How do you get a cat used to a collar?

Leaf · Sep 23, 2008

My cat Sam doesn't wear one. Neither does Simon or Raven.

However, I really think Simon needs one for his rabies tag. I also want to get him an ID tag. Since he's blind Im paranoid about him getting lost, especially since he's gotten out on two occasions.

I put one on him and he's doing fine.

Ive never been crazy about cats wearing collars but for him... I think its best.

Raven is my shy, shy calico. She was recently spayed and has a tag as well. I tried to put a collar on her. First, it was too big so I took it off, but not after having to chase her down and catch her. She was simply terrified.

How can I get her used to having a collar on?

Bo B Bunny · Sep 23, 2008

It's difficult, Leaf, but maybe think of having him microchipped? It's really inexpensive here and I am going to have Diesel done cause he's so rotten!!

I think I might have the horses done also. Lots of horse thieves around!

Anyhow.... Don't leave it too loose cause they get their mouths caught in them. I've found that using a kitty harness (the type made just like collars but with the strip in the back and a second loop) for short periods of time actually sorta works well. They have a harder time getting it caught on their mouth and when you switch to a collar, they seem a bit less worried since it's not so much.

I don't worry about collars for cats but I agree with you about yours. He needs a collar, maybe a bell on it, and a tag - I would even go to have a tag made at the kiosk thing stating he's blind.

NorthernAutumn · Sep 24, 2008

I just stuck collars on my guys after being collar free for the last two years. Am worried about housemates "forgetting" to properly close outside doors.

Anyhoo, I just popped them on. Both cats are confident (unlike your girl), but they still gave me evil looks about the jinglybells (perhaps that's another factor in the couch poop today

...)

I would think your girl would be ok with a dangling tag-free, jingle-bell free collar to start with. Maybe you could get her name and number embroidered into the collar (vs. having a tag w bell). Same effect, just less stress on her.

I think harnesses get uncomfy over time; my aunt is horrified by the idea of a cat having it on over night, supposedly for a negative personal experience... I go with a collar to avoid the lecture

Bo B Bunny · Sep 24, 2008

Good idea on the stitching - I just like bells incase the blind kitty gets out and you need to "hear" where she is.

Also, I don't like using harnesses overnight. Just as a training thing and later for walks - they are much safer. Of course my cats who have been inside cats - do not like going out on "walks" in that "Nasty grass" where those "nasty outside animals" walk..... ewww

Luvmyzoocrew · Sep 24, 2008

I had to laugh at this because it reminds me of the one and only time i put collars on my cats,lol. My one cat was a stray and the other two adopted from the spca, the two that were adopted had collars on but when i got them home i took them off, and the stray never had one. So one day i t hought that i really needed to get collars on them in case something ever happened, so i went out and bought three collars , the breakaway collars in case they ever got stuck on something they could break away. Put them on them, and my oldest who was the stray took an immediate disliking to this, so a few hours later i went into the other room and it was caught in his mouth. He must have tried to take it off and got his mouth stuck in it, i was ssssssooooo freaked out that i just took all the collars off of the cats and that was the last time they ever had one on,lol. You might want to get your cats microchipped instead,lol