Are break away collars safe to keep on my cat all the time? Our town by-laws state that they should wear their tags (cats need to be registered here) all the time and they suggest a break away collar. Gazoo is an indoor only cat. I worry that he will get it caught on something and that it will not release.
Thanks
Joy
Question about Break Away Collar
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oconnorjoy
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2003 12:06 pm
- Location: Canada
My New Orleans home in the suburb of Lakeview was built before the roads were paved and is set back only a few feet from what is now a busy street. For years my indoor cats safely wore breakaway collars and their tags, in case they slipped out the front door. I would like for the 2 cats I have here in Austin to do so, as my apartment opens onto a wrap-around veranda and overlooks a wooded area... very tempting... And of course here as in the other city, there is always a chance of emergency situations. Both cats wore their collars for some time, but now that I've let them go without for a while, they fight it and I don't like them to feel uncomfortable.
I am in a situation where I am going to be away or incapacitated for fairly long periods... so this is atm a big question for me also. One option is microchipping... but my GSD was microchipped, and no one ever seemed to check or pay attention to that, as her ear was not tattooed or whatever... I suppose we could mark fur on the cat's back or something like that...
Years and years ago Lincoln, Nebraska was the first city we lived in that required cats to be registered and wear tags (cats were indoor/outdoor in those days in our pleasant neighborhood
) I made lightweight collars of thin elastic fabric cording, braided. Not sure that kind of cording is available anymore. It worked fine... didn't bother the cat and would slip off easily if cat got snagged on something.
Thanks for bringing this subject up! Let's see what ideas are out there!
I am in a situation where I am going to be away or incapacitated for fairly long periods... so this is atm a big question for me also. One option is microchipping... but my GSD was microchipped, and no one ever seemed to check or pay attention to that, as her ear was not tattooed or whatever... I suppose we could mark fur on the cat's back or something like that...
Years and years ago Lincoln, Nebraska was the first city we lived in that required cats to be registered and wear tags (cats were indoor/outdoor in those days in our pleasant neighborhood
) I made lightweight collars of thin elastic fabric cording, braided. Not sure that kind of cording is available anymore. It worked fine... didn't bother the cat and would slip off easily if cat got snagged on something.Thanks for bringing this subject up! Let's see what ideas are out there!
Re: Question about Break Away Collar
If you think you must place a collar on cats, the break-a-way collars are definately the ones to use.
Having said that, if you buy them, be extra certain they are fitted correctly. If they are too loose around the neck, the cat can get an entire leg tangled up in it. If they are too tight, the break-a-way snap closure may not work correctly. Inspect the collar for wear and tear, correct fit, on a regular basis.
Elastic collars are, in my opinion, dangerous. Mostly because too many owners don't bother to check fitting, and the cat often has the collar fitted too tight. Weight gain also causes a collar to tighten and owners don't often think of that. If cats are outdoors and get lost, there's no telling what an elastic collar can do (kitty gets tangled up in it or the collar gets caught on something and won't break free).
Microchipping is a better option but some shelters don't have universal scanners.
Having said that, if you buy them, be extra certain they are fitted correctly. If they are too loose around the neck, the cat can get an entire leg tangled up in it. If they are too tight, the break-a-way snap closure may not work correctly. Inspect the collar for wear and tear, correct fit, on a regular basis.
Elastic collars are, in my opinion, dangerous. Mostly because too many owners don't bother to check fitting, and the cat often has the collar fitted too tight. Weight gain also causes a collar to tighten and owners don't often think of that. If cats are outdoors and get lost, there's no telling what an elastic collar can do (kitty gets tangled up in it or the collar gets caught on something and won't break free).
Microchipping is a better option but some shelters don't have universal scanners.
..........Traci
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Phoebe's human
- Posts: 248
- Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2004 2:09 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Question about Break Away Collar
I have a break-away collar but use it only when I think it will be needed--when I take my cat to the vet, for instance, or when she's going to be in a situation where it will be noticed if she doesn't have it. Or when there's a danger that she might panic and run out the front door (when work is being done on the premises, with people coming and going).
A cat can be allergic to the collar.
Also my cat has broken away from her collar on her own initiative quite a few times. I don't know how she manages it, but I'll find the collar lying around open somewhere while she's going on her merry way without it.
I had her microchipped, and was sent a special tag with her microchip information on it. The tag is on her collar--so if she gets lost, at least anyone finding her will be aware she has a microchip.
A cat can be allergic to the collar.
Also my cat has broken away from her collar on her own initiative quite a few times. I don't know how she manages it, but I'll find the collar lying around open somewhere while she's going on her merry way without it.
I had her microchipped, and was sent a special tag with her microchip information on it. The tag is on her collar--so if she gets lost, at least anyone finding her will be aware she has a microchip.