6 Best Cat Collars for Cats Who Hate Collars – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Unlike dogs, many cats aren’t used to being in a collar and going on walks. If your cat is an indoor cat, you may think a collar isn’t necessary, but what happens when you need to take your cat outside or to the vet?

Training your cat with a leash and collar is a great idea. You’ll not only have the option to take your cat on walks if you choose, but you’ll get your cat used to wearing a collar if it’s ever necessary. Most cats will be reluctant to wear a collar at first, and some just hate it, but many collars on the market solve this problem. Take a look at the best collars for cats who hate collars, based on our research and reviews from pet owners like you.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

The 6 Best Cat Collars for Cats Who Hate Collars

1. Hepper Hemp Breakaway Cat Collar – Best Overall

If you’re looking for the best overall cat collar for cats that hate collars, you will want to give this first-place pick a chance. The Hepper Breakaway Cat Collar is made with 100% all-natural hemp that is strong enough to withstand the elements (and your kitty’s attempts to get free of it) while still being super soft on your cat’s skin. Plus, hemp is resistant to UV rays and mold, so this collar will hold up longer than most.

The Hepper Breakaway Cat Collar is also adjustable and will fit most cat breeds, as it can adjust up to 11 inches! And with the addition of a bell, you’ll always be able to track your kitty down. These are the reasons why it is our 1st choice for cat collars!

Plus, because this collar is a breakaway one, it means your little explorer will stay safe no matter what kind of adventuring it gets up to. Breakaway collars are designed to break away if your feline gets stuck somewhere, so you have less to worry about, and your cat isn’t prohibited from being true to its curious nature.

Although there are limited colors to choose from the blue, pink, and grey options are all beautiful.

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2. Blueberry Pet Breakaway Safety Cat Collar – Budget Buy

We found the Blueberry Pet Breakaway Safety Cat Collar to be the best budget-friendly cat collar for cats who hate collars.. Constructed of durable nylon, the collars feature vibrant prints with ocean, animal print, and safari designs. The adjustable and breakaway buckle ensures that your cat can escape if it gets caught in a fence or furniture, but the collar is secure for daily wear.

You can personalize the cat collar with identification information, though it may be challenging to read on the print. The collar is adjustable from 9 to 13 inches. Though this collar is designed for many breeds and not easy for the cat to remove, it may be too big and bulky for kittens and small breeds.

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3. Rogz Catz Night Safe Breakaway Cat Collar

The Rogz Catz Night Cat Breakaway Collar is another good option and is available in three different prints (black paw prints, pink hearts, and blue floral) and can be fitted with a removable color-coded bell for personalization. If your cat tends to wander throughout the house or outside, the collar bell helps you find it easily.

This collar has several safety features, including scratch-proof webbing, a reflective strip, and an adjustable breakaway buckle. You can adjust the buckle for the strength of cats over 6.6 pounds, 8.8 pounds, or 11 pounds. The collar adjusts from 8 inches to 12 inches.

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4. WAAAG Pet Collar

The WAAAG Pet Collar is the ideal choice for kittens and small cats. One of the few collars with small options for tiny kittens and cats, this collar is durable and resistant to even the most determined of cats. It also has a breakaway clasp for safety, so your cat won’t be injured or stressed if the collar gets caught on an obstacle.

As far as style goes, it doesn’t get much better than this collar. The collar has a gold moon and stars print with glow-in-the-dark features and a dangling moon and cat pendant. It’s also available in various colors, including royal blue, black, emerald, lavender, coral pink, scarlet, aqua, grey, and purple. The collar has no option for identification, however, so you’ll need to add a tag yourself.

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5. GoTags Personalized Reflective Cat Collar

The GoTags Personalized Reflective Cat Collar is another great cat collar for cats who hate collars. Whether your cat is indoors or not, cats can be escape artists. This collar offers engraved identification tags on the collar itself, so you don’t need to worry about your cat being tagged as a stray. In addition, no hanging tags ensure your cat won’t get the collar tags caught on furniture, fencing, or other obstacles. The collar also has reflective strips for visibility in low-light conditions.

One of the best features of this collar is that it has a breakaway design. If your cat gets caught on something, the collar will release at the snap closure to prevent injury. The collar is also adjustable from 8 to 12 inches. You can choose from a variety of colors, including red, black, blue, pink, and orange. You have 25 characters to identify your cat.

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6. CollarDirect Leather Cat Collar with Bell

The CollarDirect Leather Cat Collar with Elastic Strap & Bell is a great choice for cats who hate collars and like to explore. Constructed of full-grain leather, the collar is resistant to scratching and features heavy-duty metal hardware for better durability. Leather will break if your cat gets caught, but the collar also features a stretchy elastic strap for additional safety.

The collar also has a hanging bell, making it easy to find your cat wherever it goes. The bell is lightweight and removable, and you can select the best size for your cat to keep it comfortable. You can choose from small or medium sizes and a variety of colors, including yellow, pink, blue, green, purple, orange, and black. There isn’t an identification option, so you must add your own tag.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Cat Collar for Cats Who Hate Collars

Choosing a collar for a fussy cat can be difficult, but you have plenty of choices. Here are some things to look out for when choosing a cat collar:

Breakaway Features

Though it may seem counterintuitive to get a collar that will break, this is a vital safety feature for cats (and dogs!). Whether indoors or outdoors, cats tend to wander into tight spaces and may catch their collar on trees, shrubs, branches, wire, and other obstacles. If your cat gets caught and struggles, it can be severely injured. A breakaway collar is designed to release if these emergency situations arise but won’t come off easily otherwise.

Breakaway collars typically have a breakaway clasp, buckle, or closure. Some collars offer different breakaway weights, so you can make sure your cat can’t get out too easily. Keep in mind that some materials are nearly impossible for a cat to break, such as nylon, so it is important to have the breakaway safety feature.

Identification

Even indoor cats may escape on occasion, and identification is the best way to ensure your cat isn’t tagged as a stray or lost. You can choose collars that offer embroidery, engraving, or other forms of built-in identification or opt for a hanging tag where you can write your contact information. Keep in mind that hanging tags offer more opportunities for your cat to snag its collar on something, however. Conversely, engraved or embroidered identification information may wear off faster than a tag.

If your cat has a medical condition, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism, it’s important to include this identification information. Your cat may end up at a good Samaritan’s house or an animal shelter, and having this identification on the tag ensures that the rescuer tends to the cat’s medical needs.

Sizing

Sizing is vital to a secure, comfortable collar. Most collars are adjustable from around 8 inches to 13 inches, but make sure you measure your cat’s neck before you purchase a collar. Some cats are tiny and will need collars designed with smaller sizes.

Comfort

Some cats only hate collars because they’re uncomfortable. If your cat isn’t adjusting to wearing collars, it may be as simple as changing the materials. Nylon can be stiff and scratchy, so maybe your cat would prefer durable cotton, weave, or leather materials. Your cat may be annoyed at extra features as well, such as bulky metal hardware, hanging tags or bells, or oversized collars that are thick after adjusting them.

Safety Features

Some collars have additional safety features that are helpful in certain situations. If you live near a busy road and worry about your cat getting hit by a car, a collar with a reflective strip is a must. You can find all kinds of collars with reflective strips or features that will make them more visible to cars in the dark. You can also choose a collar that has a bell to help you find your cat if it escapes.

Conclusion

Putting cats in a collar isn’t always easy, but it’s important for their safety and well-being. If your cat hates wearing a collar, the best overall pick is the Hepper Hemp Breakaway Cat Collar, due to its safety features and beautiful color options. The second-best is the Blueberry Pet Breakaway Collar, which features durable construction, fun patterns, and a snap-open design. The Rogz Catz Breakaway Collar has a breakaway buckle, a removable bell, and a reflective strip.

See also:

• Are Hemp Cat Collars Eco-Friendly?
• Are There Alternatives to E-Collars for Cats?

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Feature Image Credit: Susan Santa Maria, Shutterstock