How to Choose the Right Cat or Dog Collar: Size, Safety, Materials

Choosing a collar should feel simple, yet the stakes are high: comfort, safety, visibility, and the right fit all matter. The goal of this guide is to help you confidently pick the best collar for your cat or dog, understand when to use a harness instead, and make sure your pet’s ID and tracking are sorted for everyday life and those just-in-case moments.

Quick Fit Guide (5-step checklist)

1) Measure the neck

• Use a soft tape measure where the collar will sit. For fluffy coats, compress the fur slightly.

2) Apply the two-finger rule

• You should slide two fingers comfortably between collar and neck. Not loose enough to slip over the head.

3) Choose width by pet size

• Cats and toy breeds: 8–12 mm
• Small to medium dogs: 12–20 mm
• Large/giant dogs: 20–38 mm

4) Pick safe hardware

• Cats: breakaway buckles
• Dogs: flat buckle for daily use; martingale for sighthounds or escape artists

5) Recheck fit regularly

• Growing puppies and kittens: check weekly
• Adults: check monthly or after coat changes and grooming

What collar types are out there?

• Identification collars

– Everyday flat collars designed to carry an ID tag and sometimes a bell or reflective strip. Must fit comfortably and be worn at home and on calm walks.

• Training collars

– This term is often confusing. We recommend positive reinforcement methods and humane tools. Avoid aversive devices such as prong, choke, or shock collars due to welfare risks. If you have a puller, jump to the harness section below.

• Fashion collars

– Fun looks, seasonal prints, and personalised nameplates. Make sure fashion never compromises safety, fit, or durability.

• Specialist types for specific needs

– Breakaway collars for cats – Martingale collars for sighthounds and dogs with narrow heads relative to necks – Reflective or LED collars for night visibility – Waterproof and odour-resistant materials like biothane for outdoor-loving pets

How to measure your pet’s neck (and get the fit right)

1) Find the natural collar spot

• For dogs, this is usually mid-neck. For cats, high on the neck, not on the shoulders.

2) Measure snugly

• Wrap a soft tape measure; note the number where it overlaps.

3) Add breathing room

• Add 1–2 cm for cats and small dogs; 2–3 cm for medium to large dogs.

4) Two-finger rule

• You should slide two fingers between collar and neck without forcing them.

5) Check movement

• The collar shouldn’t rotate easily around the neck or slip over the head.

6) Growth check

• Puppies and kittens grow fast. Recheck weekly and resize or upsize as needed.

Pro tip: If you don’t have a tape, wrap a string around the neck, mark the overlap, then measure it against a ruler.

Quick size guide by pet weight and neck

Use this as a starting point and always follow the manufacturer’s size chart.

Breed notes

• Sighthounds (Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis) benefit from martingale collars because their heads are narrower than their necks.
• Brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs) and dogs that pull should walk on a harness to protect their airway; use a collar for ID only.

Cat collars: breakaway safety and ID

For cats, safety is non-negotiable:

• Breakaway (quick-release) buckle

– Designed to release if the collar gets snagged on a branch or fence. This reduces strangulation risk.

• ID tags plus microchip

– Microchips are permanent ID, but they need a scanner. A visible tag speeds up everyday reunions. Use a lightweight tag.

• Bells

– Optional. They can help warn birds, but some cats dislike the noise. Prioritise comfort.

• Leashes and cats

– Skip attaching a leash to a cat collar. For outdoor adventures, use a well-fitted cat harness and leash.

For indoor-only cats that have a habit of slipping out, consider a breakaway collar with reflective trim and pair it with tracking. Note: a breakaway buckle will release under force; if you attach a tracker to a cat’s collar, choose a lightweight tracker and be prepared that the safety release may trigger if it snags. Many cat parents prefer a secure, comfortable harness for supervised outings and tracking.

Dog collars: everyday, martingale, and when to choose a harness

• Everyday flat buckle collar

– The go-to for ID tags and calm walking. Choose a width that suits your dog’s weight and coat.

• Martingale collar

– Ideal for sighthounds and dogs that can back out of regular collars. It tightens evenly to prevent escape without choking when fitted correctly. The control loop should tighten enough to prevent slipping off, but never constrict to the point of coughing or gagging.

• Harness vs collar for pullers

– If your dog pulls, a harness that clips at the chest or back helps protect the neck and spine. Use the collar for ID; do leash handling and training via the harness.

• Puppies

– Choose a lightweight, soft collar and check the fit weekly. As they grow, switch sizes early to avoid pressure points.

Kindness first: We do not recommend choke chains, prong collars, or shock collars. Welfare organisations and behaviour experts discourage aversive tools due to injury and fear risks. Positive reinforcement training and well-fitted harnesses are safer and more effective for most dogs.

Materials compared: nylon vs leather vs biothane vs LED

• Nylon

– Pros: affordable, light, washable, broad size range – Cons: can fray over time; may absorb odour if not cleaned – Best for: everyday use and growing pets

• Leather

– Pros: durable, comfortable once broken in, classic look – Cons: needs care; not ideal for water-heavy lifestyles – Best for: adult dogs with stable sizing

• Biothane (coated webbing)

– Pros: waterproof, wipe-clean, odour-resistant, long-lasting – Cons: slightly stiffer feel than fabric at first – Best for: beach, trail, rainy seasons, and dogs that love mud

• Neoprene padding

– Pros: extra comfort and reduced chafing – Cons: can hold moisture if not dried – Best for: active dogs and sensitive skin

• Reflective or LED collars

– Pros: high visibility for dawn, dusk, and loadshedding walks in South Africa – Cons: LEDs need charging or battery changes – Best for: night safety, roadside visibility

• Eco-friendly options (hemp, bamboo, vegan leather)

– Pros: lower environmental impact, often hypoallergenic – Cons: availability and price vary – Best for: sustainability-focused homes

Tip: If your pet swims often, go biothane or fast-drying nylon with stainless steel or coated hardware to prevent rust.

Collars and GPS trackers: what works best with TailMe Infinity

If a collar ever slips off, a tracker can be the difference between panic and a quick reunion.

• Why GPS over AirTag

– AirTags are designed for item tracking and rely on nearby iPhones. A dedicated GPS pet tracker provides real-time location updates and is built for outdoor use and roaming pets.

• Compatibility

– The TailMe Infinity GPS Pet Tracker is designed to attach securely to most standard flat collars and harnesses. Check the product page for recommended collar widths and mounting instructions.

• Best collar styles for trackers

– Dogs: flat buckle or biothane collar, with a firm attachment point; avoid overly stretchy styles. – Cats: choose a lightweight setup. If you use a breakaway collar, understand that the safety release could detach the tracker during a snag. Many cat parents opt for a secure harness for supervised tracking sessions.

Safety first: when to choose a harness instead of a collar

Choose a harness when:

• Your dog pulls or lunges
• You have a brachycephalic breed (Pug, Bulldog, Boston Terrier)
• You’re doing road runs, hiking, or long training sessions
• You need better control without neck pressure

Use the collar primarily for ID and city-comfort walks. Harnesses distribute force across the chest and shoulders and help prevent trachea or neck strain.

Care and maintenance

• Wash schedule

– Nylon and biothane: wipe weekly; machine-wash in a laundry bag when dirty. – Leather: wipe clean and condition as needed.

• Hardware check

– Inspect buckles, D-rings, and stitching monthly; replace at first signs of damage.

• Seasonal checks

– After grooming or seasonal coat changes, recheck the fit. A slimmer neck needs a tighter setting.

FAQs

Q: How tight should a pet collar be? A: Use the two-finger rule: you should slide two fingers comfortably between collar and neck. For puppies and kittens, check weekly and adjust.

Q: Should cats wear breakaway collars? A: Yes. Breakaway buckles are designed to release if snagged, lowering the risk of strangulation. Pair a breakaway collar with a microchip and lightweight ID tag.

Q: What size collar for my puppy? A: Measure the neck and add 2–3 cm. Choose an adjustable collar that allows room to grow, and check fit weekly. Use the size guide above as a starting point.

Q: Is a martingale collar safe? A: When fitted correctly, martingales tighten evenly and prevent escape without choking. They are popular for sighthounds and slippery-headed escape artists. Never leave any tightening collar on a dog unsupervised.

Q: Collar or harness for dogs that pull? A: Use a harness. Collars are great for ID and calm walking, but a harness protects the neck and gives you better control during training.

Q: What collar material is best? A: Nylon for value and lightness, leather for comfort and longevity, and biothane for waterproof durability and odour resistance. Reflective or LED features help at night.

Q: Can I use an AirTag on my pet? A: AirTags are not pet trackers. For real-time location and escape-proofing, choose a GPS pet tracker such as TailMe Infinity.

Q: How often should I check collar fit for growing puppies? A: Weekly. Puppies and kittens grow fast, and collars can become too tight in days. Resize or upsize early.

Where to next

• Pair with TailMe GPS Pet Tracker
• Add a personalised ID tag

The bottom line: choose a collar that fits well, prioritise safety features suited to your species, and add visibility and tracking to help your best friend stay safe wherever life takes you.