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My Cat Will Not Wear A Collar (What Now?)

If your cat will not wear a collar you may be worried and wondering what you can do to help it accept one…

What can I do If ​​my cat will not wear a collar?

You can try to distract your cat, or reward it to help it to accept the collar if you are struggling. These methods will either take its attention away from the collar, or incentivise it to wear it. It may take some time either way, so be prepared for that.

So, now you know. But, is it OK if my cat does not wear a collar? Are elastic collars safe? What are these orange cat collars? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

Is it OK if my cat doesn’t wear a collar?

A grey cat looking scared.

A grey cat looking scared.

Some owners argue that it is OK to not have a collar. They say indoor cats have no need, and most are microchipped. They even say an ID tag could be attached to a harness, if you decide to take it out. However, others suggest it is better with a collar, in case it escapes.

This is because, if it escapes (Click here if your cat keeps leaving), even if it is microchipped, some finders may not take the time to check or scan its microchip. And, in this case, a simple collar with an ID tag could be a more convenient solution.

So, some say why not have both a collar and a chip to cover all circumstances.

Are cat collars with elastic safe?

Cat collars with elastic are not regarded as the safest option. This is because there is a chance they could choke a cat, without a break-away clasp. And, even with one a cat can still get its paw caught in it and potentially suffer injury.

There are many other options out there that are safer to use and there is not a big difference in cost for this extra reassurance as well.

What does an orange collar on a cat mean?

An orange cat collar signifies an indoor cat. This is associated with the Kitty Convict project that wants to make it easier for an indoor cat to be identified.

Ordinarily, if any cat is seen outdoors with a collar they are likely to be seen as a cat that has been let out for a few hours because their owner has allowed it.

But, with these collars, any person who sees these orange collars can instantly identify this cat is effectively lost, or has escaped from its home.

Are quick release cat collars safe?

Quick release collars are regarded as a safer option. Especially when compared to others, such as elasticated collars. This is because they are designed to break away with enough resistance.

For example, if your cat gets caught by a tree branch, or any other obstacle, instead of getting stuck and potentially choking, they can free themselves from the collar and escape without being harmed.

Does my cat need a collar if it’s microchipped?

A cat yawning

A cat yawning

Yes, it is a good idea to have a cat collar even if she is microchipped. This is because if she escapes and is found outside, a normal passerby will be able to identify her easily. This will eliminate her being confused with a feral cat.

So, now you know it’s worth investing in a collar regardless of having a microchip, just to have the extra peace of mind. But, what is the point of even having a microchip? Do you have to get a chip for your cat? Well, keep reading to find out, and much more.

What is the point of microchipping a cat?

If you have a cat and typically use a cat collar. You may be wondering what is the point of microchipping your cat, right?

Microchipping your cat is for long-term identification. It is often used when cats are traveling so that they can be easily identified. The chip uses a radio frequency identification tag (RFID). It is quite small and usually goes unnoticed.

So, now you know the point of having a microchip in your cat. But, you may be wondering, do you have to have one, legally?

Do I have to chip my cat?

If you have a cat collar (Click here to see why she may be scared of it) and researching microchips, you may be wondering if you are obliged to have one.

Depending on where you live you may have to have a microchip in your cat. For example, at the time of writing, in the United Kingdom, you are not required to have a microchip unless you are traveling with your cat. But, other animals, such as dogs do have to have one.

Therefore, depending on where you live, you may find that it is mandatory to have your cat microchipped. So, it’s worth checking with your local authorities to find out where you stand with this. Because the rules change frequently.

How do you tell if a cat has a chip?

If you have found a cat or just curious about microchips, you may be wondering how you can tell, for sure, if a cat has a chip in it.

To check if a cat has a microchip in it, with complete accuracy, you will need a scanner (Click here for the price on Amazon). These scanners can be purchased to detect the chip easily. However, you can try and feel the chip. You will need to feel around the shoulders of the cat.

Click here to see the price of this pet scanner on amazon

If you want to try and feel the chip with your hands, be warned, it is quite small. So, it is not always easy to find it. Therefore, the scanner is the best way to do it.

Can you feel a cat’s microchip?

If you have a cat and do not want to invest in a chip scanner, you may be thinking how hard it is to feel the chip with your own hands.

You can feel a cat’s microchip. but it is very small so you have to feel very carefully to feel it. Also, it depends on the weight of your cat. If your cat is average-sized it will be easier to feel the chip. But, if he is bigger, it will be hard work.

So, now you know you can feel a cat’s microchip but, it is not an exact science. But, are these microchips ok on your cat?

Is Microchip safe for cats?

You may be concerned about microchipping your cat and researching if it’s safe or not.

According to this site, microchips are considered to be safe for cats. But, like anything, there is room for error. Auch as, the chip slipping to a different area of its body where it was not intended. But, it appears to be quite a low risk in the scheme of things.

If you have an indoor cat you may be thinking if it’s even worth bothering with a microchip, right?

Should I get my indoor cat microchipped?

Gray British shorthair cats, indoors

Gray British shorthair cats, indoors

If you have an indoor cat that rarely (if ever) goes outside, you may be thinking, what is the point of having a microchip in the first place, should you bother with this?

If you have an indoor cat it can be helpful to microchip them. It covers you in case your cat manages to escape outside when you least expect it. This will allow you to identify the cat in this unfortunate scenario.

So, you now know chipping an indoor cat can be a good backup plan in case that she escapes (Click here to see what can happen if you lose your cat). But, what age should a cat be microchipped anyway?

What age should I get my kitten microchipped?

If you have a new kitten you may be planning for the future and wondering when you need to do things such as microchipping it. Especially if you consider traveling.

A kitten can be microchipped at 5 weeks old. Some owners wait a bit longer, while others do it as soon as possible. The benefit of doing it earlier is it allows you to let your cat outside as soon as possible without any concerns about them being lost.

But, how long do these microchips last once they’re implanted? And, do you need a battery to run it?

How long does a chip last in a cat?

If you have a cat and wondering about microchipping it, you may be wondering if you have to keep changing the chip or if it lasts a long time.

A cat’s microchip is designed to last up to 20 years. It is designed to last for the lifetime of your cat. This is so you do not have to mess with it once it’s implanted. It does not have a battery and will continuously run independently for up to 20-years.

As you can see, having your cat microchipped is seen as a one-off task. And, there is no need to constantly change the chip or battery in the future. But, how do you activate it once it’s implanted?

How do you activate a cat’s microchip?

If you have recently got your cat microchipped you may be wondering what is the next step, how do you go about activating it?

Your cat’s microchip has a unique number on it. To activate it you need to contact the provider to register the chip. The registration process links your unique number in your cat’s chip with your contact details. This is so that you can be contacted if she disappears.

So, now you know how to activates a cat’s microchip. But, are these microchips reversible, meaning, can you get rid of them if you change your mind?

Can a chip be removed from a cat?

If you have a microchipped cat, and for some reason decided you want it removed, you may be wondering if this is even possible.

Yes, you can get a cat microchip removed but it is not something you can do at home on your own. You will need a vet to do this. And, the chances are, they will want to know why you need to do it before they proceed.

So, now you know, the cat’s chip can be removed, but it’s not easy and often frowned upon.

Lindsey Browlingdon