Cat lovers: Which is the best collar for a houdini cat?

The only kind of collar you should put on a cat is a breakaway collar. Have you considered microchipping? You can also retrain kitty to not charge the doors or try to get out.

One that protects the cat’s abdomen from fatal punches.

@Noel_S_Leitmotiv Wtf?

http://www.howard.k12.md.us/res/houdini/death.html

Like what tinyfaery suggested, only use break away collars. I have many horror stories about cats that have hung themselves both outside and in the house because they didn’t have breakaway collars. I only use those on my pets. Have you tried breakaways? Can he escape them? My houdini cat hasn’t been able to yet.

If he is skinny, I would try a breakaway in kitten size, expanded to fit his neck. If that fails, I say microchip as the last option.

Seriously, I also reccomend a breakaway collar. Accidental hanging is a sad avoidable death.

We use a collar that has a black rubber band connecting it (I’m looking at my other cats collar) so I think it’s a breakaway, just not one with the plastic clip we used to use those, but both cats would get out of them

@tinyfaery While I’m all for microchipping, I don’t think it should be considered a replacement for collars. Chips tell organizations with the technology that the cat has a home, but collars inform good Samaritans without a scanner. It’s also a flag from afar that signlas “I’m not a stray! Help me!”

I’d definitely consider a harness, but don’t know if they come in a break-away form. This may be helpful. I can’t see why they would be bad for a cat. They’re thin enough so as not to inhibit their movement.

I concur on the recommendation for a safety/breakaway collar.

@Beta_Orionis I only use harness on my animals…I put no collars on my indoor cats. I harness only if going to the vet.

Might I suggest using your screen door lock regularly?

@SpatzieLover there are numerous possibilities for accidents. When my parents lived in a small apartment, one of their cats loved sitting in the window, against the screen. One day, is just gave way and she fell out. Luckily they found her in the vicinity, but I like to cover all of my bases. Besides, cats are crafty! I’ve known mine to open all kinds of latches!

@Beta_Orionis I have three, all adopted. I’m aware of their craftiness. Preventative measures to your home/dwelling are the best routes. Two of my cats can open doors, two can potty on the toilet.

A cheap breakaway collar, so you can buy a bunch of them and always have an extra on hand, or a harness you will definitely get a lot of entertainment from watching your cat deal with a harness if he/she hasn’t worn one before.

My cats don’t wear collars, but they seem happy to be inside cats, even though they all started as strays. I do keep current photos of them, in case one does get out and I need to go door to door asking if anyone has seen him. I keep all their tags in a decorative wooden box, just in case I need them.

Our cats (we have 4) all got out of the breakaways, and they are indoor/outdoor. We had the youngest chipped, but they all stay in or near our yard. I’m sorry that I can’t give you any suggestions.

@SpatzieLover That last bit definitely has less to do with escape, but is cool nonetheless. :D

My three cats are strictly indoor cats, so they wear no collars. I do worry about what would happen if they got out, but we tried collars and they hated them. My folks were on vacation and my cousin went over to feed the animals and found their kitten with his leg up under his collar and close to death. They haven’t put a collar on him since.

@SpatzieLover How did you teach your cats to use the toilet? We’ve had two cats for years. I never imagined how much adding one more cat would fill up the litter box so quickly. I’ve heard of teaching the cat to use the toilet, but how do you go about it?

@knitfroggy As usual, there is a Wiki-How on the subject.

@Darwin Thanks, I will check it out…not sure if I wanna wait in line to use the toilet behind a cat tho! :)

Do not, under any circumstances, teach your cat to flush.

@knitfroggy The best instructions are on this lady’s page & in her FAQ’s

everyy cat needs a diamond collar ! ;)