Cat collars are more than just a fun way to pamper your cat. And it keeps your cat safe with an identification tag. While it is fun to choose a color and style, it may be that you wonder what the purpose of a cat collar even is.
If you have an outdoor cat, you will want to put a cat collar on as you don't want anyone to assume your pet is a stray. But do indoor cats also need a collar? According to vets and rescues, indoor cats should also be wearing a collar. This is particularly important if your indoor cat escapes, as it is not uncommon for cats to dart out and get lost. A collar with ID tags can help your cat get home safely. Plus, your cats won't even notice it is even there with a comfortable and properly fit collar.
With so many cat collar options out on the market, how do you know which one is the best one for your cat? We've got you covered. To help you shop, we have rounded up 14 best cat collars on the market today. But before we dive in, let's take a look at what you need to look for in the best cat collar for your cat.
What to Look For in a Cat Collar
Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best cat collar for your cat.
Collar Length
While most cat collars offer adjustable straps, it is best to measure your cat's neck before purchasing a collar. It's important to properly fit your cat's collar to prevent injury or discomfort. If the collar is too loose, it can get caught on things or wrangle off.
The perfect fit should be tight enough that they can't slip their paws in there and pull it off, and it should be loose enough that you can put one or two fingers underneath.
Materials
There are a number of materials that are safe and comfortable enough for cat collars. Some of the most popular include—
- Nylon
- Polyester
- Leather or leather material
- Rayon fabric
You will want to consider how active your cat is and how dirty it might get when considering what material suits you best. Only-indoor cats can get by with more delicate collars, while outdoor cats need something sturdy and durable and possibly even waterproof.
Also, consider your cat's hair length. You want to pay more attention to long hair cats as their hair can get caught on the collar. If the collar keeps pulling on her hair, she may not want to wear it again in the future.
Features to Consider
Your cat can wander into a dangerous situation, but it can help keep her safe with some safety features. Here are a few common features of the most popular cat collars include—
Breakaway Option
A breakaway collar sports special buckles that allow the collar to break free if a cat gets its collar snagged somehow. This prevents your cat from choking and getting trapped anywhere and is particularly important if your cat spends any time outside.
Bells
Bells are a great addition if you want to be able to hear your cat if it gets lost or if you don't want to receive any more "gifts" from your feline friend. They are also ideal if your outdoor cat likes to catch birds and rodents, as the sound of the bell will warn the small animals of your cat's presence. This is the only collar design that will protect its prey.
Reflective collar
Reflective straps will protect your cat at night if it wanders off and gets lost. They will protect your outdoor cat during the nighttime with the reflectors—less chance for them to get into accidents or get hit by a car.
Glow Collar
Glow in the dark collar is another great option for your outdoor cats as it will keep your cat visible in the dark.
Adjustable Straps
Adjustable straps are necessary if you hope that your collar can grow with your kitten, and they allow for an easy adjustment as your cat grows.
Decorative
Decorative attachments are more a matter of preference than any safety feature. They are not ideal for outdoor cats since they are prone to getting dirty, lost, or destroyed, but they can be a fun way to showcase your cat's personality.
15 Best Cat Collars
Stylish and durable, this Necoichi Zen Hariko Charm Cotton Breakaway Collar With Bell is crafted from chirimen cotton, a sturdy fabric used for kimonos. It is soft yet durable and has unique features to show off your cat's personality. The one size fits all features a breakaway clip buckle for the safety of your feline friend. With a stylish bow and bell, you will know where your companion is.
Material
Cotton, PVC
Size
8.2 x 13.7 x 2/5 w inches
Adjustable Size
8.2 to 13.7 inches
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Reflective Cat Collar with Bell, Set of 10
Best Value
overall
Price
$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
This Reflective Cat Collar with Bell is your choice for a great overall option for cat collars. This collar comes in a set of ten nylon collars in various colors and two patterns. These are breakaway pet collars with reflective strips and bells. These collars are adjustable in size with a range of 7-11inches in length. These collars are safe for indoor and outdoor use and come in premium gift box packaging.
Material
NYLON
Size
4 x 1 x 6 inches
Adjustable Size
7-11 Inch
What We Like
What We Don't Like
FriendshipCollar Kitty Love Leather Breakaway Cat Collar
Best Breakaway Cat Collar
overall
Price
$$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
The FriendshipCollar is one of the best breakaway cat collars on the market. It comes with a breakaway feature to ensure that your cat doesn't get caught if the collar gets snagged. It prevents your cat from choking and ensures it doesn't get trapped anywhere if its collar gets stuck. This collar comes with a matching friendship bracelet that is adjustable and unisex, and comfortable for anyone to wear. The collar is made of leather and has a chic pink/gold pattern. The bracelet has gold plating making it a versatile accessory that can be worn every day.
Material
Leather
Size
8 x 1/2 inches
Adjustable Size
8-10 Inch
What We Like
What We Don't Like
BioThane Collar, Waterproof Durable Breakaway Cat Collar
Best Waterproof Cat Collar
overall
Price
$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
The BioThane Collar is a durable waterproof collar with breakaway, quick-release features. This collar is adjustable and can grow with your kitten. It comes in nine bright colors, and you can opt for a silver or gold bell. You can also opt for no bell and choose between gold or silver studs instead. They are adjustable from 8-12 inches, with options for smaller and larger sizes if needed. These collars are great for active cats on the go, indoor or outdoor.
Material
Biothane, Plastic Breakaway Buckle, Metal Rivets, Metal D Ring
Size
XS (6" - 10") or XL (10" - 14")
Adjustable Size
8" - 12"
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Reflective Breakaway CAT Collar
Best Reflective Cat Collar
overall
Price
$$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
The Reflective Breakaway CAT Collar is one of the best when it comes to reflective collars. This collar is highly reflective, but it also comes in over 25 colors, so there are many options to choose from. You can opt for a silver or brass bell or no bell. These collars boast a 1/2" wide reflective strip, making them thicker than many other collars. This makes them especially reflective so you can feel safe about your cat.
Material
Nylon
Size
8" - 11" x 1/2" W
Adjustable Size
8" - 11"
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Lamphyface 2 Pack Cat Collar Breakaway
Best Bow Tie Collar
overall
Price
$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
The LamphyFace 2 Pack bow tie collar is perfect for cats with a sophisticated attitude and personality to match. These collars come in blue, pink, and yellow, with flower and plaid patterns. These are cotton-made breakaway collars with adjustable straps and a bell. They make for a super cute style statement, and your kitty is sure to love them.
Material
Cotton
Size
8" - 11" x 3/8" W
Adjustable Size
8" - 11"
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Cream White Velvet Personalized Cat Collar
Best Personalized Cat Collar
overall
Price
$$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
For a personalized collar option, the Cream White Velvet Personalized Collar is the perfect option. This collar is made of soft velvet for a soft and comfortable fit and is fitted with rose gold hardware, ideal for use on an indoor cat. You can personalize the buckle with contact info and name. The collar comes with a bell, and you can opt for a bow tie for added fun. Add a matching leash to your order, and take your cat out for a stroll. This collar is available in a number of colors so you can match your cat's color to its personality. This collar is particularly cute to use for kitten collars.
Material
Velvet, Metal Buckle, Bell, Bow Tie
Size
6" to 9"L x 1/2" W (S), 8" to 12x 1/2" (L)
Adjustable Size
6" to 9"L (S), 8" to 12"L
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Apple Air Tag
Best GPS Tracker
overall
Price
$$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
The Apple Air Tag is a great way to keep track of your outdoor cat or in case your indoor cat gets lost or wanders away frequently. This tag has a simple one-tap setup and a built-in speaker to help you find your cat. A collar attachment is necessary to attach it to a cat collar, but with the tag and attachment, you can easily set up the air tag on your cat's current collar.
Material
N/A
Size
1.531" W x 1.795" H
Adjustable Size
N/A
What We Like
What We Don't Like
EnerCal Calming Collar for Cats
Best Calming Collar
overall
Price
$$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
The EnerCal Calming Collar for Cats uses pheromones to relieve your cat's anxiety and calm it down. This is a one-size-fits-all collar that is lightweight, safe, effective, and 1005 natural. The natural ingredients work to relax your cat's stress, anxiety, aggression, and fear. These collars are especially useful for cats who are stressed by trips to the vet, fireworks, or storms. This collar works for 60 days. The strap is adjustable for cats sizing from kittens to adults. The collar is also waterproof, making it a durable everyday option.
Material
N/A
Size
One size fits all
Adjustable Size
N/A
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Frisco Spring Floral Cat Collar
Best Cat Collar on a Budget
overall
Price
$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
For cat owners on a budget, the Frisco Spring Floral Cat Collar is a great choice. This collar has an adjustable strap with a range of 8-12 inches to change the collar length. It is made with durable polyester and has an easy-to-use buckle that doubles as a breakaway if the collar gets snagged. Sturdy hardware and contoured edges add comfort to this trusty collar.
Material
Polyester, Plastic
Size
5.5 x 1 x 0.5 inches
Adjustable Size
N/A
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Cat Collar
Best Collar for Sizing Options
overall
Price
$$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
For a collar with a lot of sizing options, the "Forest Fantasy" cat collar from MadeByCleo is the clear best choice. This collar comes in sizes for kittens, adult cats, extra-large cats, and even dog sizes. You can choose between a breakaway or non-breakaway buckle design and opt for a bow, flower, or bandanna attachment. The "Forest Fantasy" design sports mushrooms, toadstool, and acorns for an adorable fall-themed collar.
Material
Industrial Grade Nylon Webbing, Premium Cotton Fabric
Size
Multiple size available
Adjustable Size
Multiple size available
What We Like
What We Don't Like
CollarDirect Leather Cat Collar
Best Leather Cat Collar
overall
Price
$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
CollarDirect Leather Cat Collars are stylish leather collars that come in 12 color options. They feature an elastic strap for an easy escape should the collar snag and a brightly colored bell to match the color collar you choose. These collars are made out of genuine soft leather for durability and comfort. These collars are safe and suitable for kittens and cats with two size options, 6-7" and 9-11".
Material
Leather
Size
9-11 inch
Adjustable Size
N/A
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Cat Collar, Personalized Embroidered Cat ID
Best Contact ID Collar
overall
Price
$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
The Personalized Embroidered Nylon Cat ID Collar comes with a bell and customizable text. These collars are ideal for cat owners who want to ID their cats in the case of escape, loss, or primarily outdoor-living cats. You can add custom text to include your cat's name and your phone number. These collars are ideal for any cat since they are adjustable from 8-12".
They are made from quality nylon with a non-corrosive stainless steel D-ring and a reliable breakaway buckle. This collar comes in six collar colors and twelve embroidery thread colors for optimum personalization. Your cat will be safe and comfortable in this collar, not to mention stylish.
Material
Nylon, Stainless Steel
Size
9-11 inch x 2/5 inch w
Adjustable Size
N/A
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Domi Glow In Dark Collar
Best For Outdoor Cats
overall
Price
$$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
This Domi Glow In the Dark Cat Collar may just be what you need to keep your outdoor cats safe. With the glow in the dark feature, you can put your mind at ease, knowing it will be easily seen in the dark with a visible distance of 500 meters. The rechargeable collar can be recharged by a Micro USB cable that can last 3 to 5 hours of quick flash, 1 to 2 hours of steady glow, or personalized flashing modes—perfect glow-in-the-dark collar for both outdoor cats and small dogs.
Material
Nylon, Plastic, Thermoplastic Polyurethane
Size
XS (8.5-11.8inch / 21.5-29.9cm)
Adjustable Size
N/A
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Pettsie Cotton Breakaway Cat Collar
Best For Indoor Cats
overall
Price
$$
Sturdiness
Light weight
Comfort
When it comes to cat collars for indoor cats, comfortability is the key. Pettsie Cotton Breakaway Cat Collar is crafted from 100% cotton that is lightweight and breathable. So comfy, your indoor cat won't even know it's there. Aside from being comfortable, it also keeps your kitties safe by featuring a safety breakaway buckle that prevents cats from getting stuck in dangerous situations.
Now, the best part? It comes with a matching friendship bracelet that both men and women can wear. This makes this set the perfect gift for yourself, your cat, or any pet lovers.
Material
Cotton
Size
7.5 - 11.5" x 3/8"
Adjustable Size
6.3 to 11 inches
What We Like
What We Don't Like
In Closing
Choosing a cat collar is an important decision. A collar can be what protects and ID your cat should it get lost or wander. They are also a fun way to bring out your pet's personality. There are options out there enough for every cat's type, age, and lifestyle so you can keep your cat friend safe and stylish all its life.
Discover the best leather dog collars.