What You Need to Know About Cat IDs and Collars

In the United States, the number of households with cats has increased, meaning many households now share their home with two or more feline fur babies. With more than 42 million cats living with humans, that's sure a lot of kitty love!

Many of us know just how beneficial owning a cat can be and appreciate the crazy antics and uncompromising love they bring into our lives. As Pet Parents, we try to give back as much as we can by ensuring our cat pals stay healthy, eat right, and are entertained, but perhaps the biggest thing we can do for them often gets forgotten about.

We're talking about cat collars and IDs, and yes, your cat should be wearing them. Want to know why cats should jump on the dog bandwagon and wear proper identification, what kinds are available for our furvorite felines, and tips on choosing the right one for your cat? Read on for all those answers and more!

Cats and dogs have different needs, but one crucial concern for both species is keeping them safe. Collars, leashes, tags, and fenced backyards help keep dogs out of danger, and while most states require that domestic dogs wear collars with ID and rabies tags, cats are not typically so closely regulated. A few specific municipalities like Des Moines, IA do have ordinances requiring cats to wear a collar and ID, and only a few states enforce cat licensing. 

This means it's up to the cat parents to think about how to keep their outdoor, and indoor, cats safe. A fenced yard won’t contain a curious, adventurous cat who may wander well out of their neighborhood where no one will recognize them and bring them home. And an indoor cat always has the possibility of sneaking out a door left open, or even escaping during a disaster that can cause house damage, like a fire or hurricane. And what about older cats who are suffering from feline dementia and can't find their way home by sight or smell? How do you ensure your cat can find their way back to you if they get lost?

Having a collar and ID on your cat can quickly identify that your cat belongs to someone and get them home safely should they find themselves lost, or at a shelter where less than 5% of cats without ID are returned home. A collar and ID can prevent well-meaning people from taking a cat to a shelter in the first place, and can alert any rescue personnel or law officers that your cat is not a stray, isn't feral, and has a loving home they need to return to. 

Is it cruel to put a collar on a cat? While your cat may not take to them right away, the truth is that three out of four cats will adapt to wearing a collar, especially if they’re trained to wear a collar early or gradually. Collars made for cats are typically lightweight and slim, and their metal ID and rabies tags are usually lighter and smaller than a dog’s. After a while, your kitty may furget they’re wearing safety gear at all!

Cats are agile and can squish themselves into tight spaces, snag their collar on a bush or object, and make them an easy target for predators or worse. Getting hung up may put pressure on the cat’s windpipe, chest, abdomen, or legs, causing serious damage or death. However, one study that looked at causes of injury or death in cats who wear collars found that cat collar injuries represented only 1% of vet visits, and death is even rarer. The likelihood of serious injury or death is much higher from other causes like fighting and road incidents.

Both the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) advocate putting collars and IDs on cats, specifically ones that will break away or come off if a cat becomes caught or trapped. Some collars are made with elastic inserts that allow the collar to be pulled over the cat’s head, or others that will open when the cat pulls hard on them to free themselves. It’s important to note that elastic collars can stretch enough for a feline to get their foot caught in them, or hang from them, which is why most experts now recommend breakaway collars only.

It’s important to avoid putting a collar on your cat too tightly or too loosely. In an adult cat, the collar should be adjusted so that one of your fingers fits between it and the kitty’s body. Fit should be checked once a month for adult felines and once a week for kittens.

Cats are natural hunters, and they will stalk, capture, and kill small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.  It’s been shown that adding a bell to an outdoor cat’s collar reduces the number of caught prey by approximately 50%. Authorities have said that some of a cat’s most likely targets are in danger of their numbers being seriously depleted, causing scientists to fear that these species may be on the brink of extinction. Belling your cat may be effective in preventing this potential ecosystem disaster.

Some pet parents are concerned that a bell will attract a predator to their cat, but this has been disproved. Most predators aren’t able to hear the soft tinkling of a bell and identify its wearer as prey. There are also theories that claim the bell will eventually damage the cat’s hearing, but tests show that the decibel level of most cat bells is well below that needed to cause hearing loss in cats.

If you're concerned about the safety and efficacy of a bell, there's an alternative that's useful for protecting birds: a fabric collar cover, or bib, made in bright colors that can be seen easily by birds because of their specialized eyesight characteristics. One study has shown that bird deaths caused by cats wearing these festive accessories were reduced by 87%. 

Tags that can be attached to collars, or information embroidered onto the collars themselves, at a minimum need the cat’s name, the pet parent’s phone number, and whether the kitty is an indoor or outdoor purr baby. If there’s room, the cat’s address can be helpful, as well. Some states and cities may also require your cat to have a rabies tag, so check in your local area for more info. 

Several agencies are also in favor of microchipping cats along with their canine siblings, although they add that microchipping shouldn’t totally replace collars and ID tags. Most pet agencies and vets have a chip reader on hand and will scan any dog or cat without a collar or tags. For microchips to be effective, however, the pet parent needs to keep them up to date with the current phone number and address. Another advantage of the chip is that some can be programmed to open a cat door and lock it again so wild critters can’t get in the house. GPS trackers are also effective in tracking where your cat goes within a certain radius as long as they have one on, but do not have any identifying information to help them find their way back home. 

The most protected cat is one who has a collar, ID tags and a microchip and can be identified even if their collar breaks off or is removed along their journey.

As mentioned above, collars have been shown to be effective safety devices for cats, whether they remain indoors or are outdoor explorers roaming the yard or neighborhood. The wrong collar will not only be ineffective, but it may also be a hazard to your feline fluff ball.

Collars come in a variety of materials, such as metal chains, leather, and synthetic blends. Most importantly, though, is the type of collar. For cat's, there are regular collars, breakaway collars and elastic collars. We'd recommend going with a breakaway collar, as regular collars that cannot come off without human assistance and collars with elastic inserts can be dangerous for cats. 

Here are a few hints and choices to help you choose the right collar for your cat:

• Find cat sized metal tags and be sure the correct information is printed on them. Update after every move or phone number change.
• Purchase a collar of good quality without frayed edges or loose threads.  
• Get a collar with a breakaway or quick-release feature that allows your cat to get out of it quickly. 
• Test the breakaway or snap open feature of a collar to be sure it comes away easily.
• Avoid collars with elastic inserts as they can be hazardous.
• Find embroidered collars, or make your own, for cats who won't tolerate tags.
• Keep multiple collars and ID tags on hand in case your purr baby loses theirs.
• Get a collar with reflective material on it that will allow drivers and others to see the cat at night.
• Purchase the best collar you can afford that will allow you to buy extras.
• Check with your vet, who knows your cat’s personality and health issues, to ensure there are no medical or behavioral issues with a collar.

Cats are in danger of getting lost during outdoor adventures, and can easily slip out a door when no one is looking. Cats without any ID have a low return rate from shelters. To prevent the permanent loss of your furvorite purring pal, consider outfitting them with a proper collar and ID tag. In the end, the most effective way to keep your cat safe at home is to keep them indoors, but even indoor cats with IDs will give you more peace of mind if the unthinkable happens.

Got more questions about which collar and ID tag is right for your cat? Chat with a veterinary professional today!