Whether or not there should be bells on cats’ collars is part of a bigger conversation about whether or not cats should wear collars at all!
So, let’s have a look at the pros and cons of collars for cats in general, then whether bells are a good idea to locate your cat - and help protect the local wildlife!
Should your cat wear a collar?
No doubt you’ll have seen cats with and without collars in your ‘friends and family with cats’ circles. People have many reasons why they choose to collar their cats or not, and there are a two main things to consider.
1. Safety.
Cats are agile creatures that get in and out of the most unexpected places. Collars can, and do, get caught up on things, indoors and out, and can be a strangling hazard. If you decide to collar your cat, always buy a collar specific to cats that has a ‘breakaway’ clip that will pull apart if it gets caught on anything. Stretchy collars are another option. These are designed to slip off over the head safely if the cat gets caught. Never use a lead attached to a collar. If you plan to lead train your cat, you will need a well-fitted harness to attach the lead to, that fits firmly around the cat's body.
2. ID.
Most cats are microchipped these days, particularly if they come from a registered breeder or a legitimate rescue facility. If your cat is lost, anyone finding it can head for the nearest vet, where the microchip can be scanned and you can be contacted. However, a collar with an ID tag can have your name and contact details on it, clearly marking your cat as a pet, and not a stray. In the event that an indoor cat gets out, a collar will make identifying it easier and faster.
Having decided that you’re going to collar your cat, the next thing to consider is whether you’ll put a bell on its collar.
Bells on cats' collars
There are lots of reasons why people put bells on cats’ collars.
- Small kittens can disappear in a house surprisingly quickly, and as long as it’s not asleep, a bell on a collar can help you figure out where it is.
- If you have multiple cats and one is particularly dominant, putting a bell on its collar can let the others know where it is.
- If your cat has access to the outdoors, don’t forget that they’re highly efficient predators and dangerous to native wildlife. A bell can alert potential prey that the cat is there, so they have time to move to a safer place.
Some people feel that the bell can be irritating to the cat. However, for the most part, like humans, cats get accustomed to the noise. Just make sure the bell is well attached, and check it regularly to ensure that the fastening isn’t loose. Small bells can be a swallowing hazard, and also, teeth and claws can get caught in the little holes if a cat is playing with a detached bell.
Do cat bells work?
An English study conducted in 2006 recorded the prey brought home by the cats of 21 owners over an eight-week period. For four weeks, the cats wore collars with bells, and the other four, collars without bells. It was found that when the cats had no bells on their collars, they brought home almost twice as many prey items as in the period with bells.
So, unless your cat is especially crafty and manages to learn to move around without letting the bell ring, it’s quite likely that wearing one will help protect local wildlife!
The critical thing about collaring your cat, with or without a bell, is to start when the cat is young. Older cats can be a bit resistant if they’re not used to wearing one, so you may need to introduce it slowly over time.
Shop our range of cat collars on PetPost!