Cat lovers, help me solve my cat's collar trouble

[MerryPoppins]

We've had our cat Cricket (or E.K. for Evil Kitty as he's sometimes called) since the winter of 1999. He's an indoor only cat and always has been.

When we first got him I tried to get him to wear a collar. I've always kept ID tags on all our pets in case they should ever run away. I know it's not likely, but just in case. I always buy either the collars that pop apart at the clasp or have the stretchy elastic for cats so they won't be dangerous.

Anyway, E.K. HATES collars. They make him wild! He rolls around like a wild thing and fights until he either shreds it to bits or manages to pop the collar loose. I got him another new collar today to give it another try. As I type this I can hear him rolling around in the kitchen.

Are some cats just not able to tolerate a collar? Anyone else ever have this experience? I've had several cats and none of them reacted this way. Do you have any advice?

 

[Danauk]

My cats hate collars too and do not wear them. Both mine have been microchipped so if they run away and are taken to the vets or to an animal sanctuary they can be traced back to me. Perhaps you could get your cats microchipped.

 

[buckylarue]

One of our cats really hated wearing collars too, but we finally found one that she wears easily (and our other cat likes hers too)! They are called Beastie Bands, and are made of a soft material that doesn't irritate the cat's neck as easily as a regular collar. They use velcro to close and can be cut to length to fit different size necks. Here's a link to a site that sells them.

 

[shortbun]

get a chip implanted if all you want is a pet tracking device.

 

[Lisa F]

Ditto on the chip... even if they have a collar there will be no guarantee that if they get picked up they will still have it. All of the shelters have the reader for the chip nowadays and all of the various chips are compatible with all of the readers so it's actually good system! Some shelters actually chip the animals they adopt out before letting them go to their new homes.

 

[totalia]

Mine doesn't wear one but she never gets outside. I'm very careful about that. The only time she goes out is when she has a leash and halter on.

Personally, I'd suggest you get them microchipped. It's much better and won't bug the kitty till they go batty.

 

[janette]

Another vote for the chip, we got one for our puppy when he was neutered. Our vet routinely suggests it then because they are putting them under and it makes it easy to do.

I don't have to worry about having a collar on him all the time and know that almost any vet or shelter will be able to get him home.

 

[HollyJoy]

Our older cat won't keep a collar on either. We plan on getting him microchipped.

 

[LisaSt]

Try the microchip thing as suggested and maybe the leash harness that some people use I know you can hang a tag from that the cat may be more receptive to this kind of thing good luck either way.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I'll have to talk to our vet the next time we go in. Last time we talked about the microchip thing, he said our shelter and many vets in our area don't have the readers. Hate to bother if it won't be read if he gets lost.

He's had the new collar on for 24 hours. He's no longer freaking out about it, so maybe he'll get used to it this time. This collare appears to be a bit harder to shake than the others I've tried. However, if he keeps fighting it I'll probably take it off in a few days. I don't want to make him crazy.

 

[shelbyjosh]

My cat, Mittens, has had a collar on since we got him 15 years ago. It has his ID tag on it and that is is. He goes outside ONLY on a leash and he loves it. He has gotten out and only goes under our snowmobile trailer or my truck. I think it's a matter of them just getting used to it. Give it time and be patient.