How many cats wear collars

With cats, a well-fitted collar also eliminates the chance of the cat grabbing the collar in her jaw or slipping a leg through a hanging loop. They are sturdy, but will helpfully unclasp or break if the dog or cat is caught and struggles. When walked on a leash, all cats and most dogs should have their leash attached to a properly fitted halter, rather than their ID collar.

Some people find the constant jingling of multiple tags ID tag, rabies tag, license tag distracting to them inside the home. Jingling tags can be quieted in a variety of simple ways. You can even laminate the tag on both sides with regular clear household tape although this will need to be peeled off and replaced as it wears out. A rubber band wrapped multiple times around a tag will keep it from clattering against other tags. Depending on the type of collar your pet wears, you may be able to write your phone number directly on the collar with black permanent marker.

Take care to use gloves and wash your hands after handling a flea collar Note: Discuss flea control with your veterinarian. A flea collar may or may not be the most appropriate option for your pet.

Pen-writing will need to be refreshed periodically as the ink fades. While an ID tag is the best option, in a pinch grab that marker! Adult pets can gain or lose weight.

This will alter the fit of their collar. A microchip is a permanent pet ID and lasts the life of the pet. The process is similar to a routine vaccination, and anesthetic is not required. This identifies the pet. HomeAgain is one popular brand of microchip and they have a number of great stories on their web site about lost pets being reunited with their guardians. When a pet is adopted from a shelter or adoption group, or transferred to a new home, the new guardian should immediately update the microchip information.

When the guardian moves or changes a phone number, this must also be reported to the microchip company. While many shelters will make a valiant effort to try to track down an owner when the microchip information is out-of-date, this takes valuable time and may prove to be impossible. Keep that microchip info current! More information about keeping your microchip current can be found here. Microchips are also an option for smaller pets like rabbits, ferrets, and some birds.

Birds should be microchipped by a veterinarian with experience with avian medicine, as the technique is different from mammals. Microchips do not contain a global positioning system GPS , so they cannot be used to track your pet.

However, they are considered legal proof of ownership in case your pet is stolen. Fact Sheet. Pain in the neck Keep in mind that collars do not expand when your pet grows, and kittens grow very quickly!

Microchipping Microchips are an ideal way to provide permanent identification that will always stay with your pet.

Our first-responders are there when animals need them most From natural disasters to animal cruelty investigations, we are on the front lines protecting animals in times of crisis. After all, it shows their pet is not a stray and, if a tag is attached, allows strangers to identify them.

But be warned — not all cat collars are safe. And there is increasing debate among vets and vet nurses about whether cats should wear them at all. At Vets Now, we have seen scores of cats left injured by their collars.

There have also been numerous incidents of cats suffering serious wounds as a result of poorly-fitting collars cutting into their armpits and necks. They have essential functions, so I think the benefits outweigh the risks. I use reflective collars which make the cats more visible in the dusk when road traffic accidents commonly occur. We have lost several collars over the years which indicates how often they can get caught. I always have my all pets microchipped in addition to this.

At Vets Now, our vets and vet nurses are actively encouraged to discuss cases, positive and negative experiences, ethical dilemmas, and valuable research they have come across during their work. In one of those discussions, they have been debating the pros and cons of cat collars — as well as some of the frightening collar-related injuries they have treated.