Be careful! Don't let the cat's collar become a muzzle.

What kind of collar do you choose for your beloved cat?

Choosing a collar based solely on its cute design can lead to unexpected accidents. In particular, the risk of the collar getting caught in the cat's mouth, known as "muzzling," is a very dangerous, life-threatening accident.

This article explains in detail the dangers hidden in cat collars, how to choose a safe collar to protect your beloved cat from accidents, and how to put it on correctly.

Dangers Lurking in Collars! "Muzzling" and "Strangulation" Accidents

Even for indoor cats, collar accidents are not irrelevant.

Cats have flexible bodies and joints and are highly curious, so unexpected movements can lead to accidents. A single wrong move can be life-threatening.

Muzzling can lead to suffocation

Cats unfamiliar with collars may dislike them and struggle to remove them, leading to the collar getting caught in their lower jaw. This is known as the "muzzling" state.

In this state, the cat may panic and struggle, injuring its mouth or jaw. In the worst case, it can even lead to suffocation. Furthermore, if the collar is too loose, it can become a "sash" state, leading to risks such as falling, dropping, or injury.

Let's learn about cases where a cat collar caused a muzzling accident.

Worrisome strangulation accidents

When a collar gets caught on curtain rails, doorknobs, or gaps in furniture, leading to "strangulation," it is a serious accident that can be fatal. Cats that like to climb high places are particularly at risk.

Protect Your Beloved Cat from Danger! How to Choose a Safe Collar

Cat collar accidents can, in the worst case, be fatal. To prevent tragic accidents, it is paramount for owners to have the right knowledge and choose a safe collar.

Be sure to check the following 5 points.

1. "Safety Function" that Detaches with a Certain Amount of Force is Essential

First and foremost, it is crucial to choose a collar with a safety function. A cat collar's safety function is a mechanism where the buckle detaches when the cat is in a muzzled or strangulation state.

The safety adjuster made by American company Duraflex, used by Poponeko, is designed to detach when approximately 4kg of force is applied, preventing suffocation accidents.

2. Choose Lightweight and Soft Materials

Cats have delicate skin, so material selection for collars is important.

Leather products are durable, but many are heavy and stiff, which can be a burden on cats. Also, poor breathability can cause dermatitis. Even with fabric, some cats dislike the bumpy feel of poorly sewn threads.

Choose a cat collar made of lightweight and soft materials such as cotton or polyester.

By the way, dog collars are a no-go. They are designed to be sturdy for walks and tethering, making them unsuitable for cats with delicate skin and fur.

3. Choose an adjustable size

The size of a cat's neck changes with growth and weight fluctuations. Also, collars can loosen even if adjusted perfectly. Therefore, choose a collar that can be adjusted to the appropriate size.

A collar should not be too tight, but being too loose is also dangerous. The appropriate fit is when you can insert one to two human fingers (two to three for long-haired cats) between the collar and the neck. To prevent strangulation accidents, periodically check that the collar hasn't loosened.

Reference: Cat Collar Size Chart and How to Measure

4. Simple design with minimal embellishments

Collars with many decorations like buttons and lace may look cute, but they can be stressful for cats, who may try to remove them.

There's also a risk that decorations could get caught on something or be ingested. It's best to start with a simple collar without decorations to get your cat accustomed to it.

5. Choose an appropriate width

If the collar is too wide, it will interfere with grooming and stress your cat. Choosing a collar with a width of about 1cm can minimize the burden and discomfort for your cat.

How to Deal with a Cat Collar That Has Become Muzzled

A cat whose collar has become muzzled will be in a "panic state." Even normally calm cats can become aggressive and violent.

A cat collar in a muzzled state is a life-threatening accident. Learn how to respond calmly.

First, the owner must remain calm!

Cats are animals that are all muscle and all spring. When they put their full effort into something, they can exhibit enough power that even two adult men might not be able to hold them down. If you try to touch a cat while trying to help it, you might get scratched with full force and end up covered in blood.

You may want to help your suffering cat as quickly as possible, but first, the owner must remain calm.

Calm a struggling cat with a bath towel.

It is very difficult to catch a cat in a panic state. If you carelessly reach out, the cat collar may dig in further, leading to a more dangerous situation.

In such cases, use a bath towel!

When your cat is agitated or panicked, wrap its head with a bath towel to help it calm down.

Once the cat has calmed down, carefully remove the collar. If cutting it with scissors, firmly hold the cat's body to ensure its safety.

Summary

No matter how careful you are, unexpected accidents can happen.

A cat collar is primarily meant to protect your cat. It becomes a crucial item to prove it's a pet cat and help reunite it with its owner if it escapes or gets lost during a disaster.

Instead of not putting on a collar because it's dangerous, we believe it's important to choose a safe cat collar. For your cat's sake, why not review the safety performance of its cat collar?