by R. Renee Bembry

Created on: February 09, 2009   Last Updated: December 03, 2010

As beautiful as felines are in their own catty rights, nothing stands to complement their softness more than elegant cat collars. All pusses look even more adorable when owners dress them in these coat flatterers. Choosing feline collar style, color, and decor is one step in selecting perfect collars. The other steps involve practicality, fit and safety.

Practical Reasons for Collaring Cats

From a practical standpoint, when cats are outdoors, wearing collars tells people cats have humans. When collared cats enter neighboring yards, people who see them may be less likely to catch and keep them or take them to shelters. Likewise, when animal control agencies capture cats, they immediately know cats wearing collars have human homes. Plus, collars are the best place for hanging cat licenses and lost and found information.

Cat Collar Fitting and Safety

Safety issues should be considered before choosing collars. Collars must fit properly and meet cat safety needs. Generally, what makes collars safe for a cat is the type of collar used, the fit of the collar, and the lifestyle of the cat wearing the collar. Therefore, when fitting kitties for collars owners should consider:

* The cat's age. Cats less than a year old are probably still growing. Just as one would buy shoes that allow for a child's foot growth, one should buy collars that allow for cats neck and head growth. Therefore, when selecting collars with extension holes and pins, owners should make certain extra holes are available for resizing as cats grow. When sliding extension collars are chosen, there should be a few inches of unused collar space for growth adjustments. When cats are full grown collar adjustments shouldn't be necessary.

* In addition to allowing for growth adjustments, and regardless of cat age, when fitting a collar, make certain the collar is not tight around the neck, and that the collar can slip over the cat's head without too much effort. If a cat's collar gets jammed, the cat must be able to maneuver its head through the collar in order to free itself. This is especially true for outdoor cats that could be caught up climbing trees or jumping fences.

* Some stores allow owners to bring pets along while shopping. If unable to do so, owners can purchase two or three collars of varying sizes, try them on their cats at home, and return collars they don't need. Another thing to do is measure cats' heads with flexible measuring tape and let head-size be the guide.

* When choosing collar

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