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It’s been well established that an indoor lifestyle can help keep our cats (and the local wildlife) safe, but it does rob our feline friends of exploring the world outside the home. We can, however, help our cats enjoy the great outdoors without compromising their safety by using a harness to take them on walks. While some cats will take to this like a proverbial duck to water, many will struggle with the concept of wearing a harness, at least until they get used to it. I’m sure we’ve all seen, either firsthand or online, the somewhat comical way that some cats react to a harness; freezing, falling over, hugging the walls, or walking in circles.
Some cats find harnesses very stressful and just can’t get used to them, and they should never be forced to wear one, but in most cases, if you allow your cat time to adjust, they will come to look forward to donning this accessory and heading outside to explore.
There are lots of different theories about why cats fall over when we put a harness on them, but we think we’ve uncovered the truth. Read on to learn more.
Why Do Cats Fall Over When They Have a Harness On?
Several different theories have been proposed to explain this quirky behavior, including:
Fight, Flight, or Freeze
When confronted with an enemy or threat, the sympathetic nervous system sends a rush of adrenalin to ready the body to fight or flee, or in some cases, freeze.1 Some believe that cats falling over in a harness is part of the ‘freeze’ behavior in response to this unknown ‘threat.’
Kitten Carrying
This theory suggests that the harness triggers a reflex response when kittens are picked up by their mothers. Some also believe that the pressure of the harness may cause a cat to ‘play dead’ as though they have been picked up by a predator.
Poorly Fitting Harness
If the harness is too tight or the wrong size for the cat, it can restrict movement and cause them to flop over.
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Although none of these theories have been disproven, we believe we have found the real reason.
What Does The Science Say?
A 2012 experimental study into the somatosensory (sensations of touch, vibration, temperature, air movement, etc) control of balance showed that cats whose higher brain functions had been surgically inhibited (including vision, hearing, and vestibular systems), were able to not just walk, but maintain balance and positioning when the motor nerves were electronically stimulated.2 This (rather unpleasant) study showed that, in addition to the body’s conscious control of movements, based on sight, hearing, the vestibular system (part of the inner ear that controls balance), and sensation, feline balance, and coordination are significantly influenced, even controlled, by unconscious somatosensory feedback.
The scientists were able to demonstrate that the feline body uses input from its environment to orient posture and gait without needing to process this information in the brain. This helps explain super-speedy feline reflexes, balance, and ability to ‘always land on their feet.’ Most animals need to think before they leap, but the cat’s body starts to act before they start thinking. It also explains how cats can readily adjust to a loss of vision, able to walk, even jump, with confidence, like Svetlana, the blind cat.
- Please note: whilst the findings of this study are interesting and have implications in the treatment of certain neurological and spinal conditions, the content of the paper may be distressing to some of our readers. Although the experiments were performed following the guidelines set out by the European Community Council Directive, they are not methods that we at Catster support or condone.
What Does This Have To Do with a Harness?
The feline somatosensory feedback system almost acts like a 6th sense—no, I’m not talking about seeing ghosts. When we place a harness onto an unsuspecting cat, we are suddenly obscuring that sense, which would be almost as disorienting to their sense of balance and spatial awareness as putting on a blindfold.
But, just as a blind feline gradually adjusts to their lack of sight, your cat will become accustomed to how a harness affects their somatosensory input. Cats are nothing if not adaptable!
How To Get Your Cat Used to Wearing a Harness
Although the easiest way to harness train a cat is to start when they are young, it is absolutely possible to get your adult, even elderly cat, used to wearing a harness by following these simple steps.
1. Create a positive association
Place the harness beside your cat as you give them treats or catnip. You can even rub catnip, calming pheromones, or calming scents into the harness to make it more appealing (N.B., only ~60% of cats react to catnip).
2. Be confident
Check out the design of the harness before you put it on your cat. If you start fumbling with the clasps or are nervous, your cat will want to head for the hills.
3. Put the harness on for 5 minutes
Some cats will take to wearing a harness easily, but others may roll, run, or of course, fall over. Provided your cat is safe and not overly distressed, leave the harness on for around 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them but allow plenty of space for them to adjust.
4. DO NOT LAUGH!
Cats are proud and sensitive creatures who do not take kindly to being laughed at, so keep your mirth to yourself, no matter how hard it may be.
5. Reward your cat and remove the harness
After 5 minutes (longer if your cat is tolerating the harness well) give your cat a treat or a fuss, and remove the harness.
6. Increase the time to 10 minutes
Don’t leave too long an interval between sessions, and you can do more than one in a day, provided your cat isn’t getting stressed.
7. Keep increasing by 5 minutes until they are walking without difficulty or hesitation
For older cats, this may take numerous sessions, but most cats will be getting the hang of things by the third or fourth time.
8. Leave the harness on for extended periods but only under supervision
Allow them to explore, eat, and sleep with the harness on so they become comfortable doing everything they would normally do while wearing it. But make sure you are watching them to ensure they don’t get tangled.
9. Attach a short leash and let them get used to the added weight
A good method is to roll the leash up so it is attached to the harness but not dragging on the floor. I don’t like to use retractable leads as cats are more likely to get these tangled, particularly if they panic.
10. Your cat should be comfortable and confident to walk in their harness
By now, your cat should be used to their harness and you can start to walk them on the leash. Do this indoors at first until you are happy that they aren’t able to escape before venturing out into the world. Some cats are super confident explorers, while others will be safer staying close to home.
Hot Tips & Important Bits
- Cat harnesses are different from dog harnesses, and need to fit extremely well. Cats are talented escape artists and contortionists, so a loose fit or thin straps will pose no obstacle to a determined feline. Cat harnesses should be more like a jacket that distributes pressure evenly over the torso, and is difficult to wriggle out of.
- Most cats won’t walk on a leash like a dog, and most of the time they will end up pottering about happily while you stand around like a gooseberry. Don’t be tempted to get out your phone and start scrolling—distraction can lead to disaster.
- Cats may panic and try to flee if they feel threatened, and a terrified cat can be difficult, even dangerous to hold. It’s a good idea to have a cat carrier close by in case you need to get your cat to safety. A collapsible carrier or backpack style is ideal for taking on the go.
- A hungry cat is a food-motivated cat, so always aim to do any training before a meal, not after.
- Make sure your cat’s microchip details are up to date in case of escape.
- Avoid trees! Your cat will no doubt love to explore new heights, but if that leash gets wrapped around a branch, you’re in trouble.
Conclusion
Now that we have a better understanding of how the feline somatosensory system allows our cats to react, balance, and move like supernatural beings, it’s easy to see how a harness would be quite disorienting for them at first. Fortunately, cats can adjust remarkably well, and if given time to adapt to this piece of equipment, will usually be back up and raring to explore before you know it.
So if your cat is falling over when wearing a harness, make sure it’s the right size and fit, and allow them some time and space to get used to it. If they are becoming distressed, it’s not a good idea to force them into it, but most cats will eventually wear a harness like a second skin, allowing you to take them outdoors safely.
Featured Image Credit: Akifyeva S, Shutterstock
