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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Cat harness for visits

31 replies

Monsteraobliqua · 28/10/2023 23:03

It's just a new idea we have thought of but there seem to be mixed thoughts online and I'd be grateful for anyone more experienced with cats to chip in.

We have a fab 4 year old rescue boy who has outdoor access and likes to roam for an hour or so a few times day plus spends plenty of time in the garden. He is happy wearing his collar.

If we went away somewhere cat friendly, or to family, we thought of getting him a harness and lead so he could come out with us (in suitable weather, not very hot or cold) for fresh air and a wander without getting lost.

Do these tend to be a good idea?

I'd prefer it to leaving him at home (we get someone in to feed him daily and use a timed feeder) or in a cattery if we didn't have to but am just not sure in practice how much of a good idea they are.

A lot of stuff online seems to come from businesses or those with indoor cats they want to be able to take outside which he isn't.

OP posts:
margotrose · 28/10/2023 23:05

I really, really wouldn't do this.

The cat will be much happier in its own home, and much safer too.

TeaKitten · 28/10/2023 23:07

I think a cat would really hate this to be honest.

AwkwardPaws27 · 28/10/2023 23:09

I used a harness for a while with our previous cat (we were in a flat, we had a garden but no direct access to it so I'd take him out for a bit). You can't really direct them / lead them around in the harnesses, you have to basically just follow them.

I'd be more concerned about him slipping past someone at the door / through an open window. Then he'd be lost in an unfamiliar area and wouldn't know his way home.

I always use a catsitter who comes in to feed my current two. They are happier at home (& both dislike car journeys too).

Noseyoldcow · 28/10/2023 23:10

Totally depends on the cat. Some are really dog like. But I wouldn't expect a cat who is not used to it to take to a lead.

AnnaMagnani · 28/10/2023 23:12

I would expect the cat to hate it.

Cats like their own territory and routine.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 28/10/2023 23:18

I have an indoor cat who has two walks a day on a lead, and I wouldn't do it.

I have lovely idealistic ideas of taking him on holiday and for a walk in the beach... 🥰 Reality is he would probably hate it!

AppleKatie · 28/10/2023 23:20

I should imagine the cat would hate it and likely fight the harness. If they did go along with it I would think they would be stressed and anxious throughout. I don’t think they’d get anything out of it.

Boymum2104 · 28/10/2023 23:21

My cat won't even keep a collar on plus likes his own environment. When we went on holiday for 1 weeks in laws took him to their house & he hated it!

Original poster
Monsteraobliqua · 28/10/2023 23:35

Pretty unanimous, thanks everyone! Doesn't sound a great idea.

When it comes to a longer holiday, is it ok to leave them for 1-2 weeks with a daily cat sitter plus timed feeder or would that necessitate a cattery. I'm not sure about a live in house sitter.

OP posts:
AppleKatie · 28/10/2023 23:39

I would say that’s probably preferable for the cat. We do that or a cattery if we can’t get family to visit daily (generally twice daily, my parents spoil Dcat).

Boymum2104 · 28/10/2023 23:39

Monsteraobliqua · 28/10/2023 23:35

Pretty unanimous, thanks everyone! Doesn't sound a great idea.

When it comes to a longer holiday, is it ok to leave them for 1-2 weeks with a daily cat sitter plus timed feeder or would that necessitate a cattery. I'm not sure about a live in house sitter.

We leave our cat for 1 week with a cat sitter twice daily, never had any issues, we tried him at our in laws but he hated it and they had to bring him home half way through. Haven't tried 2 weeks yet though!

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 28/10/2023 23:39

We've used cattery and pet sitter and I would use the pet sitter again. Our cat has hated going to catteries and always unsettled when we return. When we had the pet sitter for four days (first and only time but most recent) she was much happier when we got home. Cattery is uprooting them and they're likely kept in an enclosed space so no freedom.

margotrose · 28/10/2023 23:40

Monsteraobliqua · 28/10/2023 23:35

Pretty unanimous, thanks everyone! Doesn't sound a great idea.

When it comes to a longer holiday, is it ok to leave them for 1-2 weeks with a daily cat sitter plus timed feeder or would that necessitate a cattery. I'm not sure about a live in house sitter.

I'm a cat sitter and have looked after cats I their own homes for up to a month while owners travel - it's never been an issue.

nicknamehelp · 28/10/2023 23:42

Left mine for a week with cat sitter visiting daily. They were fine bit off for 30 minutes when we arrived home but a few dreamies and bit of a fuss and they were purring. Our cat sitter lovely and has 6 cats of her own so not only do they get fed but played with and fussed. We tried a harness but after using it once they refused to have it on again.

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 28/10/2023 23:44

My cat becomes liquid if you put her in a harness. No matter how tight the harness is or how much of her body is in there, she melts, pours herself out of it, and escapes. No chance of relying on it for containment purposes. And holding onto a cat physically when then are scared is like putting yourself in a shredder!

Original poster
Monsteraobliqua · 28/10/2023 23:48

Thanks everyone

Yes, I worried it might be a bit that way with a cattery since he's fairly recently been in a rescue centre.

OP posts:
Original poster
Monsteraobliqua · 28/10/2023 23:49

Oops! Tried to reply to @teaandtoastwithmarmite

OP posts:
Gardengirl108 · 28/10/2023 23:56

I bought a harness and lead for when we recently moved house and I was transporting our cat by car 250+ miles. Vet had given us something to calm her for the journey to reduce her stress. I had visions of regularly stopping at a grassy area to feed her and let her wander a bit on the harness and lead. She was out of the harness In 2 seconds flat (even the one that the online customer reviews said was escape proof). It was a nightmare. She cried the entire journey. I would let him go where he wants to go at home (as he’s an outside cat) - he knows what he can handle. And get a cat sitter if a cattery isn’t the right solution for your cat for when you go away. Our cat hates a disruption to her routine - she’s 12.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 29/10/2023 00:13

Monsteraobliqua · 28/10/2023 23:48

Thanks everyone

Yes, I worried it might be a bit that way with a cattery since he's fairly recently been in a rescue centre.

DH won't let Leroy go to a cattery for the same reason - except we've had him for 7 years now 😂

We have a sitter and, quite frankly, the look of disappointment on his furry face when we come home is just bloody rude.

AnnaMagnani · 29/10/2023 00:23

My cats prefer cattery.

One is especially neurotic and she doesn't cope with being at home but us not being there and her routine being wrong.

Is fine in cattery and back to normal at home after a couple of hours.

MrsSkylerWhite · 29/10/2023 00:32

Most adult cats hate harnesses, I really wouldn’t.

Toddlerteaplease · 29/10/2023 01:44

You'd never forgive yourself if you lost him

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 29/10/2023 03:30

YesItsMeIDontCare · 29/10/2023 00:13

DH won't let Leroy go to a cattery for the same reason - except we've had him for 7 years now 😂

We have a sitter and, quite frankly, the look of disappointment on his furry face when we come home is just bloody rude.

Show quote history

This made me laugh. Mine’s the same. She loves her live-in sitter and barely opens one eye when I come home. 😹

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 29/10/2023 03:48

For about 5 years we used to book the same holiday cottage (twice a year) for a regular event we attended. We used to take our cats with us and because it was isolated we let the cats outside. They appeared to absolutely love it (there were climbable trees that they didn't have at home).

I probably wouldn't do it now (too old and sensible 🤣) but it worked very well.

SmokeyToo · 29/10/2023 04:06

Cats are all about territory first, people a distant second. All cats hate being removed from their territory and for some, it can cause life-threatening health issues - stress-induced FLUTD, stopping eating and or drinking, etc. If you can, a pet sitter at home is your best option. Your cat will be much happier and safer. You might get presented with your cat's rear end for a day or two as punishment for leaving him, but that's about it.

As for the harness, they are very unreliable. A terrorised cat will escape from a harness to get awat from that perceived terror, faster than you can say, "WTF?!" I used to have a beautiful, huge Maine Coon boy who was perfectly fine on a harness and lead, but something scared him one day while we were on the terrace of our home and he was out of the harness and off over the rooftops like a bat out of hell.