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Why are bells not good for cats? | Should Cats Wear Bells on Their Collars?

Should Cats Wear Bells on Their Collars?  | Why are bells not good for cats?


Are bells bad for cats? Do bells make cats deaf? Or do cats like bells? These are some of the most frequently asked questions on this topic. The truth is that cats have a highly developed sense of hearing and putting ourselves in the shoes of our cat companion will help us understand why bells are not a good idea.

Surely you are used to the bell for cats, we have seen them in famous cartoons and even in popular sayings "who puts the bell on the cat?". But, are you sure that this practice is healthy for our pet or do you have doubts. If the answer is yes, at this article we explain why bells are not good for cats.



Origin of the use of the bell in cats

The famous phrase "who puts the bell on the cat?" comes from one of the most popular fables of the English poet Odo de Sherington in The Book of Cats written in the twelfth century. It tells how a group of desperate cats find the solution to their problems by putting a bell on the cat that harassed them in order to locate it. Even so, putting this idea into practice is somewhat more complicated. Therefore, we can say that this is the origin of the bells in cats.

In addition to this literary reference, we are constantly bombarded with images of adorable cats with bells, such as:
  • The famous magical cat Doraemon.
  • Fluffy the cat from the animated series Rugrats: Adventures in diapers.
  • The Chinese lucky cat or Maneki-neko.
Perhaps for this reason, we tend to associate the use of the bell as a necessary aesthetic arrangement for our furry friend when the truth is that bells hurt cats and they are not usually very happy. Despite all this, society is becoming more informed and there are currently many who defend the health of cats explaining why the use of bells in cats is not good.


Why are cat bells used?

We cannot say that there are advantages of the bell in cats, but it is true that there are three main reasons why some people use bells for cats. These are:

  • Aesthetics: having the historical precedent, we know that for many it is adorable to see their pets with a cute bell around their necks.
  • Location: the bell is also used to keep cats located at all times, especially if our feline friend likes to walk around the house next door or walk around the neighborhood.
  • Warning: Cats are stealthy hunters and bells were used to help their potential victims, such as birds and some rodents. Upon hearing the rattle, the prey had time to escape quietly, as the mice in the story wanted to do.

If you have thought that this object could be good for your cat, we will help you find solutions so that both you and your cat are happy. Remember that the health issues of our feline will always be more important than those related to aesthetics.


Why are bells bad for cats?

Putting a bell on our cat has more disadvantages than things in favor. Although it may not seem like it, the bells can be a real torture for our dear friend.

First of all, keep in mind that the purpose of a bell is to make noise and it is precisely this aspect that makes it negative for cats. Felines have a keen sense of hearing, are stealthy and bold, and having a constant tinkling near their ears can disturb them.

To imagine a current and practical example, the sound of the bell in cats is equivalent to the sound of the mobile every time we receive a notification. A permanent noise and so close to the ears has side effects on your cat. The most prominent are:

  • Nervousness: cats are animals characterized by great tranquility, so the sound of the bell can lead to a change in attitude and mood.
  • Stress.
  • Hearing impairment: in some cases the cat could become deaf. We leave you with this AnimalWised article so you can discover how to know if my cat is deaf?
  • Discomfort: the fact of having the bell tied around the neck will cause our cat to want to take it off to get rid of the sound that bothers him. This act can have risks to your health because that's when you can choke on the necklace or pull out a fingernail. In addition, it also does not allow them to scratch normally.
Cats like calm and silence, so deliberately altering this will only harm your feline's quality of life. So yes, rattles are bad for cats, as it can lead to the cat becoming much more skittish, stressed, and listless.

Do not hesitate to take a look at this other article with 10 things that cats hate and you should avoid, here.


Alternatives to bells in cats

We have seen that one of the reasons why cat bells are used is their aesthetic function. The typical bell collar can be replaced by one that simply does not have this accessory, since there are many other types of collars for cats:
  • IDs
  • Antiparasitic
  • Aesthetic
In addition to aesthetics, it is also important that the collar helps us to identify and locate the cat, so we can add its name and a contact number in case it is lost and someone finds it. Although at AnimalWised we suggest these alternatives for bells in cats, don't hesitate to consult your veterinarian first to get an approved and reliable solution for your furry friend.





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