Don't Know What To Do?

[apbtmom76]

Soooooo, my fat fat black cat, Highway, is actign wierd about his collar, like he gets depressed when I put it on him. He is strictly an inside cat and he is microchipped, when we leave the back door open when it is nice outside, he will wander out onto the back porch and lay in the sun, I am totally ok with this, cause usually a small, ssst and he comes back inside.

About 9 or 10 months ago he had knocked his collar off, it took me 6 months to find it, so I put it back on him and he's been fine, til I took it off the other night I had bought a new collar, was too small, but when I went to put Highway's collar back on, he shrank away from me and moped literally all day long til I took his coolar off last night. He's back to his normal self, hahaha I know that cats can train humans, I just want him to be happy and know that if he ever got stuck outside, he would have his collar on.

So I guess I'm wondering if I should get him a harness? Or leave his collar off? Or get him a new collar and let him be all mopey and not let him win? I don't want him to be sad but he needs to wear his collar. Any suggestions?

[pomtzu]

Put the collar back on and play the waiting game with him. You'll win!! I've never met a cat that didn't object when they were first forced to wear a collar, but they get used to it in no time. He hasn't had one on in a while, so it looks like you're starting from scratch. I'd also get a break-away collar in case he does get out and maybe gets hung up in some shrubs or the like. That way at least he isn't going to strangle and the collar will come open as he pulls on it.

[apbtmom76]

Put the collar back on and play the waiting game with him. You'll win!! I've never met a cat that didn't object when they were first forced to wear a collar, but they get used to it in no time. He hasn't had one on in a while, so it looks like you're starting from scratch. I'd also get a break-away collar in case he does get out and maybe gets hung up in some shrubs or the like. That way at least he isn't going to strangle and the collar will come open as he pulls on it.

thanks Pomtzu, his collar now is a breakaway, is why he was missing it for 6 mo, lol. And he wore it for two years, hahaah silly kitten, thank you

[Catty1]

I had a breakaway collar for Oscar, as I sprayed his Feliway in it. Lucky I happened to be home, because as he was grooming his chest one day, his lower jaw got caught in the collar - and it DIDN'T break away! Poor little guy panicked - I got the collar off.

I opted for a super-stretchy one. I can tighten it enough so it stays on. And many is the time it has been flung to another part of the house during a playfight with his furbrother Cole.

Maybe it was a flaky breakaway that I had...sounds like Highway's did the same thing. Maybe he'd find the stretchy one more comfy?

As Pomtzu said - you'll win!

[krazyaboutkatz]

All of my cats are indoor only and are microchipped and they all wear the saftey break away collars except for Sunny. Sunny became so stressed out that he made himself ill. His bladder became inflammed and he kept jumping in and out of the box and was barely able to pee. The vet didn't find any crystals or infection and he said that it could've been caused by stress. I put two and two together and the only change was the collar. I took it off of him and he's never had any more problems. I guess some cats just aren't meant to wear collars. Good luck.

[Randi]

If it's because you want to be sure people know he belongs to someone, should he get lost, you could have his ears tattoo'ed. Vets' do that in Denmark when cats are spayed/neutered and get their shots.

A few years ago, a friendly kitty showed up in our backyard, I checked his ears, called the vet and asked if he knew the cat. He did. So he gave me the phone no. to his owner and they came to get him.

[apbtmom76]

thank you all for your replies, Randi I had thought about the tattoo, Highway is an indoor kitty, but is never left outdoors overnight or anything like that, he is only allowed out there when we are home and the doors are open. I will have to check into a stretchier type collar, maybe that will make him more comfortable. It is almost time to take him in for his Rabies, maybe I'll see what my vet says as well. Thanks you all, I really appreciate the feedback