Cat collar: which one to buy in 2023?

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GPS collars, anti-flea collars, anti-strangulation… Buy the cat collar ideal requires pondering. To choose the right one, you need to take into consideration the size of your pet’s neck, but also the role of this accessory.

If you want an ID collar, choose one with a customizable stainless steel plate. You can also choose a glow-in-the-dark one with a reflective strip to make Puss visible in car headlights.

Want to know your pet’s nightlife? Try a collar with integrated GPS, which sends all the information you want in real time to your smartphone.

Whichever you choose, make sure the model has an anti-strangulation attachment system: it could save your pet’s life! Find out more in our buying guide.

Why buy a cat collar?

The cat collar has several uses. In most cases, it allows you to identify the specimen, thanks to a plate or an engraved plaque. If the pet gets lost, people who find it can call the number on the collar to quickly reassure the owners.

You can also opt for a flea collar, which will protect your Kitty from parasite infestation. Most of these collars are made with essential oils and last for several months.

Finally, if you live in an apartment and want to take your cat outdoors, a collar allows you to walk it around on a leash. This will allow you to supervise your pet during a safe and pleasant walk.

Some owners opt for purely decorative collars to give their cats a sense of style.

What is the difference between a collar and a cat harness?

The collar and harness don’t serve the same purpose. The harness is only used to lead the cat on a leash, while the collar can also be used to identify the animal.

The collar is a strap that goes around the animal’s neck. The harness is more sophisticated as it consists of several straps around Puss’s neck and chest.

While the collar puts all the pressure on the cat’s neck, the harness distributes it evenly over the animal’s body, so there is less risk of strangulation. However, only the collars offer anti-choke systems, with an attachment system that releases when pressure is applied.

Both collars and harnesses come in a variety of designs.

How to put on the cat collar?

For the collar to be useful, it must be placed correctly around the animal’s neck. It shouldn’t be too tight or too looseto prevent it from being uncomfortable.

If too tight, it can compress the animal’s trachea and airways. On the other hand, if it’s too loose, not only will your cat be able to remove it on its own, but it will also rub against the skin, irritating it little by little.

You should then make sure you can put two fingers between the skin and the collar. If you succeed, the collar is firmly in place.

When choosing a collar for your cat, check the product description carefully, looking at the neck size it can fit.

What are the risks of this accessory?

When you put the collar on your cat, there is a risk of scratching and biting, as cats do not like to feel any form of constriction.

To prevent this from happening, first calm your pet by petting him, talking to him softly, or giving him a treat. He will quickly get used to the collar, especially since it acts like a second skin: the cat won’t even feel it!

On the other hand, the collar can put your cat at risk in another way. Indeed, since they love to explore, jump and sneak around, with a collar on, there is a risk that they will get caught somewhere during the walk: tree branches, fences, doorknobs, etc. It is also very difficult for them to free themselves and they can inflict serious injuries on themselves if they become entangled in anything.

If they got caught while jumping, they can quickly die from strangulation. That’s why it’s important to choose one anti-strangulation collarwhich unties as soon as pressure is felt.

How to get a cat to accept a collar?

Before putting a collar on your cat for the first time, leave the accessory on the floor for a few days. The feline will thus be able to smell it as he pleases, to make it his own and understand that it is not a danger. Don’t hesitate to rub the collar against your cat’s pillow to get him used to the smell of him.

Wait for the moment when the cat is particularly calm and peaceful to put the collar on. Insist on the neck area, but without tightening it too much and for too long. Repeat this process for several days until he feels confident enough. The first time you close the collar, leave it for about 10 minutes before taking it off.

Gradually increase the amount of time the collar will be worn from day to day until Kitty is comfortable. At that point, the game is done!