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- Aug 8, 2015
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All of our cats wore a collar, with a ID tag. The bell was reserved to our deaf cat, so we could hear where he was, since he couldn't answer to our calls.
I know that none of my cats, except these two, gave me problems with their collars or bells. But I could hear them when they just walked around.You know those little gold or silver balls that chime beautifully? Many years ago, I saw a pair of earrings with very small chiming balls dangling from them. I commented to the jeweler that it must be extremely annoying to have those ringing in your ears constantly, and she said that her customers had told her it was not. The earrings only chimed when the wearer began moving her head in an agitated manner, at which point the chime provided some much needed soothing.
Now, I don't believe that a collar bell is equivalent. I do believe that, for the most part, it only rings when the cat is tearing around at top speed, and too involved in whatever game she's playing to give a darn about a collar bell.
Margret
They were. I wish I'd bought some when I had the chance. An eBay search on "chiming ball earrings" produces a lot of hits, all silver (or silver and brass, or silver and enamel, or silver and semi-precious stones), no gold, and only one pair with smooth balls that would be easy to polish, listed as "vintage?" for $87 (with a pendant, though). You'd want to buy some anti-tarnish silver cloth as well if you bought any of them.I know that none of my cats, except these two, gave me problems with their collars or bells. But I could hear them when they just walked around.
Those earrings sound nice.
Clearly you have never had a cat decide to attack your rear end out of nowhere. All the cats in our house have bells, because all of them have, at one point or another, ambushed me and sunk claws into my poor, abused derriere. The bell isn't supposed to warn potential prey that the cats are coming--just me. And, FYI, one of the things cats learn is how to move quietly enough that the bells don't ring and my only warning is the tinkling in midleap. (I don't where fringe or any kind of string that might attract their attention; my pants do not have shiny buttons on the pockets that might attract their attention.)Mine are chipped, but still wear collars saying that they are indoor cats and with my phone numbers on them. They are indoor cats, and as far as I can tell, have no interest in escaping to the outdoors but you never know. The good thing about a chip is that it cannot be lost and it provides a lot of information. However, someone actually has to identify that the cat is not supposed to be outside and take it to a vet/shelter to get the chip scanned. At least with a collar, someone will be able to identify that the cat has a home.
I don't know whether bells are cruel (I guess it would depend how the cat handles it), but I don't think they are necessary either. And I can't imagine listening to the dingle dingle all day long. I suppose it would be helpful with little kittens who tend to get underfeet all the time.
poor you. Maybe you should put a book between your derriere and your trousers. That would shock them.Clearly you have never had a cat decide to attack your rear end out of nowhere. All the cats in our house have bells, because all of them have, at one point or another, ambushed me and sunk claws into my poor, abused derriere. The bell isn't supposed to warn potential prey that the cats are coming--just me. And, FYI, one of the things cats learn is how to move quietly enough that the bells don't ring and my only warning is the tinkling in midleap. (I don't where fringe or any kind of string that might attract their attention; my pants do not have shiny buttons on the pockets that might attract their attention.)
Seeing that they sleep most of the day away, there collars really don't bother anybody except the naysayer.The bells don't make noise constantly, only rarely and very quietly.
poor you. Maybe you should put a book between your derriere and your trousers. That would shock them.
I always used the collars with bells just so that I'd know where they were or if they were coming. For me really. My two now were not happy so they remain collarless.I have two indoor rescue cats, one collared with bell & one without a collar. The bell boy has never seemed to mind his collar or the bell, he wore both as a kitten. It jingles as often as his tags. He wears the collar because he often tries to get outside & the bell helps us to not trip over the lug. But it is a break-away collar that will come apart if it ever gets stuck on something. He is very cuddly & likes to rub on peoples' feet.
Our other cat was saved from being hung by the neck from a tree. Naturally she did not trust humans afterward, or want things around her neck. She's been living with us for 2 years now & is comfortable with getting pet by all family or guests. She has never tried to go outside & I feel no need to stress her with the change of wearing a collar.
I've never thought of bells as cruel? My cats are domesticated & don't hunt or go outdoors. I think the main reason for collars is to show ownership of them
with tags.
Yea I would definitely agree that using the word "cruel" is a little harsh. Both my indoor cats have the tiny little bells on them and they barely make any noise at all. My cat Blair has also learned how to walk without the bell making noise when she is trying to sneak into my roommates room to steal his cat's food haha It's just nice to know whey they walk in and out of a room, and especially nice for my tiny 2 month old kitten Dallas who can easily be hidden or get underfoot. Even though they are indoor and never go outside, it's just a comfort to have them collared with tags in case they ever slip out somehow.They are also microchipped, but most people see a cat with no collar and assume it's a stray.
Quote:
Three of my five indoor only cats wear safety collars with bells on them, and it helps me, personally, to feel secure that they are safe & sound when I can hear them jingling through the house.
Originally Posted by Rosiemac
My girls until recently have always worn collars with bells on and they never bothered them, or didn't seem to?!
The sound is so quiet that the birds singing outside is louder than the tinkling of the little bells. It isn't like they wear great, clanging cow bells under their necks.
The bells don't appear to bother them one bit, and Ginger has even learned she can walk without making the bell jingle when she feels like sneaking up on someone.
I think that calling it "cruel" is more than a bit strong. My cats are most certainly NOT abused.
The Bengals refuse to wear collars, period, so against my own personal preference, I got the two of them microchipped, just in case they ever get out and are lost or stolen. Ironically enough, the microchip packages came with tags for (the nonexistant) collars that say, "I am microchipped."