8 Best Cat Harnesses (We Tried Them All)

#1 Overall Best: Kitty Holster Cat Harness

The Kitty Holster was designed with maximum security in mind and makes it almost impossible for your cat to escape the harness.

It’s a vest-style harness made with wide cotton straps that keep your cat safely and comfortably contained. The pressure from the leash is distributed evenly across your cat’s chest and waist, making it easy and comfortable to control your cat on a walk.

Instead of slipping over your cat’s head, the Kitty Holster cat harness has a butterfly shape and uses hook and loop closures to fasten around your cat’s neck and waist. It’s highly adjustable, allowing you to get a secure and comfortable fit.

In addition to being highly adjustable and very secure, the Kitty Holster harness is available in four different sizes and nearly ten different colors and patterns. It is priced under $30.

Pros

• Well made with 100% breathable cotton
• Wide straps for comfort and security
• Difficult for cats to escape from
• Mesh fabric is machine washable
• Available in several colors and patterns

Cons

• Some cats dislike the sound of the hook and loop closures
• Vest design may be overwhelming for some cats

#2 Runner Up: Sleepypod Martingale Cat Harness

Cats can be tricky, especially when they’re in a situation where they feel uncomfortable or threatened. If you’re worried about taking your cat outdoors, it’s well worth investing in a secure cat harness. The Sleepypod Martingale Cat Harness is our top pick because it features a unique design that will help to prevent your feline friend from slipping out.

This harness is designed with a martingale-style cinching feature around the chest that gently tightens when your cat pulls. You can adjust the Velcro closures at the neck and belly for comfort and security as well, making this the perfect walking jacket for an active cat.

Made with laminated, triple-layer mesh, this harness also offers excellent durability. Cat owners can rest easy knowing their cat will be both comfortable and secure in this pet harness.

The Sleepypod Martingale Cat Harness comes in three different sizes and five different colors. It is a little more expensive than some harnesses, priced a little over $30, but it is worth the added cost to know that your cat will be safe and secure.

Pros

• Made from high-quality triple-layer mesh
• Martingale cinching feature for added security
• Available in three sizes and five colors
• Breathable materials for comfort in all situations

Cons

• A little more expensive than some harnesses on the list
• Some cats dislike hook and loop closures

#3 Budget Pick: PupTeck Checkered Frills Soft Mesh Dog Vest Harness

This PupTeck adjustable cat harness seems to take a few cues from the Kitty Holster. It’s a vest-style harness with wide, comfortable straps and features an open butterfly-shape design. This allows you to put it on your cat without slipping anything over his sensitive head.

The wide straps and generous surface area of this harness make it one of the most secure products on the market. Plus, in addition to the hook-and-loop closure around the belly, the harness adds adjustability and security by including a plastic buckle closure on the neck.

This harness is made from soft mesh material that, according to the company, doesn’t suffocate or overheat your cat when the temperature rises. It also features two heavy D-rings for quick and easy leash attachment using the included lightweight leash.

Not only is the PupTeck vest harness available in four different sizes (small, medium, large, and x-large) but it comes in several solid colors and patterns as well. It is priced around $17.

Pros

• Features wide, comfortable straps
• Comes in many sizes/patterns with matching
• Highly secure with adjustable neck strap
• Made from lightweight, breathable mesh materials
• Good for cats who don’t like harnesses slipped over their heads

Cons

• Some cats bolt at the sound of hook-and-loop closures

#4 Best Lightweight: PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness & Bungee Leash

This lightweight cat harness is best for cats in low-risk situations who don’t need extra security. It comes with a bungee leash, which allows you to gently lead your cat without harsh tugging. If your cat does reach the end of the lead, the webbing straps will gently tighten, helping you keep control of your cat.

Because the harness is very open, however, it’s not the most secure design and not ideal for feline escape artists or cats in high-risk environments. This harness is, however, ideal for an indoor cat when going to the veterinarian and for taking other short trips in the car.

The Come with Me Kitty Harness set comes in three sizes and half a dozen different colors. It is affordably priced around $15 as well.

Pros

• Perfect for cats who need a lightweight harness
• Sold with a flexible bungee leash for gentle leading
• Dual adjustability allows you to get the right fit
• A lightweight leash perfect for short trips

Cons

• Not the most secure harness and not ideal for adventuring

#5 Best For Adventures: RC Pets Adventure Kitty Harness

If you plan to take your cat on outdoor adventures, you need a durable cat harness that offers a snug and comfortable fit – one that won’t restrict your cat’s movements. This RC Pets Adventure Kitty cat harness is fully adjustable at the neck and waist to keep your cat comfortable, and it is made with breathable mesh fabric.

This cat harness comes in two different versions, one of which (the Primary Collection) must be slipped over your cat’s head to put it on. If your cat doesn’t like this kind of harness, the version we’ve chosen might be a better fit. It has buckles at the neck and waist for convenience.

Priced around $27, this harness may be a little more expensive than some options, but it comes in several colors and patterns, and it comes with an included 6-foot leash.

Pros

• Fully adjustable neck and waist
• Air-mesh fabric for breathability and comfort
• Durable materials are machine washable

Cons

• One design requires harness to be slipped over the head
• May not be as secure as other designs

#6 Best For Small Cats: Puppia Polyester Back Clip Dog Harness

Remember how we said harnesses made for dogs aren’t usually a great fit for cats? This harness is an exception to that rule. It offers several features that make it work well as a harness for cats.

The Puppia RiteFit harness is a step-in harness, which means that you don’t need to slip it over your cat’s head. The neck is adjustable with both a hook and loop closure and two quick release buckles, allowing you to get a secure, comfortable fit.

The harness is constructed from soft, breathable mesh material that makes it comfy for all activities, including outdoor exploration. On Amazon, the customer review section is filled with photos of cats adventuring outside while wearing their Puppia harness.

In addition to being comfortable and secure, the Puppia harness comes in seven different sizes, so you can easily find one that fits even a small cat. It is affordably priced under $15 as well, and it comes in over a dozen different colors.

Pros

• Step-in design that doesn’t slip over your cat’s head
• Highly adjustable for a safe, secure fit
• Wide straps distribute weight evenly across your cat’s chest
• Secure enough for outdoor adventures
• Available in a variety of colors

Cons

• Designed for small dogs, may be too short for some cats
• Bulky around the neck
• The hook and loop closure may frighten some cats

#7 Best For Large Cats: Best Pet Supplies Voyager Step-In Pet Harness

The Voyager harness from Best Pet Supplies comes in a wide variety of colors and many different sizes. It has a step-in design that allows you to easily insert your cat’s paws through the leg holes and then fasten the harness on their back.

Because this design allows you to put on the harness without ever slipping anything over your cat’s head, it’s comfortable and easy to put on.

The arm holes in this harness are nice and roomy, but the harness isn’t adjustable. That means that the fit isn’t particularly secure. Because it’s not the safest harness for high-risk situations, it’s a good idea to avoid this product if you’re going into remote or noisy areas where your cat might try to escape the harness.

That being said, the Voyager harness is ideal for short, casual trips or exceptionally calm cats with a lot of harness-wearing experience. Because it comes in so many different sizes, it is also a great option for larger cats that don’t fit into traditional cat harnesses.

Pros

• Extremely comfortable with wide straps
• All-season design made from soft, breathable mesh material
• Perfect for cats who don’t like having garments slipped over their heads
• Available in a variety of colors

Cons

• Limited adjustability and large arm holes make this harness less secure than some others
• Features a hook-and-loop closure, which might disturb some cats

#8 Best For Kittens: Frisco Wrap Cat Harness

Many of the pet harnesses on the market are designed with dogs in mind. The Frisco Wrap Cat Harness is not only designed specifically for cats, but it is particularly good for small cats and kittens.

The Frisco Cat Wrap Harness features adjustable straps at the chest and belly that can be adjusted to a girth as small as 9 inches. The hook and loop closures make it easy to ensure a snug fit, no matter your cat’s size, and there is a D-ring on the back to attach the included leash.

Perfect for use as a walking vest or for quick car trips, this cat harness is made from breathable poly/cotton materials for maximum comfort. The materials are also easy to clean, though they are not machine washable. Simply hand wash and hang dry.

Though this harness is an excellent option for kittens, it only comes in two sizes (small and medium), so it may not be ideal for larger cats. It is also a little more expensive than some of the harnesses on this list, priced around $25.

Pros

• Ideal for smaller cats up to 16inches in girth
• Vest-style design with hook and loop closures
• Wide, adjustable neck and belly straps
• Made from breathable poly/cotton materials
• Comes with a matching leash for taking walks

Cons

• May be too small for larger cats
• Slightly more expensive than some harnesses
• Some cats may not like hook and loop closures