on walks. Cats have soft throats, and the strain put on their necks by pulling on a leash and collar can choke and cause injury. Collars are also easy to slip out of – especially if they’re breakaway.

Harnesses are all-around a much safer and better option than collars for walking your cat. A high-quality cat harness is a must.

That being said, having a cat collar with ID tags is important too! You just shouldn’t attach your cat’s leash to it.

Watch this video for more information about collars vs. harnesses for cat leash walks:

As you can see, there are a lot of considerations when trying to navigate all the cat harness types out there. And what is best for one might not be best for another. Hopefully you are feeling a bit more confident about how to make your selection though.

Whichever cat harness you decide to go with, just be sure to go through the proper training process with your cat. Proper training is the most important thing!

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About the Author

Emily Hall, ABCCT is a certified cat trainer and cat adventure enthusiast. As a “mom” to five cats and one dog, she has been writing in the pet industry for 10 years, with a focus on traveling and adventuring with cats. Emily has a passion for getting out there and doing more with her cats – for pushing the bounds of cat expectations! She and her husband enjoy hiking, road-tripping, camping, and canoeing with their three cat adventurers. Read more about Emily here.