Discovering the Ultimate 5 Collars for Your Maine Coon

You keep your beloved Maine Coon indoors, and you are careful that your home is cat-proof and your kitty is safe—but is your gentle giant really protected? According to the American Humane Society, 10 billion pets go missing yearly, with an even split between cats and dogs—but only 2% of owners reunite with their kitties. A collar is an excellent visual aid especially combined with an up-to-date microchip—but which collar is best for Maine Coons?

Look for durable, lightweight collars with a breakaway buckle safety feature and either an attachment for a tag or personalized with your contact details. Collars with reflective material aid your Maine Coons safety at night. A great example of a collar that ticks all these boxes is the Rogz reflective cat collar.

You should take special care when choosing your Maine coons collar, as safety should be your priority. Although fatal collar accidents are rare for cats, injuries are widespread when people use ill-fitting collars without the necessary breakaway buckles. So let’s dive right in to find the perfect collar for Maine coons.

A Quick Guide to the Best Maine Coon Collars

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Why Does Your Friendly Coon Need a Collar?

Identification Should Your Maine Coon Get Lost

The pain of having a cat go missing is awful. Over my life, I have experienced missing cats, one or two of which were never returned and never forgotten. It is a common mistake to presume your cat does not need visible identification because they are indoor-only cats.

Unfortunately, this is not true, with one academic study finding that 41% of over a thousand lost cats were, in fact, indoor-only cats.

Another academic study by Emily Weiss et al. conducted a telephone interview study of over a thousand pet-owning households. The study found that 15% of cats are lost every five years, and 25% never reunite with their human families. 

The double-edged sword of keeping indoor-only cats is that they are more likely to panic or get lost when they find a way to escape outdoors. Although cats tend to hate collars, and collar-related deaths do happen, there are still several reasons to collar your Maine Coon:

• People are more likely to aid a cat with a visible sign of ownership. People are accustomed to feral cats as they exist in almost every community.
• People who encounter an uncollared cat are likely to presume the cat is feral and avoid attempting to rescue the cat for fear of aggression.
• Many cats are similar in size and shape, so collars can help people isolate their particular cat in searches.
• Overcrowded shelters may neglect to scan a cat for a microchip, or the microchip may need to be updated, and they cannot find the owners.

Collars Help Prevent Predation if Your Cat Is Outdoors

It’s an awful feeling when your Mane Coon brings you the “gift” of a beautiful bird or other mangled creature. Although the true extent of domestic cat predation is under debate, some studies suggest that domestic cats are potentially responsible for over 3 billion birds and 20 billion small mammals annually in the US.

Owners who fit their Maine Coons with collars can attach a variety of anti-predation devices such as bells, ultrasonic beepers, and cat anti-pounce bibs to reduce cat predation on vulnerable prey species.

Reflective Collars Help Protect Your Maine Coon

If your cat is allowed outdoors or if your indoor cat escapes, a reflective collar might save your Maine coon from being hit by a car. Most cats are crepuscular, meaning their active hours are at dawn and dusk, and reflective collars can help increase your cat’s visibility to passing motorists.

What to Look for in a Maine Coon Collar

1. Collar Size

Maine Coons is one of the largest cat breeds, so most average-size collars will not fit your gentle giant.

Cheshire and Wain, purveyors of top-quality leather cat collars, have refined their luxury collars over 12 years of extensive use of customer feedback. Their measurements for cat collars by breed are 10” to 12.2” for Main Coon cats as an average size.

However, there is some variety within the Maine Coon kingdom, with an average height of 19-32” and 9-12 lbs or even more, So it’s best to measure your particular Maine Coon for a proper fit.

How To Measure for Cat Collar Size

• According to International Cat Care, when you secure your cat collar, you should be able to fit two average adult fingers snugly between your cat’s neck and the collar.
• You can use a soft measuring tape to measure your cat’s neck circumference and add one inch to your measurement,
• Alternatively, you can use a piece of string to measure your Maine Coon’s neck and then check the length on a ruler.

2. Safety Features

Although no collar type is without some history of injuries in cats, the breakaway buckle certainly has the best track record. This buckle is also known as a snap-open mechanism, as seen below:

Calver et al. studied the behavior of 53 outdoor/indoor cats in Western Australia for ten months with collars. They found that between 27% and 62% found their cats catching the collars in their teeth or paws.

Of the sampled cat owners, 3-6% reported collar-related fatalities over their lifetime of cat ownership. Let’s take a closer look at how collar-related injuries occur.

4 of the Most Common Causes of Collar-Related Injuries to Cats

1. Elasticated Collars

Collars with elasticated areas as part of the design can be dangerous to your Maine Coon’s safety.

A survey conducted by Calver et al. of 107 veterinarians found that 39% of collar-related injuries were from elasticized collars. The stretch meant to allow cats to escape from entanglement allowed forelimbs and jaws to become entrapped in the collar.

2. Collars That Are Too Loose or Too Tight

Often, collars fitted too loosely can easily snag on objects or even branches if the cat is outdoors. Cats can also fit their jaw or paws under the edges of a loose collar and injure themselves in their panic to free themselves.

Too tight collars can cause discomfort, chafe your cat’s skin, and pressure sensitive neck areas.

3. Unsafe Flea Collars

In the same study above, the most cat injuries sustained (66%) were cats fitted with unsafe tick and flea collars. Many budget flea collars don’t consider the need for safety features, such as preventing cat injury via unyielding buckles and ties.

4. Collars With Non-Breakaway Buckles

Cats with fixed buckles can catch themselves on objects such as tree limbs or household features and suffocate. If your cat’s jaw or paw gets trapped in a fixed buckle, they might injure themselves severely in trying to free themselves if you aren’t around.

3. Collar Materials

• Leather: Looks great, but they aren’t the most comfortable initially, and you need to condition and care for them for longevity. They are also more pricey than the other options.
• Cotton: Lightweight and breathable, it suits cats with sensitive skin.
• Nylon: This material is highly durable, lightweight, affordable, and available in various designs.
• Polyester: This collar material is a  practical choice for its fade resistance and durability.
• Eco-friendly materials: Sustainable sources such as recycled plastic, hemp, and cork collars make a hypoallergenic option, but durability is a must when considering your purchase.
• Silicone: Super soft to the touch and lightweight, silicone does not snag on fur and offers hypoallergenic qualities.

4. Cat Collar Additions

Some people find it tempting to place all kinds of hanging paraphernalia on a cat’s collar, but this is not the best idea. Hanging items increase the chance of your cat getting snagged and potentially injuring themselves.

Essential additions should not hang low on the collar but attach securely from the collar itself, and these include:

• Identification tag
• Anti-predation devices should your cat access outdoors

Selecting the Perfect Collar: A Handy Checklist

There are several choices when it comes to choosing the best collar material for your Maine Coon. It is a question of personal taste, but an ideal collar ticks the following boxes:

• Lightweight: A cat collar shouldn’t be cumbersome, but it should be robust enough that your cat matches the breakaway load to release your cat should they become ensnared.
• Comfortable: Cats aren’t wild about accessories, so ensure your collar gives your cat the most comfort.
• Durable: Many issues arise when collars become old, stretched, or frayed. You should check your cat’s collar condition regularly to avoid malfunctions.
• Easy to maintain: Designer cat collars are the fad, but some materials are a nightmare to keep clean, especially if your cat loves to roughhouse.
• Reflective: Reflective collars are an added assurance that your cat will be visible should he wander or escape outdoors.

Don’t be surprised if your Maine Coon isn’t happy with a new collar at first; they will soon get used to it! Always supervise your cat when introducing a new collar.

Look at this gorgeous Maine Coon—unimpressed by the whole collar affair!

Exploring the Best 5 Collars for Maine Coons

1. Rogz Glow in the Dark Reflective Cat Collar

Specifications

Dimensions: Fits Neck Sizes	8” to 12”
Width	3/8″ Wide
Materials	Nylon webbing, reflective polyurethane
Colors	5 Patterns/colors
Extras	Bell, adjustable breakaway weight slider

Rogz’s highly rated cat collar range takes safety first with a breakaway buckle with added adjustable breakaway load for cats from 6.6 lbs. to 11 lbs. plus. They also have super reflective polyurethane with an eye-catching print overlay for extra visibility should your cat find themselves near roads.

The 8-12” collar should suit most small to medium size Maine coons, and the easy-adjust breakaway load via the slider found on the collar. The collar also boasts a funky color-coordinated bell so you will know when your kitty is on the move. The collars are durable nylon webbing, which is claw and fade-resistant.

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2. Pawmods: Mountain Cat Collar Personalized Cat Collar

Specifications

Dimensions: Fits Neck Sizes	6-13 inches
Width	5/8th inch
Materials	Polyester webbing and industrial strength thread
Colors	A wide array of unusual and eye-catching designs
Extras	Option to personalize your cat’s name and your contact details on the collar

The funky-designed collar from Pawmods are handmade and offer personalization without needing tags. The collars are large enough for an XL Maine Coon up to 13 inches and provide breakaway clips for added safety.

The durable collar is made from tough polyester webbing and sewn with the same industrial thread as car seat belts for extra durability. Pawmod allows buyers to opt for an adjustable or individually sized collar, each with a bell.

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3. Waaag Gold Moons and Stars Safety Breakaway Cat Collar,  9″-15

Specifications

Dimensions: Fits Neck Sizes	9”-15”
Width	3/8”
Materials	Nylon webbing
Colors	Black, pink, aqua, emerald, gray, lavender, purple, royal blue
Extras	Crescent moon charm, bell

The wide dimensions make the Waag an excellent budget option for XL Maine Coons. The variety of colors means you can choose a perfect fit, and the nylon webbing is durable and fade-resistant. The collar is also comfortable and lightweight, so less likely to annoy your Coon cat with a breakaway clasp should your kitty snag on anything.

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4. Kittyrama Aqua Cat Collar With Bell

Specifications

Dimensions: Fits Neck Sizes	7.7” to 10.4”
Width	3/8 of an inch
Materials	Silicone, bell
Colors	Several cute colors/designs
Extras	Well secured bell

The Kittyrama cat collar comes with impressive credentials. After being assessed by a panel of vets and cat experts, it is the only cat collar thus far to gain the global charity International Cat Care approval.

The super cute collars are made of silicone, a waterproof, soft, and hypoallergenic material. The breakaway clasp ensures your Maine Coon will stay safe from collar-related injuries.

The collar also boasts a patented buckle that prevents the fitting from moving due to everyday wear and tear. However, this collar is relatively small, fitting 7.7” to 10.4” kitties, so it is only an option if your Maine Coon is smaller—or a fantastic pick for your growing Maine Coon Kitten.

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5. Pawtitas ♻️ Recycled Cat Collar With Reflective Stitches

Specifications

Dimensions: Fits Neck Sizes	6” to 12”
Materials	Recycled plastic bottles, rip-stop nylon
Colors	Green, Black, Blue, Coral, Orange, Purple, Red, Turquoise
Extras	Detachable bell

Pawtitas takes sustainability seriously and sources the materials for their collars from the gazillions of plastic bottles filling the landfills and oceans each year. Pawtitas uses a single cord of rip-stop nylon to ensure the product is durable, which they fold and reinforce for extra tensile strength.

The collar also offers a breakaway buckle and sturdy reflective stitching for visibility in the darker hours. This collar can fit cat dimensions from 8-12 inches, so most average-sized Maine Coons should not have a problem with the fit.

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FAQs About Maine Coon Collars

How Do I Avoid Collar-Related Cat Injuries?

• Make sure your collar is fitted correctly with a snug, two-finger width between the neck and collar
• Always supervise your cat when introducing a collar.
• You should avoid elasticated and buckle-only collars
• Avoid buckle flea collars with no breakaway
• Avoid collars on cats less than 5 lbs.
• Avoid attaching unnecessary dangling additions to your cat collar
• Check your collar regularly for fraying, stretching, and damage

Are Cat Collars Bad for Maine Coons?

Although there are cases of collar-related injuries and rare fatalities, cat collars are essential to keeping your cat safe. The shocking number of cats lost per year and the millions of lost cats euthanized is a far more dangerous reality to your Maine Coon. Your cat collar’s visible identification and a microchip can make the difference between a cat lost forever—and a reunited one.