As any cat parent knows, taking care of felines can be a very different experience from sharing your life with dogs. Cats generally behave very differently and are more independent compared to their canine counterparts. Though all cats do need playtime and enjoy having wand toys and catnip toys, few are interested in going for regular walks as dogs do. This may make you wonder if getting customizable cat collars is necessary for your cat.
Besides being an attractive accessory that amplifies your cat’s cuteness factor, are there benefits to having your cat wear a collar? It may seem unnecessary if your pet is already microchipped or is strictly an indoor cat, but there are clear advantages to putting a collar on your feline friend. Here’s why you need a collar for your cat.
Cat Collars Can Carry Important Information
Cats like to explore, roam, hunt and expand their territory. It instinct. So if you leave your door or a window open by accident, your indoor cat might go out and get lost. The presence of a collar immediately lets strangers know your cat has a home and isn't a stray. And if your details are on an attached ID tag, the people who find your cat can bring them back to you sooner.
A cat collar is good to have even if your cat is microchipped because it is a visible sign of ownership. In the event of lost pets, animals wearing a collar can be reunited with their owner faster than animals that need to be scanned by vets, shelters, or police stations for microchip information. Additionally, owner information on collar tags is easier to remember to update because it’s constantly visible. If you moved addresses or changed phone numbers, you can update the ID tag attached to your pet’s collar.
Cat Collars Can Act as a Safety Device
As any cat parent knows, cats are mostly active in the early morning and early evening. The partial darkness makes it easier for them to hunt, and also makes it harder for others to see them. This can increase your cat’s risk of getting into accidents, especially if they sneak out of your house and run into the road. To prevent injury, it’s best to put a reflective collar on your cat. This design increases your cat’s visibility in low light areas and lessens their likelihood of being involved in a car accident. It also helps you avoid tripping over dark-colored pet cats on your floor.
Picking a Collar for Your Cat
If you’ve determined wearing a collar is best for your cat, it’s time to select an appropriate design. When choosing a collar for your cat, below are five things you should do:
- Choose a strong and sturdy collar. A collar should be durable enough so that it won't get snagged on a tree or bush easily. It also shouldn't be easy for your cat to ruin. Your cat might not like wearing a collar, so they’ll scratch it and find ways to take it off. Additionally, a sturdy material will mean no loose stitching, which can make your cat uncomfortable.
- Consider a flea collar if your cat is the type to go outside occasionally. When worn, these collars can eliminate flea larvae, flea eggs or adult fleas, depending on the type of flea collar you buy.
- Pick one with a safe break away buckle. A safe break away buckle is a safety feature in a collar to prevent your cat from choking. When your cat’s collar gets caught on something, your cat can pull hard enough to break the clasp open and get free.
- Make sure the fit is right. Cat collars shouldn’t be too tight and they shouldn’t be so loose that your cat can slide them off. To find the perfect fit, make sure there are two fingers worth of space between your cat’s neck and the collar.
- Avoid elastic collars. Elastic collars were made to enable your cat to break free in case their collar catches. However, these collars are actually harder for cats to remove and can get tangled with your cat’s limbs due to the elastic material, so it’s best to avoid them.
Don’t be alarmed if your cat tries to take off their collar, especially if you followed the tips above and the collar is the right fit. Give them time to adjust and reward them when they’re not trying to take off their collar. Positive reinforcement can help them understand that their collar is safe. Likewise, you can be assured that putting a collar on your cat is part of responsible pet ownership and helps to ensure your cat’s safety and well-being.
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