Does Your Cat's Collar Need a Bell? Sound Stress and How to Choose Gently
Key points of this article
A bell is not for the cat, but for the owner. It's handy for knowing where your cat is, but it's something cats don't need. Onddoka's view is that if you do use one, choose one that meets three criteria, "small, quiet, and removable," and use it while watching how your cat responds.
Many people think "collar" means "bell," but Onddoka's collars don't come with bells. In this article, we lay out the benefits of bells and the burden they place on cats, so you can make the right decision for your cat.
Who is the bell for?
By nature, cats dislike collars. Things that are heavy, large, painful, noisy, or smelly cause them stress. A bell falls into the "noisy" category.
Even so, bells have long been chosen because they give owners peace of mind.
- You can tell where your cat is right away: Even a cat who moves quietly can be noticed by sound. It also helps you find them sooner when they squeeze into narrow gaps.
- Helps prevent accidentally stepping on your cat: You're more likely to notice when they come underfoot, which is especially helpful in homes with kittens or multiple cats.
- A clue if they escape: Even if you can't see them, you may be able to find them by sound.
In other words, a bell sits between your cat's comfort and your peace of mind. That's exactly why the key question is: "If you use one, how far can you reduce the burden on your cat?"
Sound stress: what you should know
Cats hear far better than people, and many sounds seem louder to them than to us. A bell sits right next to their ears. A sound that seems faint to people becomes a constantly ringing noise source for cats. If you notice signs like the following, the bell may be a burden.
- Flattening the ears or shaking the head more often
- Moving less (trying not to make noise)
- Fussing excessively over the collar area, or grooming more
Guidelines: bell or no bell
| When a bell is a good fit | When no bell is a better fit |
|---|---|
| Often hides / likes tight spaces | Sensitive to sound / easily frightened |
| Kittens or multi-cat homes where stepping accidents are a concern | Senior cats who want a quiet life |
| Tends to escape, so knowing their whereabouts is the priority | Behavior changed after the bell was put on |
Why Onddoka made the "Small Ringing Bell"
Onddoka's collars don't come with bells because bells are something cats don't need. Even so, "please add a bell to the collar" is the most common request we receive from customers. It's completely understandable that owners want to know where their cat is for safety's sake.
So we set out to make a bell that owners can accept while keeping the burden on cats as small as possible, and the result is the "Small Ringing Bell."
- Approx. 20mm long overall, with a bell body of approx. 5mm: a very small bell
- Since it's attached close to the ears, we chose one that rings softly and made it into a collar-only part
- Attaches and detaches with a lobster clasp, so you can "start without a bell, see how it goes, and add one if needed" or "take it off only at night"
Onddoka does not sell bells already attached to collars. Since they attach and detach easily with a lobster clasp, we ask you to attach them yourself. Compatible collars are the ribbon, without ribbon, ruffle, choker, and velvet types (the only exception is the ruffle collar with French knot embroidery).
Small Ringing Bell (collar-only part)
We also offer the pre-combined Choker x Small Ringing Bell. It's a thin cord type adjusted in length with a knot and does not have a safety buckle. For cats who tend to squeeze into tight spaces or are new to collars, we recommend pairing a buckled collar with the bell part.
What bell users say
Here are summaries of reviews of the "Small Ringing Bell."
- It was even quieter than other brands' bells that claim to be "quieter"
- I attached it so I'd know where my cat is, and its tone is gentle on cats with sensitive hearing
- It sits neatly on the button of the collar and doesn't interfere with the ears
- My playful kitten still fusses over it, so I've taken it off for now and plan to put it back on once they settle down
- The sound was exactly what I wanted, but my cat couldn't get used to it and kept trying to bite it, so I've stopped using it for now
To be honest, we also receive comments like the last two. A bell is something cats don't really need. If your cat seems bothered, take it off and try again once they've settled down. Please use it with that kind of easygoing mindset.
Even without a bell, you can prepare for your cat getting lost
One role of a bell is to serve as "a clue in case of emergency." You can also prepare for that with a charm engraved with your cat's name and contact information. If you'd like to guard against your cat getting lost without the stress of sound, please also consider Name Charm (ID tag) as an option.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Will my cat get used to the sound of the bell?
A. Some cats do, but others may simply be putting up with it. If the stress signs listed above continue, please take it off.
Q. Should I put a bell on my kitten?
A. It helps prevent accidentally stepping on them. However, kittens are also at a stage when they are sensitive to sound, so we recommend trying one that rings softly, starting with short periods.
Q. Does the collar arrive with the bell attached?
A. No. The bell is sold separately as a part, and you can attach and remove it yourself with the lobster clasp.
Q. The sound of the bell bothers me at night.
A. Since it can be removed with the lobster clasp, you can take it off just at night.
About Onddoka's collars
- Made with skin-friendly natural fibers such as cotton and linen
- Lightweight at about 3–6g each. Bells and charms are parts you can attach and remove later
- A Duraflex safety buckle that releases under about 4kg of force (ribbon, without ribbon, ruffle, bib collar)
Please choose the one that suits your cat's personality from our collar collection.