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One of the more disarming but ghastly habits cats have is bringing dead animals to their pet parents as “gifts.” From birds and chipmunks to baby squirrels, mice, and rats, if yours is an outdoor cat, it’s likely you get dead animals delivered at your feet regularly. For many, this habit, while good-intentioned, isn’t pleasant to witness.
It’s also bad for your local ecosystem, which is why many cat owners attach a bell to their cat’s collar. With a bell collar, no matter how silently your cat stalks their prey, the ringing noise will save the victim from an attack.
One question many cat parents have is, are bell collars bad for cats and their hearing? The good news is that bell collars generally aren’t a problem for most felines. The bell on a bell collar produces about 50 to 60 decibels (dB) of sound. That’s almost as much noise as a normal human conversation, which, for most cats, isn’t a problem.
Now that you know a bell collar won’t hurt your cat’s hearing, you probably have other questions about bell collars and their usefulness. What alternatives are there to bell collars, for example, and do bell collars attract dangerous attention for your cat, such as larger predators? We have the answers to these questions and several more below, plus some great advice and tips.
Do Bell Collars Work?
Yes, bell collars work. This study in the United Kingdom found that cats with bell collars killed 41% fewer birds than cats without a bell.1 Also, the same cats with bells killed 34% fewer other animals. A New Zealand study confirmed the same, predation of birds and rodents was reduced by 50% and 61%.2 In short, bell collars work and significantly reduce the number of birds and animals your cat hunts.
Can a Bell on Your Cat’s Collar Help with Any Other Problems?
Putting a bell on your cat’s collar (or purchasing a collar with a bell already attached) can reduce the number of creatures your cat will kill. However, depending on your cat and living situation, a collar bell can also help with several other problems.
A Collar Bell Can Warn Other Cats When a Bullying Cat Is Approaching
If you have more than one cat in your home, there’s a good chance one of them is a bit of a bully. There’s not much you can do to stop a cat from bullying other cats, but putting a bell on the bully’s collar can warn your other cat of their approach.
That will give them the time to run off or seek a safe place to chill until your bully cat leaves.
A Bell Might Help You Locate Your Cat
Knowing where your cat is located can be helpful if, for example, you need to take them to the vet. Of course, cats are the best “hide and seek” players on the planet, and finding yours might be extremely difficult and frustrating.
Putting a bell on their collar might help. Your cat would, of course, have to move for you to hear the bell. Plus, most cats are intelligent and stealthy enough that they can walk without the bell ringing too much with enough time and practice.
A Bell Can Help You Keep Track of a Kitten
Kittens are always on the move as they have so much energy. Putting a bell on your kitten’s collar can help you keep track of where they are so that you can prevent them from getting into trouble.
A Bell Collar Can Reduce Cat Fights
Cats, whether indoors or out, are territorial and don’t like when their space is invaded. Putting a bell on your cat’s collar lets other cats know they are around, which could help reduce fighting over territories.
Is It Safe To Put a Bell on Your Cat’s Collar?
Knowing that a bell will warn birds and other small animals (and save their hides) is one thing. However, many pet owners question whether putting a bell on a cat’s collar is a good idea. Below are a few reasons why it might not be, including:
A Bell Might Alert Other Predators That Your Cat Is Nearby
One train of thought is that, with a bell on their collar, other animals will also know that your cat is lurking about. Some, like dogs, coyotes, and other predator animals, might hear the bell and attack your cat.
Your Cat Might Try to Chew Off the Collar to Get Rid of the Bell
One problem some cat owners have experienced is when the bell on their cat’s collar genuinely annoys their cat. In a situation like this, your cat might try to chew the collar off, which could present a choking hazard. A curious cat might even dig hard enough to get the tiny ball inside the bell, which could cause an even worse choking risk.
A Bell Might Cause Frustration For Your Cat
If you know cats, stealth is a part of their genetic makeup. They are adept at moving through space without a sound, sometimes to hunt and other times to not be detected. The constant bell ringing, at least for some cats, can cause them a degree of annoyance and frustration.
For these reasons, some cat parents choose not to put a bell on their cat’s collar. It must be noted, however, that the chance that any of these situations will occur is slight. Most cats will forget the bell is there after a few days or weeks, and the noise a bell makes is relatively low, as we’ve seen. As for predators, see below.
Do Bell Collars Attract Larger Predators That Can Harm Your Cat?
We mentioned earlier that a bell on your cat’s collar might attract larger predators that could harm them. While this is possible, the truth is that the small amount of noise a bell makes is unlikely to attract any animals of note. In most areas, the bell’s noise will blend into the background, along with dogs barking, birds chirping, car horns, etc.
Yes, any animal that’s nearby will hear the noise, but your cat will likely detect any close animals anyway and, if needed, head for the nearest tree to escape. In short, the chance a bell would get your cat into trouble is slim to none.
Are Bell Collars Bad for Kittens?
Just as they aren’t bad for cats, a bell collar won’t harm a kitten in most cases. The decibel level is too low to cause their hearing any harm, and since they’re kittens, they won’t have experienced stalking in silence, and it won’t upset them nearly as much as an adult cat.
One caveat is that an anti-choking collar is best when choosing a collar and bell for your kitten. These collars come with a quick-release buckle in case your silly kitten gets wrapped up in them. One thing to note is that, with time, your kitten might learn to walk around without ringing the bell too much.
What Alternatives Are There to Bell Collars?
If keeping track of your cat and reducing the number of birds and small animals they kill is your goal, there are several alternatives to bell collars. Some are better than others, but all are worth a try if you’re not keen on putting a tinkling bell around your feline friend’s neck.
Keep Your Cat Indoors
One of the most efficient ways to keep your cat from killing small animals is to keep them indoors. Not only will that completely prevent your kitty from hunting and killing, but it will also reduce the chance they get fleas and ticks, get into fights with other cats, or get hurt in traffic. Plus, an indoor cat won’t be exposed to risk from feline infectious diseases, getting lost, and large predators (or your neighbor’s cruel kid).
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At PangoVet, 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!
Put a Large, Colorful Bib Collar on Your Cat
Most songbirds can see bright colors very well and are more likely to fly away if they see them moving closer. This bib collar claims to be an excellent alternative to a bell. Frankly, while it might work, it also looks a bit… ridiculous (your opinion may vary). Additionally, some cats may really dislike wearing it, at least until they get used to them.
Build an Outdoor Catio
If your cat really loves spending time outside, instead of venturing too far and putting themselves at risk of various injuries and illnesses, while also impacting the local wildlife, another option is to build them a catio. You heard well! A catio is an enclosed outdoor space, that you can easily connect to one of your windows or doors so your cat can use it on their own, or alternatively, you can take your cat there every day yourself. It should be fully enclosed so your cat is safe inside, and cannot escape, while they can enjoy the sunshine and watch the birds, without being able to get to them. Fill the catio with perches and walkways, with plenty of toys, so your cat can have fun, and use the opportunity to keep themselves busy. The bigger the catio, the more fun your cat will have.
Enrich Your Cat’s Environment
Besides a catio, if this is not something you can easily set up, and you still want to keep your cat inside, focus on providing them with plenty of environmental enrichment. This means ensuring they have several fun scratch posts, window sill positions, vertical perches, cat towers and cat trees, puzzle feeders, and toys. Alongside all of this, don’t forget to play with your cat, groom them if they will allow it, and spend quality time with them every single day.
Final Thoughts
Are bell collars bad for cats and their hearing? The consensus seems to be that bell collars do work in reducing the success of a cat’s hunt, providing some protection for birds and rodents, and don’t damage the cat’s hearing. The sound they make is simply too low to cause harm to their hearing. However, some cats might be bothered by bell collars enough that it causes them frustration. Remember, every cat is unique, and if yours seems stressed out by the bell on their collar, one of the alternatives we looked at today might be a better choice.
We hope the information we’ve provided today has been helpful and given you the answers you were searching for. Whatever solution you choose, we wish you and your cat the very best of luck.
Featured Image Credit: Piqsels
