Cat Collars – Your Options and Buyer’s Guide

Attach some identification to your cat or dog – with a pet collar and name tag, or other method of providing your contact information for the people who can help your pet if he or she gets into trouble.

Cat collars

The quick release or breakaway collar, is designed with your pet’s safety in mind.

The clasp or buckle is designed to break apart, should your pet’s collar become snagged or caught on a tree branch, fence or other object.

Some breakaway collars break apart more easily than others.

We think these are preferable, especially for an older or lighter pet … or a younger animal, such as a kitten or puppy.

With no fingers to free themselves, your pet is helpless. If a pet collar becomes snagged in such a way that your cat or dog is hanging by its collar, strangulation can occur within minutes. Your pet could become trapped somewhere … it is just not a happy scenario.

Even in your home your pet can run into trouble. A small dog, home alone, snagged his collar on plumbing fixtures behind the toilet. He did manage to free himself – by ripping the plumbing apart. The home was flooded but happily the dog was not injured, only wet.

Personalized or embroidered pet collars has your pet’s contact information imprinted on a nylon collar or stitched into an embroidered collar. This pet collar is of course lighter and some come with the safety breakaway feature.

Elastic cat collars are made entirely from stretchy material (like a headband)

These collars should expand in size (check it for stretch yourself). If your cat’s collar does get snagged your cat’s weight should stretch the collar … allowing your cat to wriggle free.

Make sure your cat weighs enough for the stretch band to be effective. If the collar does become caught a small or lightweight cat may not be heavy enough to actually stretch the collar.

Cat collars with an elastic loop sewn in

Some of these elasticized loops don’t stretch by much and, depending on the fit of your cat’s collar … we don’t believe they would be effective if your cat’s life depended on slipping his or her head out of this type of collar.

These collars, fitted properly, were tested on my (poor) cat. We couldn’t pull either of them off his head.

Pet collars that are reflective or glow in the dark will provide an extra measure of safety for your pet at night. With a reflective collar, your cat or dog will be more easily seen by drivers and other home owners. It could also help prevent your pet from being mistaken for wildlife.

For a pet with longer hair there are flashing or blinking collars and also reflective tags.

The collar needs to fit your pet properly loose and your cat will dispose of it … tight and your pet will be uncomfortable. A pet collar is usually adjustable. You should be able to fit one or two fingers between the collar and your pet’s neck.

For a kitten or young pet loosen the collar as your pet grows … (this might seem obvious but it doesn’t always happen).

Pet tags

Tags are easy to see and read, inexpensive and can be applied quickly.

The most important information on the pet tag or collar is your contact information, your phone number and name. If you have room add your address, your vet, a friend’s phone number and address.

Double sided tags hold more information.

As well, adding a contact number in a different city or part of the country could be real handy in the event of a disaster.

… For your cat’s benefit choose a light material.

… Many pet stores or online stores provide engraved pet tag services. Some tags are double sided which allows you to add more information.

… If your pet has a disability, such as a hearing problem, or other medical condition, include it or purchase a medical alert tag.

… If you are looking for cheap pet id tags consider plastic or metal.

Reflective Identification Tags

Reflective tags work well if your pet has long fur and a reflective collar cannot be seen.

Some are engraved. Other reflective tags come with a permanent ink pen and you write your contact info on the back. Some are quite large and will not suit smaller animals.

Some government regulations require bells to be placed on cats to protect local wildlife. Others require vaccination tags or licenses. Be sure to check with your local government or animal shelter to find out what the regulations are.

Remember to update your contact information if you are moving or giving your pet away.

In the end, less than five percent of cats and 25 percent of dogs taken to shelters are reunited with their families. Many animals have no identification at all. Many don’t make it to a shelter.

If your pet becomes lost, a simple collar with attached identification could very well end up saving his or her life.

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