Are cat harnesses and leads okay to use?

There may be a valid reason you’re concerned about your cat exploring the great outdoors, including:

• You might live near a busy road
• Neighbouring dogs may spook your feline friend
• Perhaps your cat is nervous and you’re worried about them going missing or being stolen
• You don’t want your cat to be hunting birds in the garden.

Because of these reasons, you may be looking for a way to allow them outside while keeping them safe. This is often when a harness or lead might be considered.

Could my cat wear a harness?

All cats have their own personalities and behaviours. Some cats may tolerate wearing a harness or lead, but others won’t, even from a young age. Generally, you might find your cat reluctant to wear one. The risks mentioned below suggest it may not be safe to harness train your cat, no matter how tolerant they are.

How might a harness or lead affect a cat’s natural instincts?

Considering your cat’s natural instincts and responses, using a harness or lead could potentially be very scary and stressful for them.

Fight or flight

Cats are naturally a flight animal. They have a built-in response to run away from danger and to hide in a safe place, usually up a tree, or back into the home where they feel safe. Use of a harness would take this natural reaction away from them, causing them to become stressed and unhappy. This might have negative repercussions with being outside or towards the owner who is holding the lead.

Hunting

Another natural instinct of your cat is to hunt. Some owners may try to prevent hunting by introducing a harness or lead. This can be very frustrating for a cat and even cause behavioural issues similar to those we sometimes see in indoor-only cats. They may show aggressive behaviours towards you or others in the home, including pets.

Risks of using a cat harness or lead

There’s a risk you’ll lose your grip when using a harness or lead if your cat tries to escape. The harness could then get caught on something. Given that cats like to climb, this could be a very dangerous situation.

It’s important to consider your cat’s overall well-being. Even if they appear willing to wear a harness or lead, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re happy about it, especially when they’re outside wanting to play and hunt.

Taking your cat or kitten outside wearing a harness will allow them to experience a few sights and sounds while keeping them close to you. But they won’t be able to enjoy the experience of roaming freely while hunting and playing as they wish. Socialising your kitten is really important to their development, and restricting them may lead to unwanted behavioural issues.

Providing a suitable outdoor space for your cat

If you’re still concerned about letting your cat out without a harness or lead, there are several things you can do to ease your worries. We have plenty of tips on making your garden safe for your cat.

Unable to give outdoor access?

If you can’t give your cat an outdoor space, or they choose to spend a lot of time indoors, there are things you can do to help them stay entertained and happy. Take a look at our indoor cat article to find out more.

Looking for more advice?

If you’re looking for more cat advice or enrichment ideas for your feline friend, please visit our dedicated cat advice page where you’ll find plenty of helpful guides, tips and projects