Tactical, not practical: The Truth about Tactical Cat Harnesses

The Growing Trend of Tactical Cat Harnesses

It seems like everyone and their dog is trying to get in on the adventure cat market. So, today we thought we’d take a look at one of the most popular items – Tactical Cat Harnesses – and see what is behind them.

Tactical harnesses were originally designed for service dogs like German Shepherds, Labradors and Golden Retrievers. Their rugged design also has built-in areas for accessories such as lights, saddle bags or multiple leashes – things that a large working dog can easily carry but, as we all know, a cat is NOT a small dog.

There are several reasons why the promises of increased safety and control that these harnesses seem to offer are not really fulfilled when actually walking your cat outdoors.

1. Potential Discomfort and Stress for Your Cat

Cats are born athletes, who depend on their natural agility, flexibility, and freedom of movement when active outdoors. However, a tactical cat harness with multiple straps, large chest and back pads and extra pockets can restrict their natural range of motion, causing discomfort and anxiety.

This added stress can negatively affect the walking experience for your cat and, ultimately, make the benefits of wearing such a harness redundant.

Take a look at the poor cats in this video! In addition to wearing the wrong type of harnesses, the cats have not been properly harness trained, which is critical if you want your cat to enjoy walking on a leash.

2. Incompatibility with Feline Behavior

Cats are agile hunters, who love nothing better than to explore the environment and stalk their prey. But, when a cat is restrained by a bulky harness, their natural curiosity and hunting instincts are inhibited.

The restrictions placed on them by the harness can lead to frustration and aggression, which negatively affect the important bond between you and your cat.

3. The Danger of Overexposure to Outdoor Hazards

Taking your cat outdoors is a fun and enriching experience for both of you. But, the world outside contains many new hazards that an indoor cat must learn to navigate.

Startling noises, fast moving vehicles, other predators in the area, falling branches, thorny bushes… adapting to this new environment takes time and patience. But it also requires a harness that allows our feline friends to operate at their best, so that they can react as they would in a natural environment.

4. The Risk of Escape and Entanglement

Despite claims of increased safety, many tactical cat harnesses are not escape-proof. A determined feline can easily wriggle free, putting them in danger of becoming injured or lost.

Cats tend to escape harnesses by backing them off. A rigid tactical harness is a lot easier to slip out of. And if it is uncomfortable to start with, your cat is more likely to want get free as soon as possible.

The bulky design of a tactical harness is at odds with the inquisitive nature of cats, which means they can easily become entangled in branches, snagged on bushes, or caught in other obstacles, potentially causing harm to your pet.

5. The Cost Factor: High Price for Limited Benefits

While tactical cat harnesses do look the part, having a cool-looking adventure cat comes with a price. The design and marketing of these new harnesses makes them much more expensive than traditional ones, and with limited advantages.

So, the cost of these specialty harnesses is often not justified, especially when considering the potential harm and discomfort they could cause your cat.

6. Alternatives to Tactical Cat Harnesses

Mia and I spent a long time researching and testing cat harnesses. In fact, here’s an article we wrote explaining all the different types of cat harnesses that exist, and which might be the best ones for the kinds of adventures you plan to have together.

Having bought and tried many of these products, we just couldn’t find a harness that was right for an adventure cat like Mia. Something safe, yet smart and comfortable. Something secure, but that didn’t restrict her natural behaviour. So, you know what we did? We designed our own!

Together, we developed what we believe is the best escape proof cat harness on the market. It’s a hybrid between a vest and H harness that we named the Houdini Cat Harness. And you can see a review of it right here: 

Watch the review below:

7. The Importance of Proper Training

Even the best cat harness in the world will be of little use if your cat just refuses to wear it. This is why it is essential to invest time in properly training your cat before you start your outdoor adventures together. And one of the most important steps is getting used to a harness.

A poorly trained cat may become fearful or aggressive, which can develop into a fear or rejection of all cat harnesses. And that will make it impossible to walking them outside in the future.

Training a cat sounds like a daunting task, but we have put together a lot of great and original material to help you get started, and do things the right way.

Our four keys to successfully training cats for walking on the leash are shown below and in the video we made especially for this purpose:

• Start slow
• Read your cat body language
• Be ready to end the session before you planned
• End always on a positive note

Remember: The Welfare of Your Cat Comes First

While the allure of tactical cat harnesses may be strong, it's important to prioritize your cat's well-being and happiness above all else. Before purchasing a tactical cat harness, consider the potential drawbacks and risks associated with their use.

Through experience, we recommend that you opt for more comfortable and safe alternative, like our own Houdini Cat Harness, to ensure the best possible experience for both you and your feline friend.

Stay wild, stay safe and we'll see you outdoors!

Albert & Mia