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Cat Scratching Collar (Will It Stop? Is It Fleas?)

If your cat is constantly scratching its collar you may be wondering if there is anything wrong, or if there is a way to calm it down and adjust (Click here to see my best solution, on Amazon #Ad).

Why is my cat scratching its collar?

If your cat is new to the collar it is most likely scratching it because it is not used to it and showing some initial resistance. This will pass with time and especially if you distract it with treats, etc.

However, if it’s not a new collar it could have outgrown the collar, and needs adjustment, or chance it has fleas.

Help your cat adjust or calm with a collar on

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03. Cat Toy Ball Click here for the price on Amazon #Ad

So, now you know why this might be happening. But, how can you stop this from happening? Should kittens wear collars as well? What could happen if you take your cat’s collar off? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

How can I stop my cat from scratching its collar?

As discussed earlier, cats could be scratching for several reasons. So, here are some things you can do to stop it, depending on the reason:

01. Check the fitting & Adjust

One of the most common problems with cat collars is it coming off, or not fitted correctly causing discomfort. So, you need to make sure that check the fitting first to ensure it fitted correctly.

The best indication of this is the ability to fit up to two fingers, but, no less than one finger under the collar. Simply use your fingers to measure.

If this is a new collar it is easy to get this wrong. But, for an existing collar, you may feel there is no need to check. But, that is wrong! Cats grow, even if they older cats.

Remember, they can still increase their weight, even if they have stopped growing in length, are you with me?

I remember working in an office, and one of my colleagues made a joke that his shirt keeps shrinking! He was a fairly large guy and felt more comfortable making people laugh about his size.

My point is, his shirt was not getting smaller, he was getting larger because of his diet. The same can happen with your cat. And, hence the reason you need to check your collar regularly (Click here to see how often you need to).

02. Offer some distraction (If it’s a new collar)

If you have a new collar then it may be fitted just right and the issue could simply be that your cat needs time to get used to it. So, if this is the case, give it some time and distract it.

You can use some cat treats (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad), cat toys (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad), etc. The idea is, with time it will get used to the collar and forget it’s there.

03. Check for fleas & treat it

If you have tried everything else and you have a suspicion that your cat has fleas you need to check it. You may need some advice, or a visit to your vet to know for sure.

If your cat has fleas you need some flea treatment to deal with it (Click here to see my best one). You can also see what your vet recommends to deal with it.

Should a kitten wear a collar?

A kitten should wear a collar. However, it needs to wait until it at least 6 months old before you put one on. Also, more importantly, is the way it’s fitted. It needs to fit comfortably when they reach the right age and going forward.

Also, as I mentioned before cats’ neck sizes can change over time. But, with kittens, they change more frequently. Why? Because they will be growing in length as well as weight. So, keep a close eye on it.

Do Collars irritate cats?

Collars can irritate cats. But, mainly when they are new to them. Also, if you add a bell or ID tag, and this is new to them, this can also irritate them.

Bells are even harder to get used to because of the annoying sound they make. It goes against every stealth hunting instinct they have.

Do collars calm cats?

In general, collars do not calm cats. But, you can get purpose-made calming collars for cats (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad). They will help by using pheromones to help to calm it down.

These pheromones are also known to help calm down aggressive cats. This particular product, the calming collar, is a way to keep it calm on the move.

How do I know if my cat is allergic to a flea collar?

Flea collars help your cat to get rid of and avoid fleas coming back but there are some times that it can cause some irritation or an allergic reaction.

The symptoms to look out for include scratching its collar, vomiting, soreness around its ears, rashes around its neck, etc.

If you fear that this is the case then you should remove the collar and check with your vet to see what they advise.

Why is my cat scratching but has no fleas?

If your cat is scratching but has no fleas it could be a health issue or the collar itself. For example, the collar may not be fitted well, or it has outgrown it. Other health issues could be a skin problem.

It is sometimes quite difficult to work out the issue. But, it’s best to consult your vet first to rule out any health issues. Failing that look at the fitting and rule out some basics.

Do flea collars make cats itch?

Flea collars can make your cats itch. But, this is only expected in the early days while it adjusts to the collar. If it is happening for longer than that then you should look into it.

Once a flea collar is fitted correctly it should fight off fleas for months without any need for you to do anything. But, it will need to be replaced from time to time.

What might happen if your cat has no collar?

If your cat has no collar it can be harder to get it back if it gets lost. This is also applicable to indoor cats because they can escape when you least expect it to happen.

If your cat is found without a collar the finder may assume that it is a stray or abandoned cat. And, they may feel that they have no choice but to pass it onto a cat shelter.

Even if your indoor cat is microchipped this may still happen. Because the finder can’t read the chip without the right equipment. So, make life easier and use a well-fitted collar that won’t come off.

Should I take my cat’s collar off at night?

No. You should not remove a cat’s collar at night. This is because it should be kept on at all times. The only exception is if it needs to be cleaned, replaced or resized.

One of the reasons for a cat collar is identity. Therefore, if the collar is removed at night, and it escapes, you may never see your cat again.

Do flea collars bother cats?

Yes. Some flea collars do bother cats. This could be the collar itself, or the chemicals that are emitted when it’s in use. However, there are some modern versions that have helped to improve this.

But, like anything that is foreign to the cat, like a normal collar, they will be bothered by it. Remember, this was not their choice, it is just on their neck and they see no benefit.

How often should you wash cat collars?

Cat collars should be washed once a week, ideally. This is because the collar is attached to their neck making contact with their body and collecting mess and debris.

Many collars can be put into the washing machine making the cleaning process quite simple. However, while you wait for it to be cleaned and dried you need a replacement one. So, in the event that they run off they still have a collar, with ID of course.

Should cats wear collars with bells?

If you want to stop your cat from hunting birds or other animals, then yes, the collar with a bell is a good option. However, if it’s just because it looks nice, then maybe it’s not a good idea.

Ultimately it’s a subjective decision for the cat owner. One thing is for sure, your cat will not like the bell at first. And, maybe it will never like it. Your cat may get used to it, but that is different.

Why does my cat attack when I take its collar off?

Your cat will bite you when you try to take its collar off because it is a sensitive area for them. They will react instinctively and snap when their throat is touched.

Think about yourself, do you like when someone tries to touch your neck without warning? Exactly, it’s the same for your cat.