Published Nov 1, 2022
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
What would happen if your indoor cat unexpectedly got out of the house? Or your outdoor cat was mistaken for a stray or feral cat? Unless your cat is carrying identification, the story may not have a happy ending.
Putting an ID tag on your cat’s collar helps ensure that he makes his way back to you. It tells the neighbor, the good Samaritan, or the animal control worker how to contact you when your cat doesn’t make it home on his own.
After researching the options, reading customer reviews, and testing some of the most popular cat ID tags on the market, I’ve chosen the vimdevs Deep Engraved Stainless Steel Pet ID Tag as the overall best you can buy. Its durable stainless-steel construction and unique design options make this ID tag one of the most durable and attractive pet ID tags I’ve seen.
At A Glance: 7 Best Cat ID Tags To Buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
vimdevs Deep Engraved Stainless Steel Pet ID Tag
- Unique and attractive design
- Durable stainless-steel materials
- Engraving is clearly legible
Frisco Stainless Steel Personalized Cat ID Tag
- Made from durable stainless steel
- Cute cat shape with engraved details
- Accommodates four lines of text
Love Your Pets Soundless Pet ID Tag
- Silicone materials are lightweight and noiseless
- Deep engraving prevents text from fading
- Wide variety of colors and designs
LuckyPet Slide-On Stainless Steel Collar Tag
- Noiseless design slides onto your cat’s collar
- Accommodates up to 5 lines of text
- Made from thick stainless-steel materials
GoTags Nylon Personalized Reflective Breakaway Cat Collar
- Text printed directly on the collar
- Durable nylon and reflective materials
- Ships very quickly
ROAD iD Personalized Pet ID Tag
- Available in unique colors like black and rose gold
- Comes in three sizes with two sleeves for each
- Elastic sleeve may be easier to use than metal
LuckyPet Durable Plastic Pet ID Tag
- Affordably priced around $8
- Accommodates up to 5 lines of text
- Very lightweight
Why Should You Trust Us?
All the products in this article we’re independently purchased by our team. Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Over the last three years, we’ve spent countless hours figuring out what makes a product safe, effective, and appropriate for cats.
We’ve researched and tested the most popular pet ID tags on the market to determine which ones are the best for cats. Before making our selections, we scoured product reviews and customer comments to narrow down the options and chose products based on quality, customizability, safety, and affordability.
How We Tested
After thoroughly researching cat ID tags, I read reviews and customer comments to narrow down the options. I selected ID tags made from a variety of materials in different styles, both traditional hanging tags and tags that slide directly onto the collar. I have three cats, so I mixed up the names (Bagel, Biscuit, and Munchkin) among the seven ID tags that I chose.
I also ordered two different cat collars from Chewy to test the tags: one leather and one nylon, made in the breakaway style. The leather collar I chose was the 3/8-inch CollarDirect Leather Collar with Bell in size small. The breakaway collar I chose was the Safe Cat Snag-Proof Polyester Breakaway Cat Collar with Bell.
To test the ID tags, I put each of them on both the breakaway and leather collars, checking to see how easily they went on and whether the tag impacted the function of the collar in any way. I tested the durability of each tag by trying to bend it by hand and felt the text to determine whether it was actually engraved or just printed.
My cats wore each ID tag for at least 3 days. Because my ability to do any long-term testing with so many tags was limited, I read customer reviews to judge the longevity of each tag.
Our Top Picks for the Best Cat ID Tags
After hours of researching cat ID tags and reading customer reviews, I selected the following seven for hands-on testing.
#1 Overall Best: vimdevs Deep Engraved Stainless Steel Pet ID Tag
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Type: Hanging tag
- Material: Stainless steel
- Color/Design Options: 5 colors, 8 designs
- Text Lines: 4
- Noiseless: No
- Price: $8.99
The vimdevs Deep Engraved Stainless Steel Pet ID Tag is one of the most attractive cat ID tags I’ve come across. Though it’s only available in two shapes (hexagon and round), there are five colors and eight decorative designs to choose from.
I ordered the hexagon shape for this ID tag in blue with a beautiful mountain scene engraved on the front. The tag took about a week to arrive, but it was worth the wait. The engraving reveals the stainless steel beneath the blue coating which makes the text very legible and the design noticeable.
These tags are available in small, medium, and large sizes. I chose the smallest size which measures just over an inch long and a little under an inch wide. It’s large enough to accommodate the necessary text but not so big that my cats seemed to notice it. The stainless-steel material felt a little heavier than some tags but it’s likely due to the thickness. I was unable to bend the tag by hand.
Not only is this ID tag beautiful but it’s clear how much care and attention are put into the product. It arrived in a cardstock sleeve inside a padded envelope and came with two sizes of keyring.
It’s worth noting that some customers have complained about the text being printed rather than engraved but I didn’t find that to be the case. It may be that the lighter metals require darker lettering to ensure legibility.
What We Liked:
- Unique and attractive design
- Durable stainless-steel materials
- Engraving is clearly legible
- Room for four lines of text on the back
- Affordably priced around $10
What We Didn’t Like:
- Engraving may be less legible on certain colors
- Coating may eventually scratch on blue, black, and white tags
#2 Most Durable: Frisco Stainless Steel Personalized Cat ID Tag
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Type: Hanging tag
- Material: Stainless steel
- Color/Design Options: 1
- Text Lines: 4
- Noiseless: No
- Price: $11.89
Shaped like a cat face with engraving for detail, this ID tag is made from durable stainless steel. If you’re looking for an unassuming option, you’ll appreciate that all the text is on one side of the tag.
This tag measures about 1-by-1 inch in size and it’s thick enough that I wasn’t able to bend it. It remains very lightweight – certainly lighter than the previous tag. Because I purchased through Chewy, I received the tag just three days after ordering.
I found this ID tag to be clearly legible, though the one-sided printing was a little limiting despite there being four lines to fill. I chose to use only three lines of text – Munchkin’s name, my house number and street name, and my phone number. I was also a little disappointed to find that the text was printed rather than engraved but I tried scratching it off with a metal nail file and it was still readable.
This ID tag is a little more expensive than the previous option but still affordable around $12. If you’re looking for an option that ships quickly and looks good, this is one to consider.
What We Liked:
- Made from durable stainless steel
- Cute cat shape with engraved details
- Accommodates four lines of text
- Ships very quickly through Chewy
What We Didn’t Like:
- Text is printed, not engraved
- Only allows for text on one side
#3 Best Silicone: Love Your Pets Soundless Pet ID Tag
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Type: Hanging tag
- Material: Silicone
- Color/Design Options: Various
- Text Lines: 1 front, 4 back
- Noiseless: Yes
- Price: $17.95
Made from engraved silicone, this soundless tag is certainly one of the most unique cat ID tags I’ve seen. It’s only available in a round shape but you can choose among a wide variety of colors and laser-cut designs for the front of the tag.
I chose the orange color scheme with a paw on the front and the name Biscuit. This tag accommodates four lines of text on the back in addition to one line on the front and all the text is clearly legible. The fact that the text is cut out of the silicone instead of printed on top means that it will never fade.
Because this tag is made from silicone instead of metal, it’s also a soundless ID tag. There’s some concern that the loop used for attaching the tag with a keyring might be less durable than metal but it’s very thick with only a small hole for the ring. I wasn’t worried about the silicone tearing, though it was a little tricky to get it onto the keyring.
Overall, this is a very attractive ID tag and the silicone materials make it unique. It is a little larger than the other tags I tested with a 1.2-inch diameter but its still very lightweight. It also costs a little more but is still priced under $20. I received my order five days after purchasing.
What We Liked:
- Silicone materials are lightweight and noiseless
- Deep engraving prevents text from fading
- Wide variety of colors and designs
- One line of text on front, four on back
What We Didn’t Like:
- May be tricky to get onto a keyring
- Silicone may be less durable than metal
#4 Best Slide-On: LuckyPet Slide-On Stainless Steel Collar Tag
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Type: Slide on
- Material: Stainless steel
- Color/Design Options: 1
- Text Lines: 5
- Noiseless: Yes
- Price: $9.95
Another option in noiseless ID tags is the slide-on tag. This slide-on tag from LuckyPet is made from stainless steel in a simple rectangular design. Not only is it noiseless but, because it attaches directly to the collar, there’s less risk of losing it.
It’s available with either closed or open ends. The closed-end version works for standard collars while the open-ended version is necessary for breakaway collars.
I purchased the closed-end version in the smallest size which perfectly fit the leather collar I bought for testing. It was easy to slide it onto the collar and the text is clearly legible. I will note that while the tag can be printed with up to five lines of text, the more you add the smaller the print becomes.
I had no concerns about the durability of the tag itself – the metal was too thick to bend by hand – but the text is printed rather than engraved. Again, I tested the durability by scratching the text with a metal file and found that it held up pretty well.
One downside of this collar is that while the curved shape makes the tag sit almost flush with the collar on either side, the excess collar material bulges out a bit. This wasn’t an issue with the soft leather collar I tried but it could be an issue with thicker materials. My order took about a week to arrive.
What We Liked:
- Noiseless design slides onto your cat’s collar
- Accommodates up to 5 lines of text
- Made from thick stainless-steel materials
- Available with closed or open ends
What We Didn’t Like:
- Text is printed, not engraved
- May not sit flat around your cat’s neck
#5 Best ID Collar: GoTags Nylon Personalized Reflective Breakaway Cat Collar
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Type: Collar
- Material: Nylon
- Color/Design Options: 5 colors
- Text Lines: 1
- Noiseless: Yes (without bell)
- Price: $13.95
Some cats simply don’t like wearing a tag, even if it is noiseless. This personalized cat ID collar offers a practical alternative, and it saves you from having to buy two separate items.
The GoTags personalized cat ID collar is a breakaway collar available in five colors and comes with a small bell to match. Though the color of the nylon varies, all of the collars have a reflective strip on which the text is printed.
Understandably, the collar only accommodates one line of text but there doesn’t appear to be a limit on characters. I’m not sure what would happen if someone placed an order with more text than could physically fit on the collar. For mine, I kept it simple with Bagel’s name and my phone number.
I had no issues with the quality of the collar or the legibility of the printing. I did, however, think the collar itself was excessively long. It adjusts between 8 and 13 inches, but the material doubled up almost all the way around the collar in order to fit my cat. Some cats might find this uncomfortable.
I paid about $14 for this collar and it arrived three days after order.
What We Liked:
- Text printed directly on the collar
- Durable nylon and reflective materials
- Ships very quickly
- Breakaway style collar for safety
What We Didn’t Like:
- Length seems excessively long
- Only accommodates one line of text
#6 Best Noiseless: ROAD iD Personalized Pet ID Tag
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Type: Slide-on
- Material: Stainless steel
- Color/Design Options: 3 colors
- Text Lines: 4
- Noiseless: Yes
- Price: $29.99
The priciest of the options on this list, the ROAD iD Personalized Pet ID Tag is also one of the more attractive options. It’s a slide-on tag which makes it noiseless, and it’s made from medical-grade stainless steel with an elastic sleeve attachment.
In addition to the standard silver, this ID tag comes in two fairly uncommon colors: black and rose gold. The tag accommodates up to 4 lines of text on the smallest size but 5 lines on the medium/large and x-large. While I’d prefer the text be engraved rather than printed, I found it to be more clearly legible than other printed tags.
This tag slides onto your cat’s collar and the slightly curved design contours to the shape of your cat’s neck. The elastic loops on either end stretch to fit but the tag comes with two different sleeves – one for a .75” collar and one for a 0.5” collar. The elastic may not be as durable as metal, but some cat owners find it easier to slide on and off the collar. I found it much easier to slide this tag onto the breakaway collar than the solid metal LuckyPet tag.
Given its limitations, this tag might not be worth the nearly $30 price tag for some cat owners. If you’re using it as a backup form of ID and aesthetics are your primary concern, however, it might be a good fit.
What We Liked:
- Available in unique colors like black and rose gold
- Comes in three sizes with two sleeves for each
- Elastic sleeve may be easier to use than metal
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly pricey at around $30
- Elastic attachment may stretch or tear
#7 Budget Pick: LuckyPet Durable Plastic Pet ID Tag
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Type: Hanging tag
- Material: Plastic
- Color/Design Options: 7 colors, 6 shapes
- Text Lines: 5
- Noiseless: No
- Price: $7.95
If you’re using an ID tag and collar as backup identification for your cat, you may not want to spend a whole lot on the tag. It might also not be worth a high price tag if your cat frequently loses his collar.
This ID tag is affordably priced around $8 but the price is a tradeoff for durability. Made from plastic materials with printed text, this tag may not last as long as others on this list.
I ordered this plastic ID tag and the slide-on tag from LuckyPet at the same time and received both about a week later. I chose the red heart design with three lines of text – my cat’s name, my house number and street address, and phone number. The tag accommodates up to 5 lines of text but only on one side.
Unfortunately, I received the wrong tag in my order. The house number is the same as mine, so I imagine that’s the source of the confusion. The order came with a note that mentions this possibility and says LuckyPet will rush a replacement if needed at no charge. The quality and design of the tag itself, however, was as expected.
What We Liked:
- Affordably priced around $8
- Accommodates up to 5 lines of text
- Very lightweight
- Comes in 7 colors and 6 shapes
What We Didn’t Like:
- Order mix-ups seem to happen frequently
- Plastic is less durable than metal
- Text is printed rather than engraved
What To Look For In A Cat ID Tag
As I tested out the ID tags, it became clear that there are four main things you need to look for when choosing these products. Kate Barrington / Cats.com
My cats are indoor cats but because they have protected access to the outdoors via a catio, they always wear collars with ID tags. One of my cats also has a habit of bolting for the door every time it opens. Though I hope it never happens, I feel better knowing that if one of my cats runs away from home whoever finds her will at least be able to contact me.
I originally purchased engraved metal ID tags at a national chain pet store but after researching the subject of cat ID tags and trying a handful of other options, I’ve concluded that the convenient choice isn’t always the best choice.
In conducting my research, it became clear that there are four things to look for when shopping for a cat ID tag.
1. Quality Materials Are Essential.
The materials from which an ID tag are made determine its weight, durability, and resistance to rust and tarnish.
Inexpensive tags are often made from brass or aluminum with some kind of coating over them. The price might be right, but these tags are more likely to become bent, scratched, or tarnished over time. If the text is printed instead of engraved, the ID tag may not be legible for long either.
Stainless steel is the best metal for pet ID tags because it does not rust or corrode. It’s lightweight enough that it shouldn’t bother your cat to wear it and these tags retain their original appearance for much longer.
Silicone is another material worth considering. It can be laser cut so there’s no risk of the text fading and it’s both lightweight and waterproof. You can also purchase a cat ID collar which has the text printed directly on the material of the collar.
2. The Best Cat Id Tags Are Customizable.
There’s no point in purchasing a cat ID tag if you can’t put your cat’s name on it. This may seem obvious, but some tags and collars only serve to identify the cat as a pet versus a stray or feral cat.
When shopping for a cat ID tag, pay attention to the design. Some tags can only be engraved on one side and others have decorative elements that limit the space available for text. The more room for text the better because it means you can put multiple methods of contact on the tag.
A cat ID tag should carry both your cat’s name and your last name. Put at least one phone number on the tag (with a backup if you can) and your address. Because your cat is most likely to be found somewhere in the vicinity of your home, you can conserve space for contact information by only including your house number and street name.
Here’s an example:
- Front – MITTENS
- Back – SMITH, 1234 Jones Ave., (567) 891-0123
It’s wise to prioritize the information on your cat’s ID tag. Your phone number is the most important piece of information and if you can list two contact numbers, even better. If space for engraving is limited, prioritize your phone number over your own name or street address.
3. Safety And Cat-friendliness Are Key.
Durability and legibility are important for a cat ID tag, but it must also be safe for your cat to wear it.
Cat ID tags are generally pretty small (about the size of a quarter) but some companies offer multiple sizes. Avoid choosing a tag that’s too big because it’s more likely to get snagged on something. Large tags can also be irritating for your cat to wear, especially if it makes a lot of noise.
If your cat is sensitive to sound, you might consider a noiseless ID tag. One option is a slide-on ID tag. These are generally rectangular in shape and slide onto your cat’s collar. If you prefer hanging tags, consider one made from silicone rather than metal.
You should also consider the type of collar you choose for your cat. Leather collars and novelty collars are cute but if your cat gets it caught on something he may not be able to escape. Breakaway collars are made with a special buckle that opens when pulled. Some non-breakaway collars have safety features as well, such as an elastic band that stretches to enable your cat to slip out of the collar in an emergency.
Most cat ID tags are sold with a key ring, but you should make sure your cat’s collar has something from which to hang the tag. A small D-ring that is securely attached to the material of the collar is ideal.
Also Read: The 7 Best Cat Collars
4. The Best Cat Id Tags Are Reasonably Priced.
It’s generally not necessary to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a cat ID tag but neither is it wise to choose the cheapest option on the market. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for and that certainly seems to be the case with cat ID tags.
When researching cat ID tags, I found that price was most closely linked to the materials from which the tags were made. Plastic was, unsurprisingly, the most affordable with molded silicone being one of the priciest options. The products I selected ranged between $8 and $30.
Does Your Cat Really Need Identification?
To put it plainly, identification increases the chances that your cat will be returned to you if he gets lost. But are cat ID tags the only option?
While a collar with an ID tag distinguishes your cat as a pet rather than a feral or stray, collars can fall off and ID tags can get lost. We still recommend putting a collar and ID tag on your cat but primarily as a backup form of identification.
Microchipping is the only form of permanent identification your cat can carry.
A microchip is a device smaller than a grain of rice that can be injected under your cat’s skin. It causes very little discomfort and after the injection, your cat won’t even know it’s there. Each microchip has a unique 15-digit number that is linked to the contact information you log in the database.
Should your cat turn up in a shelter, the staff will scan for a microchip. As long as your information is up to date in the database, they’ll be able to contact you to return your cat.
There are pros and cons to putting a collar and ID tag on your cat but it’s worth considering as a backup to microchipping.
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