{"id":3452,"date":"2025-12-01T17:51:36","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T16:51:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/?p=3452"},"modified":"2025-12-01T22:30:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T21:30:49","slug":"obroza-u-kota-dlaczego-jest-niebezpieczna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/obroza-u-kota-dlaczego-jest-niebezpieczna\/","title":{"rendered":"A collar on a cat &#8211; why is it dangerous?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collars on cats still stir emotions &#8211; especially when someone posts a photo of a cat with a small, \u201ecute\u201d strap around its neck. Unfortunately, what looks innocent is in practice often one of the most common and most dangerous items in a cat's \u201estarter kit\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide was created in order to explain <strong>why collars on cats are risky<\/strong>, what consequences they may carry, what behaviourists and veterinarians say about them, and how to approach the subject of cat identification safely.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udc49 In our cattery <strong>Kotki K\u0119dziorki*PL<\/strong> we always point out to future owners that <strong>The Devon Rex is an indoor breed<\/strong> (read our guide <a href=\"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/spacer-z-kotem-czy-warto-czy-mozna-zalety-zagrozenia-i-wskazowki\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2336\">Walking a cat &#8211; is it worth it, is it possible? 2 advantages, 6 disadvantages, and 6 tips<\/a>). And since the cat does not go outside &#8211; <strong>a collar is completely unnecessary for it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time the guide has been written so that it can serve everyone, including those who have outdoor cats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why are collars on cats dangerous?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. The risk of getting stuck and choking<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cats climb&#8230; It's their nature. Indoors they go under furniture, into gaps, behind the fridge, on top of the wardrobe. Outdoors, of course, up trees, onto fences, over little fences\u2026 A collar can: catch on a branch, a door handle or a cabinet handle, get stuck in a gap, slide off incorrectly and tuck under the armpit, or tighten during a jerk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are not rare incidents at all &#8211; it is everyday life in veterinary surgeries. Some end in injuries, others unfortunately tragically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. \u201cSafety collars\u201d do not give a full guarantee<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So-called <strong>breakaway collars<\/strong> (releasing under load) are certainly safer than ordinary ones. But: they do not always release when they should, they can open\u2026 too easily and the cat loses them, and they can still get caught in a way not anticipated mechanically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is an improvement in safety, but <strong>not the elimination of risk<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. The risk of painful abrasions and infections<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even a well-fitted collar can: cause chafing, collect moisture and dirt, lead to skin inflammations, tear out fur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In cats with delicate skin (like the Devon Rex) this is particularly common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. The problem with bells and tags<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All the \u201cadd-ons\u201d on collars are problematic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>little bells<\/strong>* they raise stress levels and disturb natural behaviors,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>address tags and pendants<\/strong> easy to snag,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>decorations<\/strong> increase the weight and the risk of a jerk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A cat does not need jewellery, and certainly not the kind that can endanger it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">* Little bells are, unfortunately, quite a popular but harmful accessory. Many people put a collar on a cat \u201eso that it does not catch birds\u201d or \u201eso that it can be heard around the house\u201d. Unfortunately a little bell is one of the <strong>the most harmful forms of accessories for cats<\/strong>. Why? <strong>A cat hears several times better than a human<\/strong> \u2013 a little bell by its head is constant noise for it. Noise is <strong>an unpredictable and uncontrollable stimulus<\/strong> &#8211; stress-inducing. Additionally the cat moves <em>quiet by nature<\/em> &#8211; taking this possibility away from it is contrary to its species behaviours. And finally &#8211; think how you would feel if you had a bell by your ear 24 hours a day&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A collar doesn't protect the cat, it gives us a false sense of security<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many owners put on a collar in good faith:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf it got out\u2026 so that someone would know whose it is.\u201d<br>\u201cSo that it is visible that it is a house cat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately, in practice this sense of security is illusory, because a collar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>does not prevent traffic hazards,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>will not stop a bad person,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>will not protect against other animals,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>does not guarantee that the cat will return.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is not a collar, but <strong>care, education and proper securing of the space<\/strong> are what truly increases cats' safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The best alternative: a microchip<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A microchip is durable, safe, painless, resistant to damage, invisible and the most effective way to find a cat. It is an absolute standard and a basic element of responsible care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udc49 In our cattery every cat <strong>Kotki K\u0119dziorki*PL<\/strong> is permanently marked (precisely by means of a microchip) and registered &#8211; before it goes to a new home. Read our dedicated guide entitled \u201e<a href=\"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/czip-u-kota-dlaczego-warto-i-jak-wyglada\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2428\">Microchip in a cat \u2013 why is it worth it and what does it look like?<\/a>&#8222;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>If your cat goes outside &#8211; what to do instead of a collar?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For outdoor cats (although <strong>for health and behavioural reasons we definitely do not recommend this<\/strong>!), if you absolutely must, then:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>choose exclusively <strong>safety collars<\/strong> with a quick-release mechanism,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>do not use any tags or bells!,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>regularly check the skin under the collar,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>use <strong>harness<\/strong>, and not a collar, if the cat is walked on a leash.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And if you want to mark the cat visibly &#8211; you can use <strong>an address tag on the harness<\/strong>, but only under supervision and never in \u201caround-the-clock\u201d mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Indoor cats do not need collars! Ever!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a cat lives in a flat, has a netted balcony, does not go out unsupervised, has no need to be \u201emarked\u201d for the neighbours &#8211; then <strong>a collar is completely unnecessary for it and only introduces risk<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Devon Rex &#8211; as an extraordinarily human, sensitive and delicate breed &#8211; should all the more not wear a collar.<br>And that is exactly how we educate the owners of cats from our cattery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How does this look in our cattery Kotki K\u0119dziorki*PL?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We tell all future owners plainly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2714 our Devons are <strong>indoor-only cats<\/strong>,<br>\u2714 we do not use collars on any cat*,<br>\u2714 we do not send kittens with a collar in the starter kit,<br>\u2714 we encourage you to read our guide about indoor cats,<br>\u2714 every kitten has a microchip and appropriate registration in the databases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We want the cats to live long, healthily and without the risk of unnecessary injuries &#8211; and giving up collars is one of the simplest but most important decisions in that direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">* Sometimes in our photos of little kittens you may see colourful collars. In the cattery we use them only on tiny kittens from a single litter that have identical colouring. They are special soft, ultralight and adjustable fabric bands for breeders. We check and adjust them daily (because the little ones grow quickly); of course they make no noise, don't hinder movement and don't strain the neck. Our kittens also wear them only for a short time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Summary \u2013 the most important things worth remembering<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Collars on cats are <strong>potentially dangerous<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Even so-called \u201csafety\u201d collars carry a risk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indoor cats never need a collar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A microchip is the best, effective and durable form of identification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A harness is safer than a collar, but only under supervision.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In our cattery we educate carers in the spirit of animal safety and welfare.<\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Obro\u017ce u kot\u00f3w wci\u0105\u017c budz\u0105 emocje &#8211; zw\u0142aszcza kiedy kto\u015b wrzuca zdj\u0119cie kota z ma\u0142ym, \u201euroczym\u201d paskiem na szyi. Niestety, to co wygl\u0105da niewinnie, w praktyce bywa jednym z najcz\u0119stszych i najbardziej niebezpiecznych element\u00f3w kociej \u201ewyprawki\u201d. Ten poradnik powsta\u0142 po to, aby wyja\u015bni\u0107, dlaczego obro\u017ce u kot\u00f3w s\u0105 ryzykowne, jakie konsekwencje mog\u0105 nie\u015b\u0107, co m\u00f3wi\u0105 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3453,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[71],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3452","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-poradnik"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3452","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3452"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3452\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3453"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3452"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3452"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3452"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}