Review - Harnessing around

Owning a Ragdoll means your cat is like a human toddler. They love everything, oblivious to anything dangerous and loves to play, leaving you with an indoor cat that gets a bit wild when they have not had a good play session but can’t go out alone. For us, living in a small one bedroom, middle floor apartment, madam doesn't quite get enough running/playing space that she wants.

There are many different opinions around cats walking on a harness and lead. Most South Africans think I've lost my mind when I tell them I walk my cat on a harness. Since the general consensus is that cats are happy with living indoors and don’t need walks like dogs, it comes along with the difficulty of finding cat harnesses.

I have searched online stores in South Africa and every pet store I drive past and I have landed up finding three options that fit cats.

• Rogz lead and harness combo

• Dragonfly harnesses

• Dogs Life harnesses

I have noticed that Rogz has really made a big footprint for themselves in South Africa over the past couple of years, so naturally the Rogz harness was the first option I found in my local pet store. I bought her one to match her collar, which I had already, when we were stocking up for the arrival of our furchild.

I knew I would need to get her used to wearing one from day one. In this context, it is a good first harness because it is light weight, has adjustable straps and the straps are thin so it’s like an extra piece to their collar. Therefore, it is good for your cat to wear while getting the feel of wearing a harness and feeling of a lead attached to it.

The downside I experienced with Isabella is the clip on the lead is too big and heavy so she walks with a slight hunch once the lead is clipped on. Secondly, when she would run after a bug and pull against the harness, but, because it does not have any under belly support, only a strap around the neck and waist, she would land up choking herself from pulling on her neck. I was disappointed with this product and the price I landed up paying for it, after realizing it was not something I would use again.

I then started researching other options online and came up dry. I follow a few of the South African Ragdoll breeders and cat pages on Facebook and noticed some pictures of cats with these fancy harnesses on, all different colours and a lot more supportive. Hello Dragonfly Harnesses!

I contacted Tanya regarding pricing etc. and I was sold. A few days later, I received a delivery at work with my beautiful kitty harness. The details are just adorable.

Isabella took to wearing it from the second I put it on her. With thick velcro straps, it is light and comes with a beautiful matching lead. Now, when she runs after flies and beetles, she doesn't strangle herself, but if you do not put the velcro on properly, in the front, when she does decide to run, the velcro will come lose. Remember to fasten up properly.

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Today, I was doing my litter sand trip to Yuppie Pets store at Bellairs Sopping Centre and noticed a corner with doggie cloths and harnesses. Yes, they are for dogs, but the Dogs life harnesses come in a wide range of sizes and I found one that looked like it could be Isabella's size! Naturally I bought it along with many other toys and the litter sand. I'm a total sucker for shopping.

I obviously have not had the chance to take her for a walk around on this new harness yet, but what made me buy it was the velcro is on the back area only and the chest is completely supported. It also has a safety clip on the back so if the velcro gives up, there is a lightweight plastic safety clip with two loops for the lead to attach to. There is no way of breaking out of this one, but also no way of strangling herself. She did try chew on it while it was on so I'm not sure how comfortable she found it after just trying it on for a quick photo or 2.

For now, my heart still belongs to the Dragonfly harness and Isabella loves it! The Rogz harness seems like it is more for small dogs?!? Too rough and tough for our dainty feline friends. The Dogs Life harness will get a second chance out on a walk and we will see how it goes! I promise I'll let you all know.

At the end of the day, it depends on what works for your cat. We are all suckers for buying things we like, for our cats, and it may not be something they like. Try some of them out and see what works for you and your fur-friend. Prices for each product below:

• Rogz lead and harness comb (I got the SparkleCat one) from Lifestyle. Current price is R180.00 Incl. VAT

• Dragonfly harness with matching lead from Facebook R185.00 Incl. Vat plus delivery

• Dogs life harness from Yuppie Pets R195.00 Incl. Vat

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