- This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.
Whether your cat is an indoor or outdoor animal, it can be helpful for them to wear a bell. Outdoors, cat collars with bells serve as effective warnings to birds. Indoors, a bell lets other pets—and you—know what your kitty is up to.
Belled collars come in every style. You can equip your outdoor cat with a rugged, weather-proof nylon collar. Indoor kitties can enjoy comfy cotton neckwear in Japanese prints. We even found elegant leather collars with suede linings that come packaged in caviar tins.
(If collars with bells don’t cut down on your cat’s hunting behavior, don’t give up. Check out the BirdsBeSafe collar, tested on domestic and feral cats, and the CatBib—both described in this article.)
The Best Cat Collars with Bells
We think you’ll find a collar to suit your cat in this great selection from brands like Necoichi, Frisco, and Rogz—we’ve even included some copper bells you can put on a cat collar you already own. All the collars listed have either breakaway closures or elasticized inserts for your cat’s safety. Unsure about fit? Check out the Humane Society’s guidelines on choosing a cat collar.
Necoichi’s cat collars are a perfect example of Japanese “kawaii” (cuteness). Bring your cat up to speed with the Lucky Charm Bow Tie, available in a black or red print. People whose kitties are on the larger size say that the adjustable Necoichi collar is a good fit.
Is your cat a rock ‘n’ roller? They can always use more cat bell! They must have the Circadelic breakaway cat collar with bell. This washable nylon collar fits neck sizes 8 to 12.5 inches and is fine for kitties from 3 to 25 pounds. Tip: Check out Red Dingo’s other creative cat collar styles, such as snake eyes.
This classic adjustable collar, a dependable basic, comes in blue, pink, red, and black to fit your cat’s style. It’s designed for adult cats 8 to 15 pounds, and neck sizes 8 to 12 inches.
Pawtitas reflective collars, available in several colors, feature tough ripstop nylon with lightweight neoprene padding. The sewn-in reflective ribbon is designed to reflect light from the environment, even in low light conditions. The breakaway buckle will prevent your cat from getting trapped by furniture or outdoor obstacles. It fits 5- to 20-pound adult cats with neck sizes from 8 to 11 inches. It’s machine-washable too.
Measure your cat to make sure their beautiful new leather collar is a good fit! This cat collar with bell comes in 12 colors and with size options for 6- to 7-inch necks and 9- to 11-inch necks. A same-color elastic insert makes sure your cat can safely slip free of the collar if it catches on anything.
The lightweight cat collars with bells from Country Brook Design feature bright colors and geometric patterns in a durable webbed polyester that will hold up to wear. And, of course, it has a breakaway buckle so kitty stays safe.
This pretty floral number is just one of the patterned cat collars with bells made by Frisco, Chewy’s house brand. Made of sturdy polyester, it fits neck sizes 8 to 12 inches and adult cats 8 to 15 pounds. Not intended for use with a leash.
This soft-yet-durable chirimen rayon cat collar with a sweet cat-head-shaped bell includes a breakaway clasp. This one comes in purple, midnight blue, or gray, but additional chirimen collars (chirimen is a Japanese crimped fabric used for kimonos), such as the Plum Blossom, are also available—all sport different bell shapes.
This popular personalized reflective cat collar with a wildlife-protection bell is not just for outdoor felines. It is not uncommon for an indoor cat to dart out of the house and get lost. With the GoTags collar with bell, your cat is easier to find. Choose from black, blue, orange, pink, and red collars and click the “Personalize” option to have your cat’s name and number printed right on the collar. Some customers have said this was an excellent lightweight collar for less active cats, but did not hold up to wear on larger, more aggressive cats.
This durable nylon cat collar has a bell and reflective elements to protect your pet if they get out at night. The niftiest feature, however, is the breakaway clasp: it’s adjustable to three difficulty settings in case your cat is a collar escape artist in need of some fine-tuned protection.
Your cat rules the household, so why not acknowledge it with the $74 “Royal” collar from the British cat company Cheshire & Wain? This leather collar with suede lining and brass hardware is equipped with both a buckle and a breakaway clasp and comes in a handsome caviar tin. It’s available in standard, petite, and large sizes. A classic gold-colored bell is an optional addition.
You can also equip your cat’s regular collar with bells. Beau’s Bells are designed to be extra loud, giving birds a warning that your cat is approaching. This study from the Australian journal Wildlife Research (2010) found that simply attaching a bell to the collar your cat wears can reduce the number of birds caught by half.
Beau’s Bells come in pairs and are larger and louder than the single bells included with most cat collars. These handsome copper bells come in small, medium, and large sizes (the sound is proportional to their size). As always, use them with an elasticized or breakaway collar for your cat’s safety.
Gear for Outdoor Cats
If your cat is comfortable with a collar, you might want to consider training them to walk using a leash. We’ve checked out a wide variety of leashes and harnesses and have several recommendations. Many urban cats also enjoy getting out and about in the fresh air in a stroller. For the relentlessly independent cat, check out these GPS trackers.
Further Reading
Featured image by Artem Beliaikin/Unsplash