Still, some cat owners prefer to purchase non-breakaway buckles if their cats have a tendency to lose their collars often. These are intended for pets who are walked on leashes or harnesses – usually dogs. Non-breakaway buckles are designed to stay closed when pulled, regardless of the force applied. If ever in doubt, take a look at the internal prongs to see if they are rounded or sharp, and do a quick 'pull' test to see if the collar stays closed or pops open when you tug hard on both ends of the clasp. Some styles are rounded, while others may look more boxy, similar to standard dog collar / non-breakaway buckles. Note: The visual appearance of breakaway buckle closures can vary quite a lot depending on the brand of collar you are looking at. Although safety is the obvious priority when choosing this type of closure for your pet's collar, the obvious drawback to this format is that there is inherently a greater risk of your pet losing his or her collar if it's a breakaway style. If you choose one of the cat collar sizes ( Kitten, Adult Cat, XL Cat), the buckle type will default to breakaway unless you manually choose a Non-Breakaway option thereafter. Naturally, this is a bigger concern for outdoor cats who like to climb or are extra adventurous, but breakaway buckles can even protect indoor kitties who may jump on ledges or shelving. This feature is designed to prevent injury or strangulation of pets if the collar gets caught on something, like a tree branch, fence (or in the jaws of another animal). You may have seen breakaway collars referred to as ' safety' or ' quick release' collars, since they are specifically designed to automatically open / unclasp when pulled or tugged on with a sufficient amount of force. Our favorite is Hepper's Breakaway Collar, a well-designed collar made from 100% natural hemp webbing that softens as your cat wears it.Let’s start with breakaway buckles, since that’s the default option for the collars on our website. The best cat collars are sturdy, comfortable, and safe. A breakaway collar will also prevent a neck injury.īreakaway collars are excellent for indoor cats, too, as an indoor cat can get tangled up in an object inside the home, such as a window blind cord. These collars will take any worry away that your cat will choke or get caught up in something, such as a fence or tree branch, and cannot break free. Image credit: Gagarin Iurii, Shutterstock Advantages of a Breakaway Collarīreakaway collars are excellent if you have a cat that likes to roam outdoors, and many veterinarians recommend breakaway collars exclusively for cats. A few breakaway collars may have tabs on either side that you squeeze and pull apart, but most do not have these tabs-you simply pull apart. Remember, you must use a little force for the clasp to release. To open these collars while off your cat, simply grab each end close to the clasp where it fastens and pull it apart, using a firm motion with a little force.

How to Open a Breakaway Collar While Off Your Cat You’ll have to use a little force, but it should pull apart without any trouble. While grabbing the clasp with your fingers and thumb, pull it apart. To open the collar while it’s on your cat’s neck, slip your index fingers underneath the collar close to the claps with your thumbs on top of the collar. How to Open a Breakaway Collar While On Your Cat How to Open a Breakaway Collar in 2 Steps 1. A kitten will grow, so you’ll need to be able to adjust the size accordingly. For example, a kitten’s fit will differ from an adult’s. It’s important to note that the correct size will be based on your cat’s age. Also, measure at the base of your cat’s neck (where a collar goes onto the neck). The collar needs to be comfy for your cat but not comfy enough that your cat can slip out. When measuring, ensure you can slip two fingers in between the tape and your cat’s neck. If you don’t have a measuring tape, you can use a piece of string, followed by measuring with a ruler.

We will explain the two easy steps to open a breakaway collar both while on your cat and off so that you have no trouble and are not discouraged from buying one for your feline friend.īefore you buy a breakaway collar, you’ll need to know how to measure your cat’s neck for a proper fit. However, some people wonder how to open a breakaway cat collar in the first place. These collars will unfasten when there is pressure or force, freeing your cat. The purpose of these collars is to keep your cat from choking, which is obviously a scary scenario and an incident you want to avoid. Breakaway cat collars, also known as quick-release collars, can be a lifesaver if your cat gets caught on something, such as a tree branch on some other object.

Breakaway kitten collars