Keep safety and fit in mind when choosing
Feb 28 '01
The Bottom Line There are many of different kinds of collars to choose from, just remember to keep safety and fit in mind and have fun choosing.
Most people don't use collars on their cats, but if you have a cat that goes outside at all, even if it is a cat that sometimes sneaks out, a collar is a definite must if you don't want to lose them. A collar with identification tags on it will help get your cat returned to you.
What types of collars are out there?
There are mainly three different types of collars for you to choose from: Traditional, Breakaway and Stretch. I have had cats for many years and have tried each type with different cats.
Traditional collars don't really have any special safety features to them. They are usually made of either nylon or leather, they may be plain or have a fancy design or rhinestone studs. These collars don't stretch or give when they are tugged on, so you have to make sure you get the right size for your cat and make sure you put in on properly.
Breakaway collars are generally made of nylon and have a special breakaway feature if the cat gets it collar stuck on something. The collar is designed to break apart if your cat gets into a dangerous situation. The breakaway part is usually a little plastic snap device on the collar that can be refastened after the incident, although I have not had too much luck with it staying fastened once it breaks apart.
Stretch collars are the ones I prefer. They are made of nylon and if your cat gets his or her collar stuck on something, the collar actually stretches allowing your cat to get their head out of the collar without being hurt. The downside to these collars is that if your cat is adamant about not wearing a collar, they can scratch enough at the collar with their back paws and stretch it enough to duck their head out.
All of the above mentioned collars have D-rings on them for tags and/or bells, usually made of metal, and come in many different colors. Some might have pretty designs on them or be plain in color and some may have little rhinestone studs. There is a pretty large variety as far as looks go.
What about sizes?
Most cat collars out there now are adjustable, meaning you adjust the collar to the size of your cat and cut off any excess. There are still some that come in small, medium and large sizes and with these you will have to generally know what size your cats neck is. If you happen to pick the wrong size, most pet stores have no problem letting you exchange for a larger or smaller size. The general rule of thumb for fit is to leave a two finger width, in other words, you should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your cats neck, if you can't do that, you have the collar too tight and your cat can be in danger of being hurt if they get their collar stuck on something.
Conclusion
Whether you are getting a collar for looks or safety reasons, you need to keep in mind that there are some cats out there that refuse to wear a collar and if safety is your main concern, you may need to try out the different types to see which one your cat prefers.
Make sure that the collar is fit properly to your cat and make sure you attach the vaccination tags and the if lost tags before you put the collar on your cat. If the collar comes with a little bell, or you add one yourself, make sure it is attached securely to the D-ring so it doesn't come off and pose a choking hazard for your cat or any babies in the household.
Whether you choose plain or fancy, the most important factor is the safety issue for your cat, if you do choose the Traditional type of collar, it is even more important for you to follow the two finger rule for fit so that your cat can slip their head out if in a dangerous situation.
At the time of writing this review, my cats are in-between collars, they don't seem to like the Traditional kind, I have had problems with the Breakaways, and one has learned how to take off the Stretch ones. I will still probably buy them the Stretch ones since they seem to be pretty comfortable for them and just hope Frisky doesn't take his off again.
As you can see, there is a lot to choose from out there, just keep your cat, safety and fit in mind while choosing and have fun.
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Kittyokc
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Member: Kathy
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