Supervision is key to allowing cats outdoors safely, and one of the best ways to ensure your cat stays close is to harness train them. This protects them from predators, disease, cars, and more. It also helps your local ecosystem, as outdoor cats are estimated to kill 2.4 million birds each year and have aided in the extinction of 63 species. Even well-fed cats will hunt for fun!
Harness training should be a slow process that begins indoors. Teach your cat to associate the harness with treats without putting it on, then work up to them wearing it. Finally, you’ll want to work on leash skills and recall (coming when called).
In this article, we’ll start by discussing some safety tips and then dive into how to harness train your cat.
Harness Training Safety Tips
- Use a harness, not a collar. Breakaway collars can be used to hold ID tags, but not to connect the leash to. Cats can easily slip out of collars, and they put more pressure on the neck than harnesses.
- Choose a well-fitting harness made specifically for cats. If the harness is too loose, your cat can break free.
- Make sure your cat is vaccinated and on parasite prevention medication. Even though they won’t be wandering freely, your cat can still pick up parasites or illness from being outdoors.
- Train recall before going out. Recall means your cat comes to you when you call them. This is important if you need to pick up your cat quickly or if they get loose. You’ll want to start this training indoors without distractions, but work up to distracting outdoor environments to perfect the skill.
- Have a plan for loose dogs. Unfortunately, in many areas you’re likely to encounter poorly-trained off-leash dogs. Most people keep a cat backpack on hand for these situations, while others train their cats to climb onto their shoulders or a tree so they’re out of reach.
- Know the area and stay vigilant. Always make sure the area is safe before bringing your cat out. Look for loose dogs, toxic plants, and other dangers. Once outdoors, remain aware of your environment.
- Be consistent. Once you harness train your cat, they’re going to want outside! Walk them at the same time every day so that they know what to expect. This results in less crying at the door, and fewer attempts at escape.
How to Harness Train Your Cat
1. Getting Used to the Sight and Smell
Some cats are immediately agreeable to a harness, while others take much more time. The first step is seeing how your cat reacts to the sight and smell of the harness.
If your cat approaches the harness, sniffs it, and rubs against it, you can likely skip this step. I had this happen with one of my cats and he was super easy to train!
However, my more skittish cats tend to circle around new items like harnesses, jumping like they expect movement. For cats like this, you don’t want to put the harness on yet.
Instead, work on building their confidence to approach the harness or have it touch them. Here are some ways to do so:
- Leave the harness out for them to inspect in their own time, and reward with treats when they do
- Sprinkle catnip on the harness to encourage your cat to approach and interact
- Place the harness far away from their favorite spot and ease it closer each day
- Toss treats, starting at a comfortable distance and easing your cat closer
If your cat shows signs of fear or stress, take a step back. Toss a treat across the room so they can regroup, or put the harness away and try again tomorrow.
It’s important to take things at their pace, no matter how slow–after all, this is meant to be a fun activity, not a punishment!
2. Lifting the Harness and Adjusting to Noises
Next, you’ll want to get your cat used to you picking up the harness, moving it around, and approaching them with it. If they allow this, continue by allowing them to get used to the sounds the harness makes, such as the buckle locking in place. This will make it less startling when you actually put the harness on.
If your cat is more hesitant, take a few days or weeks to desensitize them. You can use similar methods as those listed above–toss treats whenever you pick up the harness, or use catnip to make it more enticing.
While it’s tempting to rush the process, remember that going too quickly can drastically set back your progress. Let your cat set the pace.
3. Using Treats to Guide Your Cat Into the Harness
Don’t force the harness onto your cat during this step. Doing so can cause fear of the harness and set you back to step one.
Instead, adjust the neck hole of the harness so that it’s loose. Hold it up and use treats to entice your cat to put their neck through the harness themselves.
Some cats will do this immediately, while others need more time. Start with the treat in front of the harness and gradually move it back, until your cat willingly and consistently puts their neck into the harness.
Then, you can work on tightening the neck hole while your cat is distracted by treats–a lickable treat is perfect for this step since it takes more time to eat.
4. Wearing the Harness Indoors
Some cats will now be ready for you to put the harness on and buckle it fully without a problem. Others may benefit from a slower process, such as securing the harness around their neck while leaving the chest strap unbuckled. This gives them more range of motion, as the feeling of the harness around their legs seems to be the most difficult step for most cats.
Start by letting your cat wear the harness for only a minute or two and gradually work your way to longer sessions as your cat becomes comfortable. Then, if needed, repeat this step with the harness fully fastened.
Always supervise your cat in their harness and block off unsafe areas, such as beneath beds, where the harness might get caught.
5. Adding the Leash
Once your cat is comfortable walking around on their own, move on to short walks around the house with the leash attached. Some cats will warm to this immediately–I saw this happen with my very clingy cat who enjoys being by my side even without a leash.
I’ve also had cats pull on the leash and get frustrated at not being able to go wherever they want. For these cats, I’d start by letting them lead you. Then, slowly work in a recall to get them to follow you.
Remember that most cats won’t leash train like dogs, heeling perfectly at your side. Also remember that their walks are for them. It’s okay to let them be in the lead, even outdoors, so long as where they want to go is safe.
6. Carry Your Cat Outdoors
Carrying your cat outdoors, rather than letting them walk out the door, is beneficial as your cat doesn’t get to practice walking out on their own. This can lead to door-dashing, or running at the door even when they don’t have their harness on.
The backyard is a great place to start so long as it’s safe. You know your area best–keep an eye out for loose dogs, toxic plants, and other dangers.
In the backyard, your cat can run to the door if they feel unsafe. A fenced yard is also generally the safest place for your cat to be.
If you want or need to start at another location, make sure you have a cat carrier to get them there. Backpacks are great because they give your cat a place to retreat to if they feel (or actually are) unsafe, and they’re easy to carry on your travels.
Start with short adventures and try to end on a positive note whenever possible, before your cat wants back inside. Keep an eye on your cat’s body language to know when they’re getting uncomfortable.
7. Celebrate!
Your cat is now leash trained. You can end here or continue training leash skills, such as following your lead instead of going wherever they want. Some great ways to accomplish this are by tossing a trail of treats as you move or coaxing your cat forward with a lickable treat.
When teaching a new skill, it’s useful to begin indoors where there are fewer distractions. You can then transition to a quiet outdoor space.
Do All Cats Enjoy Going Outside?
Please note that not all cats want to go outside. If your cat seems especially averse to the harness, or immediately runs to the door every time you go into the backyard, they might prefer a strictly indoor lifestyle. Or, maybe they’d prefer lounging on a catio to walking on a leash.
Some people believe that indoor cats are bored and only outdoor cats get the enrichment they need to thrive, but this isn’t true.
A few ways to provide mental enrichment for your indoor cat include:
- Hands-on daily play – Around 15-20 minutes, two to three times a day is good for most cats. A wand toy is most popular for this, but some cats enjoy playing fetch or simply chasing items across the room.
- Independent play – While this doesn’t replace hands-on play, it’s a great addition! Toys that move on their own or wand toys that stick to the window are great examples of this.
- A second cat – The best enrichment for a social species is always going to be a companion. Cats aren’t solitary creatures and they tend to thrive in pairs or groups. (Please keep in mind that introducing new cats is a process, and they’re not always guaranteed to get along or play together.)
- Bird feeders – Letting your cat watch birds from the window is a great way to provide enrichment without putting wildlife, or your cat, at risk.
I hope this article has helped you to leash train your cat–or even to decide that it isn’t right for them. Every cat has their own personality and preferences, so what works for one might not work for another.
Remember to take harness training at your cat’s pace and not to rush the process. And if you do venture outdoors, remember to be safe!