(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best cat collars, harnesses & leashes

I have a Hurtta Adventure Y-harness meant for dogs! My kitty is pretty large for his breed at nearly 6 kg (13 lbs), so a dog harness worked best. A thick Y-harness was chosen because of the seatbelt usage and because this particular one is reflective, so I only have to put a reflective vest on him when we're out in the woods during hunting season. With smaller cats I've used cat harnesses, but the ones that have only one strap on the back and none under the belly haven't really worked.

The most important thing is fit and buying one that can be adjusted around the neck. If a cat can fit their head through without adjusting, they can back out of it. The recommendation is tightening up until you can only fit two fingers under the straps.

This type has in my experience been the most escape proof. When it's tight enough it's incredibly hard to wiggle out, because it covers a large surface and it's tightened when it is already on the cat. If the band around the neck isn't adjustable, escape becomes much easier.

This type is okay and I've never had a cat escape. I have heard of escapees though. If the band under the belly moves around instead of being fixed to one spot a cat can get their paw under it a bit easier.

When I've been called to set up traps for someone's cat that has escaped from a harness, it's usually something like this or this. Bad adjustability, nothing under the belly and very easy to get on (and off).

1. I have 3 wonderful cats, [Spoons, Charly & Nona] (http://imgur.com/XYhveFe) and they have [this tie] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009Y32VZG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=SB72OW29MGM1&coliid=I28K9OJN7KG43Z) would look super dapper on Spoons!
   
2. Buy a clicker. It's a tiny plastic box with a metal flap on the inside that you press and it makes a clicking noise. It's a great way to train your pets. They cost about $1 and are near the checkout at the pet stores. There are plenty of videos on YouTube that can give you great ideas. [Like this!] (http://youtu.be/7TxvHDVX2rQ)
   
3. A Lily by any other name
   
   Thanks so much for the contest! Lily is super cute!

I have had this cat bow tie collar on my wishlist for the longest time, and it would look absolutely fantastic on my cat. She's white and fluffy. I ordered one of these once before for a friend's cat and was surprised at how high quality it was and have wanted one for my cats ever since. She honestly probably wouldn't care if she was wearing it - or at least she'd forget it was there after a minute or two. :) I don't know if that is prime-eligible, but I fear not. Just because of that, here is something else I want within that price range:

The green tea... root beer... sounds like it could be absolutely amazing or completely disgusting! I love that idea! It comes in a four pack so there would be enough to share. As far as drinks go as well, that price is actually really good for Amazon, I am surprised.

And if all else fails, there is always one of my favorite movies, of which I don't own. ;)

Thank you! We tried a few collars, I am the family researcher. We started with a denim collar (URPOWER Dog Leash Harness Adjustable & Durable Leash Set & Heavy Duty Denim Dog Leash Collar for Small, Medium and Large Dog, Perfect for Daily Training Walking Running https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GYJD24G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_DD8ZAbPZ1SZCC) that was excellent. Specifically, it was soft and fit very well. The Xolo escaped once and I found the pink one as a improvement. So far no escapes. I do wish the fit was tighter on the front.

Here is the pink one:
Didog Soft Flannel Padded Dog Vest Harness, Escape Proof/Quick Fit Reflective Dog Strap Harness,Easy for Training Walking,Hot Pink S Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077CX4J9H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_3y8ZAb5JWCX4V

Finally, I HIGHLY recommend the below for pulling xolos. She learned very quick that she could not get away with her “rooting and pulling” style. Also, I found it helped to get her to “look up” instead on sniffing her way around.

No chafing at all! I pinched her skin once in the buckle, but that was user error and my fault! 🤪

PetSafe Gentle Leader Head Collar with Training DVD, SMALL UP TO 25 LBS., BLACK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00074L4O0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_MG8ZAbBNWJVEB

Hope I was helpful! Would love to see pics of your Xolo!

The zoo is so much fun! I hope you have a great time :) Definitely something that you never grow out of. What is your favorite animal at the zoo? I love seeing all the big cats and the penguins. Also, hell yeah for East Coast ladies!

This collar would look wonderful on my pet Moose.


Thanks for hosting!

Edit: get your zoo on gurl

My SDiT is a psychiatric service dog who helps with my anxiety and autism mostly. He's just big enough to provide pressure therapy for me. He's a corgi/dachshund mix. I run into a lot of trouble with people demanding papers for him or whatever even though they can't ask for dogs in training under local law.

My biggest problem was making it so that people can see his patches, so I just bought this harness last week:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SV69ZM4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details
It has multiple options for what exactly you need it to say. I just added in training patches to it because I don't want to have to buy another harness once he's done training. I haven't taken him many places with it yet, but it's definitely easier to read than the patches that had been on his side.

I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck! I know how paralyzing anxiety can be.

Hello and welcome! My name's Harley. This place is awesome and I'm happy you're here! :) I cook a ton too, let's swap recipes.

I think the silliest thing on my WL right now is this rhinestone kitty collar. I am a total cat mommy and love to spoil my princess. Here's an example of her sitting on me and me not moving for hours. I hope think other cat parents understand!!

Not the person you're replying to, but there's a step-in harness that I use for my cat when it's colder outside and I want her to have more protection.

Generally I use one similar to this with two buckles. It's easier to put on than the other. It's not the exact one I use but I can't find any info on the one I have.

As other posters have said, you want to get your cat comfortable with the harness before you ever go outside, or they will flip and twist and do their best to get out of them. Now my cat associates the harness with walking and will let me put it on her because she knows it means she's going outside. I also make sure I pick her up and take her outside so she doesn't bolt out on her own.

This is my favorite leash training tips video. Catmantoo is an experienced cat trainer and his video worked great for me. My cats aren't very food motivated so I used toys and vocal/petting reinforcement. This video looks pretty good as well. In my experience, finding the right harness is the most important factor. I tested out 5 or 6 different kinds and found that my girl loves a heavier harness that clips around the neck instead of sliding over. Most cat harnesses are really lightweight, bodysuit style, or slide over the head, so I had to get a dog harness for her. She currently has this one, which many other cats also use.

Every cat will be different, I've not had much luck with my kitty but I'm still working with her. I picked up a harness from Walmart, similar to this that fits her decently.

I'm interested in getting her a harness like this, but she's a small cat and I'm generally worried about her slipping out of everything.

Every cat will react differently but you should start slowly. Introduce the harness to him. Then you can move on to getting him in it. He will most likely flop over like it's heavy. Just let him spend time in it and give him treats. Increase the time the next few days, and start using the treats to get him to come to you. Then you can move on to taking him outside. Do not pull him and let him go at his own pace. Try to pick a place that's quiet so that he isn't scared and therefore possibly ruining the experience.

I've gotten to the point of taking my cat outside my apartment door but she eventually walks back to the door as if to say "I don't wanna go anywhere!". I don't have the time to be consistent with her, or maybe she doesn't see the "benefit" in being in the harness as we haven't been outdoors, or she may just not even care to be outdoors. Hopefully though, she'll warm up soon! Good luck to you.

How big is your bunny?

Some people have had a lot of success with the "walking jacket" style- basically a vest for their rabbit. I find this works pretty well on the "under 7 lb" group of rabbits. Sometimes the strap around the neck is too bulky.

For bigger rabbits, I'm partial to an "H-style harness" (link is to the same brand/style I use). The adjustability makes for a very secure fit and the dual clips allow for easy on and off when you are in possession of thumbs.

Whatever you do, skip harnesses that look like this. Squishing rabbit heads/dewlaps/ears through the nonadjustable neck hole is stressful and uncomfortable. It's very bulky between the legs. They often are made of a stretchy material, which allows bunnies to escape.

Not a brand, but I had better luck with the ones that were vest or "escape-proof", which don't seem to be the ones sold in PetSmart, which are considered H-type. Though those worked on my other generic tabby cats, my Bengal was too lean and could get right out of it. This one has worked for our girl: FUNPET Soft Mesh Dog Harness No Pull Comfort Padded Vest for Small Pet Cat and Puppy Yellow S https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JU4AEQQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oSh0BbNCFRJ78

She is about 7 pounds now, if that helps for size reference.

Reflective and break away collar for my kitty

My kitty kid Cassie May.

Thanks for the contest! Sasha is adorable! I want to kiss her sweet face. And there is nothing better than puppy belly rubs!

The harness may be too small for your cat to be comfortable standing up. None of the normal harnesses I found in stores worked for my cat. As soon as I put them on him, he would hug the ground and not move at all, even if I picked him up and put him outside. I finally realized it was because his chest expanded much farther than the harness would allow. Try a fully adjustable one like this single rope harness/leash, and you will probably see a huge difference, as it allows for any size by shortening the lead: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002ASGU4.

HANDMADE ROCKS!

Your stuff is sooooo cool! I get migraines so this would be uber helpful!

I like the puppy paws print or the polka dot print! Linky

Thanks for the contest!

Thank you! He is a bengal. He is so funny and sweet.

The harness is actually from Amazon: Best Pet Supplies Voyager All... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076BVMKW1?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I've used a basic H type harness for my cat for about half a year. She has attempted to desperately squirm out of it a couple of times, and failed, so they might work if you can find one in a large enough size. I've also tried a harness with wide mesh straps like this, and that she got out of effortlessly. So maybe the chest strap in a roman harness makes it easier to wiggle out of, and H type would be better?

A few weeks ago I swapped for a "Come with me kitty" harness, because she likes to run off after mice in the yard (flexi leash with "soft stop") and it seems like the jolt of a sudden stop would be better distributed in it. So far she hasn't got out of this harness, but she hasn't really tried either. The design seems like it tightens when there's pressure on the harness, which should be good. I may swap back to the H type though, feels more secure.

Forgive the link please, I'm on mobile, but it sounds like this might be perfect for your cat. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CYBGYF8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469978757&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=embroidered+cat+collar&dpPl=1&dpID=61JwTfSvdlL&ref=plSrch

She’s wearing an x-small Voyager vest. I bought a small too because she’ll probably grow out of it fast. Here’s a link!

Here's a tie for your dog, because they totally need it!