Soon after the collar message Bob’s symptoms disappeared and a rather sheepish neighbour came round to apologise. Bob had a food allergy and his owner was being very careful to only feed an expensive hypoallergenic diet, then unknown to her he would leap over the fence and feast on a range treats next door.
![do cats need breakaway collars vs elastic do cats need breakaway collars vs elastic](https://www.hepper.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Breakaway-Cat-Collar-with-Bell.jpg)
This message worked well on one particularly charming Burmese patient of mine, Bob. Collars can also be helpful to convey messages, a cat on a special veterinary diet may wear a collar asking neighbours ‘please don’t feed me’. A collar signals ownership, a cat with a collar is perhaps less likely to be ‘adopted’ by a kindly neighbour. Check the fit of your cat’s collar regularly, particularly in growing kittens. Too loose and a front leg could potentially become trapped. Too tight and a collar can cause pain, hair loss and damage to the neck. Cats have been trapped like this for weeks, and it can cause deep lacerations to the armpit (axilla) region.Ī correctly fitting collar should allow two fingers to slide between the cat’s neck and the collar. However, vets have seen horrible injuries caused by cats getting a front leg trapped under these collars. Elastic has been used in the past to allow cats to escape should their collar get caught. Never buy a collar with an elastic insert. Be prepared to lose a few collars if your cat likes to explore, but this is better than the potential hazards. Safety breakaway collars are designed to prevent your cat from getting trapped or strangulated if this were to happen. When selecting a collar try pulling the safety catch apart to ensure there is an appropriate fast release.Ĭollars can get snagged on fences or branches when your cat is adventuring. A ‘snap closed’ mechanism that comes apart and releases under pressure is best.
![do cats need breakaway collars vs elastic do cats need breakaway collars vs elastic](https://i.etsystatic.com/9597747/r/il/6fdefc/2179178284/il_794xN.2179178284_6md6.jpg)
![do cats need breakaway collars vs elastic do cats need breakaway collars vs elastic](https://i.etsystatic.com/13472552/r/il/779fe8/1976411335/il_fullxfull.1976411335_4hbq.jpg)
If you choose to place a collar on your cat always ensure it is a safety collar that will release if your cat were to become entangled. Collars are never a substitute for an identification microchip. Microchips are the best way to have your cat carry identifying information. Unlike dogs, there is no legal requirement for cats to wear a collar with their owner’s identification. However, before you decide whether a collar is right for your cat, or which collar you should choose, it is worth considering the benefits and risks. Accessorising our feline friends with a beautiful cat collar can be a lot of fun, particularly as there is so much choice available.