A collar is one of the first things you should buy when you get a cat. Collars can help reunite you and your cat if it gets lost, and most cat collars breakaway so your cat won’t get stuck.
But indoor cats aren’t at a high risk of running off, so should they wear collars all the time?
Our stance is no, indoor cats shouldn’t wear collars all the time. Cats are at their most natural when they aren’t wearing anything, and a collar can be annoying at its most benign and restrictive at its worst. Also, as cats get older and their bodies change, collars can tighten on your cat’s neck. At the very least, regularly check your cat’s collar to make sure it isn’t too tight.
All that being said, there are times when putting a collar on your cat is a great idea.
How Long You Should Keep a Cat’s Collar On
There’s no set-in-stone rule about how long a cat should wear a collar. For example, outdoor cats should wear collars much longer than indoor cats, but that doesn’t mean they need to wear a collar all day.
You also shouldn’t avoid putting on your cat’s collar at all. Accidents happen, and indoor cats could slip away without you noticing.
A good rule to follow is that your cat should wear its collar if it has a chance of leaving your home. Cats with free indoor/outdoor access should wear collars whenever they can exit, and indoor cats should have a collar on if you’re leaving a door open or taking them out exploring.
Does the type of collar my cat wears matter?
The type of collar your cat wears may need to change depending on the situation. Cats exploring the outdoors should wear a breakaway collar so they won’t get stuck. If you’re harness training a cat, then a collar that fits with the harness is best. Some harnesses may not require you to put a collar on your cat at all as you can place tags on the harness.
Should indoor cats wear breakaway collars?
You should own a breakaway collar for your indoor cat, but they don’t need to wear it if there’s no risk of them sneaking outside. If you allow your indoor cat to have outside time, a breakaway collar is essential. Breakaway collars aren’t expensive and are a great investment for every cat owner, so be sure to buy one for your cat.
When Your Indoor Cat Should Wear a Collar
While we think that indoor cats should be collar-free most of the time, there are occasions when a collar is right for your cat.
- Your cat gets to explore outside. Again, use a breakaway collar for outdoor exploration. If your cat gets lost or wanders off too far, its collar might be the only thing that can reunite it with its home.
- Training including harness training. Collars can play an important role in training, particularly for kittens.
- Your cat likes wearing a collar. All cats are different, and some cats enjoy wearing a collar. If your cat seems happier with a collar on, then there’s no reason to remove it. Before deciding that your cat likes wearing a collar, read up on the dos and don’ts of dressing up your cat.
FAQs for Should Cats Wear Collars All the Time?
Cats can wear collars when they sleep, though many cats will find the collar to be uncomfortable. It’s best to remove your cat’s collar for naptime.
Yes, your cat shouldn’t be forced to wear a collar all the time. Remove your cat’s collar when it isn’t necessary to let your cat move freely.
Some cats get annoyed by collars and others don’t. You can tell how much your cat likes collars by looking at its reaction when it first gets a collar on.
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