A cat’s collar is much more than just a piece of jewelry or something where you can write the cat’s name. These have multiple uses and can be quite essential in many situations so once you choose the one that is right for your cat the first thing you should ask yourself is how should a cat collar fit? Ensuring you find the proper size for a cat is important if you want it to last and if you want your cat to get used to it quickly.
Proper Fit
The way to test if a collar fits is to allow room for one or two of your fingers (depending on how big your hands are) to slip between the collar and the back of the neck. Proper fit doesn’t mean that you should get it as tight as you can since this can lead to serious problems. Check the pet’s reaction for the first few days to make sure everything is alright.
Too Tight
If the collar is too snug then you cat will probably have difficulty when they swallow something and even problems with their breathing so you should always make sure that the comfort of your cat is the first thing you worry about.
Collars can become more abrasive over time and this could tear parts of their fur off and then continue to irritate the skin up to a point when you would see open wounds around the neck, something that you should definitely not do to a poor pet. With this in mind it is better to leave it a bit more loose when you aren’t quite sure than to cause harm to your cat.
Loose Collar
Obviously, one of the problems most cat owners think about when a collar is too tight is the fact that the pet will try to take the collar off and they will lose it. When you put something new around a cat’s neck it will take some time for them to adjust to it and during this time they will use their paws to feel the collar, making it move around.
One other problem with a loose collar, and this one is more serious, is the fact that a wider collar can get stuck easier. If your cat is outdoors a lot then bushes or tree branches can lead to serious harm as the cat can get immobilized in these. Even indoors, things like wicker furniture or the blinds on your windows can cause problems and the cat’s own paws or the jaw have also been stuck in some cases.
Flea Collars
The things we discussed apply to flea collars as well but these usually come in a single size for all cats. The excess band can lead to problems so after you follow the same procedure of fitting the band and leaving one or two fingers between the collar and neck then you should make a mark after the buckle. The extra collar length should be cut off (don’t do this while the cat is wearing it) for a really proper fit. As these have many powerful chemicals on them it is important to wash your hands properly afterwards.