Do Cats Like Bells on Their Collars?

For many of us cat keepers, we choose not to put collars on our cats. And there are several reasons why cats and their owners are happier sans collar. For one, cats—whether kept exclusively indoors or permitted to go outside—are generally safer when not wearing a collar.

Collars can undoubtedly be cute, but if it’s not a safety-inspired breakaway collar, it poses a severe risk to your cat. Another thing that cat owners often wonder about is if cats like bells on their collars. Spoiler alert: most cats dislike them with a fiery passion. Here’s why…

Before we can get to whether or not cats like bells on their callers, we must ask ourselves the few reasonable purposes of putting a bell on a cat’s collar.

Putting a Bell on a Kitten’s Collar Can Help You Locate Them.

Kittens are adorable, there’s no doubt about it. But kittens can also be very mischievous. By putting a bell on a kitten’s collar, it can help you to locate them in your home. This keeps them safe when they’re underfoot, as many kittens instinctively do without knowing how unsafe this is.

Accidentally tripping over a kitten can cause serious harm to both you and that tiny kitty, so putting a breakaway kitten collar with a bell on it can prevent accidents from happening. This is especially true when kittens position themselves in dangerous or dark places and can’t find their way out. The sound of the bell on their collar could help them to be discovered before it’s too late.

Putting a Bell on a Cat’s Collar Can Help To Protect Wildlife.

The safest place for a cat is inside a home, and this is not just for their safety but for the safety of wildlife, too. Cats are predators at heart. And there’s no denying this fact. Well-fed cats still possess the desire to hunt when given the opportunity. If you allow your cat to go outdoors, consider placing a breakaway collar with a bell on it to reduce the success of their potential hunts.

It’s a lot more difficult to sneak up on your prey when you have a bell sound ringing around your neck every time that you move. And the wildlife will thank you for not unleashing a deadly assassin on them. Because, frequently, house cats will kill for sport and not to consume their prey.

According to Animal Wellness Magazine, “bells on collars seem to reduce the amount of prey caught by about half, which could be enough to no longer pose a threat to ecosystems.”

If your cat is one to bring you dead animals, then you should seriously consider putting a bell on their collar sooner rather than later. Or, better yet, keep them exclusively indoors and offer them lots of enrichment to keep their minds sharp and stimulated.

If You Wonder if Cats Like Bells on Their Collars, Think About How You’d Feel if You Had One Strapped Around Your Neck.

Your cat has incredible senses, there’s no denying that. Now, for a moment, imagine that your very best sense was your hearing. Now, imagine your sense of hearing was three times better than it is right now. If that were the case, the smallest sounds in close range could sometimes feel deafening.

So, now that you know this, it should tell you just how much your cat detests the thought of having an irritating bell that dings fastened around their fluffy necks.

Before You Go and Put a Bell on Your Cat’s Collar, Consider Their Temperament.

By nature, cats are sensitive beings. And since cats are naturally individuals, some cats are more sensitive than others. While some kitties are laid-back and don’t mind much, there are cats out there who would experience a great deal of anxiety if you went and attached a bell to their collar. It’s always best to use your best judgment, and only you know your cat best.

Remember, Microchipping Is Far More Effective Than Any Collar Ever Could Be.

If for some reason, you lose your beloved cat, the chance that you will be reunited with your kitty will increase exponentially if your cat is microchipped. It is your very best chance of being reunited with a lost cat when the worst-case scenario occurs. Any cat that is brought into a shelter/rescue or veterinary clinic, they will be scanned for a microchip.

And, when you adopt a cat, they come complete with all the necessary shots, spay/neuter, and, you guessed it—microchip! (Just another reason why rescuing a cat is a great thing to do.)

Many people who have cats will fit them with a collar with an ID tag on it, but if that collar slips off and they aren’t properly microchipped, the chances of them being reunited with their family that misses them dearly is slim to none. Forget using a collar on your kitty, and seriously consider having your cats microchipped instead (if they aren’t microchipped already.)

Now that you’ve learned about cats and their disdain for collars with bells, check out this next article here on Cats.com to discover if cats like music. The answer might just surprise you!