11 Best Cat Collars with Bells in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
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Every cat needs a collar, but if you have a little Houdini on your hands, you might want to invest in a collar with a bell attached. That will make it easier for you to track down your cat when you need them, even if they’re outside or hiding somewhere in the house.
While buying a cat collar is not likely to be the biggest financial commitment that you make in your life, it’s still an important purchase — after all, buying the wrong one could lead to your cat getting hurt or lost.
In these reviews, we show you which collars with bells are worth every penny, so you can let your cat roam around without putting undue stress on yourself.
A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2024)
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall | Hepper Hemp Breakaway Cat Collar |
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Safe Cat Snag-Proof Breakaway Cat Collar |
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Necoichi Kimono Bow Tie Cat Collar with Bell |
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Country Brook Design Breakaway Cat Collar |
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Frisco Breakaway Cat Collar |
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The 11 Best Cat Collars with Bells
1. Hepper Hemp Breakaway Cat Collar — Best Overall
The Hepper Hemp Breakaway Cat Collar is the best overall cat collar with bells. The design prevents your cat from getting into a life-threatening situation should it get caught in something, but it’s sturdy enough that it won’t break unless it needs to. The handmade collar is pH balanced, so it shouldn’t bother your pet’s skin, and synthetic dyes, sulfates, or phthalates are not used in the manufacturing process — only 100% hemp softens and becomes more comfortable as your cat wears it. Finally, it’s available in three pastel colors — blue, black, or pink — so you can select something that suits your pet’s personality.
The only downside to the Hepper Breakaway Collar is that it’s expensive compared to many other lower-quality brands.
- Keeps the cat safe
- Handmade
- 100% hemp
- Multiple colors
- No synthetic dyes, sulfates, or phthalates
- Expensive
2. Safe Cat Breakaway Cat Collar with Bell
There’s nothing flashy or particularly attractive about the Safe Cat Snag-Proof, but it gets the job done at a fantastic price, making it the best cat collar with a bell for the money.
It’s available in seven different colors, and some of them are vibrant, so you can dress your cat up to a certain extent. The bell is the same color as the collar, so it won’t stand out or draw attention beyond its sound.
The length is adjustable, so you can buy it when your cat is young and let it grow with them. You can also buy several for each of your cats with confidence, as it will fit all but the largest or smallest of cats.
It’s not likely to snag, but if it does, it will break away easily without harming your cat. That can work against you, though, as it’s a weak point on the collar that may break over time.
If money is your main criteria in choosing a collar, the Safe Cat Snag-Proof is definitely the way to go.
- Great value for the price
- Available in seven colors
- Bell is same color as collar
- Adjustable length
- Breaks away if snagged
- Fairly plain
- Not the most durable option
3. Necoichi Kimono Bow Tie Cat Collar
Your cat can always be the best-dressed feline on the block, thanks to the Necoichi Kimono Bow Tie. It’s a beautifully decorative option that’s just as functional as plainer varieties.
The material is made of thin rayon, so it won’t weigh your cat down or cause them to overheat. Make no mistake, though, the bow isn’t as durable as nylon or plastic would be, so expect it to tear at some point.
The gold bell is attractive and does its job well, and the buckle breaks away if the cat gets snagged. However, some cats can finagle their way out of it if they have a mind to, so you’ll need to make sure it’s attached securely.
It’s available in three different styles, allowing you to match it to your cat’s coat (or their personal style).
The Necoichi Kimono Bow Tie isn’t your average cat collar — but that’s a big part of its charm.
- Attractive and stylish
- Won’t weigh down cat or cause them to overheat
- Gold bell is a nice touch
- Buckle breaks away reliably if cat gets snagged
- Comes in three styles
- Bow tie will likely rip at some point
- Some cats can wriggle out of it
This collar is also featured in our Best Cat Collars list!
4. Country Brook Design Breakaway Cat Collar with Bell
If you have a long-haired, hippy-type breed, they might appreciate the tie-dyed style of the Country Brook Design Rainbow Hearts. It’s a vibrant option that’s guaranteed to make your cat easy to spot.
The polyester is lightweight and durable, and it shouldn’t bother your cat to wear it at all. It’s soft too, so it’s unlikely to irritate cats with sensitive skin.
It has a simple feature that’s often overlooked on cat collars: You can attach an ID tag to it.
The clasp sometimes doesn’t close fully, though, so you’ll need to make sure that it’s completely secure before you turn your cat loose. The bell also sounds different than a traditional bell, so you might have difficulty tracking your cat when they’re wearing it.
The Country Brook Design Rainbow Hearts is a good collar, but it’s not quite up to the same standard as some others.
- Vibrant option that stands out
- Made of lightweight and durable polyester
- Soft and unlikely to irritate sensitive skin
- Easy to attach an ID tag to
- Buckle doesn’t always fasten securely
- Bell has an odd sound
5. Frisco Doughnut Breakaway Cat Collar with Bell
You can arouse your cat’s appetite with the Frisco Doughnut — it has pastries printed all along its sides. It gives your cat a stylish yet unorthodox look, so you’ll never confuse them for another cat again.
The polyester webbing is sturdy and unlikely to tear, and the metal ring that holds the ID tag won’t break either. You can’t attach a leash to it, though, so if you like to walk your cats, you’ll need to keep looking.
The collar is adjustable, so it can fit all sorts of cats, but it’s only suitable for felines larger than 8 pounds. Adjusting it’s easy too, so you won’t have to spend a ton of time changing it up if your cat grows. That can work against you, though, as it also tends to loosen up on its own over time.
The Frisco Doughnut is a good collar, and it would make an excellent choice for any larger cat. It’s not quite up to the same standard as some others, though.
- Stylish in an unorthodox way
- Webbing is durable and unlikely to tear
- Sturdy metal ID ring
- Adjustable to fit larger cats
- Only suitable for cats over 8 pounds
- No place to attach a leash
- Tends to loosen over time
6. Red Dingo Cosmos Cat Collar with Bell
The Red Dingo Cosmos is a thin yet durable option that will stay on your cat regardless of how rough-and-tumble they are when they leave your sight.
The bell is loud enough to be heard but not so loud as to be obnoxious, and there’s a stainless-steel K-ring that allows you to hook an ID tag onto it.
If your cat likes to roam around in the Great Outdoors, the quick-release fish clip ensures that they won’t get hurt if they get tangled up in branches; the collar will simply snap off rather than injure their neck.
The whole thing is machine washable as well, so you won’t have to deal with your cat lugging around a stinky, dirty collar all the time. It might shrink when washed, though, so be careful if it’s already tight around their neck.
- Thin yet durable
- Bell can be heard without being obnoxious
- Quick-release clip prevents injury
- Machine washable
- Room for ID tag
- May shrink when washed
7. MJIYA Cat Collar with Bell
The MJIYA Cat Collar is sure to get attention, as it has an adorable little cat face on the clasp. That face pairs well with the sleek and stylish bell, making this collar as attractive as it’s functional.
It’s also one of the least expensive collars on the market, so all that cuteness won’t set you back too much.
Don’t expect a collar this inexpensive to last forever, though; the thin material will likely give way within a year. It’s also geared toward smaller cats, so if you have a Garfield-sized kitty, you may not be able to get it on them.
It’s hard to take on and put off because that adorable cat face also acts as the fastener. That can make it difficult to both open and close.
The MJIYA Cat Collar is a pretty good option, especially considering the price, but at a certain point, you get what you pay for.
- Has adorable cat face on clasp
- Inexpensive
- Bell is sleek and stylish
- Too thin to last long
- Not suitable for larger cats
- Clasp is hard to open and close
8. DayDay Patch Personalized Cat Collar with Bell
There’s no need to bother with an ID tag if you buy the DayDay Patch Personalized because the manufacturer will stitch your cat’s name and your phone number right on the collar.
This detracts from the beauty somewhat, but at least you’ll never have to worry about your cat losing their ID at an inopportune time. There’s a stainless-steel D-ring on it, which is what the bell attaches to, but you can put on another ID tag if you feel like being thorough.
It’s available in five different colors, with an assortment of different shades that can be used for the stitching as well.
If your cat is on the small side, the buckle will likely cover some of the text, so anyone who finds your pet will have to take the collar off to get your info, which could potentially make a bad situation worse.
Many of the colors don’t have much contrast with the stitching either, so reading it can be a chore, especially in low light. The material is a little stiff and may literally rub some cats the wrong way.
The DayDay Patch Personalized is a smart idea, but it has a few kinks to work out.
- ID info is embroidered onto collar
- Durable stainless-steel D-ring
- Comes in five colors
- Not the most attractive model
- Some colors don’t contrast with stitching much
- Buckle may cover the information
- Stiff material may irritate cat’s neck
9. Taglory Reflective Cat Collars with Bell
You can’t do much better from a value standpoint than the Taglory Reflective, as each order comes with two collars and costs less than most single options do.
There are multiple colors to choose from, but you can’t mix and match — you’ll get two of the same color. Each collar has a reflective stripe down the middle that will make your cat easier to see once the sun goes down.
They’re labeled as breakaway collars but that’s questionable. The buckle won’t release without quite a bit of pressure, and by then, your cat may have already injured themselves.
The collars run small, so a larger cat will likely feel constricted even when it’s extended to its full length. The buckle also has little cat ears on it, and those can dig into your kitty’s chin and neck.
If you want the most bang for your buck, it’s hard to argue against the Taglory Reflective. Just be prepared to deal with its serious design flaws.
- Two collars in every order
- Each collar has reflective strip down middle
- Many colors to choose from
- Same colors in each order
- Doesn’t break away reliably
- Collars tend to run small
- Plastic cat ears dig into chin and neck
10. BINGPET Safety Nylon Reflective Cat Collar Breakaway
The BINGPET Safety has a cute little paw charm next to the bell. It’s not that functional but it’s fun to look at.
This collar also has a reflective strip, and it’s extremely bright, so there should be no issue seeing your kitty at night, hence the “safety” part of the name.
It’s a little too quick to break away, though, so it might fall off when your cat is simply out and about. That’d be a shame, as it’s one of the pricier collars on this list.
There are several sharp edges on it, so it could end up rubbing your cat the wrong way, literally. The bell isn’t that loud either, which could defeat the purpose.
The BINGPET Safety is attractive and functional, but it has serious issues that need to be resolved for it to truly stand out.
- Cute little paw charm next to bell
- Extremely bright reflective strip
- Breaks away easily
- On the pricey side
- Sharp edges could hurt cat
- Bell isn’t that loud
11. CollarDirect Cat Collar with Elastic Strap with Bell
The CollarDirect Leather is attractive and durable. After that, the well of positives runs a little dry.
While the leather is durable, it’s extremely thin. It tends to disappear into your cat’s fur, so the attractiveness will be lost as well.
The buckle isn’t as durable as the leather, and if it breaks, the collar is basically worthless. Each collar has quite a bit of excess material as well, so you’ll probably have to do a bit of trimming once you put it on.
There are two collars in each order, but they’re not both useful. One is large and the other is small, so unless you have two different-sized cats, you’ll have one useless collar on your hands.
The CollarDirect Leather is a nice change of pace from many other options, but that’s not always a good thing.
- Made of durable and attractive leather
- Extremely thin
- Tends to disappear into fur
- Buckle isn’t that durable
- Has plenty of excess material that needs to be trimmed
- Comes with two collars, one of which will likely be useless
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Collars with Bells
Most people don’t put much thought into buying a cat collar, which is fine as long as the collar does its job. If it fails at an inopportune moment, though, it could be extremely dangerous (and possibly even deadly) for your cat.
With that in mind, we assembled a few questions that you should ask yourself before buying a collar for your kitty.
Why Does My Cat Need a Collar at All?
The biggest reason that a cat should wear a collar is so you can attach identifying information to them in the event that they get lost.
Many people don’t do this with indoor-only cats, which isn’t a big deal as long as that cat stays indoors. If they get out, though, not having a collar could prevent them from ever being reunited with their families.
Having a collar is also a clear way to signify to strangers that your cat is someone’s pet. That makes them more likely to help your cat find their way back home if they get lost and less likely that someone will try to harm them.
It is important to understand that a collar isn’t a replacement for microchipping and vice versa. Your cat should be collared and chipped, as doing both will give you the best chance of getting them back if they lose their way.
Why Does My Cat Need a Collar with a Bell?
There are a few reasons that people choose to put a bell on a cat’s collar, but they all boil down to the same basic reason: protection.
One of the biggest reasons to attach a bell to an outdoor cat’s collar is to protect the local wildlife. Cats are incredibly efficient killing machines, and they can decimate the local bird and rodent population. By putting a bell on their collar, you’ll ruin their ability to stalk their prey, potentially saving dozens of lives in the process.
You may also want to use a bell to protect your cats from one another. This is especially valuable if one of your cats tends to bully the others; by placing a bell on the bully’s collar, the other cats will have a fair warning about their approach and will be able to relocate themselves accordingly.
Finally, a bell can protect your cat from themselves. By making your cat easier to hear, it will be easier to find them if they get lost, even if they’re simply lost somewhere in your house.
Are Collars With Bells Suitable for All Cats?
No, some cats are extremely sensitive to loud sounds, in which case, they won’t appreciate having a little noisemaker permanently attached to their necks. Timid cats may also be frightened by the sound, so forcing them to wear a bell will only stress them out more.
Also, avoid the temptation to buy a collar with the biggest bell that you can find. A small bell will make enough noise to get the job done, so anything larger will just be obnoxious, not to mention cumbersome for your cat.
What Else Should I Look For in a Cat Collar?
The most important thing is safety, which is why we tend to recommend breakaway collars. A breakaway collar will come undone if it gets snagged on a branch or something, allowing your cat to wriggle free.
This prevents them from injuring themselves trying to get loose, and it also ensures that they won’t be stuck in a helpless position, completely vulnerable to predators.
Fit is also important. You want the collar to be snug but not tight, so it will stay put without causing irritation. You also want to be sure that the cat can’t wriggle out of it easily or pry it off with their feet, which would totally defeat the purpose.
Durability is something else to consider because you don’t want it to fall apart if your cat decides to go traipsing through the woods. Look for collars made of sturdy materials like nylon, polyester, or leather.
Beyond that, there are all sorts of (literal) bells and (figurative) whistles to consider. Some collars are reflective, others have beautiful decorations — the list goes on and on. It is simply a question of what you value for your cat.
Conclusion
The Hepper Hemp Breakaway Cat Collar is our favorite pick for the best cat collars with bells because it’s made of all-natural hemp, durable, and easy to clean. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better collar of any kind, bell or not.
If you want to have a great collar and save a few bucks at the same time, buy the Safe Cat Snag-Proof. It’s extremely safe and equally affordable, making it better than many collars that cost twice as much.
While buying a cat collar isn’t the most expensive decision that you’ll ever make, it’s one of the most important, at least as far as your cat’s concerned. We hope that these reviews have made it easier for you to make an informed decision — and harder for your cat to sneak up on you.
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