It’s not just a necklace: collars give your cat a new way to communicate.

The main practical reason to get your cat a collar is for identification. In human eyes, unidentified or uncollared cats are often viewed as strays or ferals, so they won’t receive the same attention that would be given a collared cat spotted wandering the streets. Collars also give you a way to equip your cat with an identification tag – a key part of helping your cat come home if they get lost.

Besides the identification benefits, there’s a variety of other features that you might find on collars today, like breakaway buckles for safety, reflective accents, and glow-in-the-dark functionality. For fashion-conscious cat guardians, there’s an enchanting world of colors, styles, and coordinating pieces to suit almost any cat’s wardrobe.

In this article, we’ll break down the various benefits of collars for cats, talk about the features that make a collar great, and review our top 5 picks for the best cat collars available today.

What do cat collars do?

Make medical issues obvious.

If you have a cat with a medical condition that requires regular medications for management, you know how important it is that someone is always there to take care of them. But if your cat is lost, who is going to offer that important care? Medical ID tags attach to your cat’s collar and notify potential rescuers that your cat has specific health needs. For cats with allergies and chronic conditions, collars with medical ID tags can save a life.

If your cat gets lost, a collar gives them a way to say: “Please help me get back home.”

It’s a possibility that’s worth preparing for: whether your cat lives indoors, outdoors, or both, they could get lost. Even the most docile, attached cat could escape through a window or wander too far from home. In the case of an emergency or severe weather event, you and your cat could become suddenly separated. When that happens, how will you get your cat back? Without identification, even a microchipped cat could pass through the hands of dozens of people who would otherwise love to help them find their way home. An unidentified cat may be mistaken for a stray and taken in by a new family or sent to an animal shelter. Identification gives your lost cat a far better chance of finding their way back home.

Even without an ID tag or labeling, a collar says “I have a home”, so wandering cats won’t be misidentified as strays or ferals.

Do bells keep your cat from catching birds?

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t.

It’s easy for your cat to prohibit the bell from jingling while they stalk, plus the noise that the bell does make is quiet. It’s unlikely that the bell will do much to protect your local bird population.

That said, there’s a lot to like about having your cat wear a bell. It makes it easy to hear your cat as they explore in the dark, whether indoors or outdoors. If your cat disappears into the night, a jingling bell makes it easier to pin down their location.

However, bells have their flaws. They can fall off and become choking hazards and your cat might get their claws stuck in them.

All things considered, bells can be a nice little perk, but they aren’t a critical feature on a cat collar.

Give your cat personal style.

Want your cat’s style to reflect your own or feel that a cool collar reflects their personality? Collars give you the opportunity to give your cat some style. Whether your cat is moto chic, retro, or steampunk, there’s a distinctive collar out there to suit almost any style.

Plus if you live with cats who look almost identical, collars can help you to visually differentiate between twin kitties.

Choose a great collar for your cat.

Great collars are safe, stylish, and can be used to identify your cat if they go missing. Let’s take a look at some of the important features of an excellent cat collar.

Breakaway collars

Naturally curious cats can get into sticky situations – and if your cat’s collar gets caught on something, it’s important that they can pop the collar open and escape. There are enough stories about cats being strangled or choked by non-breakaway collars to make this feature an absolute necessity.

While some breakaway collars pop open too easily and get lost quickly, a high-quality one will only break off when it gets caught on something and your cat needs to escape safely.

An alternative to breakaway buckles is elastic – these collars are stretchy enough for your cat to theoretically escape in the case of an emergency. Some people prefer them to breakaway collars because they’re less likely to get lost. That said, these collars aren’t as safe the breakaway ones – they can still get twisted and tightened if your cat panics or even get stuck on their jaw. Because of these risks, elastic alone doesn’t make a collar safe enough to appear on our list of the best cat collars.

Some collars incorporate a combination of elastic and breakaway buckles or use hook and loop closures, all of which are good choices for safety.

High-quality and durable

Obviously, it’s important that your cat’s collar lasts. High-quality collars are made from durable materials that will withstand years of wear.

Most collars are made from either cotton, polyester, or nylon webbing. All can be sturdy and reliable choices, but some cats are sensitive to synthetics and are more comfortable wearing natural fibers. We’ll include collars made from a variety of high-quality materials with a reputation for longevity. Collars that quickly fray, fall apart, or which are made from low-quality materials that don’t do their job correctly have been disqualified.

Identification

A great collar offers a way to identify your cat, whether that’s with a ring for attaching ID tags or by incorporating custom embroidery. Some cats don’t like metal ID tags as they can be heavy or distracting – making embroidered collars a more universally agreeable choice.

Adjustability and fit

To make sure that you get a great fit, measure your cat’s neck before choosing a collar and only select adjustable collars – this way you’ll avoid collars that are either too loose or too tight for your cat. You should be able to snugly fit two fingers between the collar and your cat. Additionally, kittens need adjustable collars that will continue to fit them as they age and grow.

Visibility

Some collars are glow-in-the-dark or feature reflective materials so that they’ll stand out at night. This is useful for helping to find your cat when they’re hiding in a dark space or dashing through the yard at night. Theoretically, these collars could also help motorists spot your cat on the road, helping them to stay safe at night. These added visibility enhancements are helpful, but not necessary for a great collar – so not all of the products on our list of the top 5 collars include them.

Top 5 Best Cat Collars

Taking into consideration the important features and qualities mentioned earlier, here are our picks for the top 5 best cat collars available today.

Collar	Price	Quality	Rating
Rogz Catz Safeloc Glow-in-the-Dark Cat Collar Read Reviews Where To Buy	$$
Beastie Bands Cat Collar Read Reviews Where To Buy	$
GoTags Custom Embroidered Cat ID Collar Read Reviews Where To Buy	$$$
Blueberry Pet Adjustable Breakaway Cat Collar with Bell Read Reviews Where To Buy	$
Pettsie Cat Collar with Friendship Bracelet Read Reviews Where To Buy	$$$

Rogz Catz Glow Cat Safeloc Breakaway Clip Adjustable, Reflective and Glow-in-the-Dark Cat Collar Review

This collar stands out from the crowd with its unique adjustable-load breakaway buckle for maximum safety and longevity

This collar goes beyond the basics by allowing you to choose how easily the breakaway buckle can be pulled apart based on your cat’s weight. For those who are hesitant to choose a breakaway collar for fear that the collar will get lost, this feature is enough to set this collar far apart from the rest by combining optimum safety and longevity. The safety features of the collar don’t end there: it also features both reflective material and glow-in-the-dark polyurethane for maximum visibility at night. Available in a variety of colors and prints, this collar comes equipped with a removable bell and is ID tag compatible. – Buy It

Pros

• Unlike other breakaway collars that are easily lost, this collar has an adjustable breakaway mechanism to ensure that the collar only pops off when it should
• Maximum nighttime visibility with glow-in-the-dark and reflective surfaces – making it easy to find your cat outdoors at night or when they’re hiding under the bed
• Soft and durable scratch-proof construction isn’t itchy or uncomfortable for your cat
• Includes a removable bell

Cons

• With an adjustable length of 8-13”, this collar may not be small enough for small kittens

Beastie Bands Cat Collar Review

Made from thin, stretchy neoprene and fully adjustable, making it perfect for sensitive cats and kittens

Beastie Bands collars are a good fit for cats who hate wearing essentially any other collar. They’re made from soft neoprene that stretches in every direction and attach with Velcro, making them at once soft and safe. Because they can be cut to size, these collars are an appropriate choice for cats of all shapes and sizes, making them perfect for both tiny kittens and beastly adults. They feature a grommet through which you can insert an ID tag ring. – Buy It

Pros

• Available in a wide variety of colors and prints
• Super soft and lightweight neoprene collar is perfect for cats with sensitive skin and those who hate wearing collars
• Stretchy collar closes with Velcro, making it easy for your cat to escape from when in danger
• Compatible with ID tags

Cons

• For some patterns, the color received will vary from order to order

GoTags Custom Embroidered Cat ID Collar Review

Offers the lightweight convenience of custom embroidered identification

For some cats, dangling ID tags are a nuisance. If your cat can’t stand the thought of a heavy tag hanging at his or her neck, these custom embroidered collars offer a solution by integrating large, easy-to-read text right into the collar. The collars are adjustable from 8-12”, making them appropriate for small to large cats, but the sliding adjustment buckle tends to cover some of the embroidered text. According to customer reviews, this is annoying, but not a dealbreaker – the text is still readable. The collar comes with an attached bell. – Buy It

Pros

• Perfect for cats who don’t like to wear dangling ID tags
• Made from sturdy, lightweight nylon webbing
• Choose from 5 collar colors and 15 thread colors
• Adjustable to fit a variety of cat sizes

Cons

• The sliding adjustment buckle tends to cover the custom embroidery
• May not be small enough for some kittens

Blueberry Pet Adjustable Breakaway Cat Collar with Bell Review

A super-popular choice that incorporates fun design and functionality

These collars from Blueberry Pet feature fun, contrasting colors and eye-catching designs. Even the breakaway buckles are made in bright, cheerful colors. Equipped with a D-ring for ID tags and an attached brightly-colored bell, these collars offer both fashion and functionality. – Buy It

Pros

• The collars are made with durable high-density polyester webbing
• Bright, fun colors and patterns
• Breakaway buckles for safety
• Adjustable length

Cons

• With an adjustable length of 9-13”, this collar is best for larger kittens and adult cats

Pettsie Cat Collar with Friendship Bracelet Review

When you want to match your best friend, look no further than this matching collar and bracelet set

When it comes to cuteness, this collar is the winner. The soft 100% cotton collar features a lightweight beechwood bow for maximum adorability and comes with a matching bracelet so that cat and human can show off their friendship. This collar is available in four colors and can be adjusted to measure between 8-11”. Beautifully packaged and well made, this collar and bracelet set makes a great gift. – Buy It

Pros

• Includes a vintage D-ring for attaching an ID tag or bell
• Natural cotton webbing is perfect for cats who are irritated by nylon collars
• Matching friendship bracelet and collar set makes this a fun gift
• Has a breakaway buckle for safety

Cons

• The bracelet uses a hook and loop closure and isn’t the most elegant piece
• May not fit small kittens and very large cats

Choosing the Perfect Collar for Your Cat

Any cat can get lost. When they do, an identification tag greatly increases their chances of returning home. Even microchipped cats can pass through the hands of would-be returners. Microchips don’t always work and people often don’t recognize an uncollared, untagged cat as being anything but “just a stray”. As we’ve mentioned, collars and identification tags give your cat a voice – one that humans can hear and understand. Besides allowing your cat to tell people that they have a home, they can communicate any conditions that need regular care.

While collars are a great investment to help your cat stay safe in the outdoors, some can present a new safety hazard. Non-breakaway collars can get caught, leading to choking and strangulation. That’s why it’s so important to choose a well-made collar that takes safety into consideration.

Breakaway buckles and stretchy materials help your cat to escape from sticky situations.

A second part of making sure that your cat’s collar is safe is to get a great fit. Collars that are both too big and too small can be dangerous for your cat, so make sure to measure your cat’s neck before purchasing a collar.

If you intend to take your cat on a walk make sure to attach a leash to a quality harness instead of a collar. Applying pressure to a cat’s neck could lead to serious harm.

Once you get past those basic safety rules, there’s a world of cat collars available to suit different fashion senses, lifestyle needs, and feline physiques.