Cat harness and leash sets: the first patio walk

Most of the Gear aisle at Sniff and Shift is built for dogs, but Pink Papyrus Co. also makes a cat harness and leash set, and it is worth a look if your cat has ever eyed the front door with real interest. Here is what actually comes in the set, how the sizing works, what the pieces are made of, and how we would run a first walk without turning it into a whole production.

What comes in the set

Each cat harness and leash set is one purchase that includes both pieces, sized small, medium or large, for $28. The fabric is described as breathable, with a reflective strip built in and straps that adjust four ways for a closer fit. There is also a small interior pocket sized to hold a tracker tag, tucked out of the way so it does not add bulk to the harness itself. The line comes in a few named colors: Stasia in deep pink, Joey in a teal shade, Atlas in a deep sapphire blue, and Joana in a jewel toned purple, so there is some room to pick a color that matches your cat's personality, or just the one you like best.

If there is a dog in the house too

Stasia, Joey, Atlas and Joana are not only cat names. Pink Papyrus Co. makes a dog harness in each of those same names and colors, sized extra small through large for $40. It is a small detail, but if you already have one of those dog harnesses hanging by the door, the matching cat harness and leash set means the household ends up with a coordinated pair without anyone planning it that way. Neither product requires the other. They just happen to share a name and a color.

Getting the fit right

Because the straps adjust in four places, it is worth taking a minute with the fit before the first walk rather than after it. Put the harness on, run a finger or two under each strap, and adjust until it sits snug without pulling at the same point every time your cat moves or stretches. Check the fit again after a few minutes, since fabric can settle once your cat has walked around the house in it a bit. If a size runs close between medium and large for your particular cat, going up tends to be easier to adjust down than trying to stretch a harness that is already too small around the chest.

The first patio walk

A patio, porch or fenced yard is a reasonable place to start, since it gives your cat somewhere to explore without a lot of new sounds and smells arriving all at once. Let the cat wear the harness inside for a few minutes first, walking around the living room in it before the leash ever comes out. Then clip the leash on and let the cat lead for a bit before you do, rather than pulling them toward the door. There is no fixed schedule to follow here. Some cats walk out onto the patio like they have done it for years, and some take a few short sessions spread across a week before they settle into the routine. Either outcome is normal, and there is no need to rush the process just because the harness arrived today and you are excited to use it.

In the Gear aisle

See the full lineup of cat harness and leash sets in every size and color. Pink Papyrus Co. ships this set directly to you through Shopify Collective, while our treats ship separately from our kitchen in Malvern, Pennsylvania.

A short patio walk is a good excuse for a reward afterward, and a freeze-dried beef liver treat works for a cat's first outing about as well as it does for a dog's.

Questions

What sizes does the cat harness and leash set come in?

Small, medium and large. The set is one price at $28 across all three sizes and all four color options.

Is the leash included, or sold separately?

It is included. The listing is a set, so one purchase covers the harness and the matching leash together.

What is the interior pocket for?

It is sized to hold a small tracker tag, so you can tuck one inside the harness if you already use one.