Risks and benefits of collar use in cats (Felis catus); a literature review

There are multiple reasons for cats to wear collars, among the most relevant are identification and mounting of radiofrequency tracking devices or predation deterrents. Reports on severe incidents with cat collars indicate that both, entrapment of the collar on an object or a body part, have the potential to lead to serious injury or death. Therefore, expert opinions and guidelines concerning the safety of cat collars are controversial. This review focuses on the current state of knowledge weighing welfare risks against potential benefits of collar use in domestic cats (Felis catus). The results of this review show that even safety collars (collars with a breakaway clip or elastic parts) do not fully prevent severe incidents, albeit rarely reported. Nevertheless, the use of breakaway collars is considered vital. To further reduce risk of entrapment, good fit (i.e., the collar must not be too loose nor too tight), undamaged material and close monitoring during adjustment periods are recommended. Behaviors such as excessive scratching or rubbing and coat or skin problems such as matting, alopecia or erythema were reported in association with collars. These adverse effects on behavior, coat or skin can be manageable in pet cats. The propensity of a breakaway collar to open/release varies between types of collars and brands. For unsupervised use, a collar that opens/releases easily is recommended to reduce risk of entrapment. However, this feature can limit the benefits of collar use as the intended functions of the collar might no longer be maintained. The main benefits provided by a collar are visible identification and mounting of radiofrequency tracking devices (to locate cats via GPS) or predation deterrents (to reduce the impact of predation on wildlife). Given the risks associated with collars, there are no benefits to cats wearing collars solely for fashion. Comparatively, collars have a lower inherent risk than other scenarios cats encounter while free-roaming. Yet risks and benefits regarding collar use should be assessed for each individual case. Future directions of research should focus on ways to further reduce or prevent risks of collars. One interesting research direction is whether training cats to tolerate collars can reduce discomfort and risk of entrapment or skin irritation. Paper collars have not been investigated yet, but are cheap and can be replaced at low cost, they can be inscribed with owner contact details and tear easily. (c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )

Automated summary

This review discusses the risks and benefits of cats wearing collars, highlighting the importance of safety measures such as breakaway collars, proper fit, and close monitoring. It also addresses the adverse effects of collars on behavior, coat, and skin, and the value of visible identification and tracking in cats and wildlife.