What is the Best Harness and Leash for Walking Pet Ferrets?
There is no doubt about the fact that ferrets are playful, naughty, and adorable creatures. Normally ferrets are often misidentified as rodents. On the contrary, these are part of the Mustelidae family of animals that also includes minks, weasels, polecats, otters, and martins. Apart from being extremely naughty, ferrets are also curious and intelligent animals.
The popularity of ferrets as pets is steadily growing all across the globe. This has also prompted ferret owners to look for better options in terms of specialized equipment to help take proper care of their pets. Since ferrets are high on energy levels, it is important that they get proper exercises to keep themselves active and playful all the time. The best way to ensure this is to take your furry pets out for a walk.
Top 5 Ferret Harness Brands
Is It Possible To Walk A Ferret?
The answer to this question is a big “yes”. With the help of the right sort of equipment, persistence, and patience, it is very simple for ferrets to learn how to walk on a leash. Due to their curious and energetic nature, ferrets are sure to take in most of the benefits from a walk out in the open with you.
There are many ferret owners who do not like the idea of taking their pets out for a walk. The primary reasons behind this is the risk involved with fleas, ticks, injuries, and other animal attacks. Nonetheless, if you can train your ferret to walk on a leash and harness, it can prove to be highly beneficial for them. If you intend on travelling around with your pet or taking it out to your friend’s place more often than not, then it is important that you leash train your pet in order to keep it safe.
Why Should You Use A Harness For Your Ferret?
Most of you may wonder why use a harness for your furry friend. Well, a harness is rather important if you wish to leash train your ferrets and take them out for frequent walks. When kept in the wild, the normal body shape of a ferret makes it one of the best hunters for several animals such as rabbits and rats. It also helps them negotiate various tightly constricted and narrow spaces with utmost ease and agility.
Although this nature makes them fun and naughty to look at, it also means that ferrets can be master escape artists. If you decide to put a leash directly onto the collar of your ferret, it may prove to be ineffective and dangerous. If you pull against the collar, it may easily choke or strangle a ferret. Thus, the best way to leash train your furry ferrets is to use a good quality body harness.
Best Way to Pull a Ferret Harness
The way a harness is placed on your ferret is largely dependent upon the style of harness that you choose for your pet. Whichever type you choose, it will be a good idea to strictly follow the instructions that you get with the product. You should also consult with your vet if you have any doubts in mind pertaining to the safety of the pet when put on a harness.
Since ferrets are master escape artists by nature, it will be a good idea to ensure that the harness you wish to use fits the animal correctly before you decide to take it out for a walk. It is important for you to understand the thin line between tight enough to ensure that ferrets do not slip out of the hold and not so tight that it prevents the animal from walking comfortably.
Most Suitable Ferret Harness
If you talk to any person, who has been a ferret owner for a long time, and also a vet, you will come to know that the best ferret harness will be an “H” style harness. These are quite reliable and safe for ferrets. This type of a harness comes with 2 big loops, with one loop going around the neck of the animal like a collar and the other loop around the waist right behind the forelegs.
Check out any H-harness and you will notice an additional strap that basically connects to the 2 loops and also runs along the animal’s spine. There are some H-harnesses in the market that also have a fourth strap that runs along the belly also.
Best Ferret Harness List
If you take a look at some of the types of ferret harnesses in the market, you will find quite a few options to choose from. Choosing the right one for your beloved pet may not be that simple. It is true that choosing an improper harness for your pet may also choke him badly. This is why it is important to have some knowledge about ferret harnesses. Here is a list of some of the best ferret harnesses in the market that you may choose for your pet. This will also save you time and effort in having to choose the right one on your own.
① Kaytee Small Animal Harness and Stretchy Leash
This product is basically a combination of a harness and a leash. It is designed especially for small sized pets in order to help them get some proper exercises on a daily basis. The Kaytee Small Animal Harness and Stretchy Leash can easily fit the body of your small pet and also be adjusted with the help of fuzzy fastener fastenings.
The stretchy leash is a part of the product to help your beloved furry friend be close to you and, at the same time, give it some space to explore. The leash is made of elastic material, which does not injure your pet from any type of leash strains. This product is available in multiple sizes for the convenience of the pets.
The small harness and leash combo comes with a 4-feet leash and is suitable for small ferrets and rats. The medium one comes with a 6-feet leash and is best suited for guinea pigs, ferrets, and rats. The large one also comes with a 6-feet leash and is suitable for dwarf rabbits, chinchillas, and ferrets.
Pros
Pros
- The harness and leash combo is designed to keep the ferrets under control and also let them explore on their own at the same time.
- Available in multiple sizes.
- Vest-style harness conforms to your beloved pet’s body with ease.
Cons
Cons
- There are mixed reviews of the product not fitting animal bodies properly.
- Some pet owners have also mentioned that it stresses out their pet.
② Living World Small Animal Harness and Lead
This is also a harness and lead combination and is one of the best buys for small sized animals. Using this product will help you take your pet out for a walk without worrying about its comfort level and safety. It fits securely around your small pet with the help of a fuzzy fastener and a special clasp mechanism.
It also comes with a small bell that is attached to the lead clasp. This is for those occasions when you wish to let your pet roam around freely so that you can locate it easily from the sound of the bell. The lead with this product is light but quite durable to let the animal move around freely without you worrying about it escaping.
Pros
Pros
- It is fully adjustable to fit your pet’s body securely.
- The fuzzy fastener and clasp mechanism provides a fuss-free locking option.
- The lead is light and yet durable at the same time.
Cons
Cons
- Some pet owners have complained of the product not fitting the animal bodies securely and properly.
- Some have even said that even the right sized one is small.
③ Marshall Harness and Lead Ferret Leash
Are you looking for a harness and leash combo for small animals that would let you train your ferret for leash walk? Then the Marshall Harness and Lead Ferret Leash will be a good option for you. It is aptly designed to fit a ferret’s body easily and securely around its neck and belly region. All you need to do is slip the product on, quick snap the buttons to secure it and go for a walk.
Pros
Pros
- These are escape-proof leads that are fully adjustable.
- Sure to fit ferrets of different sizes and age groups.
- Quick snap buttons to let the product on or off the animal’s body.
Cons
Cons
- May not fit properly on all ferrets as mentioned by some ferret owners.
- Some ferrets may not like the idea of putting on this harness.
④ Ware Sporty Jogging Vest Small Animal Harness and Leash
This stylishly designed harness and leash combo comes with an adjustable clip located at the neck region and a fuzzy fastener closure. This lets you dress your beloved ferret easily before you decide to venture out in the open. The leash clips on to a loop on the back to let your pet be close to you.
This product is available in multiple sizes to fit small animals of different sizes. As long as your pet wears this vest, it will not feel uncomfortable. The product itself is machine-washable and comes with a finder bell that lets you find your beloved pet if you decide to let him roam around on its own.
The Ware Sporty Jogging Vest is available in a small size that is suitable for a neck of 4 to 6 inches and a body of 8 to 10 inches. The medium one is good for a neck of 6 to 8 inches and a body of 10 to 12 inches. The large vest is good for a neck of 8 to 10 inches and a body of 12 to 14 inches. The extra-large vest is good for a neck of 10 to 12 inches and a body of 14 to 16 inches.
Pros
Pros
- Made from a comfortable nylon mesh that can easily be machine-washed.
- The leash is made of a stretchy material.
- Finder bell allows you to find your pet when it roams around on its own.
Cons
Cons
- It is not a durable and sturdy product.
- Suitable only for ferrets and not for other small animals.
⑤ Rypet Small Animal Harness and Leash
This harness and leash combo product is made of a mesh material that lets your ferret’s body breathe properly. This lets your pet remain cool even on hot summer days. At the same time, it also provides sufficient insulation for those cold chilly winter months. This product is designed in such a way that it does not strain your ferret’s neck in any way.
The Rypet Small Animal Harness and Leash provides sufficient space to let you adjust the buckle and easily adapt your ferret’s body and distribute the pressure evenly around the chest region in order to avoid any probable choking. It also comes with a safe bell that will let you find your pet if you let it roam around your backyard on its own.
Pros
Pros
- Made from a soft and breathable material.
- The harness is rather comfortable and convenient.
- It is very simple to put it on and off.
Cons
Cons
- Users have said that the harness is too big for some ferrets.
- This may prove to be dangerous if your pet is taken out.
Conclusion & What is the Best Harness for Pet Ferrets
There are several types of ferret harness and leash combos in the market. Choosing the right one is definitely a tedious task, since the body size of all ferrets is not the same. The best product amongst those discussed above is the Kaytee Ferret Harness and Stretchy Leash (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). It comes in 3 different sizes and different leash lengths.
The harness itself is made of an elastic material that does not let your beloved pet suffer from any injuries. The vest-style harness easily conforms to your pet ferret’s body and you can also adjust it with the help of the fuzzy fastener. You may safely take your pet for a walk out in the open after making it wear this harness and leash combo.