The Cat Website - All About Our Cat Friends

Should Outside Cats Use A Collar

 Most cat owners find themselves in a quandary over whether or not to use a cat collar on their outdoor cats. The debate still reigns over the pros and cons of outfitting an outside cat with a collar, but many veterinarians and cat experts agree that collars are the best way to go. However, before you decide, take a look at these pros and cons:

Pros:

* Cat collars can hold identification and registration tags. This is critical in case your outdoor cat becomes lost or is picked up by a concerned individual. Also, collars can hold bells or other noise generating items to scare away potential prey.

* Many cat collars are equipped with reflective material. Whether the collar is made completely out of reflective material or only contains a small strip, this will help your cat to become more visible in the dark. Cats, especially those of dark color, can become invisible at night, which is a potentially dangerous situation.

Cons:

* Cat collars can easily snag and cause your cat to become hung or stuck on branches, fences, or anything else in the great outdoors. Some cats have actually been strangled when their collar has gotten caught and cut off the animal's air supply.

* Your cat may not be comfortable wearing a collar or the collar may be too heavy for the animal.

Given these pros and cons, consider choosing a collar that will maximize the positives and minimize the negatives. For example, there are many collars on the market that are specially designed to break away or unclasp when the cat is hung. These collars are considered strangle-proof and release when approximately seven pounds of pressure is applied. This way, the cat can break him--or her--self free from any snare.

Furthermore, there are many different types of collars on the market. Bring your feline friend with you to the local pet-friendly pet store and try on several different types of collars until you find one that best fits. Avoid choosing a harness for outdoor cats unless you plan on walking the cat on a leash. If this is the case, only allow your cat to wear a harness while supervised, as most are not snare-proof.

On a whole, collars are encouraged on cats that spend their time outside and inside. In addition to providing visibility to your animal, the collar will hold valuable identification information that will protect your cat and assist you in finding your pet.

About the author:

John Marcus Specializes in Cat Collars and Pet Collars

 John Marcus

More Articles 

Cat Myths and Wives Tales - Elyse Grau
Alternately feared and revered, worshipped and reviled, the cat’s natural ability as a mouser ultimately won them a place in the lives and hearts of people. Now we think of them less as pest control methods and more as members of our family. ...

Cat Training Supplies - Tony Robinson
Kitty litter, litter pan, catnip, catnip toys, cat mats, plays mice, scratching tree or post collars, leashes, Supplements, door entrances, treats, and food are all cat-training supplies. All these items plus more can be found in pet stores on...

Cheap Cat Playthings You can Find Around Your Home - Japer Page
Buying toys from your local pet shop can be expensive, and after the money you spend on it, your cat either tears the toy to pieces in a couple of hours or turns its nose up completely! Why not save your money and entertain your cat...

How Many Cat Litter Boxes Do You Need? - Nancy E Wigal
The number of cat litter boxes available for your kitties is another key to good litter box habits. Many cats are fussy about their litter boxes, and if they aren't happy with number you provide, they communicate their unhappiness to you in most...

Training your cat for the outdoors - Tony Robinson
Your cat will love to go outdoors; the environment is excellent for him and good way to get exercise and the energy that he will need to use to settle for a while so that he may not be up all night wanting to go out. The birdfeeder is a...

THERE ARE OVER 50 CAT BREEDS. WHAT BREED MAKES THE BEST PET? - Dean Erickson
How to choose the perfect cat breed for you is easy if you do your research first. Cats are the world's most popular pets. They are independent but at the same time make for great company. The have minimal maintenance needs but they satisfy any...

Training Your Cat to be Transported in a Pet Carrier - Tony Robinson
Do you travel or going to spend time away from the home and would like to take your cat with you. There is good news! You are able to take them with you. Pet carriers are available in most major discount stores and pet stores. Training the...

Training Cats with Nocturnal Behaviors - Tony Robinson
Here the problem the cat is up most the night playing wanting to go outside tearing around the house and wake me up in early hours of the morning to go out. Once I do let him, out he does not want to come back in and once I do let him in, he...

Can Cat Lovers Ever Love Dogs? - Mike Singh
People often define themselves as either a cat lover or a dog lover, but the question remains can a cat lover ever love dogs? Or, dog lovers ever love cats? It takes a lot for a person to change even in the simplest of ways. This seems to be one...

Dog Travel - Taking a Vacation with Your Dog - Jane K
Like most dog owners, you probably take your dog with you on weekend excursions and trips to the country. When it comes time to take a longer vacation, however, we always face the dilemma of what to do with Fido. Traveling with your pup is not...