A refreshing alternative to the big-box pet store collars.
Our cat, Cleo is an indoor / outdoor kitty with an adventurous spirit. During the daylight hours when he is allowed to play outside, it has always been important to us that he have his collar with tags & bell on. The tags are his ticket home if he should ever get lost and the bell keeps the local bird population numbers from dwindling.
Back in the days before we launched Made By Cleo, we'd occasionally have to to run to the store to buy a replacement collar for Cleo. The style selections at the major pet supply stores were never anything to get excited about, at least not for cat collars. Not only were there so few basic choices to consider, but they also tended to fade and fray quickly. It seemed like a wasted opportunity to make pet collars so utilitarian-looking. We needed Cleo's collar to be functional, durable & safe, but surely it was possible to work some style into the equation?
After too many years of buying unfortunate-looking collars for Cleo, I took matters into my own hands (literally) and applied my sewing skills and professional design background to launch Made By Cleo.
The goal was simply to offer stylish, quality pet collars made in the U.S.A. at a very affordable price. I also wanted to keep the selection fresh and regularly updated with the changing seasons. I searched and tested all the hardware vendors to find the perfect, resilient safety breakaway buckle that would not pop open too easily. We also added the option to order our collars with non-breakaway buckles for customers with dogs or kitties who go for walks.
Since starting this business, we have had the pleasure of getting to know so many cool pet owners from all over the world and their adorable feline and canine babies. It is our favorite part of the whole business -- the personal stories, the variety of pet names and the photos & videos our customers have shared over the years.
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Sizing & Hardware Options
Standard Collar Sizes (listed in inches)
The numbers listed below represent the shortest & longest adjustable length range for the neck size options we offer. We strongly recommend measuring your pet's neck before ordering, if this is your first time. Tip: A simple piece of string or ribbon (or equivalent flexible household item) can be used to assess the collar length your pet needs -- then measure the amount of string you used, laid out flat alongside a straight ruler. Often, customers may not realize their pet is smaller (or larger) than average prior to measuring!
If your pet is in-between sizes, select the closest size from the dropdown menu, but be sure to provide your pet's exact neck size measurements in the "Special Instructions" message box (on the Cart page before checkout) so that our seamstresses can make any necessary custom sizing adjustments to ensure an optimal fit for your pet. We'll take care of it as long as you give us the measurements!
Kitten
6-10" (inches)
Fits small cats
Adult Cat
8-13" (inches)
Fits average-sized & larger cats
XL Cat
12-16" (inches)
Fits extra large, big cats
Tiny Dog
6-10" (inches)
Fits very small pups (measure to be sure)
Mini Dog
8-13" (inches)
Fits Chihuahuas, Yorkies, toy breeds
Small Dog
12-16" (inches)
Fits Beagles, Jack Russell Terriers, Pugs
A Note About Adding "Slide" Tags to Collars: If ordering a personalized slide tag name plate to be put on your collar, the length of the tag will reduce the maximum length of the collar by 1.5 inches. If your pet's neck size is very close to the maximum of a certain size range and you plan to get a slide tag with the collar - to avoid any fit issues, we recommend ordering the next size up, or adding a note in the "Order Notes" box (located on the Cart page before checkout) to let us know your pet's exact neck size so our studio can make any necessary adjustments as needed.
Collar Terminology & Options
"Size" refers to the collar's adjustable length (in inches).Note: The standard width of our collars is 1/2", regardless of the size option / length you select. To see a quick demo on how to adjust the size of your pet collar and achieve an optimal fit, watch the video below.
"Buckle Type" refers to the black or white standard plastic side-release clasp shown in all collar product photos in our store. On every collar product page, you will be given the option to select whether you prefer a "Breakaway" or "Non-Breakaway" plastic buckle clasp. Both types look the same as what you see in the photos โ the difference has to do with the internal pronged mechanism, which makes them function differently. See the illustration below to compare the visual differences. Please Note: The details regarding the differences shown below will apply whether it's pertaining to a white or black buckle clasp:
The functional differences are as follows:
Breakaway buckle clasps are also commonly referred to as "safety" or "quick release" buckles/clips.This is the most common and recommended choice for cat & kitten collars. There are many types of breakaway clasp form factors on the market that function the same but may come in different shapes, depending on the brand. Ours look just like what you see in our product photos. Breakaway buckles are designed to auto-release with a certain amount of 'tug' force โ allowing the pet to escape safely if the collar gets caught on an object, such as a tree limb or fence post, (or in the jaws of a predator). Special Note: Because they are designed to pop open automatically when tugged on, breakaway buckle collars must NEVER be used with a leash.
Non-Breakaway buckle clasps will look virtually the same as our Breakaway option (as you can see from the illustration above) โ however, it will NOT auto-release when tugged on.It will remain clasped shut until you pinch the side release closure to open it (like any normal dog collar buckle closure). This is the most common buckle type used on standard dog collars.If you plan to use your collar with a leash (whether it's for a dog or cat), please select the Non-Breakaway option.
"Hardware" accent color refers to the various standard metal components that are part of the pet collarโ i.e. the collar length adjuster, the round split ring for cat collars (or D-ring for dog collars), and the included removable bell. Note: The hardware color choices do NOT apply to the plastic buckle clasp - the buckle will always be plastic (unless you specifically order a metal buckle upgrade to go with your collar).
