How To Put a Harness On a Cat?

Cat leash training can be a bumpy road. Felines are naturally freedom-loving, agile creatures that can’t stand movement restrictions. They want to freely explore the world.

However, you can teach any cat to walk in a harness with enough time and dedication. The trick is to take baby steps and monitor your cat’s reaction.

Your goal is to make your cat willing to walk on a leash voluntarily to avoid being mauled and despised by your furry friend.

Pick The Right Harness

Cats don’t like restrictions, so choosing a comfortable harness is key to success.

If your cat doesn’t like how the harness fits, it will resist walking on a leash. We can categorize cat harnesses into H-harnesses, vests, and jackets.

H-harnesses are the most common cat harness type made from several straps attached to a leash. They are lightweight but may not be comfortable if the straps are narrow.

Vests cover more of a cat’s body and better secure it. Because there are no narrow straps, vests tend to feel more comfortable but are heavier.

Jacket-style cat harnesses provide even better coverage and prevent the cat from escaping, but they may be slightly restrictive. However, jackets are perfect for walks in cold weather.

Regardless of your preferred cat harness style, ensure that the harness has the correct size – measure your cat’s girth against the fur and slip two fingers between your cat’s body and the measuring tape to find the necessary size.

Size up if your cat is in between sizes. Choose harnesses from breathable materials, such as mesh, and ensure that the material is durable.

Start Early

For cat training to be successful, you should start early. Kittens are more responsive to training than adult cats that have already formed their unique preferences and habits.

An adult cat that has never walked on a leash before may go mad if you try to slip a harness on it, but the reaction depends on a particular cat’s personality.

This doesn’t mean you can’t train an adult cat to walk on a leash, but it will likely take more time, and the process won’t be hassle-free.

You can start getting your kitten accustomed to a harness from about eight weeks old, but don’t walk with it on a leash outdoors until it has all the necessary vaccinations.

For a kitten under eight weeks old, the wild outdoors may be too overwhelming and full of dangers like parasites, bacterial infections, and other animals.

Pick The Right Moment

The first impression is crucial. You want to pick the right moment to introduce your cat to a harness to build positive associations with it.

If you slip a harness on your cat while it’s stressed, it may draw negative associations with the harness and be reluctant to walk on a leash in the future.

So, choose a moment when your cat is perfectly calm and relaxed. It shouldn’t be sleepy because it may become irritated if you hinder its rest, but it also shouldn’t be too active.

Don’t attempt to introduce your cat to a harness after a long car trip, unpleasant vet visit, or any other stress. Let your cat regain its emotional well-being.

Let your kitten get accustomed to the new environment if you’ve just brought it home. After a week or two, you can begin the training.

Introduce The Harness

You can’t just take your cat, slip on a harness, and expect it to walk on a leash like a well-trained dog. Cats aren’t born with an understanding of what a harness is and why it’s good for them (and neither do puppies).

Before you attempt walking with your cat on a leash, introduce it to the harness. Start by leaving the harness near your cat’s feeding area, toys, or bed and let it approach the harness first.

Don’t force your cat to sniff the harness. Felines are curious animals, so your kitty will eventually come to the harness itself. Your goal is to build positive associations with the harness, so the acquaintance should be voluntary.

You can rub some catnip on the harness to make it more appealing to your cat. However, don’t overuse this trick because cats can develop tolerance to the herb.

Take Baby Steps

The golden rule of cat training is not to rush it. Take baby steps in getting your cat accustomed to the harness. Ensure that your pet is comfortable around the harness before slipping it on.

Let your cat sniff the harness several times. Leave it in your cat’s bed or another place it loves to spend time to make it a natural part of your pet’s environment.

Then, try to slip on the harness, but only for a few seconds, and don’t close it. Always watch your cat’s reaction. You can move on to the next step when your cat shows no signs of anxiety or aggression.

If your cat doesn’t like you slipping a harness on it, it needs more time to get accustomed to it. There’s no universal answer for how long a cat leash training takes – each cat is different, so give your pet as much time as it needs.

Slip The Harness On

Assuming your cat is comfortable around the harness, you can slip it on for the first time. Don’t yet close the buckle – simply slip the harness over your cat’s neck.

If your cat appears comfortable, let it walk in the harness for a short while. Repeat this step several times, then secure the harness properly. How to put a harness on a cat depends on the harness’ design.

Usually, H-style cat harnesses have two loops, one to go over the cat’s head, which doesn’t need to be buckled, and another one to go around the cat’s chest, which needs to be buckled.

Start by slipping the small loop over your cat’s head, then the large loop. Vest-style cat harnesses may have the same design as H-style ones or have two holes for legs with buckles on the back.

If your cat refuses to wear a harness, don’t force it – it’s not yet ready. Give your pet more time. You want your cat to be perfectly calm when you slip a harness on it.

Practice Walking at Home

Once your cat gets accustomed to wearing a harness, you can attach a leash to it. However, don’t go to your local park immediately – practice walking at home first.

Let your cat walk where it pleases around the house on a loose leash. Don’t pull the leash because your cat may resist the tension.

Repeat the training several times until your cat appears comfortable walking on a loose leash, then try to pull the leash and lead your cat where you want to.

Monitor your cat’s reaction, and don’t pull the leash too strong. Your cat shouldn’t feel restricted.

Walk With Your Cat

Bring your cat outdoors when it can walk on a leash indoors without attempting to escape or showing any signs of distress. Attach the leash indoors and go to a quiet, uncrowded place near your home.

If you have a garden, start walking there because the environment will be more familiar to your pet. The training may be trickier if you live in an apartment because public parks can be overwhelming for cats.

The first walk doesn’t need to be lengthy – five to ten minutes are sufficient. You can gradually increase the walk duration, assuming your cat is comfortable.

Walk in the same environment until your cat gets accustomed to walking on a leash outdoors; then, you can start choosing new routes.

Reward Your Cat

The best way to train a cat is by offering it a reward for good behavior. Felines respond well to positive reinforcement, so give your cat a treat or its favorite toy every time it does what’s needed.

Reward your cat for good behavior after every tiny step – after your cat sniffs the harness, after your slip the harness on your pet for the first time, and after every walk.

This way, you build positive associations with the process and encourage your cat to behave well when walking. Don’t give your cat rewards when it hisses on the leash, tries to escape, or attempts to maul you.

Don’t Discipline Your Cat

One of the most common mistakes in leash training a cat is scolding it. Cats don’t like anything restring their movements, so a negative reaction to a harness is natural.

Don’t shout at your cat, take away its toys, or slap it for hissing on you or attempting to run away. Simply refrain from giving it treats for such behavior.

Once your cat begins showing signs of anxiety or aggression, the training is over for the day. However, don’t remove the harness as soon as your cat starts to hiss or growl because it may learn that such behavior gets it what it wants.

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