Cat harness: main types and DIY options

08/25/2018 Pet supplies Share

Does a cat need walks? Every pet owner decides this question independently. It will be useful for your pet to take a walk outside, walk on the grass, breathe fresh air, and feel the beauty of life.

But letting a cat go unattended on the street is dangerous: the animal can get hit by a car, get scared, run away, or fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, for safe walks, it is recommended to wear a cat harness on your pet when walking.

Of course, you can purchase a harness for a cat, or you can make it yourself, at minimal cost. How to quickly and easily sew a harness for a cat with your own hands - as easy as shelling pears! We invite you to sew a leash for your cat with your own hands with detachable wings.

What is a harness

A cat harness is a device that is attached to the animal's neck and back and connected to a leash. Straps are important because it is dangerous to tie a leash to a cat's collar. Unlike dogs, cats have a soft throat, and too much pressure on the throat area can cause internal injury or suffocation.

The cat feels great in a harness

Types of harnesses:

• H-shaped. They have a short strap that lies between the shoulder blades with loops sewn to both ends. The upper loop is smaller and is attached around the animal’s neck, the second is larger and clasps the body under the front legs;
• eights. Identical to H-shaped harnesses: they have a short top loop and a large bottom loop. The only difference is that there is no straight belt between them; in the figure eight they are connected to each other by a small jumper, externally forming the number 8;
• vests. Shaped like the letter H using durable fabric. They are attached to the neck and body under the front legs of the animal;
• V-shaped ones have 2 loops that are attached behind the cat’s front legs, on the neck and torso. The loops are connected by a long strap that runs across the cat's chest. From the front, the harness looks like a V.

Difference between a harness and a collar

The main difference when comparing harnesses to collars is that they reduce the risk of neck injury. They also cause fewer restrictions for breeds that are prone to breathing problems or tracheal collapse.

Important! Collars are attached to the neck, which can cause suffocation of the animal in certain situations, while a harness for a kitten or cat, due to several belts, distributes the load over the back and chest.

Why a harness and not a collar with a leash?

Alas, friends, the collar is not suitable for mustachioed and striped ones for city festivities, because:

1. This is a traumatic type of control: it puts direct stress on the furry’s neck. With a sharp jerk, a pet can cause injury to its delicate throat and cervical vertebrae.
2. Unreliable type of fixation. The cat, I don’t know how, but somehow miraculously almost always manages to pull its head out of the collar and gain the long-awaited freedom. Then catch the runaway on some tree.

You should know:

It is easiest to train a furry pet to go for walks at a young age. And an adult animal, when trying to walk for the first time, can get very stressed: break out of the collar, run away, and get lost. Therefore, a harness is a more reliable and convenient option.

How to make a harness with your own hands

House for a cat: options for how to make it yourself

If you decide to make a cat leash with your own hands, below are step-by-step instructions for creating it in the form of a vest with Velcro on the chest.

Step 1. Take measurements of your pet: neck circumference, near the shoulders, length from the neck to the middle of the chest (straight line), chest circumference around the middle of the chest. If you visualize these three parameters, you will get two circles (one larger than the other) and a straight line between them.

Measuring a cat to create a vest

Note! Instead of a zipper or buttons, it is more convenient to use Velcro to close the vest. It allows for minor changes in the size of the cat and provides reliable protection of the vest around the body, even when the leash is pulled.

You can find and download a vest template online or make your own. For the second option, you will need the dimensions of the cat, paper, a pencil, a ruler or measuring tape, and possibly an eraser. The harness will be assembled in two parts, but since all the parts are the same size and shape, you will only need to draw one design.

Vest diagram

Step 2. Create a diagram. The paper to be used should be at least the same width as the circumference of the animal, plus a couple of centimeters, and the same height as the length of the cat, also taking an extra couple of centimeters. You will need a sheet of paper at least 45 cm wide and 20 cm high for the drawing to fit completely. If there is no material of this size, you can glue 2 sheets of paper. Newspapers, posters or something similar are suitable for work.

The exact shape and design can be anything, but each part measured on the cat must be the same size as in the drawing.

Important! Since you will need to add Velcro to the two pieces on the chest, you will need to make sure that both sides of the fastener are touching each other.

To make sure you have trimmed the fabric enough, add 1cm to the perimeter of the design. This space will be the distance between the very edge of the fabric and where the stitches will be.

Need to leave some free space

Step 3. Cut out the template. Once it is completed, it should be cut out and tested on the cat. If any parts do not fit, you need to draw a new template and try again.

Step 4. Preparing the necessary materials.

For a vest according to the diagram above, you will need thick fabric (outside) and lining (inside). You will also need any protective fabric, nylon straps, a D-ring, thread (the same color as the fabric) and sew-on Velcro.

Note! You can use regular fabric as a lining.

Required Items

Any type of fabric can be used, but lightweight cotton is easiest to sew with. An alternative for the outer part of the vest can be fleece. For the lining, you should consider satin.

Protective fabric is usually used to strengthen or thicken another type of fabric. It should have the same weight or less than the fabric that will be the main one.

The nylon webbing should be at least as long as the middle circle of the vest. The thicker the strap, the more difficult it will be to sew with a regular needle.

The D ring needs to be wide enough to fit the nylon tape through. For example, if you buy a D-ring that is 1.5cm wide, the nylon webbing should also be 1.5cm wide, and vice versa.

To make a vest, you will need a sewing machine, an iron, a tape measure, scissors and straight pins with a ball at the end. If you don't have an iron or sewing machine, you can try asking friends and family if they can borrow these items. You can sew a cat harness with your own hands if you can’t buy a sewing machine. But it will not be as strong as if it were sewn on a sewing machine.

Necessary equipment

Step 5. You need to cut out the fabric, lining and front protective fabric. Next, you should lay everything out on the table vertically in front of you and attach the diagram using straight pins. The fabric should be cut to the size of the drawn diagram plus 1 cm of seam allowance.

You need to cut the fabric according to the silhouette of the design

For convenience and to reduce time, you can put a piece of fabric, a lining on it and a protective material on top of each other and secure the pattern through all three layers. If these 3 layers are too thick (a pin won't easily go through them with the design), you will have to do them separately.

Step 6. Sewing the parts. You need to start sewing from the wrong side, folding the edges so that all the seams are inside the vest. Correctly align all sections of the fabric and sew the future vest along the entire perimeter. Then you need to turn it out and iron it.

It is better to sew all parts on a sewing machine

Step 7. Add a ring to the strap at the back of the harness where the cat's spine will be. But before sewing the nylon straps, you should make sure that the D-ring is threaded with the rounded edge facing out. To make this part durable, use a sewing machine to sew nylon straps to the back of the vest. Please note that some nylon straps can be quite thick.

Important! If you decide to use a very thick webbing, your sewing machine must have a suitable needle.

How to attach a ring to a vest

Step 8. Sewing Velcro to the jacket. Make sure the Velcro is non-adhesive. While sewing, glue can get on the needle and ruin the internal workings of the sewing machine. It is important to remember that they will overlap each other: one part of the Velcro should be on the inside of the fabric, and the other part should be on the outside.

At the end, Velcro is sewn to the vest

Step 9. Attach a rope or elastic band and pull a little to check the strength of the sewn ring. The harness and vest for the cat is ready.

Ready-made vest on a cat

Hand Made - necessity and love for creativity

Imagine that you are a handmade master and have created a real masterpiece in which your kitty will walk like “Mr. Cat” or “Princess”. Even the “Angel of Goodwill” can be demonstrated to everyone. A homemade suit will definitely be in the singular.

Let me note that the creative process can become a collective family activity: children love to help adults. As a result, the cat's family will become many times friendlier and stronger.

When choosing a design, new ideas and fantasies always come, and there is the Internet to help. The search will immediately offer various patterns that you can use.

Experienced needlewomen easily, simply come up with a style or model on their own in different color combinations. Craftswomen just have to see a few interesting features with their own eyes, and their imagination and hands will work at their best. And a new masterpiece will turn out quickly and without a pattern.

But for beginning cat fashion designers, of course, they will need step-by-step instructions to help them cope and please themselves and their furry little paw with a vest for a walk.

How to properly put a harness on a cat

After you have selected the most comfortable harness, you need to follow the step-by-step recommendations on how to put a new item on your animal. Dressing methods differ depending on the type of harness used.

DIY dog harness: step-by-step instructions

Eight:

1. You need to figure out how the figure eight harness should fit on the cat. The smaller loop will slide over the cat's head and does not need to be undone. The large loop should go around the cat's chest and be undone.
2. Thread the animal's head through the small loop. The place where the loop connects to the connecting strap should be just above the cat's shoulders. Using a small loop above the cat's head, you need to move the strap so that the middle of the figure eight lies on the back between the shoulder blades.
3. Connect a large loop around the cat's body. You need to take the ends of the larger loop and draw them under the chest. Check for kinks and straighten them, then fasten the buckle.
4. If the loop is too small to fit on your cat's chest, you will need to increase the length slightly using the sliding adjustment on the harness.
5. Check the fit of the straps: 2-3 fingers should fit between the harness and the cat.

Important! Adjustments should be used to lengthen or shorten the loops so the cat feels comfortable and secure.

Cat in eight

H-harness:

1. Find the short strap (rear) and hold it. Place the cat's head through the smaller loop. Lower the straight strap to the cat's shoulder blades. Unfasten the large loop and wrap both ends around the animal’s body under the front paws. Fasten the loop.
2. Observe the main condition: the harness should fit snugly, but be loose enough so that you can insert 2-3 fingers between it and the cat. When putting it on for the first time, it is worth adjusting the size to fit the cat.

Cat in an H-harness

Harness-vest:

1. Unfasten the Velcro on the vest and place it so that the upper part is on the neck and the lower part is under the front paws. Fasten the Velcro under the cat's neck and belly.
2. If the animal is cramped, adjust the pressure using Velcro.

V-harness:

1. Lay the device on the floor, spreading the loops for the cat's paws as far apart as possible.
2. Place the cat over it so that its paws are in the side loops.
3. Raise the harness and close the clasp on the animal's back.

Cat in a V-harness

Types of walking equipment for cats

Manufacturers offer a large number of models. Their appearance and name depend on the shape of the belts and their connection to each other. For example:

1. The 8-shaped ammunition is made of two rings of straps and is shaped like a number;
2. The V-shaped harness differs from the first type by the addition of a lower jumper. It runs along the tummy and relieves pressure on the purr's neck. And the straps themselves cover the cat’s neck on both sides and resemble a letter of the Latin alphabet. This model does not prevent the fluffy from moving freely during a walk.
3. The H-shaped model differs from previous harnesses in the presence of an upper jumper; a belt ring is securely attached to it.
4. Cat clothes with a fastening ring act as a beautiful, comfortable harness. The models are made in the form of colorful vests or insulated overalls. Often, cat owners like to make this type of equipment themselves.

The photo shows the main types of walking equipment:

How to train a cat to wear a harness

DIY cat scratching post: options at home

Not all cats are going to tolerate a harness right away, especially Scottish breeds. There are methods you can use to teach your cat to wear it. If they don't work or your cat is stressed by it, you should stop and consult your veterinarian before continuing to train her.

• Let the cat recognize the harness. You need to put it nearby and allow the cat to independently become interested in the new object and sniff it. You can give her a treat while she does this. You should associate positive things (like treats) with the harness to make her less afraid.
• You need to put the harness on the cat, but do not fasten it. You should pet her and encourage her with gentle words to keep her in a good mood. This should be done several times.
• After she gets used to feeling something on her back, you need to put on a belt and connect the parts with Velcro while praising her. Some cats may just walk around as if nothing is wrong, others may try to fight with the harness or pretend they can't move. You should leave the belt on for a while. Repeat this several times, increasing the time the cat stays in the harness.
• When the owner feels that the cat is ready, you can attach a leash, go outside with her and let her walk.

Important! It is necessary to monitor and control the cat while it is outside, especially when using the harness for the first time.

Denim harness

To work, you will need to cut the following parts from jeans:

• two front parts of the belt with loops for a belt and a button;
• the back element of the belt with a yoke and belt loops (it will be larger than the front);
• one back pocket;
• a strip along the jeans, 6 to 8 cm wide and about 1.5 meters long for a leash.

You will need two buttons or rivets and a carabiner with a half ring. Sequence of work:

1. Sew 2 front pieces of waistband to the top of the pocket.
2. Attach the back element with the yoke to the bottom edge. Make sure that the belt loop is aligned with the center line of the pocket. The result should be a harness resembling the shape of the letter H.

3. From the finished loop, you need to measure a distance equal to the circumference of the neck, and sew on a button or put a rivet. The upper part of the harness will fasten around the animal's neck.

4. It is necessary to make a loop at a distance equal to the circumference of the chest, and sew another button. You can use a rivet instead. The lower part of the harness is attached to the cat's chest.

5. Try the finished product on your pet. The denim pocket should be located on the back of the crampon, and the belt loop on the back of the jeans waistband will be used to attach a carabiner.

Using the above pattern in the shape of the letter H, you can sew a harness from other materials.

In order to make a leash, you need:

• fold a long strip of fabric in half, fold the cut edges and sew them;
• on one side, make a loop for easy holding, on the other, sew a half ring with a carabiner into a small loop.

Cost of a leash for a cat in a pet store

The range from which you can choose a leash for kittens and cats is quite wide in any pet store. The harnesses come in a variety of colors that can be adjusted. You can also find cat harnesses made from different materials: decorative knitted or reflective. Prices are influenced by the type of harness and brand recognition. The cheapest ones can be found for 150 rubles. Vests are a little more expensive. The average price for all types is 300 rubles*

The variety of harnesses is impressive. Designed for the safety of animals, they make walking with them calm for the owner. You can buy leashes at a pet store, order online, or make a harness for your beloved cat with your own hands. But it is worth remembering that the main factors when choosing this device should be the convenience and comfort of the animal.

*Prices are as of August 2021.

Buy or make it yourself?

The main advantages of a purchased product: speed, quality, variety. Manufacturers know exactly the needs of animals and select designs taking this knowledge into account.

On the other hand, an individually made accessory for a pet is the pride of the owner. It will definitely arouse interest among your friends, and you will be able to share your experience. Besides:

1. Saving money;
2. No pain in choosing between quality and beauty;
3. Uniqueness of the product;
4. Equipment tailored to your measurements will fit your pet better than store-bought ones.

Any leash or harness can be sewn from scrap materials. If desired, you can decorate it with ribbons, rhinestones, sew on a collar or a butterfly bow. Here it is up to you to decide how to approach this matter with creativity.

Features of making ammunition for kittens

The principle of making harnesses for kittens is practically no different from the process of making equipment for adult cats. Instead of denser fabrics, you can use softer ones - fleece, cotton, velor.

Kittens quickly get used to everything new

After completing the vaccination, you can start training your cat for walking - let him play with an object, smell it, even sleep. Do this until the baby gets used to it and stops responding to the harness. In the future, a mature kitten will calmly react to changes in equipment and will not be afraid of the street or walks.

For the smallest dogs

For decorative dogs, the harness has already become a mandatory accessory. For example, four-legged dogs with thick necks, such as pugs, French bulldogs, etc., are much more comfortable walking on a harness. And for miniature, fragile canines with a delicate throat and thin neck (Yorkshire terriers, Chihuahuas, etc.), it is also better to offer soft velor harnesses rather than collars.

And you can decorate the finished product with whatever your heart desires: crystals, rhinestones or thorns, as long as the decorations do not harm the animal.

What you need for fleece slippers

Having decided to start sewing fleece slippers, you first need to stock up on consumables. The main consumable for this process will be fabric - fleece.

Important! Fleece is a synthetic non-woven material that absorbs moisture well and retains heat. It costs much less than natural wool or cotton. In fabric stores, fleece is presented in several types, differing in the method of production and the density of the fabric.

The advantages of the fabric include the following:

• hypoallergenic;
• ability to pass air;
• lightness and wrinkle-resistance;
• strength and wear resistance.

Disadvantages include susceptibility to electrification and the fact that fleece attracts dust, wool and other small debris. The use of special products that remove static electricity for washing and caring for various types of fabrics will help to cope with these disadvantages.

Interesting! Fleece is used for sewing home and casual clothing for adults and children. It is used to make toys, towels, blankets and is used for upholstery of upholstered furniture.

You can purchase fabric at any store that sells handicraft supplies. A large assortment of plain and multi-colored fabrics allows you to choose something suitable for any purpose.

H-shaped harness: pattern and photo

H-shaped harness With this accessory, the leash is attached below the level of the shoulder blades so that the load falls on the chest. It is optimal for walking large pets and cats with an elongated body. This accessory is formed by thin straps and is similar to its vest-shaped counterpart. To make it yourself, you can use nylon or coarser fabric. If your pet is not yet accustomed to such a holding device, soft material is preferable.

Having decided to sew your own holding device for your tailed pet in the shape of the letter “H”, you need to prepare:

• nylon or cotton piece of fabric 1–1.5 cm wide;
• igloo;
• threads (it is advisable that their color matches the shade of the material, otherwise the stitches will stand out);
• tape measure;
• scissors;
• metal ring.

Step-by-step work:

Read also:  How to place a cat in a shelter forever or give it to foster care for a while
• Take your pet's measurements. To make the product, you will need the following indicators: neck circumference (A) and chest behind the forelimbs (B), back length from the base of the neck to the point where measurement B was taken, chest circumference (C).
• Cut the blank for the jumper from the fabric, taking into account parameter C, making an allowance of 2 cm on both sides.
• Make loops on the workpiece folded at the ends for subsequent placement of the main retaining loops.
• Prepare a chest strap taking into account length B with fasteners at the ends. It is best to use plastic locks. Velcro is not very reliable.
• Make a neck strap of length A in the same way.
• Pass the jumper through the ring to attach the leash. You can simply sew it tightly.
• Thread the straps through the loops on the jumper and adjust their length to the size of your pet.

Answers to the most common questions

• How to put on a harness? First of all, you need to choose a product of the appropriate size. So, one finger should fit between the cat's body and the straps. If the distance is greater, the cat will slip out of the harness during a walk. First, the animal is allowed to sniff the accessory, only then can it be put on.
• At what age should a pet be trained to wear a harness? Many veterinarians recommend accustoming a cat to a leash from 2–3 months, since kittens easily get used to new things, which means that even in adulthood, walking on a leash will not cause discomfort.
• How to train an adult cat? The animal needs to wear the product for several minutes, gradually increasing the time, so that the pet will get used to the unusual sensations. For your first walks, you should choose deserted places. There should be no cars or many other animals here.

• A cat should not be walked without the necessary vaccinations, as it can become infected on the street.
• Small kittens should not be walked because their immune system has not yet developed.
• Outdoor walks are not recommended for cats over 10 years of age, since such adult animals will not be able to get used to the harness, and walking itself will lead to severe stress.
• Pets who have recently been ill or have undergone surgery do not need to be walked. This also applies to pregnant cats.
• You should not try to train and walk animals that are very cowardly or too aggressive.

In order for a walk to bring only positive emotions to the cat, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of its character. You should also make sure of the quality of the harness and learn how to put it on. Thanks to this, the cat will be able to explore new territories without causing the owner to fear for the safety of his beloved pet.

In what cases is the use of a harness prohibited?

• If an animal is not vaccinated, veterinarians prohibit it from walking outside. A cat can catch the disease from street animals.
• It is not recommended to take small kittens outside. The immunity of children is not sufficiently developed.
• It is difficult to train cats over 10 years old to wear a harness. They do not recognize an accessory made even from things that are familiar to them. Therefore, it is better to walk them in sparsely populated or deserted places.
• It is not recommended to walk pets with a harness after illness, surgery, or pregnant cats.
• If a cat is terrified of a leash or begins to behave aggressively at the sight of a harness, you should not try to force train it.

Master class on making an accessory

Like any handicraft, making a collar is a very exciting and interesting activity. We offer you a simple and easy process that will not take much of your time.

• First of all, choose the right fabric. It can be any color you like, but the main condition is that it must be dense.
• Prepare a fastener that is easy to use (we discussed their options above), a needle and thread. To decorate the collar, you can take beautiful stones, beads or beads, preferably the same size.
• Measure the volume of the cat's neck with a centimeter. From the selected material, cut a narrow strip, no more than 2 cm.
• Glue or sew pebbles onto the prepared base so that the distance between them is the same. Carefully attach the clasp so that the collar can be easily removed and put on at any time.

When choosing fabric for a collar, pay attention to the density of the material

Using this template, you can easily make a collar of any kind, giving free rein to your imagination. The main thing is to remember a few simple rules:

• Do not use very heavy jewelry. It will be uncomfortable for the cat to walk in a collar that bends it to the ground. It is better to decorate the product with fewer stones or beads.
• If you want to decorate the collar with ribbons, secure them so that they do not interfere with the cat's walking. Carefully secure the tape on all sides, otherwise it may unravel, blocking the cat's view, or, worse, get caught on something.
• When choosing material for a collar, pay close attention to its composition. Some types of fabrics can cause allergies in both humans and cats. Leather is considered the optimal material for a collar.

Tip: To find out if your pet is allergic to fabric, place the selected material near the cat for a while. If the animal does not react for a long time, you can use this fabric to make a collar with your own hands.

Important nuances

Before making a harness, you need to decide which model of accessory will suit your cat. At this stage, you shouldn't care about the appearance, just the characteristics.

Among cat harnesses, the most common models are:

• X-shaped – suitable for adult cats accustomed to walking.
• H-shaped - suitable for training to walk and for kittens.
• Vests are light and insulated - a universal accessory that should be selected strictly according to size.

Carefully evaluate all the pros and cons of accessories; special attention should be paid to the choice of material and type of fasteners. Before sewing the harness. We recommend that you carefully examine the accessories offered in pet stores. The advantage of purchased accessories is that almost all of them are adjustable in size... although, with a little more time, you can sew adjusters into a homemade harness.

Important! A cat harness should not be heavy, bulky, or made from straps that are too wide.

It would be great if you visit a pet store with your pet and ask to try on several types of harnesses. Not all cats are happy with accessories; most of them protest and even bite. It is important for you to decide which harness model is comfortable when putting on. It is worth understanding that the accessory must be put on quickly and without unnecessary movements.

Note! It is wisest to accustom your cat to the neck from childhood. You don't have to take your kitten for walks, but babies adapt to new things much faster.