Harness training

[Vermin]

I’m collecting a pair of kittens in a shade over a month. It’s been a long time (21 years) since I had kittens and I’m less laid back about outdoor risks than I was then, but I’m also aware of how much my cats loved sitting on the fence and watching insects, and lying out sunbathing. I’ve also come to love the bird life that came back into the garden as the cats hit about 15 years old! I’m therefore looking at harness training and would appreciate any input in type of harness / training / whether to try both at once or go one by one etc. Thanks!

I used this grey one to start with but now use the rainbow one. It's a bit lighter and he also managed to get out of the grey on. Before the grey one id bought one you had to put over his head but had no chance doing that. I dont think my cat was bothered about wearing, just walked a bit funny when he first has it on because of the weight. I dont walk him, I just have him tied to a long lead and keep an eye on him in the garden.

Thank you! How long had you had him before you tried (& therefore when he escaped he knew his way back?!)

We are looking at doing this for our cat - she has just hit 4 months, is it best to start putting the harness on when they are still little and inside so they get used to it?

Definitely - but be prepared that lots of cats never take to harnesses no matter how much you try!

other options are cat tents or outdoor cages. Omlet to a nice one that is quite big for a reasonable price. you may also find that as they grow you are more comfortable letting them out. Harness training is still a good idea so you have it as an option.

Thanks @helpfulperson - I’ve been looking at those too, and stupidly expensive catios!

We were in the garden with him so he didn't manage to escape the garden but got out of the harness. We had him a month I think. We always supervise him. The rainbow one is more like a collar and then another behind the front legs, I think this is supposed to be harder to get off.

I just put it on him. The grey one he was a bit of a pain putting it on but once it was on it didn't seem to bother him

This photo was about a year ago

We do also have a catio so if we don't have time to supervise he goes in there but prices have gone up loads since we bought ours

That’s one well coordinated kitty! Thank you!

I think I’m looking at cat wheels and harnesses before catios having seen the prices of anything half decent. We are in the country so it’s more foxes I’m worried about than cars

We also have a cat wheel. He is spoilt 🤣 he goes on it every so often for a short burst. We got it from amazon on black Friday.

Yeah they are expensive. I think ours cost around £1000 over all. I looked not long back and the standard version of ours had gone up £400 not including the extras we got.

My parents want to put their 12 year old, Drama queen of a cat on a harness, so he gets used to his new neighbourhood. I think they might need to manage their expectations. Especially as I've told him, not to settle for anything less than a custom made Mynwood walking jacket. 🤣🤣🤣

I've tried to harness train two kittens, twelve years apart, one would just rigidly flop on his side and the other goes crazy and tries to fight his way out of it. Not sure what the answer is, first cat eventually just went outside by himself, new car isn't a year old yet and has only been in the garden a couple of times with us as a small ish kitten and as soon as he started bolting around I brought him in. He's desperate to go out though and honestly getting a bit tubby, so I think come the warmer weather hell have to come out with us again. He is now clicker trained so that should help with recall (Bengal)