Collars with elastic
inserts are dangerous, particularly if they are loose fitted. Even though the
elastic is meant to stretch, cats still get their paws stuck in it or may be
half hung if it catches on a branch etc. The elastic just doesn't give enough
if the weight is on it.
During seven years one cat rescue in the UK had five cases where cats were in
distress because of collars - two injured legs; one lost and emaciated; one
stuck in a tree upside down with a twig between the collar and the cat from
head to tail, and one hanging from a low branch quite unable to extricate itself.
Microchipping is more efficient for identification - though of course it is
not visible to an ordinary person who takes in a "stray". All the
bigger charities check for it when a stray is handed in and most vets do too.
Flea collars are not efficient. They usually contain just insecticide and do
nothing to stop the fleas breeding in the environment. Use proper flea treatments
available from a vet or chemist that contain growth inhibitors for fleas or
which get into the skin dander. Also treat the environment with sprays containing
similar. (NEVER use over the counter flea treatments for dogs on cats. Several
cats die every year from these.)
The only truly safe collars that I know are handmade and come from Grace Officer,
13 Hall Close, Farncombe, Godalming, GU7 3PW. UK. She sells them in aid of Cats
Protection.
To save wildlife - RSPB suggest keeping a cat indoors for dawn or dusk to reduce
casualties. Bells may slightly deter cats from catching birds but many cats
learn how to catch small animals despite the bell.
If any reader knows of a safe commercial collar please let me know.