There are three types of safety cat collars:

• Safety stretch: The entire collar is made of a stretchy material.
• Safety snag-proof: The collar consists of two parts joined by a small elastic band.
• Breakaway: The collar includes a clasp that will open if the cat tugs on it hard enough.

I do not recommend the safety stretch type collar, since it is too easy for cats to get it off. I have watched my cat Jazzie flick a safety stretch collar over her head with her back paw. One advantage it offers is that it is completely adjustable, since you can put the buckle through the collar at any point.

Safety snag-proof collars are usually long-lasting and come in a variety of colors, including reflective. I have also had good experiences with the breakaway collars, which I find easier to put on and take off using the clasp.

I have also tried Beastie Bands, which are made of a soft foam with an inch of Velcro on one end. They are available in a mind-boggling array of colors and designs, and seem like they would be more comfortable to wear than a nylon collar. They are also extremely adjustable, as they come in one long size that you can easily cut to fit your cat. The two problems I have experienced with them are: 1. It is very hard to put the O-ring holding the ID tag through the tiny hole in the collar; I have to use pliers and 2. If the cat is sensitive to the collar, s/he will scratch it, tearing the decorative top layer off the foam.

The Safe Cat brand offers breakaway collars in three designs that feature a layer of felt on the bottom of the collar against the cat's neck. That is what I am currently using.

I definitely recommend you do not use a non-safety collar on a cat; that is, a collar without some sort of release mechanism to ensure the cat can get the collar off if it snags on something. A non-safety collar is suitable only for dogs, even if the label says "cat collar."

Kathi
Independent cat rescuer for 13 years