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

Meet 10 Famous Black Cats Who Stole the Spotlight in Pop Culture

Black cats have been wrapped in myths of mystery, magic, and even bad luck for centuries. But, when it comes to pop culture,...

Lady Rapper Kreayshawn Tells Us All About Her Adopted Kitties

Kreayshawn came to stardom when her rap song “Gucci Gucci” went viral back in 2011 and clocked up something like a gazillion glittering...

Why Is My Cat’s Nose Changing Color? Our Vet Answers & Explains 10 Common Reasons

A cat’s nose is quite interesting. Although most of it is covered in fur, there is an area of furless skin known as...

Can Cats Eat Pears? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Fruit is a tasty addition to a healthy diet for humans and even for dogs, as it provides plenty of dietary fiber and...

More related

Special Kitty Cat Food Review of 2026: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Special Kitty Cat Food Review Summary Walmart is known for many things. It sells affordable products that allow regular people to make ends...

How to Treat Ringworm in Cats (6 Vet-Approved Tips)

Ringworm is a common fungal disease in mammals that can cause discomfort and irritation in cats. You can determine if your cat has...

10 Things You Should Know Before Fostering Kittens (Vet-Verified)

Kittens are vulnerable animals, and it’s unfortunate that many don’t have safe homes to live in, or mothers to look after them. Fostering...

Longest Cat Tail In The World: 2026 Record Holder

The record for longest tail belonging to a living domestic housecat belongs to Altair Cygnus Powers, a Maine Coon belonging to Dr. William...

Keep reading

Can Cats Eat Fish Bones? Vet-Reviewed Feeding Facts

Cats are obligate carnivores. In the wild, they eat a good variety of small prey, depending on availability, and they make the most of their catch by eating all of their quarry. Prey are usually small mammals and birds, and...

Can Cats Eat Fish Bones

How to Sedate a Cat for Car Travel: 3 Effective Methods & Application Tips

Preparing for a long-distance car trip with your cat can feel like planning a road trip with a reluctant passenger. Many cats dislike travel, and keeping them calm and comfortable for hours on the road might seem daunting. While sedation...

Cute grey cat inside pet carrier in car

Why Does My Cat Chase Me? 8 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & What to Do

Cats are cute and adorable even when they’re chasing you, but sometimes you just want a bit of space. To help you understand if your cat’s behavior is normal, you need to figure out why they’re chasing you in the...

Cat meowing at you

Can Cats Eat Ginger? Vet-Approved Nutritional Info & FAQ

Ginger has many bioactive compounds like phenols which make it beneficial for human consumption. But can cats have ginger? Yes. Besides being safe for cats to eat, ginger may have several potential health benefits. However, you should not provide ginger-flavored...

Can Cats Eat Ginger

Why Does My Cat Stare at Me? 7 Vet-Reviewed Reasons for This Behavior

You’re alone in your home, just going about your business, and you suddenly get the sinking feeling that you’re being stared at. You look out the window—nothing. You call out and ask if anyone’s there—no response. That’s when it hits...

Grey tabby cat with intense golden eyes

Will My Male Cat Be More Affectionate After Neutering? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

An unneutered male cat can be… a handful, to say the least. Otherwise known as tomcats, there are a multitude of reasons to have them neutered. To answer the question, yes—a male cat will most likely be more affectionate and...

cat playing with its owner

How Many Muscles Does a Cat Have? Science & FAQ

If you know anything about cats, you know how athletic and graceful they can be. Their muscles help them with agility and give them extraordinary flexibility. So, you might wonder how many muscles a cat has to aid in their...

Cat muscle computer rendering

Is Your Cat Losing Teeth? What’s Normal & When to Worry (Vet-Verified)

Dental problems are a pretty big issue among cats. In fact, it is estimated that over two-thirds of cats over 3 have some degree of dental disease. However, losing a tooth doesn’t necessarily equate to a problem. So if your...

cat with open mouth and teeth