You've likely seen them and most definitely heard them, those small jingling bells attached to cat collars. While they might seem like a cute cat collar accessory, these little noisemakers actually serve a few key purposes. So, why do cat collars have bells? Let's explore the main reasons.
1. Protecting Local Wildlife
This is arguably the most common and significant reason for a bell on a cat collar. Cats are natural predators and even the most well-fed housecat can have a strong hunting instinct. Birds, small mammals, and even insects can become prey. A bell, particularly on a cat collar worn by an outdoor or indoor/outdoor cat, acts as an audible warning to potential prey.
The Element of Surprise is Lost: Cats are incredibly stealthy hunters. The jingle of a bell often gives their intended meal a crucial head start, allowing them to escape before the cat can pounce.
Reduced Hunting Success: Studies have shown that cats wearing bells do indeed catch significantly fewer birds and small mammals than those without. This can be vital for protecting local biodiversity, especially in areas with vulnerable species.
2. Keeping Tabs on Your Feline Friend
For many cat owners, especially those with outdoor cats, the bell provides a practical way to keep track of their pet within their garden. If your cat goes out of your garden you may want to consider a cat tracker to keep an eye on your cat’s whereabouts.
Audible Location: You can hear your cat moving around the house or garden, even if you can't see them. This is particularly useful for kittens or new cats who are still exploring their surroundings.
Preventing ‘Sneak Attacks’: If your cat is prone to hiding or startling you by appearing out of nowhere, a bell can give you a heads-up!
3. Alerting Others to Their Presence
Similar to protecting wildlife, a bell can also alert other people or animals to your cat's whereabouts.
Preventing Accidents: In busy households or outdoors, a bell can help prevent someone from accidentally stepping on or tripping over a small, quiet cat.
Interactions with Other Pets: If you have other pets, especially dogs, a bell can give them an early warning that the cat is near, potentially preventing accidental chases or skirmishes.
Are Cat Bells Always Necessary or Beneficial?
While bells offer these advantages, it's worth considering a few points:
Indoor-Only Cats: If your cat is strictly an indoor cat with no access to the outdoors, the primary benefit of protecting wildlife isn't relevant. Our cats are indoor cats and wear bells on their collars as we find it useful to know where they are in the house! Our cats have been wearing bells on their collars since they were kittens so both them and us are used to the sound.
Noise Sensitivity: Some cats can find the jingling irritating or stressful. If your cat is wearing a bell on their collar for the first time observe their reaction. If they seem agitated or try to remove the collar frequently, the bell might be bothering them so it’s worth removing it. If you would like them to have a bell on their collar for one of the reasons above, you can add it back on for short periods until they get used to it. At Noggins & Binkles all our safety breakaway cat collars come with a bell that can be removed and you can also let us know when ordering if you would like your cat collar without a bell. We also have clip-on cat bells that are good if you want to easily add and remove a bell to your cat’s collar.
Safety First: Always ensure the cat collar itself is a safety breakaway collar. This is paramount for your cat's safety, as it allows the collar to release if your cat gets snagged on something. The bell itself should be securely attached.
Ultimately, the decision to put a bell on your cat's collar comes down to balancing these factors with your cat's individual needs and your living environment. For outdoor cats, there is a big ecological benefit to cats having bells on their collars. For indoor cats, it's more about personal preference and your cat's tolerance for wearing a bell.