Harness for a cat: types, subtleties of choice and the rules of training

Cats are considered playful animals that love long walks in nature. Most of the owners of these "pussies" live in apartments. To protect pets from escaping, they restrict their access to independent access to the street. In order for the cat to be able to walk, in this case, special leashes are used, which can be purchased at any pet store.

The harness, or as it is often called the “leash for the cat”, is a device designed to hold the pet during his walk on the street. A cat leash looks exactly like a dog leash, the only thing that it is fixed not on the neck, but between the shoulder blades of the animal. Harnesses are used in cases where the cat needs to be taken outside the house. This can be not only a walk in the fresh air, but also a trip to a summer cottage, a visit to a veterinary clinic or exhibitions.

Thanks to this design, walking the cat becomes much easier, as he is kept and constantly under control. This is especially important when an animal falls into an unfamiliar environment and begins to panic and climb to a height from fright, after which it is extremely difficult to get a pet from a tree or other place. In addition, cats in such situations can simply run away, hiding in a quiet shelter and then they can not be found.

The same applies to trips to the country, where free-range is allowed only a few days after the pet gets used to the new situation. To speed up this process, the owners need to walk the cat daily on a leash, gradually introducing him to the surrounding area. The main advantages of cat harnesses include:

• the possibility of a comfortable and safe walk with the animal on the street, which will provide both the pet and its owner positive emotions and well-being;
• the presence of control over the cat, he will not be able to run away and climb a tree;
• the ability to adjust the distance between the animal and its owner;
• investment of trips to the country house, exhibitions and to the veterinary clinic.

As for the shortcomings, they are also available.

• Cats at the sight of harness can panic, break out and become nervous. Animals try to get rid of the leash in any way and often harm themselves.
• The leash and harness need to be securely fixed, otherwise the pet will easily free and run away. Then it will be difficult to find him.
• Models made from cheap fabrics and low-quality material quickly break. The harnesses of well-known brands serve for a long time, but are expensive.
• It is not recommended to use these devices for kittens who are under 5 months old. Their body is not yet adapted for private access to the street and they can easily "pick up" any infection.

In addition, experts advise to refuse to walk on a leash in the following situations:

• in the absence of the necessary vaccinations in the animal;
• after a previous illness or surgery;
• during estrus.

Before you decide to buy a cat harness with a leash, it is important to take into account the fact that many pets have difficulty adapting to unfamiliar conditions, so some of them are contraindicated for such walks. They will not be of any use, and stressful situations will negatively affect the animal’s immune system and cause cardiac pathologies.

Harnesses are usually sold complete with a leash. They consist of two collars, one of which is fixed on the neck of the cat, and the second on the stomach. Therefore, it is very important when choosing a particular model to pay attention to the parameters of the animal and buy the harness that would not be too small or large. The leash is attached to the harness using a special ring. Its maximum length can reach 2.5 m, there are also models with a length of 4 meters.

Today on sale you can find a huge assortment of cat harnesses, which differ in the material of manufacture. Most often, this accessory is presented in dense fabric and tarpaulin, but it is best when the harness is leather. In addition, products can differ in color and decor options, models decorated with stripes and rhinestones are very popular. To participate in exhibitions, pet owners, as a rule, acquire original harnesses. For ordinary walks, you can give preference to cheaper options.

The most common types of harnesses include the following.

• Overalls. They are considered universal, because they can additionally protect the cat from cold and pollution. On the back of the accessory there is a ring with which you can attach the leash. Thanks to the chic choice of colors and design, the harness-overalls are easily selected for every taste.

• Harnesses in the form of a vest. Similar models are equipped with fasteners to which you can quickly attach a leash. They are reliable in operation, but not suitable for summer, as the pet will be hot in them. In addition, many experts believe that such vests limit the freedom of movement of the cat.

• Collar Leash. It is ideal for complaisant and calm cats. To make your pet feel comfortable in him, you need to choose the right size. The harness should not freely hang around the neck or crush it.Accessories of this type in the form of a figure of eight are very popular. Products consist of two loops fastened among themselves, one of which is put on a pet’s neck, and the second on front legs on the body.

The place of connection of the loops falls on the back (between the shoulder blades), a ring for connecting the leash is fixed to it. The hinges have a convenient adjustment, which is carried out using special fasteners. This allows you to adjust the size of the harness to the specific dimensions of the cat.

Also found on sale and V-shaped dog collars. They are similar to ordinary harnesses, the only thing is that the straps are interconnected under the chest.

Choosing a walking harness for a cat should be guided not only by personal preferences, but also take into account that the accessory is convenient and safe for the animal. If you pick up a product of poor quality or not corresponding to the size of the pet, then it can quickly break. Therefore, when choosing a vest or harness, you must pay attention to the following indicators.

• The dimensions of the cat. Take measurements from the animal in advance. The chest circumference is usually measured (behind the front paws).

• Material. Harnesses should be made of a dense, but not coarse material. In addition, the accessory should be easily washed. A good choice are products made of nylon, they do not rub the cat's body and fit snugly. Nylon harnesses allow you to securely fix the animal and are suitable for too active and young pets. Cats aged can buy cotton accessories, because during walks they do not show much activity. For "fluffy" who have delicate skin, harnesses on a fleece or felt lining are suitable.

• Leash sizes. It is best to purchase a leash up to 15 mm wide and at least 2 meters long. It should be easily detachable. Usually, all these parameters are indicated on the product packaging.

In the event that the time of purchase falls in the spring or summer, it is best to give preference to the straps from the straps. Well-suited models in the form of vests made of mesh transparent fabric. In them, the cats will be comfortable and not hot. For winter, you need to purchase models of overalls, it will not only protect the walk, but also protect the pet from the cold.

After the cat’s harness is purchased, the most important thing will remain - to put it together and put it on the cat.

Harness with a leash is assembled in accordance with the instructions that are attached to the product. Wear a harness on the cat should be phased, adhering to the following recommendations.

• First of all, the product must be placed next to the pet. He sniffs it, carefully examines it and makes sure that an unfamiliar thing does not harm him. It is good if the pet plays with the harness for a while.

• Then “fluffy” must be picked up, reassured, stroked and gently talking to him, after which you can start putting on the product. First, put one of the loops on the neck (carabiner up), and carefully push the cat's legs into the second loop. In the case when a model with a fastener was purchased, the pet's paws should be put into the loops one by one, the strap under the belly should be adjusted, and the fastener should be fixed on the back.

• The process ends with fastening the leash to the ring, after which you can safely go for a walk.

The selection and purchase of feline harness is considered only the first step to the implementation of joint walks. The main obstacle to this can be training a cat on a leash, which is very difficult and not so fast. The gradual adaptation of the animal to "innovation" will help accelerate this process. To do this, you need to do everything so that the pet takes it as a game and does not get nervous. It will be good if you start to accustom the cat to the harness from an early age, then less effort and time will be spent, and the animal will not get stress.

If the owners do not have experience in training a cat for a leash, then experts recommend sticking to the following recommendations.

• The first few days you just need to put a harness with a leash next to the animal, this will allow the cat to get acquainted with the subject and get used to it. In addition, the product is saturated with the smell of a pet and will not seem dangerous to him.

• Then you can begin to put on a cat harness. Moreover, if he breaks out and gets nervous, then he should be distracted by a toy, a treat, or simply stroked. A similar procedure must be repeated every day, allocating a little time for it. As soon as the cat gets used to the harness painlessly, a leash can be attached to it.

• Starting a walk on a leash is best in a home environment. Pet must not be pulled in different directions. The owners need to be patient and give the cat time to get used to the new feeling. If you constantly pull the leash, the pet will simply lie on the floor and will not want to move.

• When the walks around the house were successful, you can go outside with a cat. At first, they choose a deserted place to which the cat needs to be delivered in a basket or carrying. After the owner with the cat has arrived at the place of walk, they open the carrier and wait until the pet independently gets out of it. The pet will choose a place for his walks, the owner just needs to follow him.

• Since various situations can happen on the street, it is recommended to wear a pendant on the cat’s collar containing information about the owner’s contact information and the address of the animal. If it is lost, then the search will be faster.

• You can not go for a walk with kittens whose age is less than 6 months. The kids still have weakened immunity, on the street they can quickly become infected. The same goes for cats that have never seen a leash in their life. It is worth abandoning walks with an animal who has a postpartum or postoperative period. It is not recommended to take pets with a cowardly and aggressive character on the street.

• As soon as you walked in deserted places, you can gradually go with your pet to squares and parks. First, you need to hold it in your hands, then gently lower it to the ground and observe the behavior. If the cat will behave scared and wary, do not worry, this is normal. The pet needs time to get used to the new terrain.

• During walks it is impossible to force the animal to walk, the owner should only walk after it. It should be reconciled with the fact that not the owner, but the pet is walking it. Over time, the situation will change for the better, and walks in the fresh air will turn into a real pleasure.

In the next video, you can learn how to properly dress and train a cat to harness.