Cat harnesses

Goreygal

I am moving in a couple of weeks and am looking into ways of allowing my 2 young adult cats (Bonnie & Clyde) into the garden at times without risking them going AWOL for the 6-8 weeks they need to stay close to home to mark it as their territory.

One idea is to use harnesses and long leads tied to a stake in the ground that will allow them to access the perimeter of the garden without allowing them to jump onto the walls etc.


I'm just worried about the sturdiness of harnesses; I've heard that with some of them you don't need to be Houdini to escape from them. So I'm looking for any recommendations for harnesses that people have used and found to be secure?

I've found these 2 on zooplus - http://www.zooplus.ie/feedback/shop/cats/cat_carriers_travel/harnesses/158785
http://www.zooplus.ie/feedback/shop/cats/cat_carriers_travel/harnesses/151412


With thanks

Gg

mymo

I wouldn't be trying a long leash tied with a cat to be honest, its way too risky.
Is the new garden fenced in?
Look up cat proofing your garden there's loads of info online, or make a run for them attached to a window, again loads online about it.

Goreygal

Thanks mymo

I've found this http://www.beestonfencingcompany.co.uk/catprooffencing.htm which looks like a great idea especially as I am moving to a rental property as it's fairly inobtrusive.

Also means my cats can't roam at all which makes me feel a lot happier for their safety and health.

Kali_Kalika

I have the same situation as yourself, for years now I've always put my cat out on a lead (when I lived, temporarily, in a teeny tiny apartment, I used to walk him around the corner to the park where we'd walk around and sit in the sun for a few hours) - he loves going out on his leash to the garden or for the occasional stroll around the green. He's always been perfectly safe - he even managed to catch a bird once! So don't believe anyone who tells you its not possible or safe. I've done it for years with mine and never a single issue other than a blissfully happy and sleepy cat afterwards!

I'd much more recommend the Cat Harness XCat than the Cat Travel Set with Snap Buckles as the 2nd one looks similar to one that I originally got - and the buckles did come undone very easily, would have taken Houdini awhile but he would have managed it The other harness I've seen but never personally had the experience of having. The one that I have is this one:

http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pets-warehouse.com/pic-c/CCP7348BBT.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.pets-warehouse.com/c_cat/c_cat4.html&usg=__VumAWZ8N0a0EbFMhJEruH4KjPSI=&h=350&w=347&sz=12&hl=en&start=17&zoom=1&tbnid=i-FNBv1PUG9qxM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=119&ei=XfzFTfbDKs6xhQft--2pBA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcat%2Bharness%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D809%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1

It slips around the neck - you tighten that bit - then the other bit goes around the belly/chest and snaps securely closed with a similar snap that most dog collars use these days - so there's no way it can slip off or become loose - Houdini wouldn't stand a chance with this one! - The leash clip plastic piece then sits between the shoulder blades - so it seems fairly comfy aswell - my guy loves his and its the most secure harness that I've managed to find!

Goreygal

Kali_Kalika wrote: »

I'd much more recommend the Cat Harness XCat than the Cat Travel Set with Snap Buckles as the 2nd one looks similar to one that I originally got - and the buckles did come undone very easily, would have taken Houdini awhile but he would have managed it The other harness I've seen but never personally had the experience of having. The one that I have is this one:

http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pets-warehouse.com/pic-c/CCP7348BBT.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.pets-warehouse.com/c_cat/c_cat4.html&usg=__VumAWZ8N0a0EbFMhJEruH4KjPSI=&h=350&w=347&sz=12&hl=en&start=17&zoom=1&tbnid=i-FNBv1PUG9qxM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=119&ei=XfzFTfbDKs6xhQft--2pBA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcat%2Bharness%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D809%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1

Thanks Kali

I've read some owners who say their cat brings them their lead to say they want to go for their walk

Looks like a great harness and I'll see if I can source it this side of the world while I check out whether I am allowed drill into the garden walls of my new place and arrange for the "cat proofing".