Ever had a scare when your cat almost slipped out of their harness?
Finding the right no-escape cat harness is crucial for any cat owner wanting to safely explore the outdoors with their feline friend.
This guide cuts through the clutter, highlighting key features that make a harness escape-proof and how to secure the perfect one for your adventurous cat.
We’ll cover everything from the importance of a snug fit to the latest in harness technology, ensuring your cat’s safety and comfort on your outdoor adventures.
Dive in to find the ideal no-escape cat harness, guaranteeing peace of mind for you and freedom for your cat.
The Top 5 Best Cat Harnesses No Escape
| Brand | Product Image | |
|---|---|---|
| Kitty Holster Cat Harness – Best Escape Proof Cat Harness |  | |
| Rabbitgoo Cat Harness – Best for Large Cats |  | |
| PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness – Best for Travel |  | |
| Yizhi Miaow Kitty Harness – Best for Small Cats |  | |
| Supet Cat Harness – Best Budget |  |
It’s not that easy to find a 100% escape-proof cat harness. In fact, no harness that went under our scrutiny was 100% escape-proof. There were always some cases when cats, the escape artists, slipped out of them.
Cats are extremely fast, agile, and strong animals. When they get scared and feel unsafe, they will use all their power to protect themselves from danger and escape.
Therefore, it’s very hard to find a fully escape-proof cat harness, but with additional harness training for your cat, you can minimize the chances of escape.
Another good tip is to give your cat a cat calming product before a walk, which will make her calmer and more easygoing.
Without further ado, let’s see what are the best cat harnesses on the market.
Best Cat Harness No Escape – Reviews
1. Kitty Holster Cat Harness – Best Escape Proof Cat Harness
Type of harness: Vest/holster
Material: Cotton
Sizes:
XS – Fits 5″-8″ Neck girth and 10″-14″ Chest girth
S/M – Fits 9″-12″ Neck girth and 13″-17″ Chest girth
M/L – Fits 10″-13″ Neck girth and 16″-20″ Chest girth
XL – Fits 11″-15″ Neck girth and 19″-23″ Chest girth
Is a leash included? No, it doesn’t come with a leash, but comes with a D-ring for attaching a leash.
How does the Kitty Holster Cat Harness hold your cat?
The Kitty Holster Cat Harness is a very secure vest/jacket-type harness with velcros. Because this is a jacket-type harness made with a lot of material, it’s quite hard for a cat to escape from it.
Although not impossible, if your cat tries to escape, it will take them long enough for you to react and catch the cat before running away.
Kitty Holster is made of lightweight, 100% breathable cotton. It keeps a cat cool and comfortable. The velcros serve both for sizing the harness exactly to the cat’s body and for closing it.
Velcros should be fastened under the neck and belly snugly. Many times the cat manages to escape because the owner didn’t put or closed a harness in a proper way.
This pet harness applies pressure to the body and neck of a cat, preventing the cat from choking.
Kitty Holster comes in a wide range of sizing, you can easily find a size suitable for a large cat as well as for a kitten.
Choose the Kitty Holster Cat Harness if:
– you have an energetic, feisty, or squeamish cat that likes to run away
– you walk your cat in a busy area with high traffic
- Difficult for a cat to escape
- Easy to get on and off a cat
- Easily adjustable thanks to velcros
- Well-made, strong, and durable
- Leightweight and comfortable for a cat to wear
- A wide size range to choose from
- A jacket-type harness with a lot of material may constraint cat’s moves
- The ‘undoing’ sound of velcro may scare some cats
- The material is easily covered in cat’s hair because it’s cotton
- A leash doesn’t come together with this product, so you will have to purchase a leash separately
2. Rabbitgoo Cat Harness – Best for Large Cats
Type: Vest/holster
Material: Air-mesh
Sizes:
XS – Neck girth: 8.5″-11″, Chest girth: 13.5″-16.0″
S – Neck girth: 11″-13.7″, Chest girth: 18.0″-20.0″
Is a leash included? Yes, a 59″ (150cm) nylon leash is included.
How does the Rabbitgoo Cat Harness hold your cat?
The Rabbitgoo Cat Harness is a holster-type harness made with a breathable mesh fabric, which keeps a cat cool and comfortable.
The holster can be easily adjusted with two neck straps and two chest straps to find the right fit for your cat. The closure consists of four sturdy buckles on both sides.
The harness comes with a 59″ (150cm) nylon leash. You attach a leash to the metal clip on the back of the harness. It evenly distributes pressure across the chest and shoulders preventing choking or neck injury.
The product also features reflective straps that help to keep a cat visible in the darkness.
The sizing of Rabbitgoo Cat Harness suits better large cats.
Choose Rabbitgoo Cat Harness if:
– you have an easygoing cat
– you travel with your cat in a car, but you don’t keep a cat in a cat carrier
– you have a large cat
– you walk your cat in a calm area without traffic
- Durable and sturdy
- Comfortable, breathable material
- Good for large cats
- Easy to put on a cat
- Reflective strips keep a cat visible at night
- Elegant design
- Smaller cats tend to wriggle out of the harness easily
3. PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness – Best for Travel
Type: Strap, H-type harness
Material: Nylon
Sizes:
Small – Chest girth of 9″-11″
Medium – Chest girth of 10.5″-14″
Large – Chest girth of 13″-18″
Is a leash included? Yes, it comes with a 4-foot bungee leash that stretches to 6 feet for gentle “give” when walking.
How does the PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness hold your cat?
With almost 9,500 reviews, the PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness is one of the most popular strap harnesses for cats on the market. It’s a nylon, H-style harness which comes along with a bungee leash.
The harness has an adjustable sternum slide and dual adjustment points on the girth strap which allow for a snug and safe fit customized to the cat’s body type. The harness is cleverly designed to tighten the chest strap as the cat pulls away and makes it harder to escape.
The harness doesn’t restrain the cat’s moves. Instead of putting pressure on a cat’s throat or neck, it puts pressure on a cat’s shoulders, preventing choking.
The bungee leash is elastic and it gives a cat a soft stop in case of harsh pulling.
Choose the PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness if:
– you have an easygoing cat
– you are traveling long-distance with your cat in a cat carrier and you need a harness for additional security
– you walk your cat in a calm area without traffic
- Although it’s a strap harness, it’s quite hard for a cat to escape
- Light and easy to put on a cat
- Doesn’t restrain cat’s moves
- The bungee leash gives your cat a soft stop in case it harshly pulls
- The sliding rubber grommet used for adjusting the tightness on the chest is not completely secured and may get looser over time
- Straps twist easily
4. Yizhi Miaow Kitty Harness – Best for Small Cats
Type of harness: Vest/holster
Material: Canvas
Sizes:
XS – Fits 6″-7.5″ Neck girth and 8″-10″ Chest girth, Size 2-4 LBS
S – Fits 6″-7.5″ Neck girth and 9″-11″ Chest girth, Size 4-6 LBS
M – Fits 7″-8.5″ Neck girth and 11″-13″ Chest girth, Size 5.5-9 LBS
L – Fits 7″-10″ Neck girth and 13″-16″ Chest girth, Size 8-12 LBS
XL – Fits 7.5″-10.5″ Neck girth and 15″-18″ Chest girth, Size >11 LBS
Is a leash included? Yes, comes with approx. a 50″ (130cm) long leash.
How does the Yizhi Miaow Kitty Harness hold your cat?
The Yizhi Miaow Kitty Harness is a long vest/jacket-type harness. It closes in the neck and girth areas with velcros aka “magic tape”. The velcros hold very strong and allow to easily adjust the harness size and tightness to the cat’s body.
This harness is made out of lightweight, albeit a little stiff and rigid canvas material. The harness applies pressure to the body and neck of a cat, preventing the cat from choking.
The Yizhi Miaow Kitty Harness comes in a variety of cute patterns so you can choose a harness that will go well with your cat’s fur or personality.
The sizing of this pet harness is suitable for small cats and kittens.
Choose the Yizhi Miaow Kitty Harness if:
– you have an energetic, feisty, or squeamish cat that likes to run away
– you have a small cat or a kitten
- Easy to get on and off a cat
- Easily adjustable thanks to velcros
- Well-made, strong, and durable
- Lightweight
- Comes in a variety of cute patterns
- Sizing suitable for small cats
- A jacket-type harness with a lot of material may constraint cat’s moves
- The ‘undoing’ sound of velcro may scare some cats
- The material is a bit stiff and rigid
5. Supet Cat Harness – Best Budget
Type of harness: Vest/holster
Material: Neoprene
Sizes:
S – Fits 7.3″-12.6″ Neck girth, 9.6″-15.7″ Chest girth, Back length 2.3″-3.5″
M – Fits 7.9″-13.4″ Neck girth, 11.0″-18.3″ Chest girth, Back length 3.3″-4.7″
Is a leash included? Yes, comes with a leash.
How does the Supet Cat Harness hold your cat?
The Supet Cat Harness is a holster-type harness. The size of a harness is adjustable by five adjustable straps and slide clips (2 on the shoulders, 2 on the chest, and 1 on the back).
This harness is made out of lightweight, breathable, soft neoprene fabric, which isn’t too bulky to restrain the cat’s movements. The harness also features a soft edge and resilient cushioning that offer comfort and protection.
This holster-type harness effectively distributes leash pressure across the chest and shoulders to prevent choking or injuries.
Both harness and the leash feature reflective trims that ensure good visibility for your cat at night.
Choose the Supet Cat Harness if:
– you have an easygoing cat
– you travel with your cat in a car, but you don’t keep a cat in a cat carrier
– you walk your cat in a calm area without traffic
- Well-made and durable
- Lightweight, breathable and comfortable to wear
- Comes in a variety of stylish designs
- Reflective trims for good visibility at night
- Affordable price
- Feisty and skittish cats can wriggle out from this harness easily
6. Pidan Cat Harness – Stylish Design
Type of harness: Strap, H-type harness
Material: Soft silk polyester
Sizes:
– Neck Girth 7.8″-12.2″, Chest Girth 10.2″-16.9″
Is a leash included? Yes, comes with a 48″ (122cm) long leash.
How does the Pidan Cat Harness hold your cat?
The Pidan Cat Harness is a strap, H-shaped type of pet harness. The product is made out of a soft silk polyester material with a stylish design. The straps are solid, sturdy, and don’t twist.
This harness is adjustable and comes in one standard size that fits small to large cats. The size and tightness of the harness are easily adjustable with a quick-release buckle.
The harness applies pressure to the body and neck of a cat, preventing the cat from choking.
Choose the Pidan Cat Harness if:
– you have an easygoing cat
– you are traveling long-distance with your cat in a cat carrier and you need a harness for additional security
– you walk your cat in a calm area without traffic
- Although it’s a strap harness, it’s quite hard to escape from
- Doesn’t restrain cat’s moves
- Well-made, strong, and durable
- Lightweight
- Stylish design
- Sizing suitable for small cats
- The straps don’t twist
- The strap that connects the collar to the strap around waist is not adjustable causing waist strap to dig into the cat’s armpits
7. PUPTECK Soft Mesh Cat Vest Harness – Best for Easygoing Cats
Type: Vest/holster
Material: Air-mesh
Sizes:
Small – Neck girth 8″-10.5″, Chest girth 11″-13″
Medium – Neck girth 8.6″-9.9″, Chest girth 11.1″-14.5″
Large – Neck girth 10.1″-13.1″, Chest girth 14.1″-16.1″
X-Large: Neck girth 11.8″-14.3″, Chest girth 14.1″-18.1″
Is a leash included? Yes, it comes with a 59″ (150cm) nylon leash.
How does the PUPTECK Soft Mesh Cat Vest Harness hold your cat?
The PUPTECK Soft Mesh Cat Vest Harness is a vest-style harness. It’s made with a soft, breathable air-mesh material. It doesn’t overheat a cat in the hot weather.
The harness uses velcros on the chest and neck as closures. An extra plastic closure is added to the neck area. It prevents a cat from escaping after getting rid of the velcro.
The product features a double D ring to which the leash is attached. It’s situated in the cat’s back area, which is designed to prevent choking. It evenly distributes any pressure throughout the chest, even if a cat pulls.
Choose the PUPTECK Soft Mesh Cat Vest Harness if:
– you have an easygoing cat
– you walk your cat in a calm area without traffic
- The velcro is strong and doesn’t come undone
- Well-sewn and high quality
- Provides a cushion for cats that like to pull, so it doesn’t hurt them
- An air-mesh material doesn’t overheat a cat
- For some cats, the neck area might be a bit too thick thus restricting the cat’s movements
Best Cat Harness No Escape – Buyer’s Guide
When walking your cat outside, be always prepared for her to slip out of a harness, even if she wears the best one. Never underestimate the power of these agile and super flexible animals!
Why a cat needs a harness?
There are many reasons why you would like to use a Pet Harness for a cat. The most popular reasons for using a cat harness are:
– To walk your cat outside and get her more physically active and mentally stimulated
– To take your cat to a vet
– To travel with your cat
– To take your cat on a plane or to the car
Before walking your cat in a new harness, first, train your cat to walk in a new harness inside the house or in your garden where she can feel calm and safe.
When walking your cat, always try to go behind her. The biggest chance for a cat to wriggle out of a harness is when you are in front of your cat’s head. It allows a cat to pull away and get out of the harness. Try not to face a cat when walking.
What should you be looking for when choosing a harness for your cat
1. Although there are no 100% escape-proof harnesses, you should aim to find one that makes it most difficult for a cat to escape.
2. You should be looking for a harness that is comfortable, doesn’t hurt, and doesn’t restrict your cat’s movements.
3. A harness shouldn’t put pressure on the cat’s neck, because it may choke the cat.
Never try to walk your cat just in a collar. Not only it is super easy for a cat to slip out from the collar. Walking your cat with a leash attached to a neck collar is very dangerous for a cat.
Collars put all the pressure on a cat’s neck and throat. In case of a sudden movement, the collar can cause a neck injury or choke a cat.
How to measure a cat for a harness
Many cat escapes are not a fault of a cat harness itself. Cat escapes could often be avoided if the owner knew how to choose an appropriate size of the cat harness. So, it’s very important to measure your cat before buying a cat harness.
To know what size of harness your cat needs, you need to measure a cat’s girth. To measure the girth, wrap the measuring tape around the deepest part of your cat’s rib cage behind the front legs. The picture below explains how to measure a cat’s girth:
Types of cat harnesses
1. Strap harness
Strap harnesses are usually made of nylon. They’re very lightweight and tend not to restrain the cat’s movements as much as the vest-type harnesses, which feature a larger fabric area. It’s easier for a cat to slip out of a strap harness, than from the vest-type pet harness.
The strap harnesses are the best for the following types of cats:
– Easy-going, calm cats
– Old cats
– Trained cats
– Cats that may be scared of the loud sound of velcros (typically used with vest-type harnesses)
2. Vest/Holster/Jacket harness
Vest/holster/jacket-type harnesses, in general, provide more security because they have more fabric. Although not 100% escape-proof, it takes a bit longer for a cat to escape from a vest-type harness. On the flip side, more material may restrict a cat’s movements. It can make a cat feel uncomfortable when wearing it.
The vest-type harnesses are the best for the following types of cats:
– Young cats
– Squeamish and nervous cats
– Rescued cats
– Cats that have been abused in the past
While walking your cat in a harness may prevent her from escaping and running away from you, it won’t prevent your cat from catching a disease. Whenever your cat gets outside, you lose control over whether your cat will catch a disease or not.
Only keeping your cat inside a super clean house 24/7 will keep your cat safe from unwanted germs and bacteria. Note that even a 100% indoor cat may still get fleas or other bacteria if they were brought to the house on the shoes. Read an article on how to get rid of cat fleas to know more about this topic.
Best Cat Harness No Escape – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do cats need to be walked?
Cats don’t need to be walked, but walking an indoor cat outside may have a very positive impact on her physical and mental well-being. Cats that spend all their time indoors can get bored and depressed, the same as humans.
So, walking your cat and letting her discover a bit of the ‘world’ may go a long way in making her more physically active and mentally stimulated.
If you are afraid that your cat will get fleas, there are many good flea treatments for cats that can help cut the risk of catching them.
2. Do cats like the walks on leashes?
In general, most cats don’t like to be walked on leashes and to be restrained by a harness. You may find it difficult to get your cat in the harness and on the leash. When walking your cat on a leash and in a harness, she may also get scared and try to escape.
To make your cat less scared and more easy-going try giving her before a walk a cat calming product such as a cat calming spray or calming chews. It will make her more relaxed and she will let you walk her with more ease.
3. Is it cruel to harness a cat?
It is not cruel to harness a cat provided, you attach a leash to a special cat harness and not to a collar. Never attach a leash to a collar because a collar puts pressure on the cat’s neck and it can choke and even kill a cat.
Instead, attach a leash to a cat harness. If a cat harness has an appropriate size and your cat feels comfortable in it, there is nothing cruel in harnessing your cat.
4. Will my cat come back if I let him outside?
If you let your cat outside in a calm area, for example in your yard, with no disruptions around, your cat should come back to you.
In case your cat runs away in a busy area, for example in the city, she may never be able to find the way back to your apartment.
That’s why, when you want to walk your cat outside in a busy area, such as a city, always have your cat in a harness and on a leash.
5. Is it weird to walk a cat?
Walking a cat on a leash is still deemed weird by a lot of people because it’s not a usual sight. In fact, walking a cat is not weird at all. It’s very important for your cat’s physical and mental well-being.
If you are worried about what other people think about you walking your cat outside, try avoiding busy streets. Instead, walk your cat in calm and green places like parks and gardens. It may be also a good idea to go for a walk together with a like-minded friend so that you can feel more confident walking your cats together.