There are so many exciting pet-friendly things you can do in and around Akron. Even so, cat people may feel like they’re missing out. Pet-friendly spaces usually seem to be slanted toward dog owners, after all, dogs are out and about on leash, and cats are usually in a carrier of some kind.

Why let dogs have all the fun? Your cat can be trained (okay, more like convinced) to wear and enjoy a harness. This makes it easier to take them out on adventures. If you enjoy hikes, there’s no reason your cat can’t come with you. The Cuyahoga National Park is open to animals of all sizes. Want to visit a bakery for pets? Pop on the harness and go! A harness-trained cat is a great companion whether it’s a weekend getaway, urban exploring, or a walk in the woods.

So make your cat your adventure buddy! Get out and see pet-friendly Akron with fresh eyes and your favorite feline. The idea of training a cat to do anything sounds a little intimidating. We aren’t professional animal trainers, but we have experience and advice we’ve gathered that might be helpful for you. We’ve put together some tips and tricks we’ve learned over time to help you get your cat haltered up and ready to explore.

How To Harness Train Your Cat

Important Things to Remember

It’s easier to train younger cats and kittens, but older cats can take to harness training too. As all cat owners know, cats have very distinct personalities, and what works for one, may not work for another. Cats can also be reluctant to learn new things (unless they think it’s their idea.) It’s all about patience. Your cat may dart around like a fish on a line for a while before they accept the harness.

Most cats can be harness trained, but there are a few rugged individualists who will not take to it. Don’t force it. If you know your cat enjoys travel but just not the idea of walking, look into a backpack-style carrier as another option.

Don’t expect a cat to behave like a dog. Cats can be clicker trained and trained to walk at heel, but they are more likely to lay down in a warm spot in the grass then try to drag you on a jog.

Only use a harness designed for cats! A dog harness will not fit your cat properly and will be uncomfortable. Dog harnesses are also not designed to withstand a cat’s wriggling, and your cat may be able to twist themself out of it.

The most important part of harness training your cat is to be patient. Stay calm and don’t expect more from your cat than they can handle. If things start out rough, don’t give up. Reward your cat and try to make this a pleasant experience for both of you.

Harness Training Your Cat

Pick a harness- There’s a wide variety of harness styles. Fit is determined by weight, but also take your cat’s body structure in mind. A harness should fit closely enough to the body that they can’t contort their way out but should not pinch under the front legs. An improperly fitting harness will discourage your cat from accepting the harness.
Introduce it slowly- You need your cat to associate the harness with pleasant things. Let them sniff it and get acquainted with it. If you have a cat that is easily startled by noises, open and close the harness buckles, so they get used to the clicking sound. Give your cat treats while they investigate the harness, so they associate it with pleasant things.
Try it on- Put the harness on your cat to let them get used to it. This may take days or weeks. Start by leaving it on for just a few minutes, and slowly build up the time. Once they stop flopping over or creeping close to the floor when you put it on them and instead start ignoring it, they’re finally getting used to it. As always, provide them treats to show them that everything is fine.
Leash time- Once your cat is used to the feeling of the harness, you can put the leash on. Don’t worry if your cat flops over the minute the leash is attached. Just like with the harness, your cat needs time to get used to the new weight. Don’t move right to attempting to take your cat out. Let them meander (supervised) with the leash on while you follow. It may take a few days for your cat to get used to the harness with the leash attached.
Try an indoor walk- If your cat has gone back to walking upright when you put the harness on, try a walk around the house. Your cat needs to get used to you providing direction.This is not natural for them, so they will need time to catch on. Start with offering treats to prompt them to go the direction you need them to, slowly withdraw the treats as they get used to following where you want them to go.
Move the walks outside- Once your cat seems to have the hang of things, it’s time to move the training sessions outside. Experts recommend carrying your cat outside, so they don’t think they are freely allowed to leave the house.

Your cat will be distracted the first few times you venture out, so don’t be surprised if all their training goes out the window. Let your cat get used to the distractions, keep a tight grip on the leash, and then start walking. Keep your cat focused by offering treats.

Start with short amounts of time outside, and slowly increase it. As your cat gets used to being outside on their harness, they will be distracted less and be less likely to have a random freaked out moment.

Feeling confident? It's time for an adventure! Let us know how harness training your cat goes.