Choosing the Right Cat Collar

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Cat collars. Should be a pretty easy choice but once you start researching options it can get pretty confusing. Safety, breakaway, stretch - what do they all mean? Let's start with the basics: dog vs cat collars. Many people think that small dog collars can be used for their kitty. Some retailers even advertise small dog collars as being appropriate for cats. This is not true and they can be unsafe for your feline friend. Dogs collars are used with leashes which means they are designed to stay on the dog's neck. If a cat wearing a dog collar gets caught on a fence the collar will not release and they may strangle if they are not found in time.

Rule number one: do NOT put a dog collar on your cat.

All cat collars are designed to come off your cat's neck if they get caught. Breakaway collars have a specially designed clasp which releases if caught. Examples are Harley Davidson Breakaway or UpCountry Cat Collars. Other collars have buckle closures which feature an elastic panel or stretchy rubber band sewn into the collar. If a cat gets caught the collar expands and slides off the cat's head. Examples are Puddy Tat Leather Safety Collars or Buddy Cat Velvet Rhinestone. Finally, some collars are made entirely from stretchy material so again, they will slide off the cat's head if they get caught. These can have a variety of closures like velcro (BeastieBands) buckles (Buddy Cat Full Stretch) or plastic clasps ( Buddy Cat Reflective Stripe ).

Rule number two: any collar designed for a cat is safe. You should find a design that is pleasing to you and comfortable for your cat.

So the good news is your pet is now outfitted with a safe collar. The bad news is that these safety features mean that he/she will lose his/her collar more often. This is impossible to avoid but personalized ID tags will help get your cat back to you should he/she get lost AND will increase the chances of a friendly neighbor finding your collar and returning it.

Rule number 3: include a personalized tag such as Red Dingo Tags. Finally, you may say to yourself: I have an indoor cat that has a micro chip. Why do I need a collar and tag at all? Truth is, indoor cats stand a better chance of getting lost if they escape since they are unfamiliar with the outside of your house. Microchips are great but only work if a lost pet is brought to a shelter or vet.

Rule number 4: even indoor cats and cats with microchips need collars and tags.

Choosing the perfect cat collar if you remember:
1: Do not put a dog collar on a cat.
2: Any collar designed for a cat is safe for a cat.
3: Include a personalized tag
4: Even indoor cats with microchips need collars and tags.

Visit http://www.CoolCatGear.com for a great selection of collars, tags and much, much more.

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