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Buying a cat harness can be quite stressful especially if it is your first time walking your cat. You want to make sure you choose the right one to stop your kitty from escaping from it.
There are a lot of cat harnesses available on the market, however, not all harnesses are made the same and give you the same functions and features. When I first started walking my cat Owlie we went through a ton of harnesses before finding one that works perfectly for us. The cat harness we currently use and the one I recommend is the Rabbitgoo Cat Harness. This cat harness is both easy to use and escape-proof, two major important factors when choosing a cat harness.
I also like the fact that the materials used in the harness are breathable, and the lead attaches to the back of the harness so it does not pull on the cats neck. Cost wise this harness provides great features for a reasonable price.
Table of Contents
Why I Chose The Rabbitgoo Cat Harness:
The main reason I chose the Rabitgoo cat harness is that it was the first cat harness that I had that filled me with confidence that it would keep my cat safe whilst we were out.
Materials Used:
The materials used in the Rabitgoo cat harness are both breathable and strong which is important when thinking about my cat’s safety.
The harness itself is really well made. There are no sharp corners or edges that could cut into or dig the cat.
For me, the Pawaboo 4 Way Cat Tunnel is the perfect option for most households, whether you only have one cat or multiple cats. The size of the cat tunnel will allow all your cats to all be able to play together safely.
The tunnel is full of useful features including; 4 tunnels, a central entrance/exit hole, toys that are attached, and it is foldable.
Escape Proof:
The cat harness is adjustable. This allows you to secure and tighten the harness to your cat’s body. The ability to tighten the straps on the harness means your cat is less likely to escape from the harness.
Cats escaping from their harness is a major worry for most cat owners. We live in a relatively safe area so I don’t worry as much when I am walking my cat Owlie near to my home. But if we were to go anywhere else I always have to triple check the harness to make sure she can’t escape.
The Design:
The design of the Rabbitgoo is what attracted me to this cat harness in the first place.
Side Clips: The sides of the harness unclip making it really easy and hassle-free to put the harness on and take it off.
The ability to put on and take off the harness with one hand allows me to hold my cat in one hand whilst applying the harness with the other hand. Previous harnesses that I have owned have required two people to help get the harness over the cats head.
If you live on your own or will have to take the cat for a walk on your own you MUST look for a harness that you can put on and take off easily on your own.
Reflective Straps: The reflective straps are so important if you walk you cat whilst it is dark. You want to be able to see your cat in the dark, especially if you do off lead walking or the cat comes away from the lead.
Cost:
For all the features you get with the Rabbitgoo cat harness it is very affordable.
There are other options that are cheaper and more expensive but I find that this one gives you the best features at an affordable price.
What I Don’t Like About The Rabbitgoo Cat Harness:
I only really have one thing I do not like about the Rabbitgoo cat harness and that is the weight of the harness. Because of all the added features on this harness, mostly because of the clips, the harness is fairly heavy.
This is only an issue as my cat is only 5lbs so she finds the weight of this harness quite cumbersome to move around in. If you have an average or larger cat this shouldn’t be a problem for you. If you do have a smaller cat or a cat with mobility issues I wouldn’t recommend the Rabbitgoo cat harness.
Currently there is only two sizes of the harness I would love to see more sizes in the range to support a wider variety of cats.
What Is A Cat Harness?
A Cat harness allows you to walk your cat safely on a lead outside. The ability to walk your cat outside safely is great for a variety of cats including; indoor cats, expensive cat breeds, or cats with mobility issues.
By having control of the cat on a leash you are able to give your cat the experience of going outside but without the worries of your cat being attacked, lost, or stolen.
What To Look For In A Good Cat Harness?
Sizing:
Your cat’s safety is the most important factor when choosing a cat harness. You need to make sure that your cat cannot escape the harness. This is why a harness such as the Rabbitgoo harness is a great choice because it allows you to adapt the harness to your cat’s size.
Most cat harnesses will give you a size chat where you can measure your cat to see what size harness is the best size option for your cat.
How To Put The Harness On:
Another feature I always look out for when buying a new cat harness is how easy is it to put on. I need to know that I can put on and take the harness off without starting World War 3 with my cat.
Weight:
The weight of the harness should play a factor in choosing your cat harness. If you have a stockier cat I wouldn’t worry to much about this as their bodies should be able to take the weight of this harness.
Reflective:
Having reflective elements on the harness brings an extra level of safety when walking your cat at night.
Most of the time when I walk my cat we never use the lead so I like that I can see exactly where she is if its a little darker.
Is It True You Can Only Train A Kitten To Use A Harness?
It is not true that only kittens can be kitten trained. Although I imagine it would be easier to kitten train a cat.
My cat was 10 years old the first time she wore a harness. The only thing that she did not like is the actual harness going over her head.
[icon name=”info-circle” prefix=”fas fa-2x”] You may also be interested in our article on Recommended Cat Tunnels
How To Make Your Cat Wear A Harness:
You should never force your cat to do anything!! Some cats just might not be happy or comfortable wearing a harness. Remember all cats are unique so what one cat might be ok with another cat might not be.
Tips To Help Your Cat Get Used To Its Harness:
Here are some tips to help train your kitty to use a harness:
- Leave the new harness out for your cat to get used to the smell and feel of the harness
- Spray the harness with catnip and place it near it’s their toys.
- Once the harness is on reward your cat with treats
- At first, only place the harness on the cat for a short amount of time.
- Slowly build up the length of time the harness is on.
- Practice walking the cat around the house with the harness and lead on.
- For your first time walking the cat, try and have someone with you to help.
- Try and walk your cat in a quiet confined area, such as a garden, to start with
- Try and walk your cat at quiet times of the day. Loud sounds can be very scary.
- Reward your cat once you come back in.
- At first, your cat might be very overwhelmed with everything. You must try your hardest to reassure your cat that they are safe.
Most importantly, be patient with your cat and remember not all cats will want to be walked so do not force them.
Conclusion:
Walking your cat on a harness can be a fantastic way to safely bring your indoor cat into the outside world.
When choosing a cat harness make sure you try and get as many features as you can to keep your kitty as safe as possible.
Just remember to try and reduce as many of the external factors as you can. Walking your cat should take time, don’t rush ahead of the steps.
