Are my cats too old to start wearing collars and bells?

Question

My cats are about 2 and half years old, and I'm getting so many lovely gifts from them..ie mice,baby birds, baby rats etc etc I just wondered if I have left it too late to put collars and bells on them, I dont really like too xx

Answer 1

I don't think your cats are too old for them but be sure to get a breakaway collar.  I have a cat that shortly after I adopted her found she liked to stalk birds.  I put a breakaway collar on her that had a bell and after a few days she came home after being on an outdoor outing and appeared very shaken and in shock and she did not have the collar on.  I think she got caught somewhere but eventually managed to get the collar to break away and then was able to come home.  After that I did not put a collar on her again and she has seemed to stop stalking birds, luckily.

Answer 2

No its not too late - they will get used to it!

My Ginger Tom had a nasty wound that meant he couldn't wear a collar til it had cleared up - he was not a happy bunny when it had to go back on but 24 hours later he's all purrs and on my lap and as happy as a cat who's discovered some idiot left the Christmas turkey to cool on the work top.

Answer 3

If you don't really want to don't, but if your worried that they maybe frightened by wearing them the only way is to try one on one of them and see how it goes, the bell might frighten them but the collar should be fine

Answer 4

No not  too old.

Answer 5

They are not too old.  But realize cats have the ability to move silently even with a bell on them.

They may walk around inside with the bell ringing, but once outside, they go into stealth mode!

Answer 6

my cat is 8 and never had a collar - I put one on him earlier this year (I worry he will get outside and get lost) and he never minded it a bit.  I think he actually likes it.  I left the bell off though.  

my advice is to make sure it isn't too loose, I made that mistake and found him one day stuck with it in his mouth.  

Answer 7

Your cats are definitely not too old to put a collar on, although to start with they will probably shake their heads a lot to try and get them off, but they soon get used to it. My cat was a year when she had her collar put on  [she was a rescue] and at first she wasn't too happy but she soon got used to it. The advantages are that I can hear her bells and know where she is and I've put an identity tag on as well even though she's identichipped. It doesn't really stop the hunting as she can hunt without making the bell ring!

Answer 8

No, they may not like them at first but they'll get used to them. Don't forget to get elasticated so if they get caught they won't be strangled and reflective if they cross roads in the dark.

Answer 9

No of course its not to late. I put a collar on my cat to make she doesnt get lost. If you dont want to put a collar on her, I would microchip her at the very least.