CAT EXPERT SHARES THREE REASONS YOU SHOULD NEVER PUT A COLLAR ON YOUR PET

Many cat owners opt to collar their pets, believing it can help if they get lost or even alert prey with a bell attached. However, cat behavior expert Amanda Campion, with 30 years of experience in feline care, recommends against it. In a recent TikTok video, she shared three key reasons why she personally avoids using collars on cats.

“I’ve got three reasons why collaring your cat might not be the best idea,” she started the video. “It might be a controversial topic, and you might already collar your cat, but have you really thought about why?”

In her first point, Amanda argued that collars are now “outdated” and unnecessary. “You don’t need to collar your cat—microchipping is the way to go, and it’s the law,” she explained.

She pointed out that nowadays, if a cat goes missing, the person who finds it will likely take it to a vet or rescue center, where the chip can easily identify the owner. “Let’s be real, cats can lose collars, and without a chip, there’d be no way to know who they belong to,” she said.

Hazardous

Next, Amanda highlighted the health risks that collars can pose to cats. “I know of cats that have been strangled or caught on branches and trees by collars that were poorly fitted or lacked a safety release,” she shared.

Bells

Although we’ve already touched on the potential benefits of the bell, Amanda also noted a downside for the cat. “It’s harsh on a cat’s sensitive hearing,” she explained. “You might be thinking, ‘But what about the wildlife?’ and I totally get the concern about predation and protecting prey species.”

However, Amanda pointed out that if you’re worried about that and your cat enjoys going outdoors, you could always try an “Elizabethan ruffle collar.” She described it as “really high-colored,” which would help alert prey to the cat’s presence.