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Breakaway Cat Collar

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Do You Need a Breakaway Cat Collar?

We love our cats and we want to protect them. Losing a cat can be traumatic but it happens every day. If you take a few precautions however you can help reduce the likelihood that your cat will wander off one day and never be seen again.

A breakaway cat collar is one very affordable and simple way of protecting your cat. They are the safest collar available on the market. Learn more about them here and find one that will suit both you and your kitty.

Introduction photo by faeryboots, not for sale. All other photos on this page are on sale. Click images to buy.

Domestic Cat, Two White Persian-Cross Kittens, One Odd-Eyed

A cat collar can perform a number of important functions. First, they can provide the necessary identification, so that if lost, anyone who finds your cat can easily locate you and return your cat. Microchips are good, but you have to wonder if anyone who finds your cat will think to take it in to be checked. A collar is a very visible item that's hard to overlook.

Even experienced outdoor cats can get lost. Cats that are kept entirely indoors sometimes escape. Collars are therefore a good idea whether you allow your cat outdoors or not.

Many collars also have a reflective surface which helps drivers spot your cat before it's too late. Some are also flea collars which help keep fleas in check and your cat healthy.

Why Are Breakaway Cat Collars Preferred?

Ginger Domestic Kitten (Felis Catus) Rolling on Back Playing

Despite the fact that collars provide important identification information, they can present certain hazards as well. Cats tend to get themselves into tight spots! It wouldn't be unlikely that your cat would get it's collar hung up on something as it prowls and roams. Because of this, they could get stuck somewhere, unable to return home or worse yet, they could strangle.

To circumvent this type of occurrence, a breakaway cat collar will give way if enough pressure is applied. For instance, if the cat gets snagged on a small limb, they can pull away and the collar will free them; allowing them to escape unharmed.

Choosing a Breakaway Cat Collar

Domestic Cat, 4-Month Silver-And-White Kitten

Most collars will be made with a nylon fabric. It's strong and yet lightweight and comfortable. There are a number of colors to choose from and can often be purchased in multiples. Some collars allow you to personalize them, having your contact information printed directly on the collar so that no additional tags are needed. Others however, require you to place contact information on a separate tag which is then attached to the collar.

If you use flea collars you can opt for a breakaway cat collar that has this feature versus having your cat wear two separate collars. If your cat is often out at night, it's certainly wise to select a reflective breakaway collar for added protection.

When fitting the collar be sure that it's adjusted to the appropriate size. It should be small enough to assure your cat won't easily slip out of it but not too tight so that it's uncomfortable. Typically, you should be able to fit two fingers between your cat's skin and the collar. Cats adjust to collars best when they begin wearing them as youngsters although probably not before 6 months of age. You will need to check the collar routinely to assure the fit remains good.

Breakaway Cat Collar

If you don't see what you want here, find more breakaway cat collars at this link.

Learn More about Protecting Your Cat

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Making Your own Breakaway Cat Collar

It's of course possible to make your own cat collar with a breakaway buckle. All you need is a couple of feet of nylon webbing and the breakaway buckle. The nylon webbing used for a cat collar is usually only 1/2 to 3/8" in width. You need to buy enough to assure you have extra to lap it over after running it through the buckle. A couple of feet should be plenty.

The process is as simple as running the nylon through the buckle, lapping if over at the end and sewing it down securely. Then you merely need to repeat the process at the other end. The fit should allow you to fit two fingers between your cats skin and the collar. You can find the materials for such things at CDWPlus.

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squidtwit Apr 25, 2012 @ 9:01 am | delete

At one point I had breakaway collars on all of our cats, but they worked a little too well. Our cats figured out how to remove them, and I kept finding them throughout the house. Finally I gave up and left them off. But I agree that these are a safer collar for cats to wear.

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m.neault@roadrunner.com Jul 22, 2010 @ 1:07 pm | delete

How do I attach a name tag to a breakaway collar on my cat? I am also trying to add a bell as he is a quick to act cat and I am an old lady. When I put the tag on for the first time , I used the small elastic area to put it on and he kept trying to bit it. I put the bell on with a twisty because I was in a hurry this morning. The cat and I shadow each other during the day. Thank you for your time. Mary

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ClassyGals Mar 11, 2010 @ 3:13 pm | delete

Thanks for the useful information. My cat is currently an indoor cat but I'm noticing as the weather gets nicer, he's wanting to go outdoors. The breakaway cat collar is something I'll be considering.

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Jen Jan 23, 2010 @ 3:51 am | delete

Breakaway collars will DEFINITELY save a cats life! My next door neighbor's cat was out on their deck one day with a leash so he would not run away, he must have tried to jump off the deck because they found him hanging, if they had a breakaway collar on him it would have snapped and the cat more than likely would have ran back up the deck stairs. So sad to lose a life over something you CAN easily prevent!

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Jen Jan 23, 2010 @ 3:51 am | delete

Breakaway collars will DEFINITELY save a cats life! My next door neighbor's cat was out on their deck one day with a leash so he would not run away, he must have tried to jump off the deck because they found him hanging, if they had a breakaway collar on him it would have snapped and the cat more than likely would have ran back up the deck stairs. So sad to lose a life over something you CAN easily prevent!

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bbug Apr 29, 2009 @ 10:26 am | delete

Breakaway collars can save a life. Enjoyed the posters

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inkserotica Apr 28, 2009 @ 2:41 pm | delete

My cat is now an indoor cat but was outdoor in the past. He used to wear a collar which wasn't the unbreakable kind. If I'd been his owner sooner, I would definitely have bought one of these for him. So very cute pics of kitties ;) 5*

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nightbear Apr 27, 2009 @ 4:26 pm | delete

It is so important to use breakaway collars. I had a collar that was not breakaway on my cat and she got it caught on a stick and it chased her around the house frightening her to death. Fortunately all ended well, but it could have been a tragedy. Could have avoided the whole thing with these collars.