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Have you ever made your own cat collar?
Our little kitten is hard to keep track of and we couldn't find a bell collar small enough for him, so I experimented and made one myself. It was pretty easy:
I got some decorative trim from the home decor section of our Hobby Lobby and cut it long enough to go around his neck comfortably (being extra sure to soak each end with Fray Check and let dry before cutting it). I found a matching button and sewed it to one end and made a good strong loop at the other end (I smeared some glue on the threads I made the loop out of so it'd be extra strong). This may take some fiddling and trial and error and it's not adjustable, but the end result is awesome. After making sure it fit Alexander just right, I stitched on a bell I'd cut off the one that was too big and then glued a piece of ribbon to the back for extra stability.
I'll be honest, it took a while (the first time, anyway), but it looks SO cool. I might get a fancy frog closure and make a pretty beaded one for Abigail. Try one yourself for any animal.
Good idea Connie--I didn't think of that. If that happens, I'll make a new one. That pretty trim I got was dirt cheap.
Jeez, guys--thanks for your help. The reason I did the way I did was because I'd read something that said NOT to use a breakaway collar. Now I'm confused.
Now I feel horrible. I'd never hurt my kitties, which is the reason for the bell in the first place: Alex has a bad habit of getting right under the wheels of the computer chair and I'm terrified I'll accidentally run him over. I don't remember where I read what I did, but the only time I put the collar on him is during the day when I'm at home. (He's never actually hid from us before.) I took it off of him during the night and when I left the house. I'm just trying to keep him safe. You guys are absolutely right about the dangers. I'd never put it on him all the time and I'll get rid of it as soon as it gets the least bit snug.
5 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Please don't put a collar on a cat that they can't break. They're into everything, and can get caught and strangled on a non-breakaway collar. They can also get the collar jammed in their mouths or a paw caught in it... both potentially with bad outcomes.
If you'd like to bell your kitten, I'd suggest putting the bell on a ribbon (better yet, small rick-rack, which will stretch) and closing the end with a single stitch of standard sewing thread. Even though it sounds like it wouldn't stay on, it does remarkably well.
Remember to check the fit of the collar often, at least every few days -- kittens grow so fast.
Source(s): old biologist who's fostered and owned many cats and kittens. - ZotsRuleLv 71 decade ago
I know you THINK you did something cute and creative but what you've done is put something on your kitten that could KILL IT. Kittens are very curious and even if you only keep it indoors it can end up catching the collar on a piece of furniture and strangling to death.
So no - I won't "try myself" for my pets. I prefer to keep them safe. Either have no collar at all or a breakaway one. Get him microchipped so he can be ID'd if he gets outdoors. Where on earth did you read NOT to have a breakaway collar?
- Connie SLv 71 decade ago
sound really nice. Just one small word of caution, if some part of that doesn't have some stretch to it, you risk the kitten getting caught in it or getting it caught on something else and causing a bit of panic.
I buy fabric collars off Etsy or Ebay that someone else makes. They have break away closures so it something happens it pops open. I even bought holiday collars so everyone can celebrate the seasons :)
Source(s): owner of 8 cats - 5 years ago
If your cat is STRICTLY indoors, then why do you need a collar. I'd have her Micro Chipped. It's safe, doesn't cost much & she can never hang herself. I do cat rescue & have 13 cats & none wear collars.
