When Can Kittens Start Wearing Collars?

August 14, 2024

If you’ve been lucky enough to become a cat parent to a kitten in recent months, congratulations on your new bundle of fur, and welcome to cat parenthood, it’s the best! If you’re considering buying your kitten a new collar, you’re in the right place. This blog explores when the right time is for your kitten to start wearing a collar, how to choose the best collar, introducing the new collar, and potential problems with some types of collars.

At What Age Can a Kitten Start Wearing a Collar?

We advise that kittens can safely wear breakaway collars when they reach 3kg or more. This is because they need to be able to apply enough weight on the breakaway buckle for it to pop open safely if needed. This means your kitten will probably be at least 6 months old before wearing their first collar. Use the guidelines below to gauge the weight of your kitten up to 12 months old. Some kittens will be chunkier than others, so make sure you weigh them for an accurate reading.

Young Kittens (0-6 Months)

0-1 month: 0.11 - 0.68 kg
2-3 months: 0.9 - 1.8 kg
4-6 months: 1.8 - 3.2 kg

Kittens (6-12 Months)

6-9 months: 2.7 - 4.1 kg
9-12 months: 3.6 - 4.5 kg

If you’re looking into when your kitten can start wearing a collar, you may also be considering letting them outside to start exploring. Make sure they are fully vaccinated, neutered or spayed, and microchipped before you let them out. Below is a general guide to the key dates for these important milestones.

Young Kittens (0-6 Months)

0-1 month
2-3 months: 1st Vaccination*
4-6 months: 2nd Vaccination, Kittens can be neutered/spayed from 4 months old.

*Kitten vaccinations are usually administered at 9 to 12 weeks old, with two injections given 3-4 weeks apart.

Are There Alternatives to Collars for Very Young Kittens?

Yes, for very young kittens, you can use felt Velcro collars. You might be familiar with these if you got your kitten through a breeder; breeders often use felt Velcro collars to distinguish between littermates when families are visiting. While these collars serve this purpose, we wouldn’t recommend leaving them on kittens for any length of time. The Velcro on these collars can be deceptively strong, and while they are very small and often restricted to a limited area at this age, once the kittens start to roam the house, climb the curtains, and scale the countertops, these collars can become a hazard.

How Do I Choose the Right Collar for My Kitten?

You’ll want to choose a safe collar for your kitty; safety comes above everything. The only collars we recommend for kittens and adult cats are breakaway collars. This ensures your kitten can break free if they become snagged on something like a tree branch or an object around the house. Closely following safety is comfort. Your kitten needs to be comfortable in their collar, so it should be supple, soft, and lightweight. Ensure the collar you choose is durable; if you opt for a fabric collar, anticipate fraying due to daily wear and scratching. A frayed collar can cause irritation and increase the likelihood of the collar getting caught. Cork is an excellent material for kitten collars. Our cork leather breakaway cat collars tick the boxes for safety, comfort, and durability.

Shop the Jensons Breakaway Cork Cat Collar Collection

Are Certain Collar Materials Better for Kittens with Sensitive Skin?

If your kitten has sensitive skin, it’s important to first find out why. Do they get itchy, have dry, scaly skin, or develop sore patches? If so, make sure you take them to the vet for a check-up. They might have an allergy to something in your home. If they suffer significantly, you may want to reconsider putting a collar on them. If they are already uncomfortable and sensitive to anything unusual touching their fur, introducing a collar might cause unnecessary stress.

If your kitten shows no visible signs of skin problems and is just a little fussy or sensitive to different fabrics, you might want to introduce a collar slowly. For kittens with sensitive skin and no visible skin issues, choose a collar that is soft, flexible, lightweight, and durable. Cork is a fantastic material for sensitive kitties; it has naturally hypoallergenic properties and is extremely durable. For sensitive kittens, we recommend our cork leather breakaway collar in Barley. It’s our most natural collar and is buttery smooth to the touch.

If you have a kitten with sensitive skin and decide to buy them a collar, make sure you monitor them regularly. Remove the collar often to check that their skin and fur are healthy and that there is no irritation.

Shop Our Jensons Breakaway Collar in Barley

Can Furless Kittens Wear Collars?

Yes, furless kittens like Sphynx kitties can wear collars, but you need to be extra cautious. Since they don’t have fur to protect their skin, it’s important to choose a collar that is soft, lightweight, and hypoallergenic to avoid irritation or discomfort. Always monitor your kitten for any signs of skin irritation and ensure the collar fits properly, allowing room for two fingers between the collar and their neck. Make sure you regularly give your kitten a break from their collar; this will allow you to thoroughly check the skin underneath where the collar sits. If you notice any irritation, leave the collar off your kitten.

How Can I Introduce My Kitten to Wearing a Collar?

The key here is to be slow and patient. When you first introduce a collar to your kitten, make sure you do so when you can keep a close eye on them. Start by letting your kitten sniff the collar so they can get used to its new smell. Allow them to wear the collar for a short amount of time initially, and as they start to get used to it, you can gradually extend the time they wear it until they are completely accustomed to it and barely notice it. Make sure to fit your kitten’s collar correctly; aim for two fingers to fit comfortably between your kitten’s neck and the collar. We’ve written a blog about achieving the perfect fit: How Tight Should a Cat Collar Be? Tips on Getting the Perfect Fit.

How Often Should I Check and Adjust My Kitten’s Collar?

You will need to regularly check your kitten’s collar to ensure it fits correctly. Before they reach 1 year old, they are still growing, especially rapidly around the 6-month mark. Make sure you can comfortably fit two fingers between your kitty's collar and their neck. While checking the fit, it is also advisable to check that the breakaway buckle is functioning properly. To do this, apply a little tension to the collar to ensure it pops open as intended. Aim to check your kitten’s collar weekly; you can easily do this while fussing over them.

Should I Put a Bell on My Kitten's Collar?

Some people choose to put bells on their kittens' collars to alert prey that they are approaching. Various studies show that bells can be effective at minimising the number of ‘presents’ your cat brings home. However, it's also important to consider any annoyance that the jingling of a bell might cause your cat. While various sources claim that a bell at around 50 dB is not loud enough to cause physical damage to your cat’s ears, such as hearing loss or tinnitus, and that cats will get used to the tinkling of a quiet bell, we advise against using bells if your kitten is sensitive or anxious around sound. If you decide to add a bell to your kitten's collar, make sure to monitor them and check that the bell is not causing any distress. Remove it immediately if it is.

Can My Kitten Wear a Collar with a Leash for Walks?

If you decide to take your kitten on a walk, either as an introduction to the outside world or as an alternative to free roaming, you will need to invest in a good-quality harness for your kitten. A secure harness for your kitten should include a chest piece and back strap, which will hug their upper body securely and distribute any tension from the lead across their body, rather than concentrating it on a collar around their neck. You want to aim for one finger’s width between the harness and your kitten’s body; this should allow the harness to be secure yet not restrictive. You should not walk a kitten or adult cat with just a neck collar and lead. Keep in mind that this may take some getting used to for your kitten; perseverance and patience are key.

What Are Common Problems with Collars and How Can I Fix Them?

Problem: Irritation can be caused by incorrectly fitting collars and harsh materials. You might notice your kitten scratching at their collar or showing irritation around their neck, with extreme cases potentially leading to fur loss around the neck. Although this is very uncommon, if you monitor your kitten correctly, you should be able to pick up on signs of irritation before it reaches this stage. Solution: To minimise irritation, choose a soft, lightweight, flexible, and durable collar. Materials such as cork are silky smooth and glide against your kitten’s fur, causing minimal irritation.

Problem: The collar getting caught on objects either outside or around the house. Solution: Always ensure your kitten is wearing a breakaway collar. This type of collar is designed to release if it gets caught, allowing the buckle to pop open under tension. We advise that kittens weigh 3kg or more to ensure they can activate the breakaway buckle effectively.

Problem: Resistance. Your kitten may initially resist having their collar put on. This is understandable, as their neck is a very vulnerable part of their body, and some kittens are naturally more nervous than others. Solution: Introduce the collar slowly and for short periods at first. Use treats to reward your kitten for allowing you to put their collar on; this helps build a positive association with wearing it.

This blog should have you clued up on buying your kitten’s first collar, a significant step in the cat parenthood journey, which often goes hand in hand with letting your kitten roam outside for the first time, how exciting! When purchasing a collar, make sure you choose a safe, durable, and comfortable option for your kitten. At Jensons, we are always happy to answer any collar-related questions. You can reach out to us here: hello@jensons.co.