Why do you need a collar?
Collars for cats are almost the same as those for dogs, only smaller. And they are made from different materials. The main thing is that it is elastic. Everything else is in the hands of the manufacturer.
You need to put the device on so that your finger fits freely into the gap between it and the cat’s neck. In this case, the animal will not experience discomfort when moving, and will not be able to get rid of the product.
Collars are needed for a variety of purposes. Depending on your need and desire, you can purchase accessories:
- against parasites to rid your cat of them;
- reflective so that you can see the animal in the light of headlights, for example, when a cat crosses the road;
- with a navigator to know exactly where your pet is.
If you attach or write your address on the collar, then there is a chance that even your lost pet will be returned to you.
Magnetic
Staywell Magnetic Deluxe Door with Magnetic Key
Price at the time of publication: 4600 rub.
These collars come complete with a small door for the animal. When the owner animal approaches its door wearing such a collar, the magnet is triggered and the door opens easily. This helps the animal to freely go outside and enter the home, while guest animals will not be able to enter. You can make such a door in a private house or in the door that leads to the toilet.
What types of collars are there for cats?
Accessories are classified according to their functions and the material from which they are made. Various materials can be used for them. They are made from:
- genuine leather,
- artificial leather;
- rubber;
- plastic;
- fabrics.
The device can be anything. The main principle that should be followed is that animals are not allergic to it.
Decide which collar you should buy based on what function it will perform.
- You will need a navigator (beacon) when you want to know the exact location of your pet. A GPS beacon mounted in the animal’s collar will allow you to determine where the cat is when it goes for a walk. The error will be no more than five meters. But to monitor your pet, you need to install a special application on your smartphone.
The beacon weighs almost nothing, and the cat will not sense its presence. It is reliably protected from dust and moisture, and nothing threatens it if it gets caught in the rain or in a puddle. But such devices are not cheap - from 3,000 rubles.
- With pheromones should be purchased in case of a stressful situation. If you are moving your cat to a new place, the animal is afraid of thunderstorms or noise - such a collar will help calm it down and relieve stress.
Manufacturers used synthetic pheromone substitutes when creating collars, which resemble the pheromones cats produce to calm kittens. The cost of the collar is approximately 1000 rubles.
- Anti-flea collars are in great demand among cat owners, since fleas and ticks are very common in animals. Even pets who don’t leave the house all day can have them, as they are carried on the shoes of the apartment’s inhabitants.
Such collars are made of rubber and plastic, and then they are coated with substances with an odor that repel insects. When buying, you need to look not only at the duration of the collar (chemicals can only act for a certain time), but also at the age: a six-month-old kitten will not fit the collar of an adult cat. The product costs from 150 to 1500 rubles, depending on the manufacturer and service life.
Another type of insectoacaricidal collars is ultrasonic. The principle of their operation is as follows. A small speaker is placed on the accessory, which emits ultrasound, which affects insects. With this collar, parasites will also get onto the animal's fur coat; it will only help remove them.
The collar operates using batteries or rechargeable batteries. If moisture gets on it, its effect will end. The collar costs from 1200 rubles.
- Calming ones perform the same function as accessories with pheromones. They are a polymer accessory that is treated with essential oils. They contain valerian or lavender.
The calming collar begins to work an hour after it is put on. The accessory is good to use when visiting the veterinarian or moving. Its cost is less than that of a device with pheromones - only 500 rubles.
- With bells it performs a very interesting function. It prevents cats from hunting. If your pet's hunting instinct is too strong, and you feel sorry for the birds he brings back from a walk, buy such a collar.
Of course, if you want all rodents in your house to be destroyed, you won’t need a stop-hunt collar. But then don’t be surprised if, in addition to mice, the pet boasts of its hunting successes, bringing its owners some other living creatures.
The accessory costs only 100-150 rubles. Bells or bells can be attached to any collar, turning it into an anti-hunting device.
- The magnet is only needed for cats living in townhouses where there is a cat door for them. A magnet with a microchip attached to it serves as the key to the door. No one except an animal with a collar with a microchip embedded in it will get through the door.
The product is sold only with the door. The cost of the “set” starts from 3,000 rubles.
- Anti-meow collars are designed for overly talkative cats. If your pets really like to “chat”, and this annoys you, then you need to purchase such an accessory. Their talkative animal will turn into a silent one.
How does this happen? The collar has a built-in microphone and at the same time a sound analyzer. When the cat begins to meow loudly, it receives a small shock and calms down.
But there are other accessories, which we will talk about below.
For peace of mind
Finally, as a bonus, so to speak, we’ll tell you about one more case when a cat gets a collar. We are talking about special calming collars soaked in natural vegetable oils or pheromones. In the latter case, they can also be used to control behavior - this can reduce the desire to mark territory and relieve general stress.
Such collars have two disadvantages:
- They may not have an effect on a particular individual or may have a weak effect.
- The total duration of their action after opening the package does not exceed a month.
Do collars use noise that irritates cats?
Collars with built-in speakers focused on sounds that are unpleasant for four-legged pets are widely used for both dogs and cats. They function as anti-meow collars, but a different principle works: the cat is stopped by an irritating sound.
The next meow is accompanied by a sound that is very unpleasant for the cat. If your cat likes to organize concerts at night, then such collars are very effective. The collar will not cause any harm to the cat, but the owner will receive great benefit, as he will sleep peacefully.
There are other options for “anti-meow”, with speakers that “speak” in the owner’s voice. Although such devices are primarily intended for dogs, cat owners can also use them.
Decorative
Choker collar with buttons
Price at the time of publication: 566 rub.
With beads, stones, embroidery. Fur, rubber, leather, beads or floss. This collar decorates the pet and demonstrates that the cat is a domestic cat. Some owners use a collar to emphasize the animal's pedigree and breed.
Personalized collars: why does a cat need such luxury?
For cats, a personalized collar is more of a necessity, especially if they like to walk far from home. If your cat gets lost, there is a high chance that they will help you find it thanks to a personalized accessory. Unlike a “beacon,” a personalized collar is inexpensive. It can be very beautiful and ordinary, but most importantly, it will have the name of the animal and the address of the owners. It will already be clear to other people that the animal already belongs to someone.
The most beautiful personalized collars are decorative ones, which breeders wear when they take animals to shows. Much depends on the imagination of the owners. They can choose an accessory that complements the color of the coat, or matches the color of the eyes. It’s hard to say how much such a collar will cost. Much depends on the quality of the product and the manufacturer. They can cost 300, 500, 1000 rubles and more.
Flea or antiparasitic
Foresto. Collar against fleas, lice and ticks
Price at the time of publication: 1606 rub.
These are collars that are a long rubber strap. They are the same standard length, and their size is adjusted simply with scissors - the extra piece is cut off. These collars are not used all the time, but during periods of tick and flea activity. There are collars with repellents (they smell like substances that repel insects) and with insecticides (impregnated with substances that are absorbed into the skin and fur of the animal and are poisonous to insects). When wearing a collar, it is almost impossible for insecticides to get into the animal’s mouth; the active substance is not washed off (which happens with drops). Before purchasing any anti-parasitic collar, you should know that the animal may be allergic to its active substance. If the cat begins to itch or the skin turns red, you need to change the collar and find an alternative with a different active substance. You can hang a beacon, keychain with an address, or a bell on the anti-parasitic collar.
How to select and put on a collar on animals
Usually a collar is bought “with a reserve”. Insect repellent accessories, for example, have to be trimmed so that the animal can safely wear them. It is enough to put it on your pet, fix it where necessary and remove the remaining piece.
When you have to purchase a collar “to fit”, you need to measure the cat’s neck and add three to four centimeters. This will be the optimal length.
In addition to the size, pay attention to the color, shape, type of lock and material from which the product is made.
- Material.
It is desirable that the device be such that the cat cannot get caught on anything. If the lock on the product is not secure, the animal may be at risk of suffocation. If there is such a function, it will unfasten or simply stretch.
In addition, if you have a hairless cat, then the collar for her should be very soft. Special products are provided for such pets.
- The shape
should be such that the collar does not rub the animal’s neck. Accessories with a round cross-section are preferable. - The color
will depend on the taste of the owner. Whether it's brown, red or blue, it doesn't matter. But if your cat walks in the evening, consider a reflector. This will protect your pet from getting hit by a car.
See also: Genetics for dummies: what colors of cats are there and how they are obtained
Be very careful when choosing a collar for your baby. Especially when it comes to flea products. As a rule, they can be worn from three months, and only some - from one and a half months.
Look at the packaging, and under no circumstances buy a collar for your kitten that is intended for older cats. The fact is that the anti-flea substance is applied to the collar in different quantities and can harm a fragile organism.
Criterias of choice
In addition to the purpose, when choosing a product, you need to take into account its size, the width of your pet’s neck and the material used. Particular attention should be paid to the presence of elastic inserts to prevent suffocation. Thanks to them, the cat can easily slip out of the collar, getting caught on branches and other objects.
Size
Most neck straps are a standard size because they have a length adjuster. Antiparasitic varieties are produced separately for kittens. They differ not only in size, but also in the smaller amount of product applied.
Please note that dog models are not suitable for cats. They are not only larger in size (with the exception of models for small breeds), but also less safe. Such accessories are not equipped with elastic inserts, so in an emergency they can cause injury to the animal.
Width
Preliminary neck measurements will help you choose the right size. Measure its girth and add 1-2 cm to the resulting length.
A finger should fit freely between the strap and the cat's neck. This will prevent suffocation, chafing if the fit is too tight, and slippage, which is typical for the opposite situation.
Material
Choose products with soft rounded edges and a smooth surface on the inside. This material protects against skin chafing and hair loss. In all other respects, be guided by your taste and financial capabilities.
