Collar or Not?

shambelle · Dec 3, 2005

We tried a collar on PJ to no avail - she wouldn't move, eat, drink, nothing. It terrified her. We never actually tried one on Teddy, though. Both our cats were microchipped during their first visit to the vet after adoption.

Before we move (sometime years from now!), we will make sure that both cats have and wear collars (we actually have the collars made and ready) just in case something happens.

Do most cats really get over the collar fear? It just worried me that PJ wouldn't even move - she sat crouched like a statue, and didn't even twitch. I couldn't stand that!

lionessrampant · Dec 3, 2005

Originally Posted by shambelle

We tried a collar on PJ to no avail - she wouldn't move, eat, drink, nothing. It terrified her. We never actually tried one on Teddy, though. Both our cats were microchipped during their first visit to the vet after adoption.

Before we move (sometime years from now!), we will make sure that both cats have and wear collars (we actually have the collars made and ready) just in case something happens.

Do most cats really get over the collar fear? It just worried me that PJ wouldn't even move - she sat crouched like a statue, and didn't even twitch. I couldn't stand that!

I really think that Beastie Bands would be good for PJ. They're so lightweight and stretchy that in my experience, cats don't even notice them there. My RB kitty Lola attacked her collar for a few days then got over it.

lionessrampant · Dec 3, 2005

Originally Posted by Lucius&Cissa

LOL, someone noticed the names. My children are the Harry Potter fans in this house, I just drive them to the movies and pay for the books.

My little kitty's microchip cost $32, and the two cats were both $42. I don't know why, unless the cost went up in the past 3 weeks or it is an age thing. I didn't ask. Then after the microchip you have to pay to enroll them. I had the option of the HomeAgain or AKC Companion Animal Recovery. HomeAgain is a one-time $17.50 fee and AKC is $12.50. I did AKC as it is a larger database, but it doesn't make any difference from what I understand, they read the numbers the same. They have HomeAgain chips, and the vet said HomeAgain didn't used to keep the database, that AKC did, and has finally realized they could keep one too.

So that shows people a bit about the costs involved.

Wow, we don't even get offered different brands here. You can get AVID..or AVID. And I've never seen a shelter or vet office equipped with anything but an AVID scanner...interesting. I wonder if I ever move if I'll have to chip them again with a different brand....

xocats · Dec 3, 2005

I can only speak about my experience, but this info. might be useful for you.

Although my five year old kitties, are indoor only, I live in earthquake country. After a series of rather strong earthquakes, I realized that an unexpected emergency could send them outside without a clue how to survive. After checking with our local humane society, I had them microchipped with Avid chips. I then decided that they also needed visual ID so that if a person found them outside, it would be obvious they were pets in trouble who needed help.
I have printed on each tag, along with other info...."If I Am Outside...I Am Lost"

They were five years old when I first put safety collars on them. They went nuts. They froze, rolled, flipped and for a couple seconds, I saw a look of complete insanity in Sadie's sweet eyes. She thought that she was doomed. I did not give in. I stayed with them for 2 days & watched them closely, not really knowing what the outcome would be.
During the second day of this madness, they began to calm down & returned to their normal behavior.

We got through this because I kept visualizing how my Granddaughter trains her horses to wear saddles. That helped me see light at the end of the tunnel.

They are completely comfortable with their collars now & I feel good knowing I have done as much as possible to protect my sweet furkids should they find themselves lost outside.

Originally Posted by shambelle

Do most cats really get over the collar fear? It just worried me that PJ wouldn't even move - she sat crouched like a statue, and didn't even twitch. I couldn't stand that!

miyas_mom · Dec 3, 2005

Microchipping is mandatory in Japan if you are going to take your cat abroad. I was concerned about hurting her, but she did fine. I use a collar with a bell on rare occasions--if I need to find out where she's hiding around the house.

nekomimi · Dec 3, 2005

Thanks, everyone, for all of your advice and experiences. After 2-3 days, Seth has gotten used to her collar. She still scratches at it occasionally, but it doesn't seem to phase her anymore!

nekomimi · Dec 3, 2005

Seth's first collar we THOUGHT had a good safety release (the plastic kind), but she accidentally got her paw caught in it today and it did not release!! The poor little girl hopped under the kitchen table and I had to get my husband to help me get the collar off! I was so upset that my little girl had to go through that. What if I had not been there for her?

I ordered her a Beastie Band collar this morning (the devil kitty style

), and I hope this one will be safe for her.

emb_78 · Dec 3, 2005

My cats all are micro-chipped. They don't were collars..

lionessrampant · Dec 3, 2005

Originally Posted by Nekomimi

Seth's first collar we THOUGHT had a good safety release (the plastic kind), but she accidentally got her paw caught in it today and it did not release!! The poor little girl hopped under the kitchen table and I had to get my husband to help me get the collar off! I was so upset that my little girl had to go through that. What if I had not been there for her?

I ordered her a Beastie Band collar this morning (the devil kitty style

), and I hope this one will be safe for her.

For me, the inconsistence of the breakaway collars is not good. My cats tried two different varities of those...one which came unclasped too easily and one that didn't release. They're back to wearing the elastic-stretchy kind and we've never had an issue with these.

nekomimi · Dec 3, 2005

Well, these Beastie Bands are supposed to be stretchy as well with the velcro release, so I'm really excited to get it in the mail. I've heard they are quite comfortable for kitties!

Until then, she'll be going without a collar.

My main reason for wanting to get her used to the collar was because we might be traveling to new york within the next month and staying in a hotel. I'm so paranoid and I don't want to lose my new baby.

xocats · Dec 3, 2005

I have not had a problem with safety collars coming off when they got caught and I was not aware there were inconsistencies with breakaway collars safety.
Have others have experienced this problem?
I want to know more about this possible issue because my kitties wear safety collars.

Originally Posted by lionessrampant

For me, the inconsistence of the breakaway collars is not good. My cats tried two different varities of those...one which came unclasped too easily and one that didn't release. They're back to wearing the elastic-stretchy kind and we've never had an issue with these.

crittermom · Dec 3, 2005

I just bought each one of the girls a break-a-way collar.Neither of them act as though they even notice the collar.It's got a jinngle bell on it and their rabies tags.I'm waiting for their name tags to come in the mail, and then they'll go on their tags.

girlieq · Dec 3, 2005

I was using breakaway collars a couple months ago, but I wasn't convinced that my kittens weighed enough for the collar to actually break away. It took quite a bit of force to get it open. But, since the kittens don't door rush (and even when Bella does, she just sniffs and doesn't go up past the first outdoor step) I decided to just take the collars off. I'll probably microchip when I get the money, but they're 10,000x more interested in me opening the closet door than me opening the outside door.

And naked kitties look so much more comefy than kitties with their neck fur all bunched up.

laureen227 · Dec 5, 2005

Originally Posted by GirlieQ

And naked kitties look so much more comefy than kitties with their neck fur all bunched up.

but they also look nice with carefully chosen collars that complement their coat colors... Cable's wearing a red collar w/white hearts, Java's has monarch butterflies [matches her calico colors] & Pixel has a zebra collar. i think they look lovely & serve a good purpose!

wellingtoncats · Dec 5, 2005

My cats don't wear collars(pfft like I'd have my show cats with that horrible mark around there neck after the collar is taken off) and they aren't microchipped. I don't know any cats in NZ that are?

hareting · Dec 6, 2005

my baby girl Nana is already microchipped when i adopted her from the shelter. I read from this website (www.24petwatch.com) that all the scanners in Canada is universial, could read microchips from different companies, and there's a central database

this company also offer this emergency insurance for $20 / year.
"EmergencyCare provides $3,000 of immediate coverage for veterinary fees should your pet go missing and be brought to a veterinary clinic or shelter requiring life saving treatment."
i thought it's kinda neat and some of you might be interested.

As Nana is already microchipped, i never considered to have her wearing a collar, but after reading this forum, i think i'll give it a second thought. in case she get lost, then ppl will know she's an indoor cat and try to help her if there's a visible collar.....hm.....

nekomimi · Dec 13, 2005

Well, I got the Beastie Band collar in the mail last night, and it seems to be causing Seth a lot of discomfort. Her long hair/mane seems to get wrapped around it no matter how many times I try to adjust it! She is constantly trying to pull it off.. I think it may be tugging at her hair!

xocats · Dec 13, 2005

OUCH! That sounds like it hurts.

Originally Posted by Nekomimi

Well, I got the Beastie Band collar in the mail last night, and it seems to be causing Seth a lot of discomfort. Her long hair/mane seems to get wrapped around it no matter how many times I try to adjust it! She is constantly trying to pull it off.. I think it may be tugging at her hair!

nekomimi · Dec 13, 2005

yah ^^; I don't know whether to just make an appointment for microchipping and leave her collar off--or just leave the collar on and see what happens..

laureen227 · Dec 13, 2005

Originally Posted by Nekomimi

Well, I got the Beastie Band collar in the mail last night, and it seems to be causing Seth a lot of discomfort. Her long hair/mane seems to get wrapped around it no matter how many times I try to adjust it! She is constantly trying to pull it off.. I think it may be tugging at her hair!

check to make sure the velcro isn't getting caught...i usually trim the velcro portion to make it narrower. that way the rough stuff doesn't rub Pixel's neck. the edges of the velcro may be getting caught in Seth's ruff.

Collar or Not?

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