Safe collars for your dog

A collar is generally one of the first items you will excitedly purchase when you’re preparing to welcome a new canine family member. Choosing the right collar, however, isn’t just about style (although we will always approve of collars with a delightfully silly food aesthetic!) – it’s also important for your dog’s comfort and safety both in the home and when out and about.

Read on to stay in the loop of choosing the best collar for your pet, and when your dog might benefit from a harness too.

Why a collar is essential: ID, control and safety

Regardless of how you plan to control your pet on walks, all dogs should ideally wear a collar.

Firstly, a collar can serve as an immediate form of identification for your pet, bearing their name and your mobile number via either personalised embroidery or an attached tag.

While your pet’s legally-required microchip will allow registered scanning personnel (such as veterinary staff, council rangers and approved animal rescue organisations) to scan your pet and obtain your contact details via the relevant online database, the more immediately accessible details on their collar will allow a member of the public to contact you more quickly if your pet does ever “do a runner”.

Secondly, collars can be a good way to immediately gain control of your pet and keep them safe in an emergency. While dogs should never be yanked by their collars (due to the risk of pain and injury), utilising your pet’s collar to quickly bring them to your side and away from a threat (such as a wayward car, venomous snake, or unfriendly dog) can be a vital protective measure.

Choosing a comfortable, everyday dog collar

While we love a good pattern on a collar, it’s most important that your pet’s collar is safe and appropriate for them. Look for collars that are:

• Designed for your pet’s weight range and strength, with a suitably durable metal lead attachment ring
• Constructed of a material that will be smooth and comfortable for your pet’s skin (as rough or stiff materials can cause skin irritation)
• Wide enough to distribute any force more gently along your dog’s neck rather than cutting in (which is painful and risks strangulation)
• Made with a sturdy quick-release buckle, in case you ever need to quickly remove your pet’s collar

How to fit a collar correctly

It’s vital to ensure your pet’s collar is fitted appropriately, as overly tight collars can cause skin wounds or even strangulation, while loose collars may slip off over your dog’s head if they back up away from you. Tighten your pet’s collar just enough that you can still comfortably fit two fingers between their neck and the collar.

Puppies should have their collar checked once or twice weekly, to ensure that their collar is loosened or replaced as required to maintain a comfortable and safe fit as they grow.

When collars pose a risk: Neck injury and escapes

While collars generally help to keep pets safe, they can still pose some risks if used the wrong way.

Yanking on your pet’s collar could cause whiplash injuries, nerve injuries (which can affect the functions of the throat), eyeball proptosis (eyeballs popping out) in snub-nosed dogs, strangulation, or even permanent airway or spinal damage. Plus, it would really hurt!

Collars designed to deter pulling through punishment, such as check chains and prong collars, can be particularly dangerous in this regard, and are not considered a humane way of training dogs to walk calmly, even if some trainers try to convince you otherwise.

If your pet pulls, it’s safer and more effective in the long-run to do “loose-leash walk” training instead, using either a comfortable collar or a harness with a front attachment point on the chest area. If you and your dog persistently struggle with this, consult your veterinarian for behavioural advice or referral to a suitable trainer.

Additionally, even though fitting your dog’s collar overly loosely may seem kind, this too can put them at risk of injury. As well as potentially allowing them to “slip their collar” and escape, it can also lead to them getting their jaw or a limb stuck underneath the collar, or accidentally “hanging” themselves by getting the collar looped over something.

When to use a harness instead

While it’s a good idea for every dog to wear a collar for identification purposes, it is safer for some pets to only be walked using a well-fitted body harness.

This includes:

Breeds with compromised airways

1. Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds, e.g. Pugs, Bulldogs
2. Toy breeds or any dog with a weak airway (known as “collapsing trachea” or dynamic airway disease)
3. Older dogs with laryngeal paralysis (reduced airway opening capacity due to nerve problems)

Breeds with very narrow heads

• Where a collar may more easily slip off, such as whippets and greyhounds

Pets with arthritis or cardiovascular (heart) disease

• Who are prone to injury

High-energy dogs

• Who are likely to pull, leap around or try to bolt when on lead

Dogs with previously diagnosed neck injuries

• Or who are at an increased risk of neck or spinal problems. Such as Dachshunds

Senior pets

• Who may be a bit weak and wobbly

Dogs with eye problems

• Such as glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyes)

Puppies

• Those with delicate necks

If you would like more information on safe exercise for your pet, it’s a good idea to consult your veterinarian for personalised advice.

When it comes to a collar for your dog, think of it as an important piece of safety equipment, and ensure it’s comfortable, well-fitted and sturdy, with clear identification details. But if you can find one that fits these criteria and your pet’s particular aesthetic, it’s sure to get the bark of approval! Keep your pup protected and happy – explore Buddy Pet Insurance for extra peace of mind.

23 Jan 2026