Step in Cat Harness Instructions

Cat harnesses beat standard collars in safety and comfort. Many urban cat owners walk their cat on a harness and leash to provide fresh air and exercise, while avoiding the risks of unsupervised play outdoors. Collars snag, squeeze on the throat and can even choke your cat if it catches and twists around a stationary object. Harnesses fit around the feline's body and attach at the shoulder, minimizing safety risks and the potential for escape.

  1. Plan Ahead

    • Unless your cat's a mellow fellow, introducing it to a new harness might feel like going into battle; it takes a good plan ahead of putting the harness on your cat especially if it's feisty. Place the step-in harness near your cat's bedding or food dish several days ahead of putting it on the cat. Every time your cat sniffs or shows interest in the harness, give your cat pats or reward it with a cat treat.

    Catnip Temptation

    • If your cat shows no interest, don't force introductions. Apply some fresh catnip to the interior straps to encourage your cat to rub its own scent on it, but prevent the cat from biting or tearing at it. If that happens, remove the harness and place it in a drawer for 24 hours to dilute the catnip odor.

    Harness Construction

    • Lay the harness flat on the floor in front of you and your cat as you prepare to put it on the cat. The harness shape, when flat on the floor, looks like an eye with a strip running vertically through the center. Your cat's left front and right front legs step into the interior triangle shapes on either side of the center strip. For the easiest handling, place your cat between your feet, halfway between you and the harness.

    First Impressions

    • Gently guide the cat's left leg and place it inside the left triangle. Continue to hold the left leg as you reach over the cat's chest and lift the harness above the left shoulder. Be gentle. If your cat shows signs of resistance, stop. Try again later. You don't want your cat's anxiety level to rise while you're working with the harness; your cat could begin to associate stress with the harness: a big setback.

    Keeping It Positive

    • Once the left leg is in the harness, place the right leg into the interior triangle on the right. Bring the right side of the harness above its shoulder. Don't attach the harness ends at the shoulders, yet. Let your cat first get used to the feeling of the harness on its body. Massaging your cat as you hold the harness in place keeps the introduction positive.

    What to Expect

    • When you can easily step your cat into the harness, which might take several attempts, clip the harness together at the shoulders. Many cats will lie down when the harness is first applied. That's normal. Let your cat wear the harness around the house for short, timed increments with your supervision. Once your cat shows no indication of fear toward it, clip a leash to the D-rings at the back and take your cat outside.