Homemade Cat Harness

Cats love to roam, but giving your cat this type of freedom can compromise its safety. To keep your cat safe without denying it outdoor privileges, you may want to consider a homemade cat harness. A cat harness will give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your cat won't be able to step out in front of a moving car and risk getting injured or killed.

  1. One Size Does Not Fit All

    • Cats come in different sizes, and so should a cat harness. A vest-type cat harness needs to be custom-made so it will hug a cat's body. A homemade pattern and a tape measure are needed throughout the process of making a cat harness.

    Creating a Cat Harness

    • To make a homemade cat harness, you will have to first create a paper pattern. Allowing for two ¼-inch seams, take a measurement of your cat from its neck to its waist. Allowing for two ¼-inch seams and another inch of fabric, measure your cat around the widest part of its ribcage. Cut your paper pattern according to these measurements. Drape the paper pattern over your cat, center it and approximate where you will need to cut out holes for your cats arms. Draw circles on the paper pattern for armholes and cut them out. Cut out two pieces of fabric, using your paper pattern as a guide, and sew the two pieces of fabric together along all the edges. Sew coordinating piping to the edges to create a finished look. Measure and sew darts around the neck of the harness to pick up any slack in that area. The cat harness must fit your cat well enough to eliminate the chance of your cat slipping out of the harness. Sew Velcro to the edges of the harness for a snug fit. Fasten the metal ring to the center back of the cat harness by folding a short length of fabric around the metal ring and sewing the end of the fabric to the harness (make sure this piece of fabric is sewn on securely). Sew ribbon ties to both ends of the cat harness to ensure an even better fit.

    Cat Harness Uses and Precautions

    • Besides using a cat harness to keep your cat from wandering, a cat harness comes in handy for the cat owner who likes to walk with her pet or take her pet in the car with her. The sturdy metal ring sewn to the back of the cat harness allows you to hook a leash to it. If, however, you intend to attach a leash to your cat's cat harness for the purpose of letting your cat sit on the patio, make sure to keep an eye on your cat in case it finds a way to wiggle out of the cat harness. Make sure the cat harness isn't too tight around the cat's neck, but tight enough to prevent your cat from escaping.