Cats who go outside should always be equipped with a collar. Besides clearly stating that your cat has a residence, cat collars can also provide information to anyone who comes across your cat in the event that he or she becomes lost, stranded, or injured. Cat collars, on the other hand, are also fashion accessories.
What is a cat collar?
A cat collar is a device that is used to keep a cat from escaping from its enclosure. They are made of leather, metal, or plastic and have either a clasp or buckle. These collars are not just for cats as some people use them for their dogs too.
Given the plethora of cat collar options available on the market, it might be difficult to find one that meets your specific requirements while also complementing your cat’s personality.
When selecting a collar for your feline companion, there are a number of factors to consider.
It is possible that the most crucial balance to strike is between style and function, but there are a number of lesser details to consider as well, starting with size.
The majority of cat collars are between 0.38 and 0.5 inches broad and are available in a variety of lengths. Because many collars have a sliding clasp, it is important to measure your cat’s neck in advance to ensure that you obtain the finest fit possible.
A collar that is too loose may give your cat discomfort or even harm, whereas a collar that is too tight may cause your cat discomfort or even injury.
“You have to make sure you can fit two fingers between a cat’s neck and its collar,” says Nora Glover, a cat expert with more than 25 years of experience and the publisher of the cat care blog Catademy.com. “You have to make sure you can fit two fingers between a cat’s neck and its collar.”
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to picking a cat collar, according to Glover of The Spruce Pets. “Flea collars are the single thing you really must avoid using.
There is evidence to suggest that they are hazardous to dogs and children.”
More things to consider, including materials, safety, and company ethics, can be found in the What to Look for in Cat Collars section further down this page.
In addition, many of our recommendations can be purchased with an optional bell, which will notify your cat’s quarry and decrease the type of predation that is destroying bird populations.
Here are the greatest cat collars on the market, which will not only keep your cat safe, but will also give them the particular flare they deserve.
Top 9 Best Cat Collars of 2022
1. Our Best Pick: LupinePet Adjustable Cat Safety Collar
What We do Like
- Lifetime Guarantee
- More than 50 colorful designs
- Breakaway design
What We Dislike
- Scratching may cause the woven collar to fray and/or tighten
The LupinePet Safety Cat Collar is a robust woven nylon breakaway collar that is made even better by its Guaranteed lifetime guarantee, which allows you to acquire a replacement collar if your cat collar becomes broken, even if your pet chews through it completely.
Remember that the guarantee does not cover the replacement of misplaced collars, so make sure your cat’s collar is always properly fitted.
Each Safety Cat Collar measures 0.5 inches wide and maybe adjusted in length from 8 inches to 12 inches depending on the size of the cat.
A steel D-ring is incorporated for securing identifying tags to the belt buckle. While the nylon webbing of the collar is extremely durable, the breakaway safety buckle is meant to unclasp if your cat becomes trapped, potentially saving your pet’s life by releasing when around 5 pounds of pressure is applied.
That said, enough with the measurements and safety features; the main appeal of the Safety Cat Collar is found in the fashionable options, which begin with the optional cat collar bell.
The rainbow “Ripple Creek” and argyle “Dapper Dog” patterns, as well as patterns featuring lizards, roses, and sea turtles, are among the many options.
There’s even one that resembles the notorious carpet from Stephen King’s The Shining’s Overlook Hotel a little bit.
There are a total of 15 distinct “Original Themes” to pick from, as well as festive patterns, solid colour alternatives, limited-edition “MicroBatch” designs, reflective variants, and even Safety Cat Collars made from recycled plastic bottle material.
With the purchase of a Safety Cat Collar, you are supporting Lupine Pets initiatives, which include support for New Hampshire area non-profits such as the Tin Mountain Conservation Center, the Conway Area Humane Society, and the Jen’s Friends Cancer Foundation, as well as donations of their gear to animal rescues, service dog training centres, educational centres, and other animal-centred non-profit organizations.
#2. Best Affordable: Frisco Polyester Breakaway Cat Collar
What We do Like
- More than 50 colours and patterns to choose from
What We Dislike
- Hand wash only
- Synthetic materials
- Made in China
Collars made of Frisco Polyester Breakaway Cat Collars are available in a range of colours and patterns and are priced so that they are not prohibitively expensive to replace if you lose one when your cat gets snagged and the breakaway collar functions as intended.
Made of polyester webbing, this breakaway collar features robust plastic hardware with rounded edges that won’t pinch your dog’s skin, a metal ring for an ID tag, and a quick-release breakaway buckle to keep your dog safe.
The collar is designed to open when 11 to 15 pounds of pressure is applied, allowing your cat to be released if they become snagged and pull on it with great force.
The Frisco Polyester Breakaway Cat Collar, like our Best Overall selection, can be ordered with or without an optional bell.
There are eight different lengths of Frisco cat collars, each measuring 0.38 inches broad and adjustable from 8 to 12 inches long. It is recommended for cats weighing between 8 and 15 pounds to use the Polyester Breakaway Cat Collar.
#3. CollarDirect Leather Cat Collar Plus Bell
What We do Like
- 12 solid colours to choose from
What We Dislike
- Elastic is not easily repairable after breaking away
Some pet owners prefer leather over other materials because of its long-term durability and traditional appearance. The CollarDirect Leather Cat Collar is hand-stitched from full-grain genuine leather and finished with metal hardware, including a D-ring for attaching your cat’s identification tags to it. In addition, the buckle is attached to an elastic part that provides a little more flexibility and is intended to assist your cat to break free if it becomes trapped. It also includes a little metal bell, which can be used to keep local wildlife away from your cat.
This metal buckle collar is 0.38 inches wide and is available in two sizes: small, which is suitable for cats from 2 to 5 pounds, and medium, which is suitable for cats weighing between 5 and 10 pounds.
#4. The Good Dog Company Hemp Cat Collar – Breakaway collars
What We do Like
- Made in the United States
- High quality, sustainable hemp and cotton
What We Dislike
- Plastic clip
- Some smart cats figure out how to use the breakaway to pull it off
Dog Company Hemp Cat Collar is a wonderful breakaway collar choice for cats that have had discomfort or other sensitivities to nylon, polyester, or other petroleum-derived plastic goods in the past. The “Kitty Klip” on the collar is made of plastic and is designed to open if your cat becomes stuck.
As Glover explained to petsguide.info, “Breakaway collars are generally a safer option since they reduce the risk of strangulation in the case that the collar gets caught on something.”
Breakaway collars allow your pet to get away even if there is no one nearby to assist them.
The main drawback is that they are relatively simple to misplace.”
Each collar measures 0.38 inches broad and has an adjustable length that may be adjusted from 7 to 13 inches in length. In total, eleven distinct colours are offered for the Hemp Cat Collar from the Good Dog Company.
#5. Bow Tie Collars: Chiwawa Gear Harnesses Bow Tie Collars
What We do Like
- Machine washable in cold water
- Star-Seller on Etsy
- Lots of fun, colorful designs including holiday themes
What We Dislike
- Only available on Etsy
Bow tie collars are quite lovely on almost every cat. Whether you want to dress up your cat’s everyday appearance with a bow tie or reserve your bow tie for special events such as birthdays and holidays, there is a wide range of colours and patterns to choose from to suit any occasion.
Chiwawa Gear Harnesses Bow Tie Collars are available on Etsy and are available in a wide range of colours and styles. They are adaptable and handcrafted.
The majority of them are constructed from tough cotton fabric that is bonded to a polypropylene webbing for increased strength and durability.
It is possible to purchase a removable flower or a bow tie with each 0.38-inch-wide collar, and there are three different sizes of bow ties to pick from: 2.5, 3 and 3.5 inches in length.
A little silver bell is also included, which is affixed to the breakaway buckle close to the buckle’s breakaway mechanism.
With the help of double-sided Velcro, the flower and bow tie is secured to the cat collar and may be removed with relative ease.
The collars are available in a variety of sizes, including small ones, which is suitable for kittens with neck diameters ranging from 5.5 to 8 inches, medium (7 to 11 inches), and large (12 to 14 inches) (9 to 13 inches).
#6. Really Cute: Made by Cleo Felt Flower + Collar Combo Sets
What We do Like
- Hundreds of colours and prints to choose from
- The flower is easily removable
What We Dislike
- Limited refunds and exchanges with a restocking fee
The fact that cats are naturally cute does not diminish their cuteness value, but finding the proper collar to reflect your pet’s individual style can increase the cuteness factor significantly. Take, for example, these lovely felted flower corsages.
A variety of permutations are available for Cleo’s Cat Collar + Flower Set, which is designed by her. Breakaway or non-breakaway plastic buckles, gold or silver hardware, and three different sizes are available, ranging from 6 to 10 inches for kittens all the way up to 12 to 16 inches for adult cats.
The felted rose blooms (there is also a poinsettia design available for festive looks) are available in 15 different colours and two different sizes, depending on your preference. The flower’s design comprises two green leaves, and it is held in place by an elastic loop, making it simple to take it out of the vase.
Each collar is handcrafted in the United States and sent from Austin, Texas. It features a bell on a ring that may also be used to attach identification tags.
It will be difficult to decide which of the more than 400 style combinations to use on your cat first because there are so many to pick from reflecting holidays, seasons, and exciting colour patterns to choose from.
#7. Best Pattarn: Sambboho Cat Collar
What We do Like
- Hand sewn
- Leather band and metal buckle
- 1-year replacement guarantee if the product breaks under normal wear and tear
What We Dislike
- The buckle uses holes, limiting adjustability
Spending a lot of money on your cat’s birthday or simply buying a nice cat collar that is unlike anything else.
The Sambboho Cat Collar is made by women craftsmen in Brazil and is available in a variety of colours.
Each collar is embellished with Slovakian glass beads that are triple stitched to the collar rather than being glued, a beading technique that takes an average of 12 hours per collar but results in a beaded pattern that is both durable and long-lasting.
The leather collar beneath the fur is coated with beeswax for a soft feel.
Sambboho products are produced in accordance with fair trade standards, and a portion of the company’s income is donated to no-kill animal shelters in the United States. It is offered in three sizes: small (6 to 7 inches around the neck), medium (7.75 to 9 inches around the neck), and large (10 to 12 inches around the neck) (9.75 to 11 inches).
#8. Aristocat Leather Cat Collars – Quality Leather Cat Collars
Stylish cat collars made of premium-quality soft leather that are available in a variety of colors and designs.
Aristocat Leather cat collars are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate any neck size, and it is also easily adjustable.
You can pick between a breakaway and a non-breakaway buckle clasp. The breakaway buckle clasp is the most frequent type for cats because it is designed to release automatically if your cat becomes entangled in something.
In addition, there are five distinct hardware colours to choose from. Free of charge, you will receive a metal nameplate with your cat’s information.
In order to prevent your beloved pets from becoming separated from you, the collar is personalized with your cat’s name in the first line and your phone number in the second line on a metal nameplate.
If you would like the nameplate to be attached to the collar, please include the information you wish on it in the personalization section.
Using a flexible measuring tape, measure the circumference of your pet’s neck and select the proper size..
#9. Colourfull Handmade Cat Collar, Summer Design
The summer is coming and the time is right to put your cat in a new collar. This handmade cat collar will be perfect for summer days.
This lemon print cat collar with a yellow bell is perfect for the summer time. It’s light and easy to wear, but still looks stylish on your feline friend.
The safety clasp makes it easy for you to take off or put on the collar without any hassle.
This white, removable bell design will be perfect for those who want their cats to stay safe while being stylish during the warmer seasons!
Finally, a decision has been reached.
LupinePet Safety Cat Collar is a great choice for everyday wear because it is available in a variety of patterns and comes with a fantastic lifetime guarantee, which we appreciate.
The Made by Cleo Cat Collar and Flower Set collection has hundreds of styles to pick from, making it a great choice for special events or to boost your fashion game.
Inspecting Cat Collars: What to Look out for
Size
It is critical to get the proper fit so that the collar does not fall off and become misplaced during play, or that it does not cause discomfort or damage if it is too tight.
Collars with sliding buckles or several punched holes for different neck sizes are the most common kind of adjustable collars.
Check the fit on a regular basis, especially for kittens, who grow rapidly in their first few months on the planet.
When adjusting the length of the collar, Glover recommends making sure that you can fit two fingers between the collar and your cat.
You can measure your cat’s neck using a fabric measuring tape, or you can cut a strip of paper to the appropriate length and put it flat on a ruler to achieve the proper fit.
Collar Product Materials
The materials used to make cat collars range from cotton to hemp to wool to leather to polyester to nylon and other synthetic choices. Cotton is the most common material used, followed by hemp and wool.
Each has its own set of advantages and cons when it comes to durability, flexibility, comfort, adjustability, and cleaning ease. Examples include cats who are irritated by polyester or nylon collars, which might result in collars that are less durable as a result of the scratching.
While some collars made of synthetic materials contain recycled materials, choosing organic cotton or hemp means that your collar will be able to biodegrade more completely once you’ve finished utilizing it, rather than languishing in a landfill for a long period of time.
If your cat spends a lot of time outside after dark, try getting him a collar made of fluorescent materials so that he can be seen by motorists and bicyclists. For kittens who are still developing, a collar that is easy to wash and can be adjusted to fit a wide variety of sizes will provide the longest service.
Ethics in the Workplace
Although a product can be offered at a low cost and on a global scale, this ease can often come at the expense of and/or exploitation of a company’s employees and contractors.
Spend your hard-earned money with firms that pay their employees a living wage, provide a safe working environment, and give back to the communities that have helped them develop and flourish whenever feasible.
These values are frequently encapsulated under the term “fair trade.”
Several third-party organizations, such as Fair for Life, independently verify and certify fair trade policies; therefore, check for mentions of fair trade practices and/or seals on corporate packaging and websites.
If you genuinely want to shop fair trade, you should be aware that some organizations have constraints, while others just provide certifications in exchange for membership fees.
If you really want to shop for fair trade, you should do your study and research.
Visit the “About” section of a company’s website to learn more about the company’s environmental and social responsibility efforts.
There will frequently highlight their fair trade policies as well as any third-party certifications they have received as well as charitable organizations in which they are involved, such as 1 per cent for the Planet.
In order to help animal shelters and hospitals, several pet supply businesses contribute some of their products or financial assistance.
When at all possible, seek companies and manufacturers that share your values in terms of the environment and social responsibility.
What effect does wearing a bell on my cat’s collar have on their ability to kill birds and other wildlife?
A bell on our cat’s collar can drastically restrict the amount of prey it consumes, according to Glover. “At a distance, birds and mice can hear the bell ring and flee before your cat attacks,” explains the author.
It has been demonstrated in studies that bellowing a cat can reduce the amount of prey it captures by nearly 50%.
However, you must be certain that the bell is not harmful to your cat. The bell may be frightening to cats who are prone to nervousness or fearfulness, so make sure your cat appears relaxed when you first introduce the bell to him or her.
Alternatively, try purchasing a different accessory, such as the Birdsbesafe Collar Cover, which can serve as an additional warning to birds when your cat is approaching.
Some of the more ingenious cats will devise means of removing the bell, preventing it from ringing, or altering their hunting strategy in order to compensate for its presence. However, this is a rare occurrence.
If you have a bell, make sure the level isn’t too loud because the bell’s proximity to your cat’s ears can cause interference with their hearing.
Is it harmful for cats to wear collars?
According to Glover, “If you decide to put a collar on your cat, you must also accept full responsibility for your cat’s comfort and check the collar tightness on a regular basis to ensure that the collar is not too tight.”
“There have been numerous instances of cat owners forgetting to release their cats’ collars, resulting in significant injuries.”
Cats who spend time outside, especially if they are not being observed by their owners, should be outfitted with breakaway collars to protect them.
A non-breakaway collar may become entangled in branches or fences, preventing the cat from escaping and returning to its territory.
Should collars be worn by indoor cats?
You never know when your indoor cat might make an unintentional foray outside. It doesn’t matter if a visitor leaves the door ajar, a screen breaks from a window, or your cat makes a break for it as you’re about to leave the house; having some kind of identification on hand is essential.
“All cats should have collars with their owners’ information on them,” Glover recommends.
“It will inform anyone who comes across your stray cat that it is not a stray and must be returned to you.”
When it comes to a cat’s collar or tag, what information should I include?
The majority of collars offer the option of attaching a tag of some sort. Include at the very least a cell phone number that you check on a frequent basis.
Your cat’s identification tag can also come in helpful if you ever need to send out a plea for help for your lost feline companion via a poster or social media.
Consider including your home address, any medical issues or allergies your pet may have, and whether or not your pet has a microchip as further considerations.
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