Cat Collar with Bell: Harmful to Cats? 

Cat Collar with Bell: Protection for Birds? 

Indoor cats typically only hunt flies and spiders. Outdoor cats, on the other hand, tend to bring home bigger prey – and not just mice, regrettably. Thus, it is distressing for many cat owners when their beloved pet presents them with a dead or dying bird.

An apparent solution is within easy reach: simply put a bell on the cats’ collars. The bell is meant to warn potential prey and thus prevent “bird murder”. But, this solution is torment for cats. Moreover, it is not particularly effective for bird protection.

Are Bells Harmful to Cats?

Bells are indeed harmful to cats. They hear the sounds up to four times louder than humans do. Particularly, the constant ringing of a bell is an immense burden for the animals and may cause stress in the cat. 

Highly Sensitive Hearing 

Cats hear significantly better than we do. Humans can perceive a pitch of up to 20,000 Hertz, while adult cats can discern up to 65,000 Hertz. Kittens even hear tones up to 100,000 Hertz. 

When it comes to the intensity of sounds, cats are also far superior: they can hear the faint squeaking of a mouse from a distance of 20 meters. Experts believe cats’ hearing is three to four times more acute than that of humans. 

Cat Collar with Bell: Like Tinnitus 

To the delicate ears of a cat, even the small bell rings three to four times as loudly. What exacerbates this issue is the proximity of the bell to the cat’s head when attached to a collar. This subjects the cat to constant noise – potentially 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can feel like tinnitus to a cat. 

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How Dangerous is a Cat Collar with Bell?

The collar itself can be very dangerous for a cat. It’s not just uncomfortable or annoying; it can be a matter of life and death due to constriction or strangulation.

Danger of Constriction 

Many cats have severely injured themselves while trying to remove a collar. Some succeed in poking a front leg through the collar but then can’t get back out. If a cat’s luck runs out, the band could tighten between its upper arm and neck, causing deep cuts. 

If the blood circulation gets completely cut off, the front leg may need to be amputated in the worst case. That’s assuming the cat can even make it home alive to see a vet. 

Danger of Strangulation 

There are also cases where the band gets stuck in the cat’s mouth, much like a horse’s bridle, or where a cat gets caught by the collar on a branch and can’t free itself. This could lead to a slow and painful death by strangulation. 

For small kittens that get lost for any reason, there’s the additional danger that the collar can grow into their skin, slowly strangling them. 

Safety Releases Don’t Always Work 

For these reasons, it’s better to avoid collars altogether – not just those with bells. Even collars designed with a safety release are risky because they might not always release in an emergency.

Cat Collar with Bell: No Help in Bird Protection 

A cat collar with bells is not only torture for cats — it also doesn’t help protect birds. 

Many bird species have their own sounds to warn each other of danger. However, the ringing of a bell is not something they recognize as a warning. 

If fledgling birds are alone in the nest when a cat approaches, the sound of the bell is useless. If they can’t yet fly to escape, they generally stand little chance against a cat. 

Furthermore, there have been reports of cats learning to hunt with a collar with a bell. They stalk their prey so stealthily that the bell doesn’t ring.

Conclusion: Cat Collar with a Bell has Many Disadvantages

While some may find a cat collar with a bell quaint or seemingly sensible, a cat’s welfare must always come first. 

At best, the constant jingle of the bell can disturb the cat. At worst, the collar could be a fatal hazard. You should definitely forgo this accessory — especially as it does not aid in bird protection.