What is the best harness for your Maine Coon cat?

A cat harness is perfect for walking your cat on a lead. They are safer and more practical than collars.

However, not all harnesses are of the same quality and suitable for all cats. For example, if you have a large cat, such as a Maine Coon or a Norwegian, or simply a large cat, you should choose a large harness that fits your cat’s curves perfectly.

The first thing to know before buying a harness for your Maine Coon cat is that there are three main types of harness on the market:

• 8-way harness: This consists of two loops. One loop goes around the cat’s neck, the other around the torso, and the lead connects to the back of the neck. This is the cheapest harness, but it is also the most dangerous. If your cat is calm and quiet when walking, a figure 8 harness is the best option. Avoid this solution if your cat is rather lively despite its large size.
• H Harness: The ‘H’ style harness connects the two loops with an extra piece to which the lead is attached. This type of harness is similar to the figure 8 cat harness but provides a better fit due to an extra belly strap connecting the two loops. This makes it more comfortable and challenging for the cat to remove.
• V-harness: This is the most secure harness of all. It covers the entire chest of the cat and holds the neck, shoulders, and abdomen together. Also known as a « harness vest » or « harness jacket. » Because you can carry your cat far and still be very comfortable, cats that panic and try to escape are better controlled by this type of harness.

Why a Maine Coon harness instead of a collar?

Safe walks

The Maine Coon has a reputation for being one of the friendliest and most human-like cats. When it comes to taking your Maine Coon Coon to the park or the woods and ensuring maximum safety, the harness is a perfect choice.

The collar or harness holds the cat in three places: neck, belly, and shoulders. If your cat gets scared or panics, tries to hide, or chases prey, it will not be able to remove the harness. This is the ideal solution to enjoy walks without worry.

No risk of injury or strangulation

Unlike a collar, which can cause throat injuries or strangulation when pulled, the Maine Coon harness holds your cat without any risk of injury. The Maine Coon is a powerful cat with impressive physical strength.

Anti-runaway cat harness

When you go for a walk, it is essential to keep your Maine Coon cat safe from injury. A harness is a better way of controlling an attempted escape than a collar, which can be more dangerous.

With a harness, when your cat pulls, the tension will be distributed on the back and not on the head, which ensures optimal comfort and eliminates the risk of injury.

When traveling in the car, you have peace of mind

Finally, the Maine Coon harness makes visits to the vet and car trips easier.

Many cats resist getting into the carrier and spend the whole journey whimpering, making the ride unpleasant for them and us.

If your cat gets used to wearing a harness, you can comfortably fit her in the back of your car and fasten her to the seat belt.

Your Maine Coon will undoubtedly enjoy the ride much more, without stress, sitting in a soft seat.

How to choose the correct harness size for a large cat?

Harness for adult cats

To choose the right size of harness for your Maine Coon, you need to:

• You will need a tape measure to measure your Maine Coon’s neck, chest, and back length. Good to know the size of the back goes from the base of the neck to the end of the tail.
• Once you have collected the various measurements, you can refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and choose the proper size harness for your cat.

To ensure that your large cat is as comfortable as possible, we recommend selecting a model with adjustable straps. This way, you can adjust the harness to your liking.

Kitten harness

Regarding kittens, ensuring you get the correct harness is a challenging task. It is OK to get it too early, as your kitten’s size will likely change rapidly. You will probably have to change harnesses several times during her growth until she reaches adulthood.

How do you harness a giant cat?

Putting a harness on your cat is not always easy, especially if your cat doesn’t like it, isn’t used to it, or you aren’t used to it either. Under stress, your cat will sometimes move around a lot, and it can be challenging to keep it in place, especially if you are alone to do so.

Your Maine Coon cat will find it a pleasure to wriggle around to make things difficult for you. The risk with such a large cat is that it will hurt itself and try to run away.

By looking at the photo that usually adorns the packaging of your harness, you can get an overall idea of how the harness will fit your big, naughty cat.

Below are the four steps to harnessing your big cat and avoiding unnecessary stress:

1. It’s best if your cat is relatively peaceful. If she has been running around the house and seems overexcited, take a moment to calm her down so that she is in the best possible condition.
2. The first thing to do is to place the small harness ring around his head; the harness is now at shoulder-blade level.
3. Make sure the clip in the belly area is open so you can slide the straps on. You just need to re-fold the fastener, ensuring you miss his hair.
4. Take the time to adjust the harness using the buckles or rings. Your cat should not be too cramped so that it can move and breathe freely, nor should it have too much freedom of movement, or it could come off. Ideally, you should be able to slip two fingers into the space between your Maine Coon’s body and the harness.

How do you get your cat used to the harness?

It’s a matter of getting used to it for you and your cat. The first step of placing the harness around the neck is easy to do after a while. The only thing you need to do to close it is to put it around the chest.

The next step is to learn how to adjust the harness so that it fits your cat comfortably. Once this is done, you are ready to put it on. Don’t forget to tighten the buckle.

Next, you will need to be patient. The cat will probably try to run away as soon as it sees it. But as with any new toy, if you keep it around for a few days, it will get used to it.

How do I choose a harness for a large coon cat?

If your cat likes to go for walks with you, then get a nice cat harness. A cat harness helps to keep your cat safe on short walks. A harness can easily restrain a cat that tries to escape. You can also use this accessory to secure your cat when traveling by car. Here are some criteria to consider when looking for a harness for your large cat, whether it’s a Norwegian, Maine Coon, or Ragdoll.

The size of the cat

The harness should fit your Maine Coon’s body type and size so that it fits comfortably. Make sure it is not too tight. If it is too small, it may restrict your pet’s breathing. To find the right size, you need to measure the length of your cat’s neck, chest, and back. Today, there are large harnesses specially designed for large cats, such as the Norwegian, Maine Coon, and Ragdoll. Don’t hesitate to choose a model with adjustable straps. This way, you don’t have to buy new plates when your cat grows up.

The shape of the harness

The choice of a cat harness should be made according to the use you wish to make of it. For occasional use, there is no need to buy a sophisticated product. A simple model will do. However, if you walk your cat regularly, you should choose a harness with soft, supple padding. A safety harness with a short leash is ideal for car trips.

This accessory comes in many forms. You can choose between H-shaped, 8-shaped, and V-shaped harnesses. The 8-shaped harness is the basic model. It consists of two circles and surrounds the cat’s neck and torso. Like figure 8, the H-harness has two loops connected by an extra band. It reduces the pressure of the leash on your pet’s neck, thus preventing injury. If you want to have complete control over your cat, a V-harness or vest harness is best. This type of harness completely encloses your four-legged friend’s body while providing optimal comfort.

The fastening system

To make sure you choose the right harness, it’s essential to check the fastening system. It should be strong enough to withstand the pressure generated by the leash when you hold your pet. The seams should also be strong.

The material

One of the things to check when buying a cat harness is the material it is made of. This accessory comes in different materials: leather, cotton, and nylon. Comfortable and aesthetic, the nylon harness is the most suitable for small felines. It has excellent scratch resistance and is machine washable. A cotton harness is also a good choice as it is lightweight. A leather harness is robust but can be uncomfortable in everyday use. It is also advisable to choose a harness that is easy to use. This way, you will not have trouble putting it on or taking it off.

You now have all the information you need to choose the right harness for your fur ball. A harness allows you to walk your pet safely. An adjustable model may be a better option for convenience.

The three best Maine Coon harnesses