An important aspect of equipping your cat for adventures in the great outdoors is finding a well-fitting harness. Most cat owners prefer harnesses for leash walking since they are safer and reduce the risk of choking or soft tissue damage to your cat’s neck. How do you select the best cat harness with so many to choose from?
Below, we’ll outline our favorite cat harnesses available in Canada and give you some pointers on choosing the best one for your cat.
A Quick Look At Our Favorites in 2024
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | Voyager No Pull Mesh Harness |
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Best Value | FUNPET Mesh No Pull Pet Harness |
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Premium Choice | Gooby Comfort Adjustable Cat Harness |
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Best for Kittens | INVENHO Mesh Cat Harness |
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PetSafe Kitty Harness & Leash |
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The 10 Best Cat Harnesses in Canada
1. Voyager All Weather No Pull Mesh Cat Harness – Best Overall
Size: | Small through extra large |
Material: | Breathable mesh with Velcro closure and heavy-duty metal D-rings |
Care: | Machine washable |
Closure Type: | Pull-on |
Our pick for Canada’s best overall cat harnesses is the Voyager All Weather No Pull Step-in Mesh Cat Harness. This harness comes in five sizes and 16 colors to suit every cat and cat owner. It has an extra-secure closure system, including a buckle strap and Velcro. Heavy-duty D-rings allow for secure leash attachment.
As the name implies, the harness can be used in any outdoor condition. The mesh material allows for breathability and comfort at any temperature, and it’s non-irritating, so it doesn’t matter how long your cat wears it.
- Variety of sizes and colors
- All-weather material
- Double security closures
- Not recommended for kittens
2. FUNPET Soft Mesh No Pull Pet Harness – Best Value
Size: | Extra small and small |
Material: | Polyester, breathable mesh |
Care: | Machine washable |
Closure Type: | Snap |
This soft mesh harness is the most affordable harness on our list, making it the best cat harness in Canada for the money. It is available in two small sizes and seven color variations to match your leash.
This vest-style harness has a padded inner layer with a mesh outside to keep your cat comfortable while walking. Using an adjustable strap, your cat can walk into the harness while you secure it with the snap closure.
- Budget-friendly
- Sturdy and comfortable for your cat
- Breathable, machine-washable fabric
- No buckles to adjust neck holes; the harness has to be pulled over your cat’s head
3. Gooby Comfort X Step-in Adjustable Cat Harness – Premium Choice
Size: | Small through extra large |
Material: | Suede |
Care: | Machine washable, hang dry |
Closure Type: | Buckle |
This choke-free harness from Gooby comes with a supportive x-frame and microsuede trimming for ultimate comfort. While it comes in four sizes, it can be adjusted further using four adjustable nylon straps on the body of the harness, giving you a range of 12.5 inches to 26 inches.
The X-frame is designed to distribute pressure evenly across your pet’s body so there is no discomfort or injury from leash pulling. All in all, this is our premium pick for the best cat harness available in Canada.
- Easy to put on
- Adjustable neck and chest straps
- Comfortable x-frame
- Good for large cats and kittens
- Not recommended for chewers
- Expensive compared to other harnesses
4. INVENHO Mesh Harness for Cats with Leash and Seatbelt – Best for Kittens
Size: | Small |
Material: | Nylon |
Care: | Machine washable |
Closure Type: | Snap |
This nylon harness comes with a matching leash and seatbelt to take your cat on the go and is perfect for kittens and small cats. It is designed as a cat harness rather than a dog/cat harness, so it perfectly fits your tiny feline’s body.
The D-ring on this harness is strategically located to prevent your kitten from choking, and two snap buckles make it easy to take the harness on and off without holding your cat. This harness provides good ventilation and comfort and is made of strong nylon for ultimate durability.
- Leash and seatbelt included
- Snap buckles for easy fastening
- Breathable nylon
- The neck hole isn’t adjustable
5. PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness with Bungee Leash
Size: | Extra small through large |
Material: | Nylon |
Care: | Machine washable |
Closure Type: | Buckle |
If you’re looking for a simple cat harness that’s also durable and comfortable for your cat, the PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness is the perfect solution. It has a dual adjustment system to fit any feline comfortably, and the D-rings at the back provide restraint without causing your cat discomfort.
This harness comes with a bungee leash that matches and easily attaches to the harness. It is designed to apply gentle pressure on the shoulders, making it suitable for kittens and large cats.
- Suitable for all ages and sizes of cats
- Snap buckles make it easy to put on and off
- Better pressure distribution than other harnesses
- Made from chew-proof material
- Entirely constructed from straps
- No mesh
6. Voyager Fully Adjustable Step-in Mesh Pet Harness
Size: | Extra small through large |
Material: | Mesh |
Care: | Machine washable |
Closure Type: | Buckle |
Voyager’s adjustable pet harness is durable and made from ultra-breathable mesh for comfort in any weather. It is made with two layers of material to decrease neck pressure and reduce the possibility of choking. Because it’s adjustable, it also allows you to customize the harness fit to your cat and prevent rubbing or chafing.
There is a snap buckle to help you put the harness on and off, and two D-rings distribute the leash pressure evenly. This harness also features reflective piping for nighttime visibility.
- Adjustable neck and chest straps
- Two-layer construction
- Snap buckles for easy wear and removal
- Not recommended for kittens
7. Eagloo Escape Proof Soft Mesh Cat Harness
Size: | Extra small |
Material: | Mesh |
Care: | Machine washable |
Closure Type: | Clip, snap |
Eagloo’s harness is a jacket-type design with a large surface area for comfortable wear. It is made from a lightweight, breathable material and has double-stitching to provide extra durability. The extra soft fabric of this harness makes it safe for cats with sensitive skin.
Two quick-release buckles allow you to attach or remove the vest, and four adjustable straps are designed to accommodate any body shape. For nighttime walking, the harness has reflective strips.
- No-escape jacket-type harness
- Soft fabric
- Fully adjustable
- It may not be as escape-proof as advertised
- Not available in large sizes
8. Puppia Authentic RiteFit Harness with Adjustable Neck
Size: | Small |
Material: | Polyester |
Care: | Hand wash only |
Closure Type: | Buckle |
Nine color variations are available for the Puppia harness, making it easy to find one you like. This harness has two quick-release buckles and one snap buckle on the chest for easy adjustments, and the breathable mesh will keep your cat comfortable during long periods of wear. The material is also water-repellant, so it’s okay if it gets wet.
- Quick snap buckles
- Adjustable neck and chest straps
- Air-mesh material
- Complicated design, hard to adjust
9. Escape Proof Cat Jacket Harness and Leash
Size: | Large |
Material: | Canvas |
Care: | Machine washable |
Closure Type: | Hook and loop |
This cat walking jacket is designed for cats who weigh between 4 and 11 pounds. There are two mesh layers to provide breathability and ventilation. Rather than typical buckle closures, this jacket has Magic Tape Velcro and hook and loop closures, making it virtually escape-proof.
- Jacket-style escape-proof harness
- Mesh layers for comfort and breathability
- Safe for kittens
- Velcro eventually wears out
10. SCENEREAL Escape Proof Cat Harness and Leash
Size: | Medium |
Material: | Polyester |
Care: | Hand wash only |
Closure Type: | Hook and loop |
Scenereal’s escape-proof cat harness is manufactured in three sizes. However, only the medium size is currently available. This is another jacket-style harness with Velcro closures, but it also has buckles and clips for adjustment and to secure the harness if the Velcro fails.
The soft, breathable fabric will keep your cat comfortable in various temperatures, and two D-rings provide better support and control than single D-ring harnesses. One drawback to this jacket harness is that it is only available in one blue denim colour.
- Jacket-style, escape-proof harness
- A leash is included with a harness
- Three closure options: Velcro, buckles, clips
- Two D-rings provide better control
- Only size medium available in Canada
- Only available in one colour
- Hand wash only
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Cat Harness
This guide provides a reference to help you choose the best harness for your cat. There are different types of harnesses and other factors that can help you decide which of the ten harnesses on our list fits your needs.
Cat harness styles
- H-harnesses or leads are comprised of several straps that attach to a leash on a single or double D-ring.
- Vests cover a small portion of your cat’s body and slip over the head or attach around the neck. Vest-style cat harnesses are also called step-in harnesses.
- Cat jackets cover a greater portion of your cat’s body and look like a jacket. They are the most escape-proof type of harnesses.
H-harnesses or leads
As stated above, strappy harnesses cover very little of your cat’s body. They usually connect to the back of the cat’s neck to evenly distribute pressure and come in various sizes. The Come with Me Kitty Harness is a classic example of an H-harness. It can be adjusted to fit your cat and is comfortable to wear.
The major downside to these harnesses is that cats can slip out of them relatively easily, so they must fit snugly. Most cats must practice walking in the harnesses indoors before adventuring outside.
Vests
The greater coverage provided by vest harnesses makes them an ideal option for cats who like to wriggle out of other harnesses. Most of the harnesses featured in this article are vest-style harnesses, which are the most popular type of cat harness.
Most are made from a breathable material, and some are made for all-weather adventuring. Some even feature reflective material for nighttime visibility. What’s great about vest harnesses is that they secure your cat without causing any movement restrictions.
The biggest downfall of vest harnesses is that most are made for dogs and don’t have neck adjustments. Some cats don’t like putting their head through the harness.
Jackets
We recommend a jacket-style harness for cats who don’t fit into vest harnesses. They are designed for cats, so they fit well and buckle securely to stay on your cat. Jacket harnesses are virtually escape-proof, and your cat won’t be able to wiggle out of them.
Jacket harnesses are also ideal for people who walk their cats in cold weather since they add an outer layer of warmth for your feline companion. If you live in a hotter climate, a jacket harness may be too warm to walk your cat in hot weather; look for a vest harness with breathable material or an H-harness.
If your cat is sensitive to certain sounds, they may shy away from the Velcro sound when putting the harness on and off.
Sizing a cat harness
Regardless of the style of harness you choose, the fit is an important factor in ensuring your cat is comfortable and prevents escape. To measure your cat for a harness, you must measure their girth and neck. It’s best to use a cloth measure tape and measure the size snugly against your cat’s fur.
Most harnesses have sizing instructions on the package (or the website). Use the manufacturer’s size chart and your cat’s measurements to determine which size you need.
As a general rule, size charts will look something like this:
Size | Neck | Girth (chest) |
S | 8 to 11 inches | 11 to 15 inches |
M | 10 to 15 inches | 13 to 18 inches |
L | 12 to 22 inches | 15 to 22 inches |
If your cat measures between sizes, we recommend sizing up. As you can see in the cart, there is an overlap between sizes. Most harnesses are also adjustable to snug up the fit within each size. Your harness should be snug but not tight. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to fit a finger or two between the harness and your cat’s body.
Are harnesses for cats different from harnesses for dogs?
If you’re clicking through the selections on our list, you will find that some of them are also sold as dog harnesses. That doesn’t mean you can only use the product for dogs. There is very little difference between a dog harness and a cat harness. The shape and structure are identical; the only difference is the size.
Harnesses that are made for small dogs will also fit cats. If you use the size measurements from the manufacturer, it doesn’t matter whether you purchase a “dog” harness or a “cat” harness.
Summary
It’s important to have a cat harness that fits your cat well and provides the ultimate security and comfort for outdoor adventures. Hopefully, the reviews above help you make the perfect selection for your needs. Our top pick for the best overall cat harness is the Voyager All Weather Mesh Harness. It is durable, safe, and comfortable in any kind of weather. The best value for the money is the Soft Mesh No Pull Comfort Padded Cat Harness Vest. It has many of the features of premium cat harnesses but at a budget-friendly price point. For kittens, we recommend the IVENHO Mesh Harness. It comes with a leash and a seatbelt for ultimate kitten safety on the go.
Featured Image Credit: Laura Sanchez-Ubanell, Shutterstock
Contents
- A Quick Look At Our Favorites in 2024
- The 10 Best Cat Harnesses in Canada
- 1. Voyager All Weather No Pull Mesh Cat Harness – Best Overall
- 2. FUNPET Soft Mesh No Pull Pet Harness – Best Value
- 3. Gooby Comfort X Step-in Adjustable Cat Harness – Premium Choice
- 4. INVENHO Mesh Harness for Cats with Leash and Seatbelt – Best for Kittens
- 5. PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness with Bungee Leash
- 6. Voyager Fully Adjustable Step-in Mesh Pet Harness
- 7. Eagloo Escape Proof Soft Mesh Cat Harness
- 8. Puppia Authentic RiteFit Harness with Adjustable Neck
- 9. Escape Proof Cat Jacket Harness and Leash
- 10. SCENEREAL Escape Proof Cat Harness and Leash
- Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Cat Harness
- Summary