I have a question for all of you. Do your cats wear collars? I've seen some do. This discussion came up with my girlfriend and I the other day. My baby when it comes will already be microchipped so that has a tag so I noticed on my girfriend's puppy. I wasn't sure about collars and said I didn't think I was going to have one and she said where would the tag for the microchipping go? SO in my stage of waiting and gathering info I thought I would put the question out to all of you. Collar or no collar? AND what age did you start with them wearing one? My dog doesn't have a collar on. Her tags are on her harness and when she goes out I put her harness on. Thanks for the help. Dorothy
Even breakaway collars are not reported to work all the time and we do not think they are safe enough, cats getting a foot or mouth caught up or if they get out it could get caught on something which would not allow them to get free. Shelters and vets check for the microchip, so you do not need a collar tag for that.
A cat's neck is a lot more delicate than a dog's and a collar is not a good method of restraint.
The best reason I have read to use a collar is for a cat at high escape risk because someone is more likely to catch and check the cat if he has a collar, which will indicate he has escaped rather than is just another feral.
I don't use one on my girls inside, or on my boy outside, but sure wish I could just for the reason JanH says - so they'll know he is claimed by someone. I'm planning to have him microchipped next trip to the vets.
Thank you Jan for answering. That's just what I was worried about. My Chihuahua doesn't have a collar on or her harness on inside because she always manages to get her front leg thru the neck part and is stuck. She has a sentitive neck so she has a harness for outside. I was afraid with a collar on my kitten could get caught in something and get hurt or do like the dog does and get the thing someplace it's not supposed to be.
Teresa your point was the same point my girlfriend brought up by having a collar with a tag thinking someone would know the pet belonged to someone if it got out. BUT my thinking is even with the tag doesn't mean we would get our babies back. People aren't always honest and animal control doesn't always get our babies either or vets for that matter.
Thank you for your help Jan & Teresa. You both have been very helpful. Since I'm home all the time the chances of my kitty getting out aren't that high. I can say this because my lizard roams free around my apartment and she hasn't escaped yet. She is fast too. If I'm bringing in groceries or my friend is the lizard goes in the tub so I can crate the kitten too.
Dorothy
I have to do the same with my girls Dorothy. When I'm bringing in lots of groceries or doing something else where the door will be open some and my arms full, the girls get locked in my office so there is no chance they can run out. Luckily my girls have never tried to get out. Only once I was standing with the front door open taking a picture across the street. Took the pic and turned around to start back in and Simone was standing on the front porch with me at my feet. Scared the bejeebers out of me and I grabbed her and practically threw her back in the house it scared me so bad. Since then, I've learned a lesson about standing with a door open to the outside.
Well mine do wear them and do not mind them at all. We do not have one on Zeke since he is quite small yet but I will use them just in case even tho they will be micro chipped.
Take care
I believe mine will have to wear one for my peace of mind. I have little children that like to play outside quite a bit and they normally leave the backdoor open but the screen door closed...... Im not sure yet. I do know for sure my kitties will be microchipped,...I'll make an appointment for that at their first vet visit.
Hi Dorothy,
Mine dont wear collars as they dont go outside and when they do they are on a harness and leash anyway. They dont try to get out at all, ever. I dont know about where you live but here in SA, Australia we dont get microchip tags for cats. The only way to know if a cat is microchipped is to scan it or to get it tattooed (a big green M for microchipped is tattooed in their ears). With some cats you can feel it as Ive been hearing it a lot lately at shows where people have been saying they can feel it, the judges dont disqualify you though luckily.
Cloe
blueragdoll Wrote:Hi Dorothy,
Mine dont wear collars as they dont go outside and when they do they are on a harness and leash anyway. They dont try to get out at all, ever. I dont know about where you live but here in SA, Australia we dont get microchip tags for cats. The only way to know if a cat is microchipped is to scan it or to get it tattooed (a big green M for microchipped is tattooed in their ears). With some cats you can feel it as Ive been hearing it a lot lately at shows where people have been saying they can feel it, the judges dont disqualify you though luckily.
Cloe
They tatoo cats is Australia????? WOW... not sure how I feel about that as an American. I am interested in learning more.. when did this start and how do they do it? Do they do it while the cats are being fixed and under?
Very interesting....hmmmmmm. Possibly could work here. I have heard of microchips moving under the skin after time so I guess that could be an alternate to a collar.
JerziePeach Wrote:blueragdoll Wrote:Hi Dorothy,
Mine dont wear collars as they dont go outside and when they do they are on a harness and leash anyway. They dont try to get out at all, ever. I dont know about where you live but here in SA, Australia we dont get microchip tags for cats. The only way to know if a cat is microchipped is to scan it or to get it tattooed (a big green M for microchipped is tattooed in their ears). With some cats you can feel it as Ive been hearing it a lot lately at shows where people have been saying they can feel it, the judges dont disqualify you though luckily.
Cloe
They tatoo cats is Australia????? WOW... not sure how I feel about that as an American. I am interested in learning more.. when did this start and how do they do it? Do they do it while the cats are being fixed and under?
Very interesting....hmmmmmm. Possibly could work here. I have heard of microchips moving under the skin after time so I guess that could be an alternate to a collar.
Yes, they also do it for desexing in some places (which is a circle with a diagonal cross through it) so they know that the cat is desexed as they would cut open a girl to desex her and find her already desexed. They are tattooed while they are under.
Not sure when its started but I know that from July 1st 2009 in Queensland it will be compulsary to microchip and tattoo cats and for all other states not yet with a law stating it must be done then it will be in 2011. In Victoria it already is compulsary.
Not sure what its done with but its green and like tattoo ink but I think its better for the animals then the human tattoo ink.
Sorry Im not much help as none of my cats are actually microchipped or tattooed (they didnt get a tattoo for being desexed).
Cloe