If you own a barn cat or a cat that spends most of its time outdoors, you should definitely consider buying your feline friend a collar. Similarly, indoor cats should get chipped and flea treated, but the collar is merely optional. Here are the pros and cons of cat collars. Read on to discover how they can improve your cat’s quality of life. You can even choose to wear an ID tag to make your pet more identifiable.
Bellied collars are noisy
Bellied collars can be irritating to your cat. Most pet owners are apprehensive about their cats’ noise, but they may be surprised to learn that these devices can also protect them from wildlife and birds. Because cats are natural hunters, their bells are a valuable tool to protect their homes and properties. Cats can learn to move without triggering the bell, which can be especially beneficial for those who live in confined spaces, such as basements.
Fitting a collar to your cat
The first step to fitting a collar to your cat is to prepare a tasty treat for your feline friend. Hold the collar a few inches from your cat’s head and hold the ends in both your hands. Slide the collar under her chin and up on top. This may take a little practice, but your cat should be comfortable in its new collar before you proceed to the next step. You may also wish to make a small, inexpensive collar so that your feline companion can wear it on its own.
ID tag
Indoor cats should wear a collar with ID tag at all times. The type of collar that your cat wears will also impact how well it accepts it. Thin collars with small ID tags are easier to adjust to, and your cat is more likely to accept the collar if the tag is small. Avoid using two ID tags because they add weight and may clang against each other. If your cat is particularly recalcitrant, consider removing one ID tag and replacing it with a new one.
Noise
Bells on cat collars are an excellent option for preventing your cat from roaming off. However, a cat may not be bothered by a bell as it may upset sensitive or shy cats. If you are concerned about this, you can try using CatBibs instead of bells. However, bells have several disadvantages that should be considered before buying them. Firstly, cats dislike the sound of the bell and may take some time to get used to them. Secondly, they may not like the smell of the collar, the feel of the collar, or the way you place them.
Comfort
If you want to make your cat more comfortable wearing a collar, you should make the transition to it a positive experience. Many cats actually don’t mind wearing a collar. In fact, nearly three out of four cats do not mind wearing a collar. If you want your cat to adjust quickly to wearing a collar, consider investing in a breakaway collar. These collars are strong but lightweight, so your pet will quickly become accustomed to wearing one.
Safety
Cats love to explore. They can easily become trapped in collars and suffer injuries trying to get free. Collars can rub their skin and can cause soreness or even loss of fur around the neck. Cats have very small throats, so they cannot release themselves if they are caught in a collar. Similarly, a collar can get caught on branches, which may cause them to be strangled. If this happens, it is important to remove the collar and place a splinter-proof one over it.
