Harness Training a Cat: A Step-By-Step Guide to Leash Training

kitten wearing harneess

For some cats, harness walks can be a wonderful way to add environmental enrichment to their lives. If you’re starting with a young kitten, you can include harness training in your socialization plan—a list of experiences you want your kitten to enjoy.

If you’re working with an adult cat who has never seen a harness, follow these steps to help them learn to love it and feel comfortable exploring safely.

By Kate Wilson BS CBCC-KA CPDT-KA

cat wearing a harness and getting treats

Get ready with very small, highly desirable pieces of food—smaller than a pea. You'll also need a bowl or treat bag to hold the food, a harness, a leash, and a quiet, safe place to train. Try to start training when your cat is interested in food, such as before breakfast or dinner.

If you already use a word or sound (like a clicker) that means "good job! Food is on the way," softly use it when the target behavior is reached. If you don’t have a word or sound, simply deliver the treat swiftly after the target behavior.

Begin your session by placing the harness on the ground near you, but not blocking your cat's path. Your first task is to make a positive first impression.

Remember to let your cat guide the pace—do not rush, or you risk causing fear. These steps are broken down completely, but your cat may progress quickly or need to stay on a single step for a while to feel comfortable.

lynx cat wearing harness and jumping

Building Positive Associations with the Harness

When your cat walks near the harness, reward them with a tiny, delicious treat. Drop another treat a little farther away, then stand so your cat will walk back and possibly pass near the harness again. As soon as they get close, offer another treat. Gradually refine the behavior by rewarding any interaction with the harness until your cat is willingly touching it.

Once your cat sees the harness and eagerly runs over, anticipating the treats, you’ll know they’re ready for the next step. Let your cat set the pace—there is no wrong behavior. Be patient and build their love for the harness through multiple short, five-minute sessions.

bobcat wearing harness

Encouraging Your Cat to Explore the Harness

  • Hold the harness in a ball in your hand. When your cat explores or interacts with it, reward them with a treat.

  • Gradually move the harness away so your cat moves toward it.

  • The goal at this stage is for your cat to touch the harness. Encourage stronger interactions by rewarding faster or firmer pushes.

  • Slowly begin to open the harness and let it hang while continuing the game.
cat laying down wearing harness

Head Goes In - Getting Your Cat Comfortable

  • The goal is for your cat to willingly and eagerly put their head into the harness.

  • Keep the harness loose and hold it up so the neck hole is open at your cat’s head height. Reward any touching or pushing into the harness.

  • Offer treats at the opening of the hole to encourage interaction.

  • Once your cat consistently and quickly puts their head through the hole, start rewarding only when their head is fully inside.

  • When your cat sees the harness, runs over, and voluntarily sticks their head through the loop, move on to the next step.
heavy cat wearing harness outside

Clipping and Buckling the Harness for Secure Fit

  • Some cats will be very comfortable with handling after the head is in the loop, others will need more time to be comfortable
  • Each motion you will take to clip or buckle harness needs to be paired with amazing treats
  • Let straps gently touch belly, then feed and release, repeat until your cat responds to tight strap by looking for a treat 
cat laying down wearing harness

Reinforcing Movement and Comfort in the Harness

  • Once you are clipped or buckled and your cat loves all those stages, begin feeding for any movement in the harness
  • Be generous, start the session by taking out a harness, clipping on and feeding and reinforcing all motion in the harness. Then remove before food runs out
  • Once your cat is moving comfortable add toys and cuddle time to what the harness predicts
  • Add a gentle pull occasionally and feed right away, you are getting your cat ready for what the leash will feel like when tight
lynx cat walking in harness

Introducing a Cat Leash Instead of a Harness

  • Bring out leash and follow all the steps we used to introduce the harness, it will go much faster this time
  • Attach the leash and feed, add slight pressure and feed, add slight pressure and when your cat comes to get the treat, feed
  • Your cat should learn at this step that a little pull means run to you and get a treat

After you reach total comfort walking in the harness in the house you can start exploring outside together if your can likes to explore.  Remember to stay alert to your surroundings, if you cat is scared on a walk they may want to run home quickly so stay ready for getting them home if needed.  Have fun and let harnessed exploration be one of the many ways you provide an enriched life for your cat! 

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Contributors
  • behavioral expert and her cat
    Kate WilsonBS, CBCC, CPDT

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