Choosing the right harness for your pet is an important task to pay attention to. A harness is a great way to ensure that your pet stays nice and close when you are out for a walk. Harnesses often have clips on the back which attach to the leash, giving you more control over your pooch or cat. If you do not own a harness, it is possible that your pet will be able to slip out of its collar during an active game of tug-of-war.
Things to have in mind before choosing the right harness for your pets
Choose the right harness for your pet before you buy one. This is important to ensure that you are choosing the best for your budget, your needs, and your special companion.
Here are 7 things to keep in mind when choosing the right harness for pets.
1) What type of dog or cat will this suit?
There are different types of dogs and cats so remember what pet it is that you have chosen. Some dogs love being out in the rain, while some cats choose to stay indoors. That being said, sometimes an indoor cat may get an itch to get out, so it would be good to have a harness that protects against the weather.
2) Does your pet have long or short hair?
If your pet has long hair like most dogs do, think about what color the harness will be when it gets wet? If you don’t like it when wet harnesses darken in color and become blotchy in appearance, make sure you choose one that is easy to dry.
Also, keep in mind that if your pet gets warmer easily then lots of places offer slip-over styles that are easier for them to wear. Slip-over styles will allow them to be cooler in the summertime.
3) Which is more important, safety or fashion?
If a style is your main concern then maybe a colorful walking harness will do the trick. However, if safety is more important for you and your pet, you have a few options available. The safety vest is designed for that extra protection.
It is made with metal loops to attach a lead and has reflectors to help cars see your pet better at night. It also comes with an ID tag holder so that if your pet ever needs medical care they can easily contact you for further information.
4) The right fit is important.
Make sure that it is snug enough, but not too tight. It should not be too loose as this could cause chaffing or sores if your pet rubs against it. It should not be too tight as this could restrict movement and breathing if it is left on for long periods of time.
5) Think about how easy will it be to clean?
If you have a pet that gets dirty a lot then easy cleanliness is a must for the harness you choose. Be sure that the style you choose will allow for washing and drying without causing too much damage to the harness itself.
6) How do you intend to use it?
If you plan to walk your pet with the harness, then it is wise that the harness has a bit of giving for adjusting for comfort. If you are using it just in the car then maybe just buckle over the pet’s collar is all that you need.
It would also be wise if it has a seat belt loop built into the design so that in case of an accident, you can be sure they will stay safe in their seat. Be sure to buckle up your furry car companion whenever they are riding alongside in their safety seats.
7) Choose safety first!
The safety vest is recommended by most animal shelters and veterinarians for many different reasons. They are also safe for your pet if they ever need medical attention.
Harnesses that are suitable for dogs and cats
I own a Labrador Retriever and I had the opportunity to use two different harnesses on him while I was doing my research on pet safety. The first harness that I used was the
Ruffwear Harness
It is made of heavy-duty nylon, has three points of adjustment that can be set up for dogs with wide chests, but it does not have a built-in leash attachment. The second harness that I used was the
Easy Walk Harness by Premier
It is lightweight and made of nylon/polyester mesh material. It has four points of adjustment and comes with an attached leash for hands-free control on walks.
I think that both of these harnesses are great for dogs that are prone to pulling, but the one that I would go with is the Premier Easy Walk Harness because it has more adjustment points and also has a built-in leash attachment point. Both of the harnesses will help you maintain better control of your dog while walking on a leash.
Harnesses can be purchased at most pet stores for between $15 to $25 depending on the style, size, and brand. I purchased my two harnesses from PetSmart which was where I purchased my Labrador Retriever as well.
They carry several different brands of harnesses so you should be able to find one that meets your needs there. I would recommend getting the smaller sized harness for dogs that are less than 90 pounds. Since it will be easier to adjust for their necks.
5 types of harness for your pet dogs:
Believe it or not, there are many different types of harnesses for dogs. And while some may be designed specifically for certain types of canine activities, like hiking or racing. Others are simply aesthetic pieces meant to brighten up your pooch’s otherwise drab life. After all, even dogs need a little fashion now and again, right?
Some of the most popular types of harnesses for dogs are:
1. Thundershirt –
This is great for smaller dogs that are easily startled or anxious. It covers your dog’s back while leaving its legs free. The Thundershirt gives them a warm hug to help calm them down in stressful situations. And because it’s made of strong yet soft material, it won’t chafe or cause any irritation.
2. SAPI Plates –
Originally developed for military purposes, SAPI Plates are now used to protect police K-9 units during high-risk situations. They’re padded to provide a protective layer. And because police dogs are often called upon to sniff out explosives, they can be fitted with a muzzle during sensitive operations.
3. Hip Harnesses –
There are two basic types of hip harnesses for dogs: the low-set harness and the high-set harness. The low-set is meant for small breeds and the high-set fits larger breeds. But both work well for pets that have a strong neck or a tight chest area.
And because they don’t put pressure on your dog’s hips, they’re ideal for everyday activities, like going for walks or just taking a stroll around your neighborhood.
4. Gunner Harness –
This type of harness is designed to support the chest area, ensuring that your dog’s body will be secure when you’re out hunting. The design is great for dogs that are prone to pulling their owners down the street when out walking.
5. Doggie Life Vest –
These are ideal for two-legged companions that enjoy spending time in the water. And while they may look a little silly, they help keep your pet afloat while you swim or sail together. They can even provide extra safety if your dog happens to fall overboard!
So before you buy another harness for dogs, consider what your pet does best. If he’s an avid swimmer, get him a life vest. If he’s known for pulling you down the sidewalk, look for a harness that supports his chest.
And if your pet simply wants to make a fashion statement? Well, there are plenty of fashionable harnesses for dogs out there.
10 types of harness for your pet cats:
There are many people who keep their cats as pets and need to know how to keep them safe from the risks that come with living outside of a home.
This includes making sure they have a pet guide, such as a harness, that can be used to make sure they don’t get out and hurt themselves or others on accident.
These are some different types of harnesses that you can easily find on Amazon or many other websites that sell these products. It’s important to look into what type would work for your cat before going out and spending money on something that won’t do anything at all.
1. Backward Harness –
Backward harnesses are great for cats because it’s made for an easy way to get them in and out of the harness when you want to take off or put on their collar.
This is not one of the most popular harnesses out there because it doesn’t keep your cat in control at all. But you can easily control your cat with soothing words and making sure that they know they’re not in trouble every time you put on or take off their harness.
2. Chest Harness –
This type of harness is similar to a backward harness and gives you more control over your cat than the backward harness will allow. Your cat cannot move forward or backward with this type of harness, but they can control themselves by moving their head up or down to the point where you want them to be. This type of harness works best for cats who like to run around all day.
3. Puppy Harness –
Puppy harnesses are specially designed for cats under the age of six months old. These types of harnesses make it difficult for your cat to escape on purpose, but on accident, the easy way is not a good idea either. Your cat can easily jump out of this harness if they really want to.
4. Swivel Hook Harness –
This sort of harness is more old-fashioned, but it works great for cats who are too small to be in a chest harness or still learning to follow the commands of their owner. This type of harness gives you full control over your cat without having them pulled on too much by their collar.
5. Vest Harness –
This type is the best kind for keeping your cat safe. It’s called a vest because it’s more like a jacket for your cat to wear than anything else! It keeps them restricted so they can’t jump or run away from something they don’t like very easily. It’s also over the shoulder so you can easily put it on your cat or take it off of them as needed.
6. Chain Harness –
This type is best for large and active cats that just like to run and play all day. The chain harness keeps your cat held on. And gives you full control over him/her without having to hold him/her down by his/her face or neck. This makes it easier for you to use a leash on your pet as needed.
7. Basic Harness –
This is another harness that is great for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a harness and end up not needing it at all. It’s made for everyday use and can be used and put back in its case when you’re not using it.
8. Regular Harness –
This harness keeps your cat safe but doesn’t work as well as some of the others I listed above. Because your cat can easily get out of it by jumping or pulling the string by its neck.
9. Weight Harness –
This particular type of harness is great for cats who don’t like feeling restricted any more than they already do. It’s more of a tool for the owner, to use when you want to get your cat from one place to another without having to worry about them trying to get out or run away.
10. Snap on Harness –
This is more of a tool for you to use when walking your cat outside. It clips onto their collar and only goes over the shoulder without restricting them in any way. Or getting in their way. This is a more modern type of harness that many people like using.