| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Marshall Harness & Lead Ferret Leash |
| Best Two-Pack | PerSuper – 2 Pack Pet Rabbit Harness Leash |
| Best Budget | KAYTEE Small Animal Comfort Harness & Stretchy Leash |
| Best for Looks | Stock Show Small Pet Outdoor Walking Harness |
There are few pets as cute and quick as ferrets! These little critters have a unique personality and are known for how fast their mood changes. One minute you’ll be cuddling with your little friend on the couch and the next he’ll be running all over the room.
Like other pets, ferrets need plenty of exercise and love to spend time outside. If your four-legged friend is eager to explore the great outdoors, you’ll want a high-quality harness that they can’t wiggle their way out of.
There are a wide variety of small pet harnesses available. They come in several different styles, designs, and price points. Knowing which one to get your ferret can make a huge difference. We’ve found the top four options that allow small pets to safely and securely explore and enjoy walks with their favorite human.
Why Use a Ferret Harness?
When it comes to securely leash training and exercising ferrets, a harness is a must-have piece of gear. A ferret’s thin, tube-shaped body makes it perfect for hunting rodents, rabbits, and other tunneling prey in the wild. Ferrets are able to maneuver through tiny and constrained locations with ease.
Our contemporary ferret companions still have this slippery characteristic. This makes them cheeky and entertaining, but it also makes them expert escape artists. Directly attaching a leash to a ferret’s collar is both hazardous and inefficient. Pulling on a ferret’s collar may easily strangle or choke it. They also have a knack for slipping right out of collars!
Simply put, harnesses are the the safest and most efficient method of restraining a ferret.
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Created specifically for ferret bodies
- Very strong and dependable
- Features quick-release snap buttons
- Comes in a variety of colors
Check Amazon- Made from high-quality nylon
- Lightweight
- Extra belly strap prevents ferret from escaping
- Available in several colors
Check Chewy Check Amazon- High-quality pet product
- Adjustable
- Affordable without compromising quality
- Elastic material prevents injuries
Check Amazon- Designed for showing ferrets
- Material is completely safe and comfortable
- Features built-in safety buckles
- Great return policy
A-Z-Animals’ Top Pick for Ferret Harness
#1 Overall Best: Marshall Harness & Lead Ferret Leash
Taking the lead as the overall best from our research is Marshall Harness & Lead Ferret Leash. The nicest part about this harness is that it was created specifically for ferret bodies. It is, in fact, one of the strongest and most dependable harnesses on the market right now.
The harness has quick-release snap buttons that make it easy to take off and put on. The item is also completely adjustable, so it will fit your ferret no matter how big or little it is. The harness comes in a variety of colors, including black, purple, hunter, red, and royal.
As you can tell by the name, the harness also comes with a leash, making it even easier to walk your furry friend. Using this harness helps to promote a healthy lifestyle and satisfy ferrets’ endless need to roam around.
Several reviewers reported that their ferrets were able to slip out of this harness.
Pros and Cons of Marshall Harness & Lead Ferret Leash
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This harness is designed specifically for ferret bodies. | Several reviewers reported that their ferrets were able to slip out of this harness. |
| It features a quick-release snap button that makes putting it on and taking it off easy. | |
| It’s completely adjustable. | |
| It’s available in a variety of colors, including black, purple, hunter, red, and royal. | |
| It comes with a leash. |
- Created specifically for ferret bodies
- Very strong and dependable
- Features quick-release snap buttons
- Comes in a variety of colors
2. Best Two-Pack: PerSuper Pet Harness
If you’re lucky enough to have two ferrets, the PerSuper Pet Harness is a great choice for you. This two-pack of harnesses is designed using high-quality nylon that is both sturdy and comfortable for your pet.
It’s lightweight and makes it easy to walk these explorative critters. The harness is in the shape of an H, that protects the belly, sides, and spine of ferrets. Have you tried harnesses before and were left with your ferret wiggling his way out with ease? If so, you’ll enjoy this option.
This harness is easy to put on and take off. And there’s an extra belly strap that prevents ferrets from wriggling out of the harness.
You’ll receive one pink and one blue harness.
Several reviewers said that this harness wasn’t designed for ferrets.
Pros and Cons of PerSuper Pet Harness
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This pet harness comes in packs of two. | Several reviewers said that this harness wasn’t designed for ferrets. |
| It’s made of high-quality nylon that’s sturdy and comfortable for your pet. | |
| It’s made in an H-shaped design that protects ferrets’ belly, sides, and spines. | |
| An extra belly strap prevents ferrets from wriggling out of the harness. | |
| It’s easy to put on and take off. | |
| You’ll receive one pink and one blue harness. |
- Made from high-quality nylon
- Lightweight
- Extra belly strap prevents ferret from escaping
- Available in several colors
3. Best Budget: Kaytee Comfort Harness and Stretchy Leash
Kaytee is known for making high-quality pet products and their Kaytee Comfort Harness W/Stretchy Stroller Small is no exception. This harness, which resembles a vest, is adjustable, fitting ferrets with a 5” to 7” neck and a 7” to 10” waist.
We appreciate this harness because it’s wildly affordable without compromising quality. Although it stretches for your ferret’s comfort, this allow them to wiggle their way out. The elasticity is also helpful to prevent potential injuries when they are running around expending energy.
Pros and Cons of the Kaytee Comfort Harness and Stretchy Leash
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This harness is styled like a vest and fits ferrets with a 5” to 7” neck and a 7” to 10” waist. | None |
| This harness is extremely affordable, yet the quality is good. | |
| It stretches enough to be comfortable, but not enough to allow them to wiggle out. | |
| The elasticity may also help prevent potential injuries when they’re running around on the harness and a leash. |
- High-quality pet product
- Adjustable
- Affordable without compromising quality
- Elastic material prevents injuries
4. Best for Looks: Stock Show Small Animal Vest Harness and Leash
Whether you have a ferret show coming up or you just want your four-legged friend to look as cute as a button, consider the Stock Show Small Animal Vest Harness and Leash. (That’s right! Something our team learned while researching this article is that some pet owners show their ferrets in the same way people show dogs and horses.)
These harnesses designed for small animals come in three different prints and colors that will help your pet to stand out. All of the harnesses come with an adorable bow on the back. The materials are completely safe, comfortable, and won’t cause any irritation. And each harness comes with a color coordinated leash.
There are built-in safety buckles to ensure your slithery little creature won’t find his way out of the harness. One of our favorite features of this option is the tiny bell near the bow so you can easily hear where your ferret wandered off to.
Something we do want to mention is that this harness is available in two sizes and can run small. Adult ferrets may be too big, but the company has a great return policy in the event that it doesn’t fit your pet. This is a good thing, since a number of reviewers reported that this vest didn’t fit their ferret correctly.
Stock Show Small Animal Vest Harness and Leash
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| These harnesses come in three different prints and colors and have a bow on the back and a tiny bell near the bow. | It can run small. |
| Each harness comes with a color coordinated leash. | A number of reviewers reported that this vest didn’t fit their ferret correctly. |
| Built-in safety buckles ensure that your ferret won’t be able to slither out of its harness. | |
| It comes in two sizes. | |
| The company has a good return policy. |
- Designed for showing ferrets
- Material is completely safe and comfortable
- Features built-in safety buckles
- Great return policy
Choosing the Best: What to Look For
It takes more than just a harness and a leash to securely take a ferret outdoors. Due to ferrets’ unique skeletal frame, they can be harmed if too much pressure is applied to their long necks, so a harness — not a collar — is a must-have item for ferret owners whose pets enjoy spending time outside. Let’s take a deeper look at ferret harnesses and what you need to know about them.
Safety
It’s critical to make sure your ferret is safe and protected before going outside. These are cunning, fast-moving creatures that are tough to catch, especially outside. As a result, making sure you can select a harness that is both comfortable and secure for your ferret is critical. Several harnesses come with safety bells, but if yours doesn’t, you might want to consider adding one.
Material
Just a few fabric choices are typically available in ferret harnesses or pet harnesses that will suit ferrets. When it comes to materials, there are three key factors to consider: comfort, security, and reliability. Durable nylon, ventilated mesh, soft cotton, and elastic for a superb fit are among the most preferred fabrics.
Price
The best part about ferret harnesses is that they are reasonably priced. This is incredibly beneficial because you’ll probably need to test a few different harnesses to find what your ferret loves and what would fit best.
How to Put on a Harness
Depending on the type of harness you choose, the way you put it on your ferret will be different. Follow the directions that come with the harness you’re using.
If you have any worries regarding the safety of a harness, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian. Because ferrets are nimble little escape artists, you’ll want to make sure a harness fits them properly before putting them outside.
There must be a balance between making it tight enough that the ferret cannot escape, but not so tight that it prevents the ferret from walking or moving freely. Allow time for your ferret to adjust to a new harness. Introduce the harness as soon as possible to let your pet become accustomed to it.
Allow plenty of time for your ferret to frolic and play indoors so you can make any modifications before stepping outside.
The Different Types of Ferret Harnesses: Pros and Cons Compared
Choosing the correct ferret harness for your ferret might be difficult if you don’t know what you’re searching for. There are dozens of various makes and types to select from, with prices, durability, and appearance varied widely. There are just four basic harness kinds, each with its own fit, comfort, efficacy, and safety features.
The Basic Collar
This is the most basic and least expensive type of restraint available. Collars come in a variety of materials, and attaching a leash to one is typically simple. This is not, however, a practical or safe method of ferret control.
Collars may put a lot of strain on your ferret’s neck, which can be an issue if they like to jump from your hands or dash and spring onto things. If a ferret suddenly loses its leash, it is quite simple for it to gravely harm itself or even break its neck. As a result, while you may wish to put a collar on your ferret, tying a collar to a leash is never a good idea.
The Pet Vest
A pet vest is a cushioned vest that fits over your ferret’s back and hooks beneath their tummy and over their chest. They’re simple to put on, comfy to wear, and supportive, with a D-Ring on the rear of the vest to attach to a leash. These vests are normally constructed of a variety of fabrics, available in a number of colors, and are an excellent design for ferrets.
Single Strap 8-Shape Harness
These harnesses are formed from a solitary rope or material belt-shaped into a figure eight, as the name indicates. The harness is simple to put on, however, it is not the ideal fit for a ferret because they may quickly squirm out of it.
H-Type Harness
Two huge loops are seen on the H-type harnesses. One that wraps around your pet’s midsection and the other that fits around his neck like a collar. These harnesses, like the pet vest, include a D-Ring on the rear of the vest where you could connect a leash.
These vests are often flexible and will snugly suit your pet. They’re safe to use, and because your ferret won’t be able to get out of them, they’re usually a good choice.
Verified Reviews: Users’ Experience
Something important to note about the harness for ferrets is that they may take a while for your pet to get used to. One pet parent has this to say about our overall top choice, the Marshall lead, and harness: “I put this on my ferret last night to see how she would deal with it. She spent about an hour trying to get out of it but has since accepted it.”
It’s crucial that your ferret feels comfortable in the harness. One way to do this is by putting it on them for a couple of days before using it to bring them outside. An Amazon reviewer says this about the Pet Harness 2-pack we review above:
“Extremely cheap on the price which is amazing because I’m a poor college student! I’m very satisfied with the sizing and I feel pretty comfortable taking them out to parks and safe areas to roam. They have been wearing their harnesses for 24 hours now and don’t seem to mind them. They’re easy to put on.”
Remember to always read reviews and filter for your species of animal if you’re interested in a product. It gives you a realistic idea of what you can expect!
Up Next
- 10 Incredible Ferret Facts
- White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
- Ferret Colors: A Guide to Ferret Colors and Patterns
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Marshall Harness & Lead Ferret Leash |
| Best Two-Pack | PerSuper – 2 Pack Pet Rabbit Harness Leash |
| Best Budget | KAYTEE Small Animal Comfort Harness & Stretchy Leash |
| Best for Looks | Stock Show Small Pet Outdoor Walking Harness |
Ferret Harness Guide: The Best Way to Walk Your Ferret FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Should I take my ferret for a walk?
Many ferrets prefer to walk on a leash, while others despise it. Most ferrets will love brief walks outside if properly taught. The best part is that, unlike so many dogs, ferrets can get all the exercise they need indoors. And they don’t need to go outdoors to relieve themselves. So don’t worry if your ferret won’t walk.
When ferrets are put outside, they will begin exploring as soon as their adorable tiny paws hit the ground. You can bring the outdoors to them by filling a box with grass clippings, leaves, and other outside materials for your ferret to crawl through.
What is the ideal fit for a ferret harness?
Some ferrets may start walking in them, but the majority simply wiggle their way out. A ferret harness should be much tighter than a dog harness. You should be able to slip one finger under it once you’ve tightened it up. They just shake it off if it’s more than that.
Your veterinarian can help you fit your ferret’s harness if you’re unsure.
Do ferrets benefit from harnesses?
Many ferret owners are hesitant to let their pets outside. After all, you have to be wary of fleas, ticks, animal assault, injuries and more outdoors. But even if your ferret is an indoor-only pet, leash and harness training may be highly useful.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
