Pet Tags? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Pet Tags!
September 14, 2009 3:22 PM Subscribe
I need an indestructable cat collar.
My kitteh has the habit of slowly turning his cat collars into ribbons. The first one—supplied gratis by the animal shelter—lasted about 9 months. I decided to end its tenure, and replaced it with one from a local pet shop. (PetSmart had a few, but they were...effeminate. My cat does not wear pink with rhinestones, thankyouverymuch!) The threads in the weave were much thicker, and my cat had no problem ripping threads out with his claws. Then he ripped off his tags in a show of defiance.
I've looked for quality, indestructible cat collars, but they seem poorly made and easily shredded. He's strictly an indoor cat, so it needs to be indestructible against him, not the outdoor elements. Any suggestions?
My kitteh has the habit of slowly turning his cat collars into ribbons. The first one—supplied gratis by the animal shelter—lasted about 9 months. I decided to end its tenure, and replaced it with one from a local pet shop. (PetSmart had a few, but they were...effeminate. My cat does not wear pink with rhinestones, thankyouverymuch!) The threads in the weave were much thicker, and my cat had no problem ripping threads out with his claws. Then he ripped off his tags in a show of defiance.
I've looked for quality, indestructible cat collars, but they seem poorly made and easily shredded. He's strictly an indoor cat, so it needs to be indestructible against him, not the outdoor elements. Any suggestions?
Best answer: I had the same problem with my cat until I bought him a leather collar. It's been intact for over a year now.
posted by sickinthehead at 3:44 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by sickinthehead at 3:44 PM on September 14, 2009
Cat collars should never be indestructible just in case your little guy gets accidentally caught on something - they should always be breakable or slip-off-able. And if he's "strictly an indoor cat" why must he wear a collar?
posted by meerkatty at 3:44 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by meerkatty at 3:44 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
The last time I was in Petsmart a few weeks ago, they had plenty of collars that were not effeminate.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 3:47 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by MaryDellamorte at 3:47 PM on September 14, 2009
Why on earth force an indoor cat to wear a collar?
posted by fire&wings at 3:49 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by fire&wings at 3:49 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
And nthing what meerkatty said, cat collars should always be breakable and slip-off-able. Also, how tight are you putting this collar on? I had a friend who's cat did the same thing until I found out he was putting it on too tight.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 3:50 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by MaryDellamorte at 3:50 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
Is he microchipped? If not, definitely microchip him; if he does wander off and someone turns him into a shelter or vet center, one of the first things they do is scan for a chip. This eliminates the need for a collar that he won't destroy.
posted by spinifex23 at 3:56 PM on September 14, 2009 [4 favorites]
posted by spinifex23 at 3:56 PM on September 14, 2009 [4 favorites]
On the theory that a collar can also be fashionable, and should coordinate with the outfit your cat is always wearing, please post a photo! Or at least describe the cat's coat.
posted by amtho at 4:07 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by amtho at 4:07 PM on September 14, 2009
Why on earth force an indoor cat to wear a collar?
Because indoor cats can always get out, and while animal control or a vet might check for a microchip, your neighbor, Joe Kittysnatcher, might not.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:38 PM on September 14, 2009 [6 favorites]
Because indoor cats can always get out, and while animal control or a vet might check for a microchip, your neighbor, Joe Kittysnatcher, might not.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:38 PM on September 14, 2009 [6 favorites]
Both of our indoor cats wear collars and tags for the reason mentioned by PhoBWanKenobi. I've also seen tags that which say something like "If I'm Outside, I'm Lost". You could probably have that inscribed with one of those little machines they have in the pet stores. On 3 lines, it could be something as simple as:
Outside = Lost
Please call
111-555-1212
...or somesuch. Anyway, just a thought.
posted by jquinby at 4:53 PM on September 14, 2009 [3 favorites]
Outside = Lost
Please call
111-555-1212
...or somesuch. Anyway, just a thought.
posted by jquinby at 4:53 PM on September 14, 2009 [3 favorites]
PhoB, good point. I didn't think about that.
However, microchipping is a good backup anyways in case the collar does break, either by circumstance or by design.
posted by spinifex23 at 5:01 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
However, microchipping is a good backup anyways in case the collar does break, either by circumstance or by design.
posted by spinifex23 at 5:01 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
Because indoor cats can always get out, and while animal control or a vet might check for a microchip, your neighbor, Joe Kittysnatcher, might not.
Joe Kittysnatcher is naturally going to check the details on a collar and return the cat.
Then he ripped off his tags in a show of defiance.
Or discomfort. How old is the cat? Unless cats are introduced to collars at a young age it is hard to force them to wear them. The reason cats hate collars, the reason cats walk strangely when you put things around their neck or body, is because it replicates the feeling of being trapped, wedged in a fence or under a log - the most primal fear of any animal. If the cat has destroyed two collars then listen to it and don't force it to wear another, you are subjecting your cat to unecessary discomfort.
posted by fire&wings at 5:44 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
Joe Kittysnatcher is naturally going to check the details on a collar and return the cat.
Then he ripped off his tags in a show of defiance.
Or discomfort. How old is the cat? Unless cats are introduced to collars at a young age it is hard to force them to wear them. The reason cats hate collars, the reason cats walk strangely when you put things around their neck or body, is because it replicates the feeling of being trapped, wedged in a fence or under a log - the most primal fear of any animal. If the cat has destroyed two collars then listen to it and don't force it to wear another, you are subjecting your cat to unecessary discomfort.
posted by fire&wings at 5:44 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
Just thought I'd pipe in. I frequently put my dog's collar on one of my cats. It's hilarious. They don't know what it is, and keep trying to jump over it. But they fail.
posted by InsanePenguin at 5:54 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by InsanePenguin at 5:54 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: As suggested by another, my kitteh is very happy indoors, but has the random primal desire now and then to bolt out the door and see the world. The world being my 2nd floor apartment hallway, surrounded by an infinite expanse of parking lot. Then he comes back in, content. On two occasions he has escaped without me noticing, and my neighbour has been very kind in holding him.
He is microchipped, but his collar has rabies tags and my phone number on it.
posted by spamguy at 5:57 PM on September 14, 2009
He is microchipped, but his collar has rabies tags and my phone number on it.
posted by spamguy at 5:57 PM on September 14, 2009
My cat seemed endlessly annoyed with her first collar, a heavyweight something-or-other. She was always fussing with it and slipping it off. So I went the other direction and got a very lightweight collar, and she doesn't seem to notice it at all. She's been wearing it problem free for years now, with a metal ID tag attached. They aren't indestructible and I do replace it every few months just because it starts to look worn and I like to switch up designs -- she's got an awesome purple unicorn one now. The brand is Beastie Bands, they cost about $5, and I get them from Pet Food Express (not sure if that chain exists where you are, but you can find them online).
posted by JenMarie at 6:37 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by JenMarie at 6:37 PM on September 14, 2009
I have used these, these, and these breakaway collars with reflective strips and designs. Periodically my cats will pull them off and gnaw on the clasp to the point that they're no longer usable, but it's no more often than once a year, and usually by then it's looking kind of scraggly anyway.
I see they also make a personalizable version you can stitch your phone number onto - maybe with no tags getting in the way, kitty won't be as inclined to mess with the collar?
posted by LolaGeek at 7:37 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
I see they also make a personalizable version you can stitch your phone number onto - maybe with no tags getting in the way, kitty won't be as inclined to mess with the collar?
posted by LolaGeek at 7:37 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I found some interesting neoprene collars that had glow in the dark designs that velcro on at a local pet store. They worked well with my 3. I also had all of them convinced that without their collars, they were "naked"! Oh, noes!
You might also consider a leather collar, even a dog collar! My Maine Coon started out with the smallest collar available going around his wee neck 3 times to a 14" dog collar! Lots of fluff!
Mostly their collars would get destroyed when they scratched at or near it. The neoprene type collars never frayed at all! And I could choose a design to fit each kitteh's purrsonality. I found them at C&C in the San Fernando Valley about a decade ago...
posted by Jinx of the 2nd Law at 10:24 PM on September 14, 2009
You might also consider a leather collar, even a dog collar! My Maine Coon started out with the smallest collar available going around his wee neck 3 times to a 14" dog collar! Lots of fluff!
Mostly their collars would get destroyed when they scratched at or near it. The neoprene type collars never frayed at all! And I could choose a design to fit each kitteh's purrsonality. I found them at C&C in the San Fernando Valley about a decade ago...
posted by Jinx of the 2nd Law at 10:24 PM on September 14, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by xiaolongbao at 3:35 PM on September 14, 2009