Pronunciation: [bˈɛld kˈat] (IPA) 
The spelling of 'belled cat' may seem confusing at first, but it can be broken down using IPA phonetics. The word 'belled' is pronounced /bɛld/, with the 'e' being pronounced as 'eh', the 'l' as a clear 'l', and the final 'ed' pronounced as 'd'. 'Cat', on the other hand, is pronounced /kæt/, with the 'a' as a short 'a' sound and the 't' as a hard 't'. So, together, 'belled cat' is pronounced /bɛld kæt/.
Belled cat is a colloquial term used to refer to a domestic feline that wears a small bell attached to its collar. The term implies that the cat has been fitted with a bell to signal its presence audibly, allowing those nearby to be aware of its whereabouts.
Typically, the bell is added to prevent the cat from sneaking up unnoticed on birds or other small animals in its vicinity, as it produces noise when the cat is in motion. This serves as a warning to potential prey, giving them an opportunity to escape before the cat can pounce. The primary purpose of belled collars is to reduce the cat's impact on local wildlife populations, particularly in outdoor settings such as gardens and natural environments.
The concept of belled cats predates modern technologies such as GPS tracking or microchips, offering a simplistic solution to help locate or keep track of a cat's movements. It is worth noting that while the term "belled cat" primarily describes the collar and the audible bell, it is often used metaphorically to portray a cat that is easily identifiable or noticed due to a distinct feature or characteristic.
In conclusion, a belled cat refers to a domestic cat that has a bell attached to its collar, which produces an audible noise to alert nearby animals of its presence. This term is commonly used to promote the conservation of local wildlife and as a metaphorical description of a cat that stands out or is easily recognized.
