Collar wearing down fur around neck.....

ldpeterson

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Hi all! I have a semi-longhair cat and I noticed the collar he has been wearing has worn out all the fur around his neck. He is completely bald there. What type of collars do you recomend for long-hair cats as my short-hair wears the same color but has never had this happen. I actually keep their colors on pretty loose so I know it's not that it was too tight. Any suggestions?! Thanks!
 

gardenandcats

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Is there any reason that your cat has to wear a collar? If its wearing the hair off the cats neck I would just not put one on...
 

arlyn

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If your cat must wear a collar. make sure it is extremely light weight, breakaway, and fits securely, but not snug.

Wearing the fur down can be caused by an allergy to the collar material, collars that are too heavy, collars that are too tight, and collars that are too loose.
 

goldenkitty45

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That is the reason why none of my cats wear collars! Is there any reason you need to keep the collars on inside the house? Longhairs will be more noticable cause the collar is constantly rubbing and breaking the hair around the neck.
 

arlyn

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Yeah, unless there are health issues that are a concern if they get out, or they are indoor/outdoor cats I wouldn't put a collar on a cat.

Ivory has glaucoma and requires treatment and occasional meds, her tag says as much.
She doesn't see as well as most cats so if she runs out she could get lost quickly.
Cassi wears a collar with her microchip tag on it simply because she's a former feral who tries to get out.

Those are my only collared cats.
 
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ldpeterson

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Perhaps it was too loose...I will look into that. Thanks for the advice!

P.S. My cats are indoors, but I keep collars on them "just in case". I know that is apparentley not the "norm" in cat ownership, but it gives me piece of mind and it doesn't hurt the cats. Well, it didn't up until this certain collar.
I will find one that doesn't have this issue.
 

buzbyjlc10

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Same thing happens to Oliver and his collar... he has one of those elastic cat collars that stretches to like infinity if he gets caught on something - he's indoor only, but FIV+ so his tag has that information in case he ever gets out... there's no rash or skin irritation associated with his neck baldness, but most of his neck hair is gone - the collar's not too loose or too tight but I'm sure it just being there wears the hair away (he wears his bandanas occasionally too, hehe)....
 

sammie5

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I keep collars with ID tags on both of my indoor cats. I know that I would be devestated if either of them got out, and that tag is just extra insurance that they might find their way home again if something happened. Both cats completely ignore the collars. If either "objected", I might reconsider.

Both are long haired. I use leather collars (with the necessary elastic section, so they could get out of them if they really tried hard), and these have a sort of fleece backing. What that means is the collar doesn't slip around very much. I haven't had any problems.
 

laureen227

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Originally Posted by ldpeterson

Perhaps it was too loose...I will look into that. Thanks for the advice!

P.S. My cats are indoors, but I keep collars on them "just in case". I know that is apparentley not the "norm" in cat ownership, but it gives me piece of mind and it doesn't hurt the cats. Well, it didn't up until this certain collar.
I will find one that doesn't have this issue.
Pixel occasionally loses some hair, but she's been doing better. i have to trim the velcro on her collar so it doesn't rub - she has sensitive skin! mine all wear beastie bands - very soft, lightweight, stretchy - inside is furry so it doesn't move around a lot. i'd be more concerned that the collar is too tight rather than too loose, tho.
 

lionessrampant

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I'm going to express a seemingly minority opinion here...I think all cats, unless they have some sort of an allergy, should wear a lightweight breakaway collar with current ID. Maybe it's just because I live in the middle of a huge city, but cats without ID are just ASKING for trouble if they get or are allowed outside, not to mention that, while they're another good option, peole have no way of knowing whether or not cats have the microchip.

My cats have a little collar ring, but their skin is fine and they don't itch or bug their collars. I'd say unless you see redness or irritation, you're ok.
 
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