Finding The Best Cat Collar
If you let your cat goes outdoors it is a very good idea to put a collar on them. It lets other people know that the cat has a home, and if your cat should wander or get lost, then the contact details on the collar will help them get home.
Deciding which is the best cat collar to buy can be a more difficult choice than you think. There are many collar types, such as, flea control collar, a reflective collar, an elasticated collar, a buckle on collar.
Do flea collars really work? Many people believe that they are not very effective, but they don’t hurt either.
Fit is the most crucial consideration when buying a cat collar. If the collar is too tight it can choke the cat. If it’s too loose then the collar can get caught on branches and fences while your cat is out playing. Cats also regularly manage to get out of any collar that is too loose. For kittens and still growing cats you will want an adjustable collar to allow for some growth, but make sure you check the fit on a regular basis.
Most collars have two methods of fastening. There is the traditional buckle style which is easy to put on and take off but the buckle can break. Then there is the slide through adjustable kind. This is a more secure way of fastening but it’s also more difficult to adjust, especially if your cat doesn’t like having a collar on.
Most cat collars come with an elasticated or a breakaway section. This is a safety feature that allows your cat to escape if the collar becomes stuck on a bush or fence. Even though a smart cat can figure out how to escape its collar, this is an important safety feature that you should seriously consider. Also it is a good idea to buy a collar made of a material that can be easily cut through quickly in an emergency.
Another feature you may want to consider is a reflective strip in the cat collar. This can be helpful at night especially in areas that have a lot of traffic. The number one killer of cats is traffic so these collars give the driver the best chance to see your cat, especially if they are dark in colour.
Many collars come with bells or some other noise making device. This is designed to warn small animals, especially birds that your cat is nearby. The idea behind these is to avoid your cat bringing home gifts and presents, and to prevent them killing natural wildlife. The problem with bells is that the are normally not very effective and its usually best to remove them so there’s less to get caught up in bushes and fences.
If you have an indoor cat that you’d like to introduce to the great outdoors, try buying a cat harness and attach a leash. You should first practice with this indoors until the cat becomes used to it. The next step is to take the cat for walks in your area. You can train your cat to use the leash but it will take some time, practice and a lot of patience.
View our range of cat collars here