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Article: How to Measure Your Cat for a Cat Harness -- The Right Way

How to Measure Your Cat for a Cat Harness -- The Right Way

So, you're ready to take your cat safely beyond the great indoors with your "True Adventurer" Cat Harness & Leash set?

Or maybe you’ve spent hours playing Stray and are now ready for IRL adventures with your own fur baby. Fantastic!

Before you buy, make sure you measure your cat so you pick the correct size.

If you have a measuring tape, that works best. If not, you can always do the same thing with string or yarn, and then measure that up against a regular ruler or measuring tape.

If you're between sizes, go for the bigger size if your cat is still growing, or the smaller size if you think they are fully grown.

How to Measure a Cat for a Harness

Step 1: Measure your cat around their chest.

You want your cat's harness to be snug and fitted so they can't get out of it. When you take the measurement, make sure you're getting close and tight up against your cat -- down past all the floof!


via GIPHY

Step 2: Find your cat's measurement on the chart below. 

Once you take the measurement, match it with this size chart.

XS - For teeny tiny kittens

S - For older kittens & small kitties

M - For average sized cats

L - For bigger boned cats

FAQ's

1. How big should a cat harness be? 

Your cat's harness should fit nice & snug. If your cat measures between sizes, we recommend going with the smaller size to ensure a tighter fit. This will make it more difficult for them to escape, and will be less bulky/more comfortable for them too. Most harnesses, like “The Day Tripper” Adjustable H-Strap Harness, are adjustable, so you can fit them to the size of your cat.

2. How do you fit a cat harness? 

To find the best fit for your cat, use the two adjustable straps on our harness to move the harness clip higher or lower on their back. This will make it tighter where you need it to be, ensuring a snug but comfortable fit. 

3. Are cat harnesses cruel? 

Absolutely not! We believe that part of giving your cat an enriching life full of quality time with you, is the best thing for them. Whether that looks like a walk around your yard or a 5 mile hike, is up to you! You ultimately know what is best for your cat, and if they are 100% against trying harnesses or being outside, then try to find some indoor activities to help stir off boredom instead of pushing them beyond their comfort zone. But if your cat is curious to get outside and you want to bring them out & about with you, training your cat to use a harness is not in any way cruel! Just be sure to use it safely and keep an eye on your kitty at all times when they’re outside (a harness that includes a pocket for a GPS tracker, like “The Pathfinder” Cat Harness, can help keep your kitty extra safe, and you can choose from different sized GPS trackers.) It may take time for your cat to warm up to their harness, but with patience, treats & lots of kisses, adventure is pawsible!

4. How long does it take for a cat to get used to a harness? 

Every kitty is unique, and will react to their new harness differently. Expect there to be a little bit of shock or confusion when you put the harness on for the first time. In fact, most cats won't respond positively at all the first time! But that is okay - start to build a good association with the harness by bringing it out with toys at first, using treats when your cat interacts with it, and when you put it on them. Expect this warming up period to take a few days - not hours - and then follow the rest of these steps for helping your cat to get used to their harness. 

 

46 comments

Hello, I love your products.
My cat is big boned and weighs 22.2 lbs. I own two, Large, Adventure Cat Harnesses for him, the Emerald Green and the Metal Mesh, they are too small. He can wear it, but his front leg movement is restricted because the black straps are too tight, even when adjusted to its fullest length.
I added some extensions to the Velcro closures to better fit his girth. However, I also need to add length to the black straps (leash material) that attach at the shoulder and have the plastic clasp & metal leash loops attached to it.
If you please, direct me to find that black straps material for me to purchase. Or perhaps, do you make the Adventure Harness in X-Large, or do you recommend a harness that is a little roomier?
Thank you so much.
Wendy Perlin

Wendy Perlin

I have a very petit, 8lb, 13 yr old lady. She measures 33cm around, is the kitten size (xs) cut differently than the small or would it be ok to use for a full grown cat? Thanks!

Cc

The measuring chart on the page that shows the harness is not the same as the chart that appears under the link for a deep dive to sizing. Which should I use?

Nicole

Any hope of an XL? My Maine coon is a fluffy monster. Even under all the floof, he is over 20" and 25 pounds of the-vet-says-he’s-not-fat.
Thanks

Julia Ziobro

I have a medium average sized cat. For some reason Petco does not have harnesses that will fit him and I’ve tried different stores. I sure wish they would carry a large variety of sizes. Are there any stores you can recommend in the Daly City/San Francisco area of California? Thank you

Michael Allen Fain

my cat is not small.. he’s pretty big but these measurements suggest he should be wearing the Small harness. is that right?

adam

My cat is an exotic shorthair, his waist is 48cm and neck is 23cm. This is usually a large in waist but small in neck for most cat harness size guides. I see your size guide only requires a waist measurement. I’m just wanting to make sure it won’t be too big around the neck area. Any advice?

Melissa

My 3 year old cat is 12 inches around the chest. I’m concerned that the kitten harness (max 11.8 inches) might be too tight but the small (that starts at 13 inches) will be too big and he will slip out of it. What do you recommend?

Kimberly

If my cat is 7.4 lbs and her chest is 12 What size harness do you suggest? She is 9 years old but small

Adele Langdon

Will the large fit a cat with a 21 inch chest weighing 22ish pounds?

Cathy Ablondi

My cat is apparently tiny. he measures between 11-12 inches around the chest (depending on his wiggleness hehehe) He is 3 years old, so, young, but not a growing kitten. He already wears a harness, but it goes over his head to get on, which he does not like AT ALL. That one measures 12 inches around, including the buckle. I want to get him a Travel Cat one, but am concerned that it won’t fit. If I get the kitten size (9.5-11.8") it might be too tight, and the small (13-15.5") seems too big and he might escape it. Any advice or suggestions? I can’t be the only one who has a “tiny” kitty. Thanks in advance.

Kimberly

I purchased a harness on this website after I had unfortunately had a bad incident with Amazon. I moved into a room that had a sliding door. My new apartment gave a new obstacle for me, my cat trying to escape at every single turn. If anybody went near the sliding door she would start sneaking up on the door and trying to get out. Cats are very territorial creatures so that’s understandable. But my cat is my life. She is a purebred 11 year old, young at heart and cuddly, singapura. Faith has more of a personality and soul than most people I know. And I always Want to do the best for her. So when I bought a leash and harness off Amazon and it broke in less than a week I decided I was going to do more research on where I purchased stuff. I found this website and purchased a harness, was excited to see that it was not made in China it was made from New York, and even though the shipping was almost $15 I was very happy to make the purchase. The $10 off coupon made it a lot less brutal as well. Lol. I’ve had the leash for over eight months and I am still just as happy with it as I was in the beginning. My kitten faith and I thank you so much for having this incredible website with these amazing products. I have one suggestion to make. I think you should make cat shoes, like legit cat booties so they can go out in the rain/snow or when the ground is cold, And maybe cat raincoats. Or cat winter coats. I have yet to find a website that makes good shoes for my cat to go outside. Incense animals since temperature through their paws I think it’s pretty vital if you’re going to take your cat for a walk. Plus it protects their paws from things on the ground. Better than that I love this website and highly recommend it to everybody I know.

Chloe leilani

Just wondering. are the harnesses adjustable? I’m hoping my girl will loose some weight!

Maxine Fultz

these gifs showing us how to measure the cat are hilarious! 10/10

Catriona

My cat is old, 13 this year, but small. The vet calls her a pocket cat. The problem I have with harnesses is that she is also looonnggg. If I find something that fits around her, her shoulders are so scrunched she looks uncomfortable. Do you have a product that could work for us? She’s 11" around and 5" from collar to torso strap. I’ve even looked at ferret harnesses….

Laura Augspurg

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Такое может случается банальная Vros-Nogot.Ru несвежесть ног также упущение у общих пространстве, там где реально подцепить воспалением, впрочем все дела решаются, в случае если вовремя спохватиться также начать курс точечного излечения. Ресурс про проблемы ног всместе с ногтевой пластиной ацикловир противопоказания – ресурс, какой охватывает все темы по расстройства ноготков и обеспечивает интересными публикации, которые пользователи получат шанс задействовать собственно как разъяснения касательно заключению этого вопроса. Удобно, есть под всякой статьей Вы сумеет прочесть комментарии также индивидуальный практику ото читателей с обнаруженным заболеваниях.

vrosnogotEi

I have two Scottish Folds, one is 3 and the other is 14 months. They both measure under 12”. The size for this is the XS, I am skeptical about ordering the XS, if I get smalls will they tighten up enough?
Thanks

Sheree Slayton

I have two Scottish Folds, one is 3 and the other is 14 months. They both measure under 12”. The size for this is the XS, I am skeptical about ordering the XS, if I get smalls will they tighten up enough?
Thanks

Sheree Slayton

http://mmm.com.ua/

Lokmailnew

I really appreciate you for publishing this blog here about cat backpack tips and advice, how to measure your cat for a cat harness the right way; it’s really a helpful and very useful for us. This is really appreciated that you have presented this data over here, I love all the information shared. Great article!

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Maine Coon For Sale NZ

I want to get the harness for my cats, and I measured one cat who measured 12 in. On your size chart that would mean the Xsmall. But a few reviews have said that the size guide is wrong and that the Xsmall was too small for their cat and you don’t do returns or exchanges! She is 8 lbs and 11 months old. Please advise which size would work best and do you accept exchanges? Thanks.

Alexi

My cat is 10 months old, approx 11-12 pounds, with a 13 inch girth measurement. According to your chart he would wear an XS harness. Does this sound correct? I imagined an XS harness would fit a kitten, but according to your chart, it is meant for full size cat?? Thanks for your help so I can order the correct size and not have to return/exchange !

Elizabeth Novak

I am very interested in the harness for Onyx, but I am unsure as to the size. And on top of that are there no returns?

Rebecca Spurlock

Hi !
I have two questions for you guys:

1- do you deliver worldwide ?
2- my cat is kinda “obese” and I am trying to make him loose weight.. the vet told me outsides exercise would do him good. Does the harness comes for large cats ? Like 60cm…?

I really hope you can help me here ❤️🙏🏼
Laura

Laura

I raise African Caracal cats. As you probably know, they have a long body when compared to a domestic cat. Will this harness fit a Caracal?

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To those trying to determine correct sizing – my kitten is 7 1/2 months old and weighs 8.6 pounds. I had a hard time getting an accurate read with the tape measure (she’s a squirmy one) and relied on the size guidelines based on weight. The size small harness, however, is definitely too big – at its tightest setting, she quickly got out of it. This surprised me because the extra small is supposed to be for cats 5 pounds or less. So my words of advice are – if you have a trim cat, really get a good measurement and don’t rely on the weight guidelines. Reading the fine print, it looks as though there are no exchanges allowed once a product is purchased…. so our kitty won’t be using this harness for months, if at all.

Deborah

Where was the harness made? Is it soft and flexable?

Barbara Kale-Rajabi

Do you make an extra large? My fat cat is 22 inches. 😳

Christine

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What country do you ship FROM???

Eileen

My cat is large (13#) but long and lean. He is like a Bombay. His chest measures 14 inches. Is there any adjustment at all with this harness? And does the least come with it? Or what should I buy?

Cappy Walls

Hey there,
I have a question regarding harness size. My cat is not a kitten anymore (6 years) and fairly slim. I measured him as shown in the video and according to this I would have to buy XS (35cm). This size is indicated for kittens on your chart though. But it also says to opt for the smaller size, if the cat is not growing anymore…
Would you recommend to buy the XS?

Thanks in advance,
Anna

Anna

Yes! Leash size for “The True Adventurer” leash that comes with the harness: Length: 3.9 ft / 120 cm | Width .59 in / 1.5 cm

And we also have a retractable leash: “The Captain” Retractable Leash, which is 10 FT / 3 M

Your Cat Backpack

Could you please tell me how long the leash is? Do you also have retractable leashes so I could buy one of those as well? Thank you, Ellen

Ellen Hansen

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