How Tight Should a Cat Collar Be? Tips on Getting the Perfect Fit

Finding the perfect fitting collar for your kitty can mean the difference between your cat’s collar lasting two hours or two years. As cat parents, we know keeping our little mischief-makers in check can be a challenge. If your fur baby doesn’t want to do something, that ‘thing’ isn’t getting done. Apply this to cat collars: if your cat is bothered by its collar and doesn’t want to wear it, they will absolutely find a way to wriggle free and bury their collar as far away from home as possible, never to be found again. So, let’s think of this strategically: your cat needs to feel comfortable in their collar. One key question to consider is, how tight should a cat collar be? It needs to fit them well so they hardly know they are wearing it. Cats zero, humans one.

Step 1: Purchase a Durable, Adjustable Cat Collar

Let’s start at the beginning. To achieve the perfect fit, you first need an adjustable cat collar to ensure it can be tailored to your cat's size. Many adjustable collars come with a tri-glide, allowing you to easily make the collar bigger or smaller. We recommend fitting your cat's collar when they are sleepy. From experience, we have found that a sleepy cat is much more receptive to being poked and prodded while in a sleepy haze! You want to make the experience of fitting your cat's collar as stress-free as possible, reducing any negative associations between the collar and being manhandled into said collar.

Shop the Jensons Breakaway Cork Cat Collar Collection

Step 2: Adjust the Collar to the Perfect Fit

Once you’ve achieved the first hurdle of locating your cat in a sleepy haze, you’ll want to put the collar on your cat somewhere between the tightest and loosest collar fitting to give you a starting point. From there, you will need to gauge how tight the collar is. So, how tight should a cat collar be? Aim for two fingers to fit comfortably between your cat’s neck and the collar. This will allow a snug fit that is comfortable, gives your cat a little wiggle room, and is not too restrictive. Continue adjusting the collar, removing it each time if easier, until you’ve adjusted it to fit your cat’s neck, also allowing for two fingers' width to fit underneath. If you have access to a tape measure, you could also try measuring your cat’s neck and then adding approximately 1 inch. Ensure the collar measures this size and fit it to your kitty, checking that two fingers fit under the collar once it is around their neck.

Step 3: Slowly Get Your Kitty Used to Wearing Their Collar

If your cat is not used to wearing a collar, we advise that you slowly get them used to it. Try putting it on for a short amount of time to start with and gradually extend the period in which they wear their collar. You’ll also want to make sure you can keep an eye on them during these times until they are accustomed to their collars. Until they are comfortable wearing a collar, they might try to wriggle free. You don’t want them trapping their jaw under the collar and getting spooked, which is why you need to ensure you can keep a watchful eye on them at this stage. If you purchase the correct collar that fits well and is comfortable for your cat, they will quickly adjust to it, barely noticing they are wearing it.

A trick your little pickle might try to avoid their collar at the start is tensing their neck while you’re trying to fit their collar. This will result in a looser fit. Wait until your cat is comfortable; this is why we advise fitting the collar on a sleepy cat. This way, you’ll be able to achieve a better fit on your relaxed cat’s neck. The two-finger space will easily accommodate a tensed neck too.

Step 4: Regularly Check the Fit and Test the Breakaway Buckle

It’s important to regularly check that your kitty’s collar is fitting comfortably and that the breakaway buckle is functioning well. When you are checking the fit, give the collar a once-over and remove any fur that might have got caught in the collar. While you are checking the collar, it is also a good idea to check your kitty’s neck to ensure their collar hasn’t caused any rubbing or hair loss. A collar that is comfortable for your cat should not result in hair loss or sore skin. At Jensons, we use buttery soft cork leather for our collars, a natural material that is smooth, soft, and supple, feeling super luxurious on your cat's neck.

Cat Collar Accessories 

If your cat's collar has any additional accessories, you’ll want to make sure they are not causing irritation to your cat or affecting the fit of the collar. Heavy identification tags might pull on your cat’s collar, making it heavier. As pretty as they may be, ensure that any decorative accessories do not detract from comfort. If your cat wears an AirTag on their collar, you will also want to make sure that the collar fits well with the holder attached. It might need a little additional loosening to ensure it’s not too tight or restrictive. Identification tags that are specifically made for cats and are small and lightweight are a great idea if your cat wanders a little too far or loses their collar. We advise that cat identification tags should be between 20–25mm.

So, There You Have it... 

So, there you have it, you should now be able to confidently fit your cat's collar. Remember the key steps: purchase a quality, durable, adjustable cat collar. Locate a sleepy cat who will put up with being poked and prodded. When considering how tight should a cat collar be, ensure it fits with two fingers comfortably underneath. Slowly get your kitty used to wearing their collar, keeping a watchful eye over them at this stage. Regularly check the fit of the collar, the functioning of the breakaway buckle, and your cat’s neck. The final step: adventure time.

How Tight Should a Cat Collar Be? Tips on Getting the Perfect Fit

Photo by Jan Gustavsson on Unsplash