Today we tried to tackle the harness situation with Fiona. She was very tolerant, but she slips out of every harness. Even when it's very tight. What's a good harness you have used? She's a little over 5 pounds and 4 months old. She's so flexible and I'm just worried she will get out. She almost did today on our deck. Thankfully she's scared of outside as of right now haha.

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There isn't a cat harness that is 100% escape proof. The closest I have come is the H-type harness but even that kind has to be as tight as you can make it and I still don't trust that Quasar won't escape if he is trying hard enough.

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~ Kyenta

There are three types of harnesses:

The figure 8 harness has one clasp at the neck. It is not very secure and puts pressure on the neck.

The figure H harness has two clasps. One at the neck and one on the back. I use this harness for my kitty. Can he escape? Yes and he has! But it's by far the best. The harness needs to fit securely. You should be able to slip a finger underneath the straps -- and that's loose enough. This harness is adjustable and will grow with your kitty.

The walking jacket is made of fabric, fastens with velcro and is made especially for your kitty. There is very little adjustment as your kitty grows. Some cats feel secure with the fabric around them and others do not like it.

Now, with that being said -- you NEVER take your kitty outside until they are completely comfortable wearing just the harness. This means, they don't lay down and act like they are paralyzed, they don't fight the harness. They are able to walk around as if they aren't even wearing a harness. This may take several times of putting the harness on the kitty. You can try to distract their attention with treats. Once a kitty realizes it can walk wearing a harness, they are okay. Many cat owners put on the harness, attach the leash and take the kitty outside! That's not the way you do it! It may take minutes (as in the case of my bengal) or weeks of working with them, putting the harness on and off of them. Don't be in a rush. You want your kitty to be completely confident wearing the harness.

Know that initially your kitty won't be walking very far and they do tend to stop a lot and smell everything. Walking your kitty can be a wonderful experience for the both of you. I carry a large towel with me in the event I need to sit on the grass while kitty sniffs or I need to snap it at an approaching dog. In great weather, Raiden even meows at me to put the towel down so he can lay on it. He tend to take up the middle part, leaving me with a small edge to sit on. But, I love him!

a clarification to my earlier post: by "H-type" harness, I meant the "walking jacket" type which looks like an H when it is opened up and spread out.....well....sort of like an H.

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~ Kyenta

The "H" style harness is completely different from a walking jacket with fabric. I think the "H" is less restrictive as it's only two straps. I'd love to find a nice thick sweater type walking jacket for winter time. When it's really cold, Raiden still wants his walk. He has somewhat of a thicker coat these days, but it is not enough in 10 degree weather -- and I won't usually take him out unless it's sunny and above freezing.