Unruly cats are a danger, and while controlling them is never easy, there is something that can help. Cat muzzles can help protect the handler of an aggressive cat from bites, though they are not 100% protection. Aspen Cat Muzzles come in three different sizes, and finding the right size is the key. They can be a useful tool, but require some caution, depending on the level of aggression of the cat.
Aspen Cat Muzzles are colored according to size. Green - This is the smallest muzzle. This one is designed for small cats and those with narrow heads. Red - Medium of the three muzzles. This one is the most universal. Blue - Largest cat muzzle. Maine Coons, and other large, round-headed cats. This one does well for Tom cats, which tend to have large heads The muzzle must fit snug. The most important part for the cat is for it to be able to breathe. There is a hole in the front center which is where the cat's nose is to poke through, allowing the cat to breathe. If the muzzle is too small, that hole will pinch the cat's nose. If the muzzle is too big, it will simply slide around and the cat will wiggle right out of it. The muzzle attaches on the back of the head, so that the ears are just above the top of the muzzle, and it wraps the whole way down the face and around the chin. Each muzzle is highly adjustable, and attaches to itself with Velcro. They are made of a very durable nylon.
My Experiences: For a period of a few years, I often worked with feral, aggressive, and scared cats, so muzzles were a must. We'd take an aggressive cat and throw a towel on it, scoop it up, and wrap it up like a burrito. Then the muzzle went on. We muzzled many cats, and I was never bitten, nor did I witness anyone being bitten, while an Aspen Cat Muzzle was being used. Granted, there were plenty of cats who would get their muzzle off, but that was mostly due to the muzzle not fitting properly. Some cats were difficult to find the right size for. For instance, if the cat's nose is stubby (like with a Persian) the muzzle simply does not work. There is nothing to keep it in place. Luckily I didn't run into too many pesky Persians. What is great about these muzzles, is that it covers their eyes. Covering an angry cats' eyes can help calm them. Now, there is no guarantee that it'll work, but at least they can't actually see any of your body parts to bite! From my experiences it was about half and half. Some cats would go absolutely nuts if we muzzled them, and that is not a good situation. Others acted like we tranquilized them, and they became almost (dare I say) easy to handle. It all depends on little kitty's mood. There were a few cats that would manage to get their teeth stuck in the muzzle. If it were slightly too big for them, they'd be able to open their mouths and thus, try to bite. Then, you'd have to re-adjust the muzzle to get those fangs out. But the holes left in the muzzle never caused a problem, and never enlarged in this tough material. I always liked how quickly you could slip one on. It can take a little practice, but once you get the hang of it you get more comfortable with it. The goal is to get it on the cat's face. Since it fits on with Velcro, you can easily adjust it so that it is a nice snug fit, and so that the cat can still breathe.
Care and Durability: We'd wash each muzzle after each use, in hot soapy water, which over time proved their durability. The color would eventually fade, but there were no worn spots. We would throw them away only when the Velcro lost its ability to compete with a freaked out frisky feline. However, the Velcro seemed to last for a long time, considering how often the muzzles were used.
Words of Caution: * You must use caution even when a cat is wearing an Aspen Cat Muzzle. They always have the ability to get the muzzle off and try to bite. I've seen a number of cats try to be tricky (and some succeed). Using their front feet, they'd try to use their claws to pick the muzzle off. But the trickier part was when they would use their back feet or claws to kinda hook under the back of the muzzle and just flip it right off their head. * The other thing to watch for is that the cat can always breathe while wearing the muzzle. Cats wearing a muzzle will tend to cry, howl, or make some other horrid noise. This gives you the opportunity to take a peek at their tongue, and make sure it doesn't turn blue or purple from lack of oxygen. If you see some shade of blue or purple, or they start to pant, secure the cat in a towel and quickly remove the muzzle. Cats who are worked up to begin with, then are muzzled will either calm down a bit or get more worked up (as mentioned earlier). Getting more worked up causes their oxygen needs to increase, so keep an eye on them, and only keep a cat muzzled for the shortest amount of time required.
An Aspen Cat Muzzle might be a good thing to have on hand if your kitty is moody and knows how to use their teeth. If you like to trim his or her nails, and they get grumpy about it and bite, a muzzle can make a big difference. It can also be a helpful alternative to a chemical sedative for a veterinary visit. If you are considering getting one, ask your veterinarian if they sell muzzles, and perhaps they can help you choose the best size. Even if they don't sell them, maybe they will let you try some on your kitty to see which size fits best, and to see how your kitty will potentially tolerate the item.
Aside from purchasing them from a veterinarian, Aspen Cat Muzzles can be found online at Amazon.com. They'll cost you anywhere from $5-$10, depending on where you get them. As far as I know, this particular brand is not sold in stores, but it wouldn't hurt to check your local pet or animal supply store. I've seen them prove their worth, many times, and if you are considering a muzzle for your cat, I recommend the Aspen Cat Muzzle.
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