Neck collars are great for cats who like to get in and out of the house or really just like living in the great outdoors, but you may not realize that they are beneficial for cats who live indoors as well. Should your cat wander out of the house or run away, the collar will dispel people thinking it's a stray cat and will help identify you as its owner. Putting a collar on your cat can be difficult the first time around, especially if this is the cat's first time wearing a collar. Be patient, your cat will eventually get used to the collar and may even forget it while wearing it.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Putting a Neck on a Cat
Step 1. Choose a time to attach the necklace
This necklace will be a new experience and sensation for your cat, so it's important to choose a time when she's not too fierce so she doesn't fight back when she puts on the necklace. You can try to attach it at mealtimes or at playtime when the cat is distracted by other activities. You can also choose a time when the cat is calm, such as when you are spending some relaxing time with him.
Step 2. Let your cat investigate the necklace
Place the collar on the floor close to your cat so he can get used to it before you put the collar around his neck. To help your cat feel more comfortable with the necklace, you can attach her own scent to the necklace. To do this, you can rub the collar on your cat's bed. You can also rub a soft cloth around her mouth (if the cat allows you) and then rub this cloth against the necklace. The necklace might not seem too foreign or strange to him if the cat recognized his own scent on it.
- You can also buy synthetic pheromone spray at your local pet store and spray it on your cat's collar.
- Don't pressure the cat to investigate the collar immediately.
Step 3. Put a collar on your cat
When the cat is calm and in a good mood, place the necklace around its neck gently and slowly. Talk to him in a soothing, reassuring voice while you put on the necklace to make this experience a comfortable one for him. Give the cat a treat when you put the collar on so the cat can start making positive associations about wearing the collar.
- Your cat may fidget around, or claw at the collar and try to take it off the first time you put it on.
- The first time you put the necklace on, let it sit for a few minutes and then remove it.
- Put a collar on your cat every day, leaving it on longer than it was the previous day. Your cat may need some time before she becomes more comfortable wearing the collar throughout the day.
- Consider rewarding your cat every time she puts on the collar and not trying to take it off. Eventually, he will get used to wearing the necklace without needing anything in return.
- If the cat manages to remove the necklace on its own, put it back on but don't reward it-- she'll think she can get a reward for taking it off.
Step 4. Check the size of the necklace
This step is important to ensure that the collar isn't too tight or too loose around your cat's neck. You'll know if the collar fits snugly if you can slip two to three fingers between the collar and your cat's neck in a snug but comfortable fit. Your cat may strain its neck when it is put on for the first time, so you may have to wait a few minutes for it to loosen its neck muscles before testing the necklace size.
- Do not tug or tug at the necklace while tucking your fingers under it.
- If the necklace doesn't fit properly the first time you try it on, take it off and adjust accordingly.
Step 5. Check your cat's collar regularly
The cat may lose its collar or gain weight as it ages. If the weight change is large enough, the necklace may become too loose or too tight. If you notice that the cat's collar is hanging loosely around its neck or appears to be strangling its neck, remove it and make the necessary adjustments.
Part 2 of 2: Choosing the Right Necklace
Step 1. Choose a secure necklace
When you enter your local pet store, you'll notice that there are many different types of cat collars to choose from. Despite the many options, remember that safety is the most important part of any cat collar. Break-away necklaces are considered the safest type of collar for cats, as they will open automatically if they accidentally get caught in other objects (eg curtains, furniture).
- Break-away necklaces usually have a hook that will release automatically under sufficient pressure.
- Some necklaces are sold with other complementary items, such as bells. While this can be useful for cats who enjoy outdoor activities (for example by alerting potential prey to their whereabouts), these attachments can also get caught or attached to a variety of other items that could be dangerous for your cat.
Step 2. Check the necklace
Before buying a necklace, feel the entire surface of the necklace with your fingers. The collar should not have rough or sharp edges that could irritate your cat's skin. You should also check to see if the necklace stitches are starting to unravel. If the necklace has a hook, make sure that the hook does not have sharp edges when attached.
- Consider testing the strength of the clasp before leaving the store. Pull the necklace with different levels of strength. The necklace hook should be released with moderate pressure. If the collar comes off with almost no pressure, your cat could take it off too easily.
- The force required to release the hook will depend on your cat's size and weight. For example, a fat cat may need a hook that requires more effort to release than is required for a small cat.
Step 3. Avoid elastic necklaces
Some cat leashes will have sections made of elastic material, this material can stretch to the point where your cat can get out if the collar gets caught in something. However, elastic collars can cause serious injury to the cat if the animal's leg gets caught through the collar. The elastic collar also has the potential to get caught in your cat's jaw and this could cause serious injury.
If you choose an elastic collar and the collar gets caught in the cat causing injury, take him to the vet for treatment immediately
Tips
- Make a badge that you can attach to the necklace.
- Consider keeping a spare necklace and ID. That way, if by chance the collar comes off and you can't find it, you'll have a replacement that you can put on the cat immediately.
- If you have a domestic cat and want to take it outdoors, don't attach the leash to the leash. If the cat pulls on the leash too hard, the collar may open and the animal may escape. Using a cat harness is a safer way to take your cat outdoors and is available at your local pet supply store.
- Leashing an adult cat is more difficult than it is on a kitten. Although easier, kittens are smaller in size and can easily bend over to remove the collar from their body.
- If you have kittens, you will need to check the size of the collar more often, as they will grow quickly.
- If your cat is constantly trying to remove the collar, even after you've made sure the collar is the right size, you may want to consider microchipping the cat instead. Your vet can insert a microchip just under your cat's skin. The microchip will make it easier for your cat to identify if the animal escapes or gets lost.
Warning
- Anti-flea collars contain chemicals that can irritate the skin and cause your cat's hair to fall out. Ask your vet to give you medicine to drink to prevent fleas and flea attacks.
- Don't use ribbon as your cat's collar. The tape can easily get caught in other objects that might suffocate your cat.
- Elastic necklaces can cause serious injury.
