If you have a new kitten, or maybe just want your older cat to start wearing a collar, you may be overwhelmed with the options out there. How do I get my cat to wear a collar? What if my cat hates wearing a collar? What type of collar is right for my cat? Fear not! We're here to help. From collar fitting and safety tips to how to convince your feline friend to wear their new collar, we have everything you need to know about cat collars right here...
Are Cat Collars Safe?
One of the biggest concerns we have as paw-rents is the safety of our fluffy friends. You may have heard some scary stories about cat collar, or just be concerned about the safety of your precious kitty. It is possible for a collar to cause injury to your cat, but only if it is poorly designed or doesn't fit correctly. Injury as a result of wearing a collar is incredibly rare, and can easily be avoided by ensuring you only purchase safe, quality collars and fit them to your cat properly. There are some styles of cat collars that are safer than others, so it is important to pick the right collar for you and your cat.
Traditional fixed buckle collars (similar to dog collars) were popular for a while, however these are considered unsafe by many. This is because most cats have very active lifestyles, and tend to spend a fair bit of time alone and unsupervised. Their ability to climb and explore means they need to have a collar that can allow them a quick and easy escape should they get caught up on something.
Because of this, it is important to always pick a safety collar for your cat. These are available in 2 main styles; elastic / stretch cat collars and breakaway cat collars. Always make sure you choose a collar with a breakaway safety buckle or elastic safety strip. A breakaway buckle works by snapping open as soon as any force is applied to the collar - such as if your cat gets caught in a tree. An elastic safety strip is the same basic idea - the elastic will stretch if your cat gets stuck, allowing them to wriggle free more easily.
Why Should My Cat Wear a Collar?
Many cat charities believe that wearing a collar and an ID tag is important for your cat's safety. In fact, The Humane Society says; "an ID tag is your cat's ticket home. All cats should wear collars and tags." Battersea Cats & Dog Home agrees, stating on their website that; "an engraved tag with your contact details attached to a quick release collar which pulls apart if your cat gets their collar stuck on anything will help your cat be identified should they go missing."
Firstly, a collar and ID tag can help reunite you and your cat should they go missing. An easy to spot ID tag and collar are a clear, quick way for someone to find your details.
Wearing a collar also makes it clear to other people that your cat isn't a stray. This can help prevent overfeeding or your cat being taken in by well-meaning people who believe your cat to be a stray.
A collar with a bell attached to it can also help to prevent your cat from hunting and killing wildlife, protecting local bird populations and stopping you from receiving unwanted 'gifts!'
For small cats and kittens in particular, a collar with a bell fitted can make locating them around the house a little bit easier. This means they are less likely to be stepped on when they are darting about the house!
Does my Cat Still Need a Collar if They Are Microchipped?
Microchipping your cat is an excellent idea and has helped to reunite many cats with their owners over the years. However, it is not a fool-proof system, so having your cat wear a collar in addition to a microchip is often advised by vets and animal rescues.
For one, your cat's microchip is invisible, meaning that it is easy for them to be mistaken for a stray and 'adopted' by well-meaning strangers. Microchips can also only be read with a special microchip scanner that most members of the public do not have access to. This means you are relying on your cat being taken to a vets or shelter to be scanned for a microchip.
Not only this, many people forget to keep their cat's microchip detail up to date, which means that even if your cat's chip does get scanned, there is no way of returning them to you.
How Do I Know if my Cat Collar Fits?
It is essential to make sure your cat's collar is fitted properly. It should not be too tight or too loose, as this can cause injury. We recommend our cat collars to be snug but comfortable. This means you should be able to fit one fingertip between the collar and your cat's body.
This is crucial because a loose collar can easily catch on objects, increasing the risk of it falling off. A collar that is too tight can cause breathing issues as well as irritate the skin. It is highly recommended that you regularly check the fit of your cat's collar to ensure it still fits them purr-fectly.
Most cat collars are fully adjustable, so you shouldn't need to worry. If you do have a particularly large or small cat, we offer a bespoke service meaning we can make you a cat collar in any size you need. More information on that here.
How Do I Get my Cat to Wear a Collar?
Putting a collar on your cat for the first time can be a stressful task - but it doesn't need to be! The first step is essential! Make sure you and your cat are both relaxed so that everything else goes more smoothly. Try picking a time of day when your cat is usually calm and relaxed, for some this will be just after eating or when you wake up in the morning. Using calming diffusers can also help for particularly anxious cats.
If this is the first time your cat is wearing a collar, it can be beneficial to keep things as simple as possible. Try removing any additional accessories such as ID tags, bells or bow ties so that you are left with just the collar. Once your cat has got used to this, you can add the accessories like tags and bells back on.
Leave the collar somewhere for your cat to get used to it - we recommend leaving it near your cats food bowl so they associate it with something good. After doing this for a while, hold the collar up to your cat and see how they react. If they are relaxed, you can move onto the next step.
Holding the 2 ends of your cats collar in each hand, slide the collar under your cats chin and do it up with as little hesitation as possible. Getting someone else to hold your cat can also be helpful. Take your time, and if your cat gets fed up it may be best to try again at a later date. Make sure to give them lots of treats throughout this process! It is normal for your cat to react by running around, trying to chew the collar, rolling around or pawing at the collar - don't panic. Give your cat some time to adjust, reward them, and these behaviours should stop fairly quickly.
Make sure you take the time to get the fit right for your cat. A good close fit is important for safety, but it's also comfier for your cat too! A closely fitted collar cuts down on any feelings of the collar moving across their fur which can be irritating for your cat. Make sure none of their fur has got caught when you were doing the collar up.
What Type of Collar is Best For my Cat?
Here are the 3 best cat collar options and what type of cat they are best for...
Classic Cat Collar
Handmade in England using vibrant fabrics, designed by us and printed in the UK or sourced during our travels to East Africa. Lined with soft velveteen and fitted with an elastic safety strip to keep your kitty safe. These collars are easily adjustable to fit little kitties or big tomcats. Each collar is fitted with a small silver coloured bell attached to a small D-Ring that can also be used to hang an i-D tag from. These collars are generally most suited to cats that are less adventurous or who spend a lot of time indoors. For thrill-seeking felines we would recommend a quick release style collar.
Quick Release Cat Collar
These cat collars are comfortable and secure for cats, with a breakaway fastening for avid climbers. They also are fully adjustable so fit all cats from small to large. Bright and durable, they have a removable bell, perfect for scaring birds away. This design also happens to be vegan as it does not feature any leather trimmings! These collars are perfect for adventurous kitties, as well as those who like to hunt. The perfect choice for growing kittens, these collars are fully adjustable to fit your cat at every stage of their life.
Cat Harness
If you have a really adventurous feline - why not try taking them for a walk? These are a great option for indoor cats or those that have a lot of energy! Our fully adjustable cat harnesses are designed with thin straps to allow a full range of movements and prevent irritation. If you need advice on how to fit your cat for a harness you can have a look at our previous post here. And for our top tips on training your cat to walk on a lead, have a look at this blog post.
