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- #21
I'm curious about that as well. I just want the best for my kitty!
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Collar or Not?
- Thread starter nekomimi
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The microchip is tiny and inserted just under the skin between the shoulder blades. I usually like to have it done while the cat is fixed but 2 have been done as necessary. When I had Clover chipped my friend was the technician and she said he didn't flinch a muscle. Its a large gauge needle but it dosen't have to go in very far, unlike an injection that has to go into the muscle.Originally Posted by babyharley
I've always wondered about microchipping, how do they do it?
I've since had Hope and Autumn chipped as well. The only side-effect is a little tenderness in the area for a few days (probably no more so than a regular injection). They don't even notice it. Afterwards there is no evidence of anything being there.
This is a procedure replacing tatooing. Though tatooing is still done and accepted I like the microchip much better!
I think it does seem creepy to us because humans are paranoid of the "Big Brother" concept. But with our pet friends there is nothing safer than getting them id'd because they can't find their way home like we can
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- #23
So if you get your kitty chipped is it possible for YOU to track it? Or does a shelter have to come across your kitty? Like someone else mentioned, I'm afraid that someone else would want to keep my kitty.
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I've heard horror stories about people using regular non-safety collars on their cats and having their cats get caught & hung, but I've never had any serious problems because I've always used safety collars.
However, now I only use the kind of safety collars that have the breakaway clip, or collars that stretch all the way around & have a velcro release (Beastie Bands). I don't like the kind with just the single little section of elastic because I came home once to find my cat had gotten his paw through it & got stuck with his front leg in the collar along with his neck...he wasn't hurt but I'm sure it was uncomfortable and stressful for him.
If your cat is scratching at the collar, it may be because she's just not used to the sensation, or perhaps the collar is too tight? (make sure you can fit a couple of fingers through it next to her neck). It might be that the fabric texture irritates her - if just loosening the collar a bit doesn't work, you can find silk safety release collars at the pet store (I think Sporn is the brand), or Beastie Bands - they are nice because they're so lightweight that most cats hardly notice them on.
hth
However, now I only use the kind of safety collars that have the breakaway clip, or collars that stretch all the way around & have a velcro release (Beastie Bands). I don't like the kind with just the single little section of elastic because I came home once to find my cat had gotten his paw through it & got stuck with his front leg in the collar along with his neck...he wasn't hurt but I'm sure it was uncomfortable and stressful for him.
If your cat is scratching at the collar, it may be because she's just not used to the sensation, or perhaps the collar is too tight? (make sure you can fit a couple of fingers through it next to her neck). It might be that the fabric texture irritates her - if just loosening the collar a bit doesn't work, you can find silk safety release collars at the pet store (I think Sporn is the brand), or Beastie Bands - they are nice because they're so lightweight that most cats hardly notice them on.
hth
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- #25
I can easily fit 2-3 fingers under her collar.
I'm guessing she just doesn't like the texture.
I'll look into getting her a softer collar with a velcro release. I'm too much of a worrywort to trust the snap release!
I'm guessing she just doesn't like the texture.
I'll look into getting her a softer collar with a velcro release. I'm too much of a worrywort to trust the snap release!
Also, at our feral cat spay and neuter clinics, we microchip the cats. It is a very tiny thing, a little smaller than a grain of rice. It comes out through a needle. We do it after the kitties are asleep for their surgery, but it can just be done at a vet visit.
I would not hesitate for fear of it being an invasive procedure. It really is very simple. At the clinics, the vet techs do it, so it is really not complicated. It does need to be done correctly, though. I give shots to the cats, but don't microchip. (I'm a people nurse so am comfortable giving shots.)
I will look into different collars for the babies.
I would not hesitate for fear of it being an invasive procedure. It really is very simple. At the clinics, the vet techs do it, so it is really not complicated. It does need to be done correctly, though. I give shots to the cats, but don't microchip. (I'm a people nurse so am comfortable giving shots.)
I will look into different collars for the babies.
Originally Posted by tuxedokitties
If your cat is scratching at the collar, it may be because she's just not used to the sensation, or perhaps the collar is too tight? (make sure you can fit a couple of fingers through it next to her neck). It might be that the fabric texture irritates her - if just loosening the collar a bit doesn't work, you can find silk safety release collars at the pet store (I think Sporn is the brand), or Beastie Bands - they are nice because they're so lightweight that most cats hardly notice them on.
hth
Don't know about the microchip (none of our pets have that). I have never collared any of our cats - most are show cats and collars are not allowed. I just kept the paper and rabies tag in a file in case it was needed (never had).
When I was showing HHP's in the 70's the judges remarked about "collar" marks on the necks of some cats - was usually an indication the cat spent time outside and that was frowned on.
IMO indoor cats don't need to be wearing collars.
One other mention on the microchipping (just found it out recently from my labrador message board). There are 3 companies making them and none are compatable with another. Which means that the shelter must have 3 different scanners (one for each company). Most shelters do not have all the scanners; so if you are with one company and the shelter has a scanner with a different company the microchip will NOT be read. Keep that in mind - may want to check with your local shelters before you spend the money on microchipping.
When I was showing HHP's in the 70's the judges remarked about "collar" marks on the necks of some cats - was usually an indication the cat spent time outside and that was frowned on.
IMO indoor cats don't need to be wearing collars.
One other mention on the microchipping (just found it out recently from my labrador message board). There are 3 companies making them and none are compatable with another. Which means that the shelter must have 3 different scanners (one for each company). Most shelters do not have all the scanners; so if you are with one company and the shelter has a scanner with a different company the microchip will NOT be read. Keep that in mind - may want to check with your local shelters before you spend the money on microchipping.
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Actually, when my cats lose their Beastie Band collars it's usually because they stretched and came off over their heads in a wrestling match. I've never seen the Velcro release, though it probably would - mainly it's just that it might irritate the skin less because there's no buckle. I mainly prefer the Beastie Bands because the cat's don't seem to notice them at all because they're so light.
I've had good safety results with snap release collars too (coming home to find a collar open on the floor near something the cat may have gotten hooked on), as long as it's one that you can release with a reasonable amount of pressure - I think some of them are too strong for a small cat, so I would test them by putting them on my wrist and trying to snap them open with a finger.
I've had good safety results with snap release collars too (coming home to find a collar open on the floor near something the cat may have gotten hooked on), as long as it's one that you can release with a reasonable amount of pressure - I think some of them are too strong for a small cat, so I would test them by putting them on my wrist and trying to snap them open with a finger.
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Thanks for your honest opinions!
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That is a good point about the microchips - but to my understanding all of the scanners can detect the presence of any microchip - it's just that some of the basic models of scanners can't read the microchips of competing companies - so if the shelter doesn't have a universal scanner, the shelter can tell there's a microchip there, but may have to get a different reader to read the number. However, most shelters have universal readers that can read any microchip - Avid and HomeAgain both distribute universal readers to shelters free of charge.
If you're considering microchipping, you might want to call your shelters and ask if they check for microchips, and what kind of scanner they have, and if it's a universal scanner. If it isn't a universal scanner, you can direct them to Avid or HomeAgain for a free one. I have read that the Banfield chips aren't compatible, so you may want to research that if you're considering a Banfield chip.
My animals all have the Avid microchip - just to be safe, I had the Humane Society scan my dog with their HomeAgain universal reader, and her number showed up on it just fine - so I feel better about it now.
As for the collars...even though you may do your best to keep your cats indoors, it is a definite possibility that an indoor cat may accidentally get outside at some point in time - careless guests, maintenance workers, burglary, house fire, a window left open, a clever door-opening cat, a natural disaster - there are all sorts of things that can happen.
And if any of my cats ever get outside, I want them to be readily idenitifiable as a pet, so that they can be returned to me. The easiest way to make sure a cat can be identified as a pet is with a safety collar & tag - people are becoming more educated about microchips, but a safety collar & tag immediately identify a cat as a pet, while a microchip serves as a safety backup in case the collar & tag are lost and the cat ends up at a shelter.
My 2 cents
The cat has to be scanned then they get the ID # and call the registry then your address and phone number will be provided (sometimes vets will register the cat through their vet clinic since people move around and the vet keeps your info on file).
Most people once they find a cat will bring it in to the vet. The vet will then scan for the chip. Shelters always scan but like someone said they might not have all the scanners. Whatever you're vet uses for a brand is for a reason. Its because that is a company that they probably know the local shelters carry a scanner for. But there are 2 major brands Avid and HomeAgain. Both are the big time registries and most all shelters should carry both of these scanners. I've got 2 with Avid chips and 1 with HomeAgain. Clover is the only outdoor cat and I don't collar him because I'm even moer paranoid about him getting hung up on it. I feel secure with the microchip.
If your cats are indoor then this is really the only thing necessary for them. But then again people feel more comfortable when their cats are collared regardless. I'm just not fond of the look. Cats have such a beauty that I find is interupted with a collar. I originally did collar my first 2 cats. But after a while it just didn't fit their personality and of course they prefer not wearing one anyway.
Great post! I was typing mine at teh same time. I think yours made more sense than mine did. It would make sense that all scanners would detect a chip, I hope that is the case.Originally Posted by tuxedokitties
That is a good point about the microchips - but to my understanding all of the scanners can detect the presence of any microchip - it's just that some of the basic models of scanners can't read the microchips of competing companies - so if the shelter doesn't have a universal scanner, the shelter can tell there's a microchip there, but may have to get a different reader to read the number. However, most shelters have universal readers that can read any microchip - Avid and HomeAgain both distribute universal readers to shelters free of charge.
If you're considering microchipping, you might want to call your shelters and ask if they check for microchips, and what kind of scanner they have, and if it's a universal scanner. If it isn't a universal scanner, you can direct them to Avid or HomeAgain for a free one. I have read that the Banfield chips aren't compatible, so you may want to research that if you're considering a Banfield chip.
My animals all have the Avid microchip - just to be safe, I had the Humane Society scan my dog with their HomeAgain universal reader, and her number showed up on it just fine - so I feel better about it now.
As for the collars...even though you may do your best to keep your cats indoors, it is a definite possibility that an indoor cat may accidentally get outside at some point in time - careless guests, maintenance workers, burglary, house fire, a window left open, a clever door-opening cat, a natural disaster - there are all sorts of things that can happen.
And if any of my cats ever get outside, I want them to be readily idenitifiable as a pet, so that they can be returned to me. The easiest way to make sure a cat can be identified as a pet is with a safety collar & tag - people are becoming more educated about microchips, but a safety collar & tag immediately identify a cat as a pet, while a microchip serves as a safety backup in case the collar & tag are lost and the cat ends up at a shelter.
My 2 cents
I know indoor cats can escape but we've been lucky and very watchful. In over 30 yrs of having cats, we've never had one "escape". My first HHP was indoor/outdoor and he was ok (he's "ask" to go outside during the day) - and he wore a collar.
The rest were either pedigrees which wouldn't go out it you kicked them out the door
or they were taught from the time in our house that outside was a bad place to be - you can teach them to stay.
I had one kitten who everytime I'd go near the door and he was there, I'd make a very big deal that it was BAD outside and would scare him away from the door. Didn't have to worry about him when bringing in groceries - he'd high tail it to the other room or hallway when the door opened. Course he was also a big chicken about thunderstorms - used to hide in the closet.
The rest were either pedigrees which wouldn't go out it you kicked them out the door
I had one kitten who everytime I'd go near the door and he was there, I'd make a very big deal that it was BAD outside and would scare him away from the door. Didn't have to worry about him when bringing in groceries - he'd high tail it to the other room or hallway when the door opened. Course he was also a big chicken about thunderstorms - used to hide in the closet.
Originally Posted by tuxedokitties
Actually, when my cats lose their Beastie Band collars it's usually because they stretched and came off over their heads in a wrestling match. I've never seen the Velcro release, though it probably would - mainly it's just that it might irritate the skin less because there's no buckle. I mainly prefer the Beastie Bands because the cat's don't seem to notice them at all because they're so light.
All three of my cats were microchipped recently. Bella when she had her spay a few weeks ago, Cissa just 2 days ago, and Lucius today. Now I want to buy them collars and tags. Thanks for the encouragement.
I believe the microchipping cost us $75 CDN each for Bijou and Mika.
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Just a reminder...it is never to late to microchip your kitties.
It was not until I after joined TCS, that I understood how important ID is for our cats safety.
Dexter & Sadie did not have microchips or wear collars with ID tags until they turned five.
Microchipping did not hurt at all. They didn't even meow.
They went nuts when I first put the collars on them.
I did not give in and they adjusted to them within a couple of days.
It was not until I after joined TCS, that I understood how important ID is for our cats safety.
Dexter & Sadie did not have microchips or wear collars with ID tags until they turned five.
Microchipping did not hurt at all. They didn't even meow.
They went nuts when I first put the collars on them.
I did not give in and they adjusted to them within a couple of days.
LOL, someone noticed the names. My children are the Harry Potter fans in this house, I just drive them to the movies and pay for the books.
My little kitty's microchip cost $32, and the two cats were both $42. I don't know why, unless the cost went up in the past 3 weeks or it is an age thing. I didn't ask. Then after the microchip you have to pay to enroll them. I had the option of the HomeAgain or AKC Companion Animal Recovery. HomeAgain is a one-time $17.50 fee and AKC is $12.50. I did AKC as it is a larger database, but it doesn't make any difference from what I understand, they read the numbers the same. They have HomeAgain chips, and the vet said HomeAgain didn't used to keep the database, that AKC did, and has finally realized they could keep one too.
So that shows people a bit about the costs involved.
My little kitty's microchip cost $32, and the two cats were both $42. I don't know why, unless the cost went up in the past 3 weeks or it is an age thing. I didn't ask. Then after the microchip you have to pay to enroll them. I had the option of the HomeAgain or AKC Companion Animal Recovery. HomeAgain is a one-time $17.50 fee and AKC is $12.50. I did AKC as it is a larger database, but it doesn't make any difference from what I understand, they read the numbers the same. They have HomeAgain chips, and the vet said HomeAgain didn't used to keep the database, that AKC did, and has finally realized they could keep one too.
So that shows people a bit about the costs involved.
