Dogs aren’t the only pets that you can take on a walk. Leashes and harnesses for other furry friends are becoming more popular, including ones for rabbits. You probably don’t think of a rabbit as a pet that can be taken on a walk, but they actually can be leash trained, a prospect appealing to many rabbit owners. It’s nice to give your pet some fresh air and outside time on days when the weather is nice. But if you don’t have a yard or playpen where they can run and jump freely and safely, it can be hard to provide this for your rabbit. A harness with a leash attached can be a handy way for you to bring your bunny along to the park or other outdoor space so that you can enjoy some bonding time together while your pet gets some fresh air and nibbles at the grass. If you want to buy a harness to try out on your pet rabbit, here are a few we recommend.

What to Consider in Rabbit Harnesses

Here are a few things to think about before buying a rabbit harness:

• Safety: When picking a rabbit harness for your little furry friend, you’ll want to choose one that is safe and comfortable for them to wear. Avoid collars, figure-eight harnesses, or any other type of harnesses that latch mainly around the neck. These put undue strain on your rabbit’s neck, which can lead to injuries. Instead, you’ll want to seek out an H-shaped harness (so-called because it’s shaped like an H when unfastened and laid out flat), vest harness, or shoulder harness. These wrap around the bunny’s back, belly, chest, and sometimes the shoulders as well as the neck. This distributes any stress from the leash more evenly and away from the bunny’s neck, which reduces the risk of injury. You’ll also want to make sure the harness won’t be too tight or too loose on your rabbit. A too-tight harness can restrict their movement and also cause injury, especially since they’re animals that startle easily and make lots of sudden movements. But they might be able to slip free of a harness that is too loose. Some models are made for a certain-sized rabbit or come with adjustable buckles, which may be your best bet.
  Note that you or someone you trust should always be in attendance when your rabbit is outside with their harness and leash. Never stake them to a pole and leave them alone. You run the risk of them getting snatched by a predator, tangling themselves in the leash, or slipping or chewing out of it and running away. Also be careful to gently guide the rabbit and follow along behind them while you’re walking them, rather than sharply pulling, dragging, or tugging on the leash and harness. And bear in mind that wearing the harness and leash will require an adjustment period for most rabbits, so be patient.
• Comfort: You want your pet rabbit to be as comfortable as possible when wearing its harness. Many bunnies do better in softer mesh or cloth harnesses that fasten with Velcro and clips. Harnesses with these types of fastenings also tend to be easier and quicker to get on and off your pet, so they’re more convenient for you as well. If you opt for a more rope-like harness, make sure it’s made of a soft material like nylon. Regardless of which type of material you pick, the more flexible the harness is, the better. Flexible harnesses not only tend to be more adjustable but give your rabbit more freedom to run and jump. Many harnesses come with their own leashes, and some pet owners prefer a stretch or elastic leash since they feel it provides more flexibility and freedom for their bunny.
• Style: As rabbit harnesses grow more popular, they come in a wider range of styles and designs. Regular harnesses come in a wide range of different solid and multiple colors, or even patterns. And there are some models that are essentially a little costume for your rabbit when they’re walking along. Some popular choices include harnesses that are designed to look like or come with their own dresses, capes, aprons, vests, or bowties. Some of these will come with extra accessories like bells, hats, buttons, or even tiny purses. These are fun options if you want a rabbit harness that is cute as well as functional or if you enjoy dressing up your pet.

Best Harness and Leash: Niteangel Adjustable Harness with Elastic Leash

Picking out the proper harness for a rabbit can be a tricky enough task on its own, much less finding the perfect leash to go with it. Fortunately, this vest-style harness comes with its own elastic leash included in your purchase. The harness of made of durable, padded mesh that is soft and extremely comfortable for your rabbit to wear. It won’t grip them too tightly or rub against their fur and skin. The harness closes with clips and Velcro at the chest and stomach. Both closures are adjustable, thanks to the extra nylon strap with the snap buckle, so you can better alter the harness to fit your rabbit’s body. The included elastic leash extends between 47 and 98 inches long to give you better control and your pet plenty of freedom to roam as far or close to you as they want. This large size is suitable for most grown rabbits that weigh between 3.5 and 6 pounds. If you need a larger or smaller harness, there are three other size options, small (for baby and dwarf rabbits under 2 pounds), medium (for rabbits between 2 and 4 pounds), and an extra-large (for rabbits that weigh above 6 pounds). All models come with the leash regardless of size. And no matter which size you buy, the harness comes in seven colors, so you can pick whichever best suits your rabbit’s fur or your own personal style.

Best Adjustable: POPETPOP Adjustable Pet Rabbit Harness

If you’re unsure about the proper harness size for your rabbit, you’ll want to spring for a harness that is as adjustable as possible. This strappy harness offers maximum adjustability, so you can better modify it to fit your bunny properly. This model is 112 centimeters (roughly 44 inches) long, neck circumference ranges from 18 to 26 centimeters, and the chest circumference can be altered between 20 and 30 centimeters, good size options for most adult rabbits. (You can measure your rabbit with a flexible tape measure to ensure the best possible fit.) It buckles right onto your pet for easy removal when needed. The sky blue nylon material is ultra-soft and lightweight in order to make the harness as comfortable as possible for your rabbit, as well as offering protection to their stomach, back, and neck during use. Even though the material is soft, it’s still plenty durable, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking while you’re walking your pet. An adjustable matching nylon leash comes included with your purchase to offer better and comfortable control during walks.

Best Dress Harness: FLAdorepet Rabbit Harness and Leash Dress Set

Thanks to this little dress harness, you don’t have to settle for just practical or just cute when it comes to picking a rabbit harness for your pet. This adorable little dress has a hook on the back that you can clip the leash right onto; the dress doesn’t go on over a harness; it is the harness itself. You can dress your rabbit up and walk it at the same time, whether for everyday use or special occasions like holidays. The fabric is made out of soft cotton blended with polyester that is nice and gentle against your rabbit’s fur and skin. It’s also machine washable (gentle cycle in cold water) for your convenience. And you have a choice of a white dress decorated with a yellow pineapple pattern or a solid pale pink number. Both colors have cute, rabbit-shaped wooden buttons along the back. A matching, strong PU leather leash comes included with your purchase. (Do not put the leash in the washing machine, just the dress.) This dress harness comes in both small and medium sizes. The small size is suitable for most rabbits that weigh 1 pound or less, and the medium will fit most rabbits between 2 and 4 pounds.

Best Small Size: Pettom Rabbit Breathable Mesh Vest Harness

If you have a pet baby bunny or a smaller species like a dwarf rabbit, standard rabbit harnesses may not fit them. That doesn’t mean they have to miss out on walks. This little rabbit harness will accommodate smaller and larger rabbits alike. It is suitable for rabbits that weigh between 3 and 6 pounds. (A slightly bigger model for bunnies between 4 and 8 pounds is also available.) It’s made of highly breathable mesh that won’t overheat your pet even on warmer days, and the material is both soft and padded for as gentle and comfortable a fit as possible. The plastic hook and loop closure plus the chest buckle keep the harness secure so that your rabbit can’t slip free. The Velcro around the neck and chest plus the attached elastic let you adjust the fit to better suit your pet and reduces the strain on their chest, neck, and belly. A strong buckle is fixed at the back of the harness for the leash (sold separately) to clip onto.

Best Vest: Hypeety Multipurpose Rabbit Vest Harness

Lots of people like to dress up their pets, but it can be tricky to find clothes or costumes that fit over their harnesses. This cute, dapper little vest solves this problem, as it is both a harness and a vest in one. The gray plaid pattern, decorated with a pair of buttons and faux pockets, will look cute on any rabbit with any fur color, and the vest is shaped to resemble a real vintage suit vest. It’s adjustable at the neck and chest, so you can alter it to be more comfortable and a better fit for your pet. The material is high-quality and flexible, as well as easy to clean and sturdy. Your rabbit can even wear it without a leash (sold separately) if you ever want to use the vest as just a costume indoors. The two secure buckles keep it firmly in place around your rabbit’s neck and belly, and they’re easy to undo or snap into place for both dressing up and dressing down. It won’t restrict your rabbit’s movements, so they can run and hop and explore to their heart’s content. Small, medium, and large sizes are available; a small will fit rabbits with a 7-to-9-inch neck and 10-to-11.4-inch chest, a medium will fit a 9-to-10-inch neck and 12-to-14.9-inch chest, and a large will fit a 9.8-to-11.8-inch neck and 13.4-to-17.3-inch chest.