Skip to main content

Make sure this information is on your cat’s ID tag today

If your cat ever escapes or gets lost, his cat ID tag could help return him home to you safely and quickly. But that will be true only if you’ve put all the necessary information on your cat’s ID tag. Whether you’re creating a new tag for your cat or are updating your cat’s old tag, it’s important to carefully consider what information you’ll include. Additionally, you’ll want to choose a collar that’s safe and well fitted, ensuring that your cat’s ID tag stays with him. This extra effort can help keep your cat safe just in case he does ever get lost.

Orange and white cat wearing a collar sitting in a window
user32212/Pixabay

What to put on a cat ID tag

At a minimum, it’s important to make sure that your cat’s ID tag contains information on how to contact you. The amount of information you can include will depend on the tag size, so look for tags that let you engrave or make use of both sides. Include at least one phone number and your address. If you have room, add a second phone number.

In addition to an ID tag, it’s a good idea to have your cat wear his rabies tag on his collar. The rabies collar contains a unique ID number, as well as the name of the vet who gave the rabies shot. In case your cat’s ID tag has gone missing, someone who finds your cat can contact the vet. Your vet will be able to look up the rabies ID number and then identify your cat and call you.

After you’ve created your cat’s ID tag, keep in mind that you need to update that tag if any of your contact information changes. Check the tag regularly to make sure that it’s not getting so scratched up or faded that it’s difficult to read the information. If this happens, then it’s time to have a new tag made.

Wearing ID tags safely

While ID tags can help keep your cat safe, it’s also important that the collar you attach to him is designed for your cat’s safety. Look for a collar that’s equipped with a safety release. This feature will release the collar and free your cat if he gets hung up on something, like a tree branch.

The collar also needs to fit your cat appropriately to be safe. Adjust it so that you can fit two fingers in between your cat’s neck and the collar. If your cat is young and growing, or if he gains weight, then you’ll need to repeatedly adjust the collar so that it continues to fit him. If the collar is equipped with elastic, expect that elastic to wear out over time and be prepared to replace your cat’s collar when needed.

Orange cat wearing a collar with a tag
flo_info/Pixabay

Additional ID options

Having your cat wear a collar and ID tag can help others quickly recognize that your cat has a home. That ID tag can mean that your cat is returned home to you quickly. But if the collar falls off, it’s important to have a backup method of identifying your cat.

Microchipping your cat is a great way to increase the chances of his being returned to you if he gets lost. This tiny chip is inserted under your cat’s skin, where it remains permanently. Each chip has a unique ID number.

If someone finds your cat, they can bring him to a vet or animal shelter. Staff there can use a handheld scanner to tell if your cat has a microchip. That scanner will read the chip number, and the staff can enter that number in the microchip’s database to access your contact information. Just like you need to update your cat’s ID tags if your contact information changes, you’ll also need to update your information in the microchip registry.

Hopefully, your cat never gets lost, and his ID tags and microchip never actually get put to use. But it’s still important to keep these identification forms on your cat, just in case. By ensuring that you have the right information on your cat’s ID tag, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that he’s well-identified in case he ever does get lost. If your cat regularly goes outside, you might want to explore pet GPS tags and units that can be attached to your cat’s collar. These have different ranges and limitations, and they don’t provide identification benefits, so always use them in conjunction with a microchip and an ID tag.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
How to tell if your cat is a Maine Coon mix (and why you should care)
Should you consider a Maine Coon mix? Here's what you need to know
Closeup of a Maine Coon's face

There are plenty of big and fluffy cats out there, but one of the best-known breeds fitting this description is the Maine Coon. These cats are not only impressive in size, but they also tend to have fantastic personalities that make them beloved family pets. While purebred Maine Coons are a little more uncommon in rescues and shelters, it's possible to adopt a Maine Coon mix that still has some of the breed's distinctive characteristics.

While telling exactly which breeds your cat is can be a little tricky, it's worth doing some investigative work to better understand your feline's background and what that might mean for the care he needs during his life.
Where do Maine Coon cats come from?
You may have heard that the Maine Coon Cate originated from a fantastical cross between a feline and a raccoon. Of course, this didn't really happen, but it could be where they get the name. (Another option, from a ship's captain who brought the first of these kitties ashore.)

Read more
There’s a totally normal reason cats throw up after eating grass – here’s why
Learn about this cat behavior and if there's cause for concern
Calico cat lying on its back in a grassy yard

If your cat throws up after eating grass, there's probably no reason to be concerned. Eating grass is a natural behavior for most cats, and throwing up after eating that grass also is pretty common. There are physical reasons for why your cat throws up grass, and aside from dealing with the inconvenience of having to clean up cat vomit in the house, this behavior usually isn't a problem.

But excessive vomiting and unusual grass consumption can be a cause for concern. If your cat likes to munch grass, then it's best to familiarize yourself with what's normal and what might be a reason to worry.

Read more
When do kittens start eating food? Know the facts for your fur baby’s health
Consider this your guide to weaning kittens from milk or formula to solids
a white kitten with blue eyes in a cat tree

By the time you usually bring home a brand-new kitten at eight to nine weeks old, they’ve already gone through a significant transition: being weaned from milk to solid foods. However, you may find yourself in the trenches of new kitten parenthood at an even earlier stage. If you are fostering a kitten or have found a newborn, you have likely been bottle-feeding them milk or watching their mother nurse.
In these cases, you may wonder, “When do kittens start eating food?” Weaning is usually a natural process, particularly if the Mom is involved. If you’re bottle-feeding, the process may be a bit trickier, and you may have to help lead it. Regardless of your situation, understanding what to expect can help you know when to have kibble and water on hand as a kitten gets ready to wean. Consider this your guide.

When do kittens start eating food and drinking water?
The weaning process involves going from the mother’s milk to kibble and water, which is what a kitten will eat and drink in some form for the rest of their life. If the mother cat is around, she’ll know when the time is right to start weaning, and it’s best not to interfere.
Generally, kittens will start to be ready to take small tastes of solid foods and water at around three to four weeks. The food and water are complimentary at this young age, so don’t worry too much if they play with it more than they eat it. They’re still getting most of their nutrition from Mom or a formula in a bottle.

Read more