The best cat collars

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn moreCat collars come in a variety of designs, colors, and patterns, but the best ones all have a breakaway feature.Janelle Leeson/Business InsiderEven indoor cats can slip outside or escape their carrier or harness while traveling. Microchipping is highly recommended, but outfitting your cat with one of the best cat collars that includes your contact information makes it more likely they'll get home safely. The safest collars for cats are breakaway collars, which pop open when enough force is applied. If your cat gets stuck on something, they can pull hard enough and get the collar off.I'm a pet reporter and cat guardian to Atlas and Lyra, both of whom are microchipped and no strangers to wearing collars. One of my biggest fears is either of them slipping outside unnoticed or escaping a harness or carrier, so I take collar testing seriously. I scrutinized every clasp, seam, and reflective strip so you don't have to.For this guide, I cut, soiled, washed, and pulled on 24 collars to identify the best of the bunch. I also asked veterinarians and cat behavior consultants what to look for in a cat collar. After all that testing, my top pick is the Rogz Reflectocat Collar because it is durable, reflective, and has a unique breakaway closure that adjusts to your cat's weight. For those looking for a budget option, the Red Dingo Cat Collar is a solid choice that comes in multiple colors and with a matching, removable bell.Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.Our top picks for the best cat collarsBest overall: Rogz Reflectocat - $14 at AmazonBest budget: Red Dingo Cat Collar - $8 at ChewyBest personalized: Frisco Personalized Reflective Cat Collar - $14 at ChewyBest GPS tracking: Tractive Cat 6 Mini - $79 at TractiveBest calming: Comfort Zone Calming Pheromone Collar for Cats - $18 at ChewyBest bow tie: Made by Cleo Cat Collar and Bunny Ear Bow Set - $30 at EtsyBest flea: Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cats - $60 at ChewyBest overallBest for: Safety-conscious guardians who want reflectivity and an adjustable breakaway, available in an attractive range of colorways for an affordable price.Skip this if: Comfort is your top priority. The reflective nylon is durable but lacks a soft backing. If your cat is sensitive to collar materials, the Rogz Urban Cat Safety Collar has a felt backing so soft that even our most sensitive tester comfortably wore it all day. However, it's not reflective.Our experts agree that the best cat collars are breakaway collars. "This type of collar is designed to open if it becomes snagged on something, allowing your cat to escape and helping to avoid the risk of strangulation," says Dr. Liza Cahn, a veterinarian and veterinary consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance. However, not all breakaway snaps are created equal, and some need more or less pull to release.Rogz addresses this with a sliding mechanism that adjusts the release strength to one of three settings based on your cat's weight. It's easy to adjust but secure enough that your cat can't accidentally move it. I kept it on the lowest setting for my 10-pound tester cats. Combined with its highly reflective exterior, removable bell, and adjustable length, the Rogz Reflectocat Collar is the most safety-conscious, versatile collar I tested.Our top pick from Rogz is designed with safety in mind, featuring a breakaway buckle and reflective material.Janelle Leeson/Business InsiderWhile walking one of my cats on a harness at dusk, she crouched low in some backyard vegetation. When I swept a flashlight in her direction, her reflective collar caught the beam, making her much easier to spot. That matters because cats are crepuscular, meaning they're naturally most active around dawn and dusk, says Joey Lusvardi, an IAABC Certified Cat Behavior Consultant. That's why he recommends outfitting cats with reflective collars and using a flashlight when searching for a missing cat in low-light conditions. The Reflectocat also has a removable bell to help you — and birds — keep tabs on their whereabouts.The ReflectoCat replaces my previous top pick, the Rogz NightCat. The Reflectocat earns the top spot over the NightCat because it's available in more colors and is more consistently in stock. The two perform nearly identically, but the NightCat uses a reflective strip sewn onto the webbing, while the ReflectoCat incorporates reflective material into the collar. They're similar in weight and bulk, and both are equally bright when illuminated with a flashlight.Best budgetBest for: Shoppers who want a budget, no-frills collar that will withstand daily wear and tear.Skip this if: You want additional safety features, such as reflective materials.Cat collars aren't the priciest item on a new cat shopping list, but you may want to save a few bucks, especially if you're unsure how your cat will react to wearing one. Red Dingo's Cat Collar doe

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