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

Can Cats Eat Yogurt? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & FAQ

For many, thinking of cats brings up images of them lapping up a saucer of milk. While it’s safe for kittens to have...

Veterinary Technician Week — How and When Is It Celebrated?

Anyone who has ever had a pet knows how essential veterinarians are, as they help our pets feel better and even save their...

8 DIY Cork Cat Toys You Can Make Today: Great Vet-Approved Options

Cats love toys, so if you’re a cat parent, you’ll find yourself collecting a lot of them. The problem? Cat toys can be...

Can Cats Have CBD Treats? Vet-Verified Safety & Benefits Explained

You might’ve noticed all the hype about CBD (cannabidiol) in recent years. Maybe you’ve even tried it yourself. In people, CBD has been...

More related

How Do I Get My Scared Kitten to Trust Me? 10 Vet-Approved Tips

Bringing a new kitten into your home is an exciting experience. However, it’s not uncommon for kittens to feel anxious in a new...

How Much Does an Oriental Shorthair Cat Cost? 2025 Price Guide

While Oriental Shorthairs are closely related to the Siamese cat, they have been developed into their breed. Unlike the Siamese, they come in...

How to Get a Cat’s Attention: 12 Vet-Approved Tips & Methods

Have you ever sat and watched your cat walk around you like you weren’t even there? If so, don’t feel lonely. This is...

Nasal Cancer in Cats: Our Vet Explains When to Euthanize

Knowing when to say goodbye is often one of the hardest aspects of pet ownership. Perhaps you are wondering if you waited too...

Keep reading

How Long Do Cats Live? Feline Lifespan Facts Explained (Vet Approved)

We’ve all heard that cats have nine lives. But how much of that is actually true? Do cats seem to escape brushes with death regularly? If the cat lives an expected average of years, how long is that usually? According...

Silver Tabby Norwegian Forest Cat

Do Cats Like Belly Rubs? Vet-Verified Facts & Info

You’ve probably tried to rub your cat’s belly a few times, only to be scratched by powerful bunny kicks. We get it. It’s tempting not to touch a soft cat tummy. Aren’t cats just begging for tickles when they show...

cat laying on owner's lap

How Often Should I Feed My Cat? Vet-Reviewed Considerations & Tips

Next to feeding your cat just the right amount, you should also concern yourself with how often to feed your feline. There isn’t actually a one-size-fits-all answer for this. In many cases, it will depend on your schedule and your...

tabby cat eating cat food out of bowl inside

Is It True That All Cats Get Hairballs? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Have you ever been woken out of a deep sleep by the sound of your cat dry heaving on the bedroom floor? More importantly, have you ever fallen right back to sleep without dealing with the results and stepped out...

cat hairball

Is It True That All Cats Chirp? 5 Reasons Why They Do It

Cats use various vocalizations to communicate with us, and one of these vocalizations is the cute chirping sound you become accustomed to hearing when your cat is obsessed with a bird or bug on the other side of the window....

white cat chirping

Why Does My Cat Like Icy Hot and Bengay? Possible Reasons & Vet-Reviewed Safety Facts

Cats are naturally curious about various smells, but the smell of the topical pain relief products for muscle pain known as Icy Hot and Bengay seems to be a favorite with some cats. If you have ever applied these ointments,...

cat smells, lick feet and toes in bed

Can Cats Drink Oat Milk? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Safety Guide

While we try to lead more active lives and make smarter food choices, it’s sometimes easy to forget that the same considerations don’t apply to pets. So, can cats have oat milk? The fiber and vitamin-rich replacement for cow’s milk...

Can Cats Drink Oat Milk

Why Is My Cat Stalking Me? Normal vs Worrisome Behavior

Cats stalk their prey, stalk their toys, and sometimes even stalk their food. However, what concerns many cat owners is when their cats decide to stalk them. You’re probably familiar with the behavior of cat stalking and pouncing. They slowly...

woman sitting beside her cat