Harness for a cat: choose and do it yourself

Walking in the fresh air brings great benefits to pets. Harness – a leash for safe walking without carrying and to minimize the risk of losing a pet. Harnesses for cats differ in size and design – the owner needs to choose the best option.

Why do you need a harness

The leash is designed for safe walks, visits to the veterinary clinic or exhibitions. Usually sold as a set of harness and leash. The device allows you to control the movement and activity of the cat by adjusting the length of the leash, which is important in case of unforeseen situations – the appearance of vehicles, dogs or street cats. 

Thin straps are located in the area of ​​​​the shoulder blades, the clasp is on the stomach, chest, neck or back. A special ring is needed to fasten the carabiner of the leash. The special arrangement of the belts allows you to safely lead the cat without injuring it.

How to choose the right harness for your cat

A few recommendations for owners on how to choose a harness for a pet:

1. Choose a soft material – nylon or cotton is the best option.
2. Make sure that the thing has a gasket on the side where it will come into contact with the fur and skin of the animal.
3. Buy a product with adjustable straps.
4. Before purchasing, try on a purchase for a pet: there must be a distance of at least 2 fingers between the straps and the cat’s body.
5. When choosing, be guided by the width of the straps of 1,5 cm.
6. Stop on a leash about 2 m long, if possible it should be a roulette leash.
7. All fastenings should be light, with a convenient clasp.

If you plan to regularly walk the animal, then you should purchase two types of harnesses for cats. For the warm season – the usual, from cotton or nylon straps. For the winter – a harness-overalls, which will additionally warm your pet in the cold season.

How to put on a harness: basic rules

Acquaintance with ammunition should be gradual. Do not scare the cat, otherwise communication with the leash will quickly end and it will be difficult to accustom it to it. How to properly put on a harness on a cat – step by step:

1. Introduce your furry friend to something new. Allow to sniff, inspect and explore a new item. It is not necessary to put on a harness until the cat accepts it and is convinced that it is safe.
2. Put on the harness according to the instructions in accordance with its type.
3. Adjust the size of the straps. Do not tighten too much – there should be room for normal breathing.

If you managed to put a harness on a cat, praise him, give him some treats. If the cat resists, wait with the outfit for a walk. For the first exit to the street, choose a quiet and peaceful place: the cat should explore the world with interest, and not be afraid of screaming children or dogs running past. If everything is done correctly, then the next time it will be easy to get ready for a walk.

How to make your own harness

If you are thinking about how to make a harness yourself, use the instructions:

1. Take measurements: circumference of the neck, near the shoulders, length from the neck to the middle of the chest (straight line), circumference of the chest around the middle of the chest.
2. Creating a diagram: a piece of paper at least 45 cm wide and 20 cm high so that the drawing fits completely. If there is no material of this size, you can glue 2 sheets of paper. Suitable for newspapers, posters, etc.
3. Cut out the template and test on the cat. If any part doesn’t fit, draw a new pattern and try again.
4. Preparation of the necessary materials.

How to assemble the harness – you need a thick fabric (for finishing the outside) and a lining (for the inner layer), nylon straps, a D-ring, thread and Velcro.

Any type of fabric is suitable for sewing, but light cotton is easiest to work with. An alternative for the outer part of the vest can be fleece. For lining, consider satin. A do-it-yourself harness can be simpler or more complicated, you can find ready-made universal schemes on the Internet and use them if they fit the size of your pet.