Should I Get My Cat A Collar? Is It More Dangerous With Or Without?

I have the sweetest outdoor cat named Watson(pictured in my profile picture) who I will let in sometimes, but he prefers outdoors. For the longest time, we haven't given our outdoor cats collars, as my little sister is concerned it will snag and either slip off or choke them.
Watson likes getting around, going on walks with us, chilling in the park. One day, he didn't come back home. He's been gone for a day at a time before, but he was gone for three days, and we were getting worried. Then we found him on a facebook page for lost animals.
Someone thought he was lost and picked him up. We managed to contact them, and we're getting him back today.
Honestly, I don't why they didn't think he was a stray. We can't afford to micro-chip him, and, as said before, my sister won't get a collar for him. I don't blame them at all for picking him up. And this situation is exactly what I was afraid of whenever I thought about him not having a collar. My parents both agree that it would be best if we get a collar, but Watson is my sister's cat too. I don't want to get him a collar that could possibly hurt him. Should I get him a collar? And, if so, what kind of collar? Is it more dangerous for him to go without a collar than with?

A breakaway collar is the best idea.

Is he neutered?

Where are you located? We could help you to find a low cost clinic for microchip. It's worth saving up for.

Breakaway collars or Beastie Band collars are best for cats. Something that will stretch or open should it get snagged. I have collars on my guys so that people in our neighborhood know they have a home. It is a good idea to also put a tag on the collar, although I have only ever been called to tell me they found the collar in a bush.

talkingpeanut said:

A breakaway collar is the best idea.

Is he neutered?

Where are you located? We could help you to find a low cost clinic for microchip. It's worth saving up for.

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He is neutered. I'm in the US, Georgia, that's as accurate as I can go for privacy reasons.
I will try breakaway collars, as you guys suggested. Thanks for giving me some advice, guys c:

Can you tell us the city you are closest to? You can PM me if you'd rather, too.

talkingpeanut said:

Can you tell us the city you are closest to? You can PM me if you'd rather, too.

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Atlanta.

I'm in Georgia too- metro Atlanta area. Planned Pethood, Value Vet, SPCA, Budget Vet all do microchipping for roughly $25 around here. You can also try stores that have vaccine clinics- my local Petco, Tractor Supply, and Pet Supermarket also offer microchipping for around the same price during vaccine clinics. You can also check Georgia Spot Society Georgia SPOT Society – Stopping Pet Overpopulation Together for more places that can offer microchipping for a reasonable price. Hope that helps!

Unsafe collars can cause harm and breakaway collars will probably come off and get lost. So the safest and most reliable choice in my opinion would be microchipping.

blueorchid said:

I'm in Georgia too- metro Atlanta area. Planned Pethood, Value Vet, SPCA, Budget Vet all do microchipping for roughly $25 around here. You can also try stores that have vaccine clinics- my local Petco, Tractor Supply, and Pet Supermarket also offer microchipping for around the same price during vaccine clinics. You can also check Georgia Spot Society Georgia SPOT Society – Stopping Pet Overpopulation Together for more places that can offer microchipping for a reasonable price. Hope that helps!

Unsafe collars can cause harm and breakaway collars will probably come off and get lost. So the safest and most reliable choice in my opinion would be microchipping.

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Alright, I'll be sure to let my parents know about these places. Just to be safe, I will try a break-away collar along with micro-chipping.

Sounds like a great idea!

The odds of you getting a lost cat back are FAR FAR greater if your cat has a collar, with an addressed, phone numbered tag, and a rabies vac tag.
A cat without, may just get ignored. A cat with, is somebody's cat, and the tag means it's probably not going to bite me, and, it's owners info might be on there. LETS GO SEE!

KhajiitKeeper said:

Alright, I'll be sure to let my parents know about these places. Just to be safe, I will try a break-away collar along with micro-chipping.

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If the collar is for identification then just chip like the other person said. Once they figure out how to remove the breakaway they will usually take it off as soon as they can especially if it has a weight on it like a tag or a bell.

Having a microchip and a breakaway collar is always a safe bet when dealing with a (potential) lost cast. Mine have both. Petco has $25 microchipping, I believe, and if you get their cat/kitten coupon booklet it's would be less. And as far as I know, breakaway collars don't harm cats unless you get a size too small. It's always good to leave about a finger or two space between skin and collar. There's a possibility that in the beginning the cat will not like it but they will soon get used to that feeling -- at least that's what happened with my cat. Some breakaway collars have bells on them which I highly suggest you get.

I should be able to measure his neck(and add two inches) for his collar. I'm not sure about the bell yet, I think it might just drive him crazy. I'll check out some collars at Petsmart, and see with my parents later if we can get a microchip. Thanks, guys c:

Microchips are only useful if someone checks them, which is why I do both collar and chip. Microchips also must be properly registered with the manufacture and whatever database your local shelter uses. It is useless to have a microchip and not have it properly registered. Many of the clinic who offer microchips do not register them for you or will register with one of those pet reuniting agencies. Most of those agencies are independent and if the one you happen to be registered with is not the only your shelter uses or another vet checks it won't help. That there are different brands and scanners doesn't help either but usually what is common in your area is what will be offered but it is better to go through a shelter for the chip as they will likely only put in what they have a scanner for.

I personally called my local shelter and vet offices within a 10 mile radius to find out how they get owner information and am registered with three different companies so that if my cats get picked up they are identified. I also have my vet check annually that the chip hasn't migrated and is registering properly.

I think both would be your best bet. And go with Beastie Bands, on Amazon, by the way. These are the most reliable collars for cats that I've found.

Kieka knows what's up about microchips.
Welcome, by the way!

I always test the breakaway collars in the store to be sure they aren't TOO difficult to open if they get snagged. Most collars are adjustable so you can get the perfect fit. It's not a bad idea to have an extra collar or two around if you happen on a great sale or clearance or something like that. One of my mother's cats will lose his but the other 2 rarely do. When they do its inside; probably after having a tussle with one of the other cats. My girls never took theirs off; but they are also indoor only.

I agree with what others have said; a collar is a great visual sign that a cat has an owner. My neighbors have a lot of barn cats but I know some other neighbors have outdoor cats too. A couple years ago someone's kitten tried to move in with us. It was just before Christmas so it was dark early and I didn't want to go door to door in the dark on a country road. My neighbor and I knew she had an owner; having a collar on her would have helped us out a lot!