They do make ones that have snaps and that's what I used for Boris when she was a tiny girl. My one cat walked backwards when hers was on, but she could still eat and drink ok. It might be that it's too long for her. Try a petstore, they should have varied sizes.

I think they are usually afraid of the cat over cleaning the area and making it more irritated. I was supposed to watch Calloway with his tail bite as well and use the collar if necessary. It wasn't.