Collar or not?

[divegirl]

Hi, just wondered whether my fellow AB'ers put collars on their cats? I know that there is the safety issue of the cat getting caught by their collar, so does this mean that the collars with the elastic strips don't work? I also know that ther is the option of micro-chipping, but after jabs and spaying the 'kitty' is running dry [ahem]. Will a collar and tag do until I can save some more pennies? Not that she leaves the house much yet, never mind the patio!! TIA

Lisa x

[paulakea]

My 2 cats have elastic collars....so they dont get strangled! i also have id tags on them x

[ganesh]

I've decided not to put collars on my kittens this time round.
1.My previous cats hated them.
2. They kept losing them, deliberately probably.
3. I know the advantage is retrieving your cats if they get lost,someone finds them, and they have a phone-number.
But, I have had my two mico-chipped a few days ago. It was Quick and totally painless. The chip also has a bio-therm in it which when scanned shows their temperature. You know how they dislike rectal insertions!
I know its pricey, but pets are-maybe next visit to the vet?
Good luck.

[The Big Gill]

I don't put a collar on mine, but I'm in the fortunate position of having a safe enclosed space for the cat to go out in, and he came from CPL with a microchip already 'installed'. Having said that, I've had to take him to the vet's with a cut in his armpit (!), so I know that even in a space where I think he's safe, he's liable to get into a scrape.

Plus, there's the fact that he's a semi-LH with a big fluffy ruff, so putting a collar on him would make him look like a sunflower.

[paulakea]

The Big Gill - a microchip installed - hehehe!! Poor kitty!!

[divegirl]

Funnier than that is The big gills' cat looking like a sun flower :O} Thanks for your answers, Church is used to wearing a collar in the house....a rather snazzy gold one with hearts...lol. But I will get her chipped when the cash flow allows.....

Lisa x

[RATTER15]

I would never put a collar on a cat after finding one dead hanging by an an elasticated collar from a tree. It is a great shame that these collars are unsafe because cats are one of the biggest killers of song birds, and a bell attached to these collars keep the birds alerted to the presence of an incoming cat.

[divegirl]

Hi Ratter.... in all seriousness, how often does this happen?

Lisa x

[ganesh]

Wouldn't a bell drive the poor cat mad? A collar is bad enough.

[mw]

personally i have not put a collar on a cat since one got stuck by its collar on a fence.
Chip the cat as if loast and found then it will get home by the chip.
I also dont like a bell as cats are natural hunters and the noise from the bell scares away their pray. Cats naturally hunt.

[suzy64]

Mine came chipped from CPL and theyve both got collars and bells, loud as possible lol...we are currently on collar no 6 mind you as the little darlings keep losing them...I think they're trading them for cat biscuits on the sly :o)

[Birt]

I tried a collar with a bell on for my cat. For a whole hour my poor cat was trying to get away form form this horrible ringing sound. She was so scared i couldnt even catch her to get it off again.

[meltoadhall]

ours have collars so they can access the cat flap magnetic door with the magnet attached to their collars.
otherwise the local tom would be in and he keeps trying !!!

[RATTER15]

Divegirl, I'm sure it rarely happens but it put me off using one. Hang on though, I don't have a cat!! that could be the reason I don't use one as well!!

I agree a cat is a natural hunter and it is a shame that by putting a bell on a cat it limits its kill rate!! I think that a balance is called for though.
Stats have proven time and time again that the cat is the biggest predator of song birds, and these days when you can barely look out a window without seeing a cat, the poor songbirds, well whats left of them, need a helping hand to just survive.

If they were wild cats it would be different but these cats are well fed and don't need to kill for survival.

There are just way too many domestic cats around!!

[catlavender]

My cats have those collars that snap away when they get caught. It's a pain if they lose them but I'd rather keep buying collars than have my cat die because it's got stuck somewhere. They don't tend to lose them much anyway. I keep saying I'm going to get them micro chipped too but never get round to it. I do worry that someone could find my cat with no collar on though and not bother taking it to get checked for a chip so I will always keep their collars on.

Never put a flea collar on a cat though. I can't remember why exactly but my Mum was advised by the animal sanctuary she helps out not to as it whatever it is they put in them can cause damage to the cats liver or kidneys or something like that.

[pagey3]

my kitty's a house cat at minute but i will get a collar and tag for it when we move see how he likes it. depends on each cat i guess. max would hate bells though i know that much.

microchipping is cheap as chips at our vet - between �20 and �30 - max is getting done on monday for his 1st bday pressie!!