Choosing Kitten Collars

Well…maybe kittens don’t need collars. But, kitten collars are great to support pet id tags and cat bells. Both outdoor and indoor cats can benefit from cat collars. Outdoor cats are notorious for getting lost or running away. Even house cats and kitten can escape quickly and quietly from the safety of indoor life.

A kitten collar with id tags offers cat owners a way to become reunited with their lost pets. All cats, even indoor cats, should have at least one form of identification at all times (id tags, microchips, or tattoos).

Fancy cat collars or personalized cat collars can add touch of style and flair to your furry friend. Buy cat collars that coordinate with your feline’s coat, eye color, or even personality.

How to Fit Kitten Collars

I once made the mistake of buying a collar for my kitten without first measuring its neck size. The collar looked like it would fit. But, when I tried it on my kitten, it was way too big. I had to go back to the store and return the collar. I wasted my valuable time.

Photo by BigTallGuy @ flickr.com

For an average sized adult cat, most collars from 8 to 12 inches (20.3 to 30.5 cm) in length will fit.

For a kitten, a smaller fit is required. Kitten collars that are 5 to 8 inches (12.7 to 20.3 cm) in length may be a better fit for kittens.

When you try on the collar for the first time, do not fasten it tightly around your cat’s neck. Allow enough space for about two of your fingers to fit between the collar and your cat’s neck.

Types of Kitten Collars

There are many types of cat and kitten collars to choose from. You can choose basic inexpensive collars that are fastened by a simply metal or plastic buckle. Or you can buy ornate rhinestone, Swarovski crystal, or diamond collars.

But, there some collars that you should especially consider buying for your cat: safety collars. Safety collars are those that have an added built in safety feature.

Some safety collars have an elastic strap that stretches the collar band. This allows the cat to not become strangled if it gets caught on an object. Other safety collars have a “breakaway” feature. With “breakaway” collars, there is usually a plastic clasp with holds that collar together. This clasp can be pulled apart rather easily by a cat if it is in danger of being strangled by the collar.

I think that is best to purchase a collar with both safety features (elastic band and “breakaway” feature) in place. That way you’ll know that your cat is fully protected with two security measures in place.

You can also add bells to collars to prevent your cat from preying on birds and other small animals. The bell makes noise that warns little critters in the area to watch out for your kitten. However, most cats (and many owners!) find this added feature to be quite annoying.

Training a Cat to Wear a Collar

It is best to wait until your kitten is at least 5 or 6 months old before it wears a collar.

Paul Reynolds @ flickr.com

Don’t expect your kitten to absolutely love sporting a collar initially. A collar is not something a cat is accustomed to adorning. So, it may take a while (a few weeks) for a kitten to get use to wearing a collar around its neck. At first, you may notice that while wearing its collar your kitten pulls, bites, or tries to take off its collar. Be patient. Your cat or kitten will adjust.

To make the adjustment period easier, simply have your kitten wear its collar a couple of hours a day the first week. Then, gradually increase the amount time the kitten uses the collar over the course of a couple weeks.

If you’re still having difficulties with your cat, try another type of collar or refit your cat to see what size works best. After a while, your feline will barely notice that it’s sporting a collar.

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