How to put on a harness on a cat
If the owner wants to take their furry friend on walks around the neighborhood, it might be time to get a cat walking harness. But buying is only the first step. Next you need to understand how to put a harness on a cat.
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Why do you need a harness for cats
Walking your cat is a great way to provide both mental and physical stimulation. But before you go outside with your pet, it is important to get a reliable leash for it.
The harness provides more security than a collar and leash, because the cat will not be able to get out of the harness, and she can slip out of the collar in the blink of an eye. And if at the same time the four-legged friend wriggles strongly, the collar and leash can damage his throat.
Harnesses for walking cats
There are three main types of harnesses for cats. Each of them provides sufficient safety for the pet. After choosing the most suitable type of accessory for your cat, you can move on to choosing a fun color or pattern. It is important to choose soft materials so that the animal is comfortable.
H-shaped harness
This harness has three main straps: one is attached to the cat’s neck, the second is under the front paws, and the third connects the first two straps under the belly and on the back. The double loops of this harness make it difficult to release the pet, and the buckles are easily adjustable.
“Eight”
Like the H-shaped harness, the “eight” consists of two rings. One ring is put on the cat’s neck like a collar, and the other is attached to the front paws. This design provides the pet with freedom of movement, but it is very difficult to get out of it.
Harness-vest
This harness provides extra support and comfort. Depending on the brand and design, the vest will be fastened either on the back or under the pet’s belly. In any case, the cat will not be able to slip out of it.
How to put a harness on a cat: instructions
Putting on a harness can be tricky, especially if your pet has a short temper. The American Cat Association recommends that you start harness training your cat while she is still a kitten. But if an adult cat lives at home, do not worry – it is never too late to accustom her to a harness, especially if she is open to new experiences.
Prepare
To prepare, it is important to read the instructions that came with the purchased harness. At first, the cat will be nervous, so you need to think in advance how to train it so that it feels most comfortable.
Follow these steps to put on a walking harness on a cat:
First you need to let the cat inspect and sniff the harness. To do this, you need to put it in a place well known to the cat, for example, where she usually eats or rests. This will help her cope with the fear of a new object.
When the cat is ready, you need to put the harness on her head.
If the harness is in the shape of the letter H or “eight”, you should fasten the neck straps, then fasten the middle and back straps, if any. The harness-vest should be put on the back of the cat, and then fasten the clasps on the neck and in the middle part.
First, you can try to “walk” a cat in a harness around the house. Let her get used to the adaptation so that she perceives it as part of her natural habitat.
For the first time, it is better to involve an assistant who will hold the cat. If the pet expresses a clear protest about what is happening, trying to escape, scratching and biting, this is probably a sign that she really does not like this idea. You should not create a stressful situation for your pet, as excessive excitement can lead to other problems, such as urination outside the tray.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Queensland advises using a reward system, such as practicing putting on a harness right before eating, so that the cat begins to associate it with delicious food.
Comfortable fit
The harness should sit on the cat so that she is comfortable and that she cannot get out, but at the same time she can fully move her head and paws. “No more than one or two fingers can be inserted under a properly fitting collar,” the authors of International Cat Care explain. They also note that during the first fitting of the collar, the pet can strain the muscles, so before going outside, you should always check the fit again. In case of any doubt, a veterinarian should be consulted.
As with any other type of training, training a cat to wear a harness takes time and patience. However, in return, the owner will get a wonderful and safe walk in the fresh air with his best furry friend.
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