At Cheshire & Wain we have been hand-crafting cat collars for over 12 years, using soft, high quality materials and an essential breakaway safety catch to make our collars safe and comfortable. Whether your cat is a kitten or an older cat, it may take a bit of patience and persistence to get them accustomed to wearing a collar for the first time. In the article we walk through this gradual process and share our tips on how to make sure your feline is happy and comfortable in their fancy new collar.

Rococo Petal Pink collar with personalisation

Choose the Right Collar For Your Cat 

It’s important to choose a collar that is designed specifically for cats (not small dogs!), steer clear from elasticated collars and ensure your kitty’s collar has a breakaway safety mechanism. This is essential for their protection and your peace of mind, whether they are an indoor cat or an outdoor adventurer. All Cheshire & Wain collars have a discreet breakaway safety catch, our vegan leather Reflective Range is particularly favoured by outdoor kitties and we have a catalogue of high quality Italian leather collars lined with soft suede so your cat can stay safe and stylish. You can read more about our breakaway collars here.

Another thing that’s vital is making sure you get the correct size for your kitty. There is no universal collar sizing chart for cats so it's important to measure your cat to ensure the perfect fit. Cheshire & Wain collars come in 3 sizes, Petite, Standard and Large, and all have adjustable buckle loops. Refer to our fitting guide to check what size your kitty needs based on their breed, age and weight. For kittens, wait until they're over 16 weeks old or over 2.5kg before introducing a collar. 

We are always here if you need advice on Cheshire & Wain’s collar sizing so please feel free to get in touch, or fill in our fitting guide form and one of the cat lovers from the team will get in touch with you. You can find the form on our fitting guide page.

How and When to Introduce Your Cat's New Collar

Be mindful about when is the right time to introduce your cat to their new collar, we recommend doing so after some bonding time and when your kitty is in a relaxed state of mind. Slowly and gently fit the collar whilst they're calm, you want to maintain a positive environment every time you put on their new collar, so reward them with treats and affection. Repeat this daily and increase the length of time your cat is wearing their new collar each day and ensure it is worn on their terms, never try to force it to happen. From our experience, it usually takes a cat around two weeks to get fully comfortable with wearing their collar. All our cat collars are lined in suede or microfibre so they are soft and comfortable for even the most finicky feline. 

Penelope wears our Rococo Petal Pink collar with Gold Heart ID Tag

Watch for Signs of Discomfort

It’s perfectly normal for your kitty to scratch their neck a little when wearing a collar for the first time but if it becomes excessive and your cat is visibly agitated, take the collar off and try reintroducing it again slowly. There can be a lot of trial and error involved in the process but it will be worth it in the long run! 

If you opted to have a bell on your cat's collar, it may be the ringing of the bell that is bothering them rather than the collar itself, so consider removing the bell if you have an overly nervous cat that is sensitive to sounds. For more information on everything you need to know about putting a bell on your cat's collar, read our article on this divisive topic here.

Percy wears our  Wonderland Mock Turtle Green collar with Emerald gem charm

Each and every cat is different and unique so it's about observing your kitty's behaviour and acting accordingly which requires patience and understanding. By following these steps and keeping a close eye on your cat, you can ensure a smooth transition, helping them stay safe and stylish! If you need further help or guidance on introducing a collar to your cat or need help working out your cat's Cheshire & Wain collar size, check out our fitting guide or feel free to contact us for assistance.