Walking your cat outside on a leash is a great way to stimulate the kitty mentally and physically. But before going for a stroll, you have to make sure that your cat has a good-quality harness.
The kitty can wobble when wearing a harness, in case the accessory is not properly fitted or the model is simply uncomfortable. A triggered survival response might also be to blame or just the fact that the cat didn’t have enough time to get used to the harness.
Why Does My Cat Wobble When Wearing a Harness?
If you are sure that the accessory is properly fitted, then your cat simply needs some time to figure out how to move with this new thing on its body. The kitty is yet to find out how to maintain balance in a harness as it’s a completely new feeling for the little guy.
There is also such a medical condition called ‘cerebellar hypoplasia’, also known as the ‘wobbly cat syndrome’. But if your kitty feels totally fine without the harness, has a confident gait, and doesn’t lose its balance, then it doesn’t have this condition.
Why Does My Cat Walk Funny with a Harness?
There are a few reasons why your cat might be walking funny in a harness:
- The harness is not fitted correctly or is simply uncomfortable
- The harness triggered a response to threat in the kitty – this is a natural response that a cat would always employ when grabbed by someone; simply redirect the kitty’s attention (for example, give it a treat)
- Your feline friend has not fully adjusted to the harness yet – if you are sure that the accessory is well-fitted, then give your pet enough time to get used to it; start by putting the harness on at home for just a minute or two
Read: Is a Bengal Cat Good for First-Time Cat Owners?
Cat Paralyzed by Harness
At first, the majority of kitties would resist the harness. There is nothing to worry about if your friend freezes whenever you put this accessory on him – it is a survival response (the harness might feel like a predator that’s grabbing the poor cat).
The good news is that you can quite easily help the kitty change this behavior. All you would have to do is offer an attractive motivation – like treats or a toy.
Why Does My Cat Fall Over When I Put a Harness on Him?
Your kitty might be falling over when you put a harness on it for one of the following reasons:
- Just like freezing, for some cats, falling over is a survival instinct
- The kitty might be simply too lazy to bother, and by falling over it’s protesting against the whole ‘leash training’ thing
- The harness might be applying pressure to the back of the cat’s neck, exactly where the mother would grab the kitty; by becoming passive, kittens would assist their mother in transporting them safely
Read: Can Bengal Cats Live Without Going Outside?
How Long Does It Take for a Cat to Adjust to a Harness?
How fast your feline friend is going to get used to a harness would fully depend on its personality. The training might take only a few days or a couple of months – you never know.
However, the chances of success are going to be incredibly high with the necessary patience and consistency.
Can You Harness Train a 2 Year Old Cat?
It is generally recommended to start leash training as soon as possible as kittens are more responsive to these kinds of activities. With that being said, you can harness train a cat at any age.
Training an adult cat would require a bit more time and patience as grown-up kitties as usually more stubborn and less energetic. However, you can definitely train a 2-year-old cat as long as you take it slow.
Read: How to Start to Train a Bengal Cat to Walk on a Leash?
How Do I Get My Cat Used to a Harness?
- You might first want to leave the harness lying on the floor – the kitty should have a chance to give it a sniff
- Try putting the harness on the kitty indoors for about a minute
- Make sure that the cat gets used to not only the actual accessory but also to the noise that the harness makes when you put it on
- Give the kitty treats only when it’s in the harness so that your pet starts associating the accessory with something positive
Are Harnesses Uncomfortable for Cats?
Your feline friend will feel comfortable wearing a harness once the cat gets used to it and if the accessory is correctly fitted.
Can a Cat Wear a Harness All the Time?
Even if your kitty feels nice wearing the harness outdoors, that doesn’t mean that you should leave it on all the time.
If worn for too long, the harness can start causing skin irritation and even hair loss due to rubbing.
Why Does My Cat Hate Her Harness?
Your cat might not like its harness as the accessory can be triggering the kitty’s survival instinct and that would certainly cause some stress in the cat. The pet might also simply not be used to the sensation of having a harness on.
Read: 3 Ways How to Calm a Bengal Cat?
How Do Cats Feel in a Harness?
Here are a few things that might be crossing your kitty’s mind when it’s wearing a harness:
- It may not be happy to lose its sense of control
- The cat might not like having something on its back
- The kitty can be getting stressed out because the harness triggered its survival instinct
- If the accessory doesn’t fit properly, the cat would be feeling discomfort
These might be the first emotions that the pet is going to experience. But if you have a high-quality harness that is properly fitted, then the kitty is going to get used to wearing the accessory and is even going to get excited about going outside.
How Do I Know If My Cat’s Harness Is Too Tight?
You should manage to put two fingers between your cat’s body and the harness without an effort. If you can’t do that, then the accessory is way too tight; if you can fit two fingers too easily, then the harness is loose.
Read: What Are the Difficulties of Raising a Bengal Cat?
Are Cat Harnesses Cruel?
If your cat doesn’t mind wearing a harness, then it’s not just not cruel, it’s a great and safe way to let your kitty explore the outdoors.
Is a Harness Better Than a Collar for a Cat?
If you’re planning on using a leash, then a harness is definitely a better option than a collar. It is actually not safe to attach a leash directly to a cat’s collar as cats can choke if walked this way.
Is There a Difference Between a Cat Harness and a Dog Harness?
You should get a harness that is designed specifically for cats as kitties and pups have different bone and muscle structures.
What Is the Easiest Cat Harness to Put On?
There are three main types of harnesses for cats: H-harnesses, vest harnesses, and jacket harnesses.Vest harnesses are safer than H-harnesses and not as complicated as jacket harnesses. Find an accessory that has an adjusting side toggle and a quick release buckle – those are usually the easiest to put on.