Cat Collars
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Cat Collars – Does your Cat Need One?
Why do we want our cat to have a collar? The first and most obvious reason is to have a place where we can affix an id tag on our kitty and make sure that it does not get lost or cat-napped by well meaning strangers thinking it to be a stray.
(See Kitten Collars Here)
For security reasons, some owners will have the cat collars holding a magnetic or electronic key that will give the cat access to a cat flap. All these are good cases for having a cat collar.
There are those who use cat collars for flea control or simply just to have a bit of pretty cat bling around the neck. However, if these reasons are the only motivators for purchasing cat collars then give it some careful thought as there are other options available. There are potential dangers in utilizing cat collars that need to be considered.
Choosing Cat Collars
Many cat collars in the market have an elastic insert which, over time does stretch and can become loose fitting. Your cat could quite easily trap its front leg in the collar and that would obviously be dangerous to the feline. Cats can also get the collar stuck over their jaw in the same way. When searching out a collar, look for quality – this is one item that you do not want to go ‘cheap’ on unless the collar is of good quality. Make sure that the collar has no sharp edges or ornamentation that can get hooked up.
Check the buckle to make sure that it is firm and sharp and the stitching is not going to easily unravel. A snap collar or breakaway cat collar is a good choice, this protecting your kitty from getting ensnared or hooked up some place and being trapped. The break away cat collars will release as soon as a certain amount of pressure is put on it. These collars have a plastic buckle that ‘snaps’ together to close and snap open at the moment the cat struggles to get itself free or gets caught in a hanging position. The best way to test a snap collar or break away cat collar is to hang a heavy object off it to see how easily it opens. You want a cat collar that can snap open with a weight relative to the full weight of your cat but not so easy to open with a light weight or force.
When it comes to flea control, there are generally better and healthier ways to control fleas other then a simple flea collar. Flea collars can have there disadvantages such as chemicals that can irritate the cats skin and cause some fur loss in the area beneath the collar. If you do wish to use a cat collar for flea control then ensure that you check on the cat often, examining the area beneath and around the proximity of the collar. Consider using other flea control products that will not have potential adverse effects
Fitting Cat Collars
This is a critical aspect to purchasing a cat collar – you need to make sure that it fits just right. The best way to measure is to see if you can get one or two fingers under the collar. If the collar is on a young cat or kitten then remember to consistently check the tightness of the collar because the cat is growing – and they grow fast!
Bells and Bling on the Cat Collars
As mentioned before, this can be hazardous for a cat if these objects get caught on something. Therefore it is always recommended to have the bell or bling attached to a breakaway cat collar. Bells are good for protecting the local bird life and bling…well, they just look good for some owners.
While many of us may prefer to see our cat without a cat collar, the fact of the matter is that it is a necessary evil these days with cats going astray or getting run over also, most people like to protect the birds and little critters in the garden. The solution is to use a safe and feline friendly cat collars.
