Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How To Open a Breakaway Cat Collar in 4 Simple Steps

Adorable brown color domestic cat sitting and enjoy herself on fence of the house

As pet parents, we all want our cats to be safe, and everyone knows that cats wander. That’s where having a collar for your feline friend comes in handy. You can be sure that your cat has a collar and tag with your address and phone number on it just in case it should become lost during its wanderings.

However, we also know that cats are curious creatures and that they’ll climb something in a split second. So, what happens if your furry friend climbs something and falls, such as off a ladder, a roof, or even a tree? They could get hung by the collar and choke or even worse.

That’s where breakaway collars come in, but sometimes it can be confusing for pet parents to open the collar. We’ll examine how to open a breakaway cat collar and more in the article below.

divider 3 paws

How to Open a Breakaway Cat Collar

Have you ever wondered how you’re supposed to open that breakaway collar to keep your cat safe? You need to know to put the collar on the cat, to begin with, and remove it should an emergency happen.

1. Locate the Breakaway Strap

The first thing you want to do is locate the breakaway strap on the collar. You can do this by holding the collar right side up and then looking for the strap on the front.

tabby-cat-on-owners-lap
Photo Credit: Uplight pictures, Shutterstock

2. Apply Force to the Snap

Once you’ve located the snap, you can apply force to cause the strap to snap away from the collar.


3. Slide It Through the Clasp

The simplest way to open the collar is by sliding it through the clasp that holds it, then gently pulling it apart with your fingers so as not to scare your cat.


4. Remove the Collar

Once the breakaway collar is unsnapped, remove it until you’re ready to put it on again.

woman-wearing-collar-to-her-cat
Photo Credit: Patara91, Shutterstock

divider 3 paws

Benefits of Breakaway Collars for Cats

Now that you know how to remove the breakaway collar from your cat’s neck, you might not understand why you need one.

Your Cat’s Safety

If your cat has on a breakaway collar and gets tangled in anything from a tree to a tight spot, just a bit of pressure on the collar will make it come off, which keeps your cat from being trapped or choked by the collar. Any pressure on this collar will cause it to come undone, possibly saving your feline’s life.

Attach an ID Tag

If you don’t want your cat to wear a regular collar because of the choking hazard, you have no way of attaching an ID tag to the cat’s neck just in case it becomes lost. If the cat has a breakaway collar, the collar can come off in an emergency.

These are just a few benefits of purchasing a breakaway collar for your feline pal. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to our pets, and a breakaway collar gives you peace of mind in knowing your cat is protected when they’re away from the house.

Finding the right cat collar can be tricky with so many options on the market. Our favorite is the Hepper Breakaway Collar, a durable hemp collar with adjustable slip-locks, a reliable quick-release buckle, and an included jingle bell to keep your local wildlife safe. This collar is stylish and practical, perfect for any cat!

Hepper Hemp Safety Breakaway Cat Collar with Bells
  • Hemp-Hemp Hooray - hemp breakaway cat collars are long-lasting and resistant to UV rays – The...
  • What the neck?! - Our cat breakaway collar has adjustable sizing with metal slip-locks, and softens...
  • Breakaway Safety - Cat collars breakaway to ensure that when out adventuring, the material getting...

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

divider 3 paws

Wrapping Up

Breakaway collars can be difficult to open, especially if you are concerned about your cat. While we all want our cats to be safe when they’re out and about, putting a standard collar on a cat is not a good idea because some felines get into tight spaces and end up being hung by their collars.

There are quite a few benefits to purchasing a breakaway collar for your pet, so make sure to research products beforehand to ensure a breakaway collar is the right choice for you and your feline companion.

Sources

Featured Image Credit: Baramyou0708, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.




How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

2 Responses

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Subtle Signs Your Cat Might Have Diabetes That Vets Urge You to Check

If your cat’s been drinking more water lately or sleeping a bit too much, you might just chalk it up to age or...

Meet Sauerkraut, the Internet’s New Favorite Grumpy Face Kitty

All hail Miss Sauerkraut! As the most sour kitty on the scene, this Oklahoma-based cutester with the scowling face looks set to rocket...

Why Does My Cat’s Pee Smell So Strong All of a Sudden? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

While cat urine generally isn’t known for smelling great, it’s often a sign to be concerned about if your cat’s pee smells really...

Can Cats Eat Chicken Bones? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Safety Guide

Cats just love eating chicken! It can be a healthy part of any cat’s diet. But what about chicken bones? After all, cats...

More related

Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Recommendations

There’s quite a bit of controversy today concerning whether or not cats should eat raw meat. In the wild, cats of old would...

Are Elephant Ears (Alocasia) Toxic to Cats? Vet-Reviewed Houseplants Examined

You don’t need a green thumb for elephant ears (Alocasia) to thrive in your home. The plants only need indirect sunlight, moderate humidity,...

Can Cats Eat Peas? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Peas may be one of the most disliked childhood vegetables, but these little green legumes are packed full of healthy nutrients, including protein....

Are Peonies Poisonous to Cats? Vet-Verified Risks & Safety Tips

Peonies have vibrant pink flowers and are popular plants, but pet owners have to consider more than just a plant’s beauty. Unfortunately, peonies...

Keep reading

Why Do Cats Love The “Pspsps” Sound? 4 Vet-Verified Interesting Reasons

Cats have astounding hearing, with most able to hear frequencies we humans can only imagine. They have 32 ear muscles that allow them to move their ears 180 degrees to locate sounds precisely. And they can even control each ear...

white-British-long-haired-cat-smiling-or-happy

Are Frosty Ferns Toxic to Cats? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Frosty ferns are delicate light green plants popular with gardeners everywhere. Its shimmery new sprouts make the entire plant look like it’s been delicately brushed with snow—hence the name! Frosty ferns, more precisely known as Selaginella kraussiana, aren’t ferns but...

Catster_Are Ferns Toxic to Cats

Can Cats Eat Dragon Fruit? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Also known as the pitaya or the strawberry pear, dragon fruit is a delicious fruit that grows on the Hylocereus cactus. While most popular in Southeast Asia, this fruit has been growing in popularity worldwide in recent years. You’ve probably...

Can Cats Eat Dragon Fruit

Tonkinese Cat Health Problems: 7 Vet-Reviewed Concerns

Tonkinese cats are known for their beautiful coats and pleasant personalities, but that’s no guarantee of health. Although Tonkinese cats are healthy, they are slightly more likely to inherit some genetic conditions that will need extra care. Every breed of...

Catster_Health Problems Tonkinese Cats

How Much Water Does a Cat Need per Day? Vet-Approved Facts & Health Tips

Like humans, cats require access to fresh drinking water, which is essential for proper body functioning and optimum health. Water helps cats maintain good health and flush out toxins from their systems while aiding their digestion and circulation. Without enough...

cat dipping its paw in water bowl

Can Cats Eat Flies? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Health Guidelines

If you’ve ever seen a cat pounce on a fly and eat it, you may be wondering if this is safe or potentially harmful for your furry friend. So can cats eat flies? Thankfully, flies aren’t toxic or poisonous, and...

Cat hunting a fly

Why Is My Kitten So Aggressive? 6 Likely Reasons & Vet-Approved Tips

It’s not uncommon for new cat owners to be surprised by their kitten’s aggressive behavior. Kittens are wild creatures still learning about the world, and they’re unaware that their pouncing and bouncing can inflict pain. While it might seem cute...

two kittens playing

8 Products for Senior Cats to Make Your House Easier for Them

It seems that one minute, you have a sprightly little kitten jumping around, ripping down your curtains, and the next, you have a lazy old senior who prefers taking window naps. Our animals’ lives certainly go far too quickly for...

Long hair tabby cat with beautiful green eyes and long whiskers stretched out and relaxed senior cat

Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.




Sign up for the Catster Email Newsletter

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.