What are cat collars for?

Cat collars are an important accessory, not for decoration but for your cat's wellbeing and safety. Read on to find out more!

Cat collars differ from dog collars in that they are not used as a way to secure a lead. For cats who like to go for walks with their owners, harnesses are a safer and more appropriate means. But collars play another role altogether.

Find out the importance of putting a collar on your cat below.

What are cat collars for?

Cats are traditionally roaming animals. Unless an indoor cat, they typically love spending long periods of time exploring their surrounding environment. Despite their acute sense of awareness, cats can still get lost. The same is true for house cats.

In theory, house cats don’t really have access to the outside, apart from maybe a patio or similar. However, a sudden urge for exploration, finding an open door, or an unfortunate balcony fall could give them access to a world they haven't seen before.

This is where the collar steps in. It is far easier to identify a cat wearing a collar than without. Microchipping or tattooing are still recommended as the most important and primary forms of identification in both cats and dogs, but for cats who also wear collars, this can make the identification process even easier.

The collar should be chosen with care, and not simply because it looks good. It should prevent strangulation and be perfectly adjusted to suit your cat. Your vet will be able to guide you with your decision.

Should your cat get lost, a passerby will be able to use the information from its collar to contact you. House cats are often mistaken for cats who are free to wander. So if your pet is indeed lost and not wearing a collar, it's much less likely someone will spend the time taking your cat to the vet to have them checked for a microchip.

Additionally, if your cat is free to roam around outdoors, having a collar will help neighbours recognise the animal and provide reassurance that you can be contacted in case anything should happen to them.

What should I write on my cat’s collar?

It is highly recommended that all owners add a labelled tag onto their cat’s collar.

This tag should be chosen with care, so as not to endanger your pet. You should avoid tags with sharp points, or your pet could hurt themselves, and the tag shouldn’t be so large that it bothers your cat while they are roaming. It is a good idea to engrave the owner’s phone number, and even home address if needed. You may chose to avoid having your pet's name engraved on the tag, in case an ill-intentioned person decided to take your cat as their own.

Although it seems like a simple idea, in reality a cat collar is an extremely important accessory. It will allow your cat to be brought home as quickly as possible if it gets lost or injured.

Another option to consider is an anti-flea collar. Just like a regular collar, a tag can be added to it with your relevant contact details. With this option, you can combine two key protective elements to help ensure your cat’s wellbeing and health.

Does your cat wear a collar?