Are Collars Secure for Cats?

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Protecting Your Cat with Confidence: A Guide to Safe Cat Collars

Do you know {that a} correctly examined cat collar generally is a lifesaver? Everybody who is aware of what number of cats are unclaimed in shelters (as much as 95% in lots of areas) can perceive the significance of ID tags and microchips for each pet. A microchip is a important type of ID for any pet since it may well’t be eliminated. However collars and tags are necessary, too. Individuals who discover pets with out a collar and ID usually mistakenly suppose a pet has been deserted, when in truth, they could have simply escaped or gone by chance astray.

However what concerning the dangers that collars pose to cats? In the event you’re contemplating adopting a cat or are a brand new pet guardian making an attempt a collar on their cat for the primary time want might not find out about collar and tag risks — and the best way to keep away from them. Listed here are three necessary cat collar assessments that may maintain your new cat or kitten protected and joyful of their collar.

Check your cat’s collar

1. Check the buckle.

Most cat collars now have a security characteristic in-built — both a “breakaway” buckle, elastic stretching portion, or a whole collar fabricated from elastic materials. These designs are meant to permit a cat who’s caught on an object to twist and safely slide out of the collar. Nonetheless, it is very important check the collar you buy. How simply does the buckle come undone? In case your cat will get caught and hangs, will it operate because it ought to?

For collars that stretch, is it sufficient of a stretch that it’ll simply slide off over your cat’s head, however — and that is so necessary — will also be tight sufficient so your cat can’t get their decrease jaw beneath the collar, and get caught? See step #2 for the best way to scale back this danger.

2. Check the match.

The rule of thumb — or fingers actually — is cosy sufficient so you possibly can simply slide two fingers beneath the collar. Too free, and it’s too straightforward for a cat to get their mouth beneath the collar. And we’ve seen cats which have gotten their jaw caught, panicked and severely mangled their face with their back and front claws drying to “escape” from a collar that was partially choking them! Cats — particularly kittens — are amazingly versatile. That’s the reason step #3 is so necessary too.

3. Check your cat.

Please don’t put a collar on a cat and go away them unsupervised. Even when the cat appears high-quality at first and ignores the collar, as they transfer round, attempt to eat or drink, lie down, or play, they could immediately turn into bothered by this new factor round their neck and attempt to get it off. Watch your cat carefully for the primary home after which, in the event you can now not have your eyes in your cat, take the collar off.

Put it again on solely once you’ll be capable of see instantly in case your cat will get their jaw caught or goes right into a panic to get the collar off. Regularly construct up the period of time your cat spends within the collar. In the event you discover your cat nonetheless making an attempt to chew on or get their jaw beneath the collar, even after a number of days of build up how lengthy they’ve been sporting it, your cat could also be one of many few cats who can’t safely put on a collar.

Most cats do regulate to fortunately and safely sporting a collar! In a 6-month-long cat collar research performed by Ohio State College, 90% of pet dad and mom mentioned they deliberate to maintain the collars on their cats after the research was accomplished.

Tags that don’t cling

For cats, the most secure kind of tag is one that’s hooked up to or clips onto the collar. There are numerous forms of tag designs that keep away from the risks of a dangling tag. A dangling tag ring or hook can get caught and defeat the operate of a security collar. You possibly can search on-line for a CollarTag for one which clips onto a cat collar.

So why not simply go away off a collar? The risks of a misplaced cat escaping and never being returned house outweigh the danger of a cat getting a collar caught, particularly in the event you’re speaking them out for a stroll. Life isn’t risk-free. Restrict the collar dangers by correctly buying, becoming, and monitoring your cat’s collar, and also you’ll tremendously scale back the dangers of dropping your cat, too.

Better of Cat Security, Pet Well being and Security |