Skip to main content

Why indoor cats need to wear collars, too

Your indoor cat might seem safe and secure in your home, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t wear a collar. In fact, a collar is an important safety device that’s really suitable for any cat. When choosing a collar, it’s important to pick one that’s designed for comfort and safety. With the right collar and some extra preventive steps, you can keep your cat safe and will have greater peace of mind just in case he ever does escape. Plus, shopping for collars can be fun, and you’ll get to choose one that expresses your cat’s unique purr-sonal style.

Black and white cat in a window wearing a collar
19eli14/Pixabay

Should indoor cats wear collars?

Traditionally, collars are designed for cats who spend time outdoors, but that doesn’t mean that your indoor cat shouldn’t wear one. In fact, wearing a collar is a valuable safety benefit for many indoor cats.

Related Videos

When your cat wears a collar, it indicates that he has a home. Attaching an identification tag to the collar means that anyone who is with your cat can call you.

This is particularly important in case your indoor cat ever escapes. Indoor cats can panic when they get outdoors, especially if they’ve rarely been outside before. This could cause your cat to run, and finding him again could be a challenge.

Because you won’t have time to put a collar on your indoor cat just before he escapes, it’s important for your cat to always wear his collar, just in case.

Tips for choosing the best indoor cat collar

The type of collar that you buy can affect your cat’s comfort and may make it more likely that he accepts the collar.

  • If your cat has never worn a collar before, then look for one that is thin and lightweight. Choose an ID tag that is also small, and use just one tag, since two will add extra weight and can clang against each other as your cat moves.
  • It’s important to look for a collar that has safety features, like a safety release. If your cat ever gets hung up on an object, that release should let go, freeing your cat and helping to prevent potential injuries. If your cat’s main collar will be a flea collar, then be sure that it also has a safety release and is designed with your cat’s comfort in mind.
  • Don’t forget to make sure that any collar you use fits your cat appropriately. If your cat is a kitten, you’ll need to go through several collars and collar adjustments as your cat grows. Fit the collar so that you can get two fingers between it and your cat’s neck, which ensures your cat will be comfortable. If the collar contains elastic, remember that the elastic can wear out over time, so you’ll need to adjust the collar’s fit and might need to buy a new collar before too long.

Additional ways to keep your indoor cat safe

While collars provide a valuable visual sign that your cat has a family, it’s possible that your cat could lose his collar if he gets it hung up on an object outdoors. In this case, it’s important to have an additional mode of identification to ensure your cat comes home to you.

Microchipping your cat creates a form of identification that can’t fall off. If someone finds your cat and brings him to a vet or an animal shelter, that facility can scan your cat for a microchip. With your cat’s microchip number, the facility can look up your contact information in the microchip manufacturer’s database. As long as you keep that information current, the vet or shelter can contact you to reunite you with your found cat.

Microchips are easy to insert and are inexpensive. The next time you’re at the vet, ask your vet about having your cat microchipped. It provides one more layer of protection in case your cat ever escapes and gets lost.

Investing in a collar and training your cat to comfortably wear that collar can be an important step in ensuring your cat’s safety. Hopefully, your cat never does escape, but having a collar on if he does can help ensure that he’s returned to you, and it can even help speed up that process. With some time, your cat should come to accept the collar as a standard part of his wardrobe, and eventually, he’ll hardly notice that it’s there. Having your cat wear a collar can give you extra peace of mind knowing that you’re prepared for an escape, just in case.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
The most common annoying cat behaviors, explained
Common cat behavior or bad cat behavior? Here's what to know and how to deal
A gray cat in foliage

Cats are a bit of a mystery. Unlike dogs, which have the reputation of being human’s best friend, our feline friends seem to view us as a necessary evil. We clean their boxes, fill their water dishes, and buy them trees to climb on so they can get away from us.

And also unlike dogs, cats are natural-born predators — known for being so bad for the ecosystem that it’s best to keep them inside. The arrangement can cause some friction, but we love our cats anyway. When a pet starts doing something out of the blue, we may worry it's not common cat behavior. Is a cat peeing outside of a litter box cause for concern? What about when your kitty starts scratching everything? Consider this cat behavior guide a decoder to your cat’s antics and what — if anything — you can do about them.

Read more
What you can do to help your cat after surgery and show your pet how much you love them
Here's how to keep your kitty feeling safe, comfy, and calm post-op
A cat at the vet

You love your kitty. Sometimes, that means agreeing to send them in for cat surgery. Whether it’s a standard spay or neuter procedure, necessary dental work, or something more worrisome like removing a cancerous tumor, you’ll want to ensure you give your furry friend some extra TLC post-operation.

Your feline friend may also need you to be patient with them. Cat behavior after surgery can vary from pet to pet, but they may be slightly shyer, lethargic, or easily irritated for a while. The good news is that your cat should go back to normal — and hopefully wind up as an even healthier version of themselves soon. Knowing what to prepare for can ensure your cat feels safe, loved, and comfortable after surgery.

Read more
Are urinary tract infections in cats possible? What cat parents should know about this condition
What to know about prevention and treatment of UTIs in cats
Gray cat in a cat bed

UTIs are a common and pesky condition in humans. It’s short for urinary tract infection. A UTI is an infection of a part of the urinary system, like the bladder, kidneys, or urethra, as the name implies. UTIs can involve painful burning sensations when peeing. They affect about 10 out of 25 women and 3 out of 25 men at least once, according to the Urology Care Foundation.

Cat parents may wonder: What is the rate of urinary tract infections in cats? Unfortunately, it’s not zero. Cats can get UTIs. The good news is that cat health experts don’t commonly see the issue when treating felines. However, it’s still good to think about the urinary tract when approaching your cat’s health.

Read more