My cat has a problem with his collar!

Question

my cat used to have a collar but a few days after i put it on i noticed that he was losing the fur on his neck and his skin was red. i checked to see if the collar was too tight but i could easily fit a finger between his neck and the collar. Is it possible that he's allergic to the fabric or something. i think he needs a collar because he goes out all the time sometimes overnight and part of the next day and i don't want someone to take him because they think he's a stray. what should i do

Answer 1

you should keep the collar off or get a new one =]

Answer 2

micro chipping is your best bet. if someone wanted to take your cat they are going to do it with or without a collar, but if someone finds him and wants to do the right thing they will turn him in and all shelters and vet offices have the technology to scan for the microchip. which is not painful for the cat it is the size of a grain of rice and inserted just under the skin between the shoulder blades

Answer 3

Take the collar off and take your cat and collar to the vet. There may be something in the collar that is bugging your kitty. Like maybe its leather? and your cat doesn't like it? Just take t to the vet and they will identify the problem. Then you know not to bye that kind of collar again. For now if you cant take your kitty to the vet soon. Replace the collar with an elastic band or something. Me and my family always put something for the collar that if they get stuck on a tree or something they can back out of there collar so they don't get trapped there. TIP: Do not get an expensive collar. We recently got our kitten a really good one and she lost it! :(

    Before you go to the store try to make a "homemade" collar. (Less expensive, don't have to worry about them losing it, fun to make."

One last tip. If you make like a stretchy collar write your kitty's name and your phone number on it.    

:) Sara! Hope you figure out the problem! Message me back about like if you find out what is wrong with the collar. FYI he might be allergic the the type of stuff in the collar. or the fabric.

:) Hope this helps! Hope your cat is fine! :+)

Answer 4

Keep your cat as an indoor cat and then he won't need a collar.  

Answer 5

1. please try to keep you precious cat away from the outdoors.

2. buy a new collar.with ID tag and full information.

3. i reccomend putting a very small bell on your cats collar so you can hear where he/she is.

4. ask your vet what he/she can do to help.

5. you should be able to fit one to two fingers inbetween the collar without feeling any tug on the collar.

6. they have hypo-allergenic collars. please try petsmart.

7. UMMMMM.... about the stray part...........seek the nearest animal shelter IMMEDIATELY and insert a chip in your cats b******e (i believe maybe shoulder check with your vet on that one.) so if someone finds your cat they can bring it to the shelter and they will scan your cats b******e or shoulder and all of your information will come up on the little computer thingy.

Answer 6

Perhaps try a different one in different material.  Put a tag on it too.  Make sure that the collar is quick release in case he gets caught up in something.  If he still has problems with the collar, perhaps getting him microchipped at your vets would be better.

Answer 7

You're supposed to be able to get 2 fingers between the collar and their neck, not just 1.  That collar is probably too tight.

The problem with homemade collars is that they don't have a safety buckle which will prevent the cat from strangling if it gets caught.  Safety collars are the only kind that should be used on cats.

I love the Lupine collars, and a lot of people also like the Beastie Bands - either of those should work wonderfully.

Microchipping is a great way to go - I have both of my cats chipped.  A collar can come off but the chip will stay there.

Regardless of what you decide about the collar or chipping, you don't want your cat outdoors unless you have a very securely enclosed area.  It's much better for your cat to keep him indoors.  He will adjust.  (ASPCA and American Humane Society both say to keep cats indoors)  He will get fewer injuries, require fewer trips to the vet, and will be able to give you more years of love.