Cat Collar Training

A cat collar is useful for identifying your pet if it gets outside by mistake, showing others it is not a stray, or warning potential prey with an attached bell. However, cats tend to resist collars and usually need to be trained to wear them.

  1. Start Young

    • Kittens will be suspicious of collars.

      It is most effective to collar-train a cat when it is young. Kittens can begin collar training at around four to six weeks of age. An older cat can learn to tolerate a collar, but the process may take a long time.

    Time Frame

    • Establish trust during collar training.

      Establishing trust is important for effective collar training. The collar should be introduced gradually, starting by simply letting the cat become familiar with it. Put it next to the cat and let him sniff and touch it while you gently pet him and talk in a reassuring voice.

    Reaction

    • Be kind when collar training a cat.

      When a kitten or cat first feels a collar around her neck, she will likely roll around, scratch at the collar and try to rub it off. This is normal, but keeping the animal in an enclosed area makes it easier to pick her up if she panics.

    Function

    • Collars help a lost cat return home.

      Once a cat is used to his collar, he will be safer. If he escapes outdoors or gets lost while roaming about, he's more likely to be found and returned to his owner.

    Types

    • A breakaway collar is safest.

      The only collar that is safe for a kitten or cat is a breakaway. If the cat gets hung up on anything, the collar breaks away at the clasp, allowing the cat to escape. When a non-breakaway collar catches on something, a cat could be injured or even killed as she struggles to free herself.