Breakaway collar

A breakaway collar, also called a safety collar, has a buckle or a section that releases when pulled hard. If a cat catches the collar on a branch, a fence or furniture, or gets a jaw or leg through it, the clasp opens and the cat can get free. Ordinary buckle collars and elastic collars can trap a cat and cause serious injury, so safety designs are widely recommended for cats.

A collar carries an ID tag with a phone number, a bell if you wish, or the key that opens a microchip cat flap. It should be snug enough that it does not slip over the head, with room for two fingers beneath. Check the fit regularly in growing kittens, and check it is not worn or frayed.

A breakaway clasp can release by accident, so the collar may be lost. A microchip, registered with current contact details, is the permanent form of identification, and most vets and shelters recommend using it alongside a collar. Never clip a lead to a breakaway collar. Use a cat harness for walks. If your cat has a sore neck or a rash, ask your vet.