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Cat Collars – what to look for and what to avoid

There’s been a debate over whether to use a collar or not and whether the flea resistant collars are any use. In my own experience the flea collars do not work, but they don’t hurt either. I do like to have a collar on my cats, it lets others know that the cat has a home, and if she strays then they can use the contact information on the collar.

One of my cats managed to hitch a ride in a truck and I received a call the next day from over 300 miles away! I’m glad my cat was wearing the collar, imaging the surprise on the truck drivers face to see that he’d picked up a passenger!

The most important aspect to getting a collar is how well it fits. If it’s too loose, not only can it get caught up when your cat is playing outside, but cats have a surprising ability to getting out of collars that are too loose. If the collar is too tight – well that’s just not good! You will want to get a collar that adjusts for kittens and cats that are still growing. Be sure to check the fit of the collar often, to make sure it’s not coming loose or, more importantly, becoming too tight.

Many collars come with bells or some other noise making device to warn potential prey animals that your cat is on the prowl. The idea behind these is to stop your cat bring home those wonderful presents that every owner dreads, especially the ones that are still alive. I’ve found these to be ineffective so I either remove them, (less to get caught up in twigs, branches and fences), or buy collars without them.

There are generally 2 types of fasteners for collars. There is the buckle which is easy to out on and take off, but can break, and the slide through adjustable kind. These are more secure but also more difficult to adjust, especially if your cat decides to give you a hard time!

Many collars come with an elasticated section, or a breakaway. This is a safety feature that will allow your cat to slip free of the collar if it becomes caught on something and avoid strangulation. Although a smart cat can figure out how to rid itself of the collar, this is an important safety feature that should be seriously considered. Also buy a collar of a material that can be cut through in case of emergencies.

Another feature to consider is a reflective strip in the collar. This is useful at night especially in areas that have a lot of traffic. The number 1 killer of cats is cars – give the driver every chance to see your cat, especially if it’s a dark cat.

If you have an indoor cat that you’d like to take outdoors, consider buying a harness and attaching a leash. Practice with this around the house until the cat becomes used to it, then you can take the cat for walks – to the park, to the beach, or to Uncle Albert’s house! Cat’s can be trained it just take a little patience.