SHOULD CATS WEAR COLLARS?

My cat is microchipped and she doesn't wear a collar, we are too scared she may get strangled by getting it caught around something. My cats have never ever been lost, most people know to check the cat for a microchip. It depends where you live though!

I put collars on all my cats. They always wear safety collars...I would never use anything else. I make cat collars and would always advise getting a good quality collar with safety elastic and making sure you get a collar that fits the cat correctly. Young cats grow quickly so it is important to check sizing regularly. Most cats don't mind collars at all...in fact I have a couple of cats that actually seem to like wearing collars and purr when I put them on. One of my cats likes to go out a lot and never used to wear a collar. She was microchipped though. Because she didn't have a collar people would think she was a stray and take her to the local vets. I ended up with quite expensive vets bills as it turned out there was a mistake with the number on her microchip so the vets could not contact us. Another time she was taken by someone who kept her in her house for 3 weeks thinking she didnt have a home. She now always wears a collar with her contact details on. Another of my cats was run over a couple of months ago and she always wore a collar with her details on which meant I had a phone call immediately to let me know what had happened to her. I think as long as you use a safety collar there are more advantages than disadvantages to wearing a collar. Micro chipping is good but only really helps if the cat is taken to a vets to be scanned. Obviously, a collar is not a good idea if a cat really hates wearing and becomes stressed by it...or if the cat suffers from a skin problem or does not go outside. I would much rather my cats come home safely than risk them getting lost or injured with no immediate way to contact me.

It is, like others have said, a personal choice and there are 2 distinct 'camps'. One argues (quite vehemently in some quarters) that collars are bad as collar injury can be caused where the cat gets stuck. Others, myself included, wouldn't let their cats out without a collar & tag as they can (and do) get lost sometimes. Microchipping is a must, but even then you're relying on the cat being found and scanned. If they have a tag (meaning they need a collar) one phone call from the person who finds them and you get your cat back. Like I say though, that's just my own personal opinion...

If you're concerned, then go for a quick release collar. There are some great ones around and I'd be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

its a toughie. my cat fudge always used to have a collar, we had a magnetic catflap so she really had no choice. but then she had to have an operation on her throat so we had to remove the collar and the catflap - we did have every intention of putting them back once she was healed but just haven't. she does seem happier without it. i am lucky though, she doesn't go out much further than our garden and next doors garden so there isn't much fear of people mistaking her for a stray. our other cat kenny just won't keep a collar on. the longest i had one on him was 3 days but he always pulls them off - he just hates them. he does not go out very often, only when we are at home, and most of the time he too stays pretty close to home. he is however, just now starting to wander a but further and i am now in the same position - do we try again with a collar? i think he is too wary to approach strangers and he is so fat i don't think anyone could mistake him for a stray, but you never know....let us know what you decide

My cats wear collars because I know that some people will think that a cat is a stray if they don"t which can cause untold upsets! You can always take it off when they are safely indoors!! Yes, make sure the collar is not too tight and is a safety collar, not one of those cheap ones with metal buckles and no elastic. The cat should be able to pull it off it it gets stuck anywhere!! I also remove the bell and then no dogs can hear them and chase them.

I know many people fear the worry that a cat can easily be caught up and even strangled,when wearing a collar,especially when outside and even when it's fitted with a safety catch and stretchable elastic......such sad stories are not unheard of,or of cats that get their legs caught between them and their collar....so I think that it is down to personal preference and correctly fitting an equably suitable and safe collar.
Microchipping is not always scanned by various vets and other's,should a cat be found and handed in or taken to a vet following an accident......that is because it is NOT compulsory that such animals are scanned,even though,you would think that ideally they all should be done automatically..and of course many do and many don't.
My cats wear safety collars indoors,as they are indoor cats and should the inevitable happen and one got out (touchwood that has never happened)...then they have some form of ID (they are NOT microchipped but that is my own personal preference).
So,I think it's all down to the individual at the end of the day.....just make sure than any collar is correctly fitted......hope that help's your decision !!!.