Do kittens need accessories: harness, collar, address book?

Even if you live on one of the top floors of an apartment building, your pet can’t escape meeting the world outside the home. Family field trips, trips to the country for a couple of weeks or for the whole summer, moving, visiting a veterinarian or a groomer… One day, everything may not go according to plan, the pet may get scared, break out and get lost. A collar with an address tag and a harness minimize these risks and ensure the safety of the pet.

Whatever circumstances you may encounter, it is in your power to prepare for them in advance. A harness and a collar with an address tag are an investment in the safety and well-being of your pet.

When a kitten is still quite a baby, its task is to stay close to the mother cat, sleep as much as possible and gain strength. You can talk about the first walks outside the home after the vaccination and the quarantine period, when the kitten develops its own immunity.

A harness for a kitten, and even for an adult cat, is the main accessory for walking, provided that you teach your pet to leave the house at your supervision. Walking a ward on a leash with a collar is undesirable, since the baby has a fragile, sensitive neck that can be injured by an unsuccessful jerk of the leash. The harness guarantees a minimum uniform load on the musculoskeletal system.

But if there is a harness, then why a collar, you ask. Firstly, this is how you make it clear that the kitten is home, he is under your protection. Secondly, you can place an address tag on the collar, which will serve you well if your ward gets lost. Thirdly, a bright, luminous or reflective collar will make even the most careless cyclist slow down and can save the life of a pet. Finally, it’s just beautiful. A spectacular collar will emphasize the nobility of your mustachioed-striped. If you wish, you can even create a family look with a cat: choose a collar or harness in the color of your favorite T-shirt and show off your stylish look on Instagram.

We recommend that you purchase ammunition for walking in advance, make an engraving or an inscription on the address book.

It is unlikely that it will be possible to accustom a kitten to new accessories the first time, so a walk on a harness and in a collar will have to be rehearsed several times at home. All these efforts will pay off when the time comes to go on a joint trip or trip.

Collars today are very different: with a bell to always know where your ward is, with an address book (two-in-one option), with a GPS function so that you never lose sight of your pet. 

You need a collar for kittens. Dog collars with their massive clasps won’t work for you. The kitten needs a self-unfastening collar: if the baby catches on something, the collar will not squeeze the neck, but simply unfasten.

As for parasitic collars, we urge you to use them on the recommendation of your veterinarian. Please note that the lion’s share of drugs used with such collars are designed for adult cats and are not suitable for kittens.

The collar for kittens should have a soft edge, preferably rounded. Feel the accessory, especially the fasteners – you should not meet sharp edges and scratching details. This is especially important when choosing ammunition for kittens of hairless breeds, such as the Don Sphynx. The fasteners on the accessory should be such that the kitten’s hair does not get stuck in them.

To choose a collar for kittens of a suitable size, you need to measure the girth of the pet’s neck and add one to two centimeters to the resulting figure. If you put the collar on the ward and could slip two fingers under it, then you have chosen the right size. In the right ammunition, the pet can breathe freely, but there is no risk that the dangling accessory will catch on anything.

When choosing a harness, the girth of the cat’s chest under the front paws plays a key role. Be sure to measure this parameter, because almost all manufacturers indicate what chest girth this or that model is designed for.

Models of harnesses can be divided into two groups – V-shaped and H-shaped, which are considered more suitable for kittens. It is better to choose the harness that will be easier for you to put on the cat. One of the options involves placing the front paws in the centers of the holes, then the harness is lifted and fastened with a deft movement on the scruff, a thin jumper remains in front of the chest. Reliable fastening ensures that the pet does not jump out of the harness, and a small load on the neck and back contributes to a healthy state of the musculoskeletal system.

It is important that all accessories for your ward are made from high quality materials. Collars are often made of genuine leather or textile, nylon or cotton harnesses are practical and easy to care for. However, before making a choice, it is better to consult with a veterinarian. A pet with sensitive skin may develop an allergic reaction to the material from which the accessories are made. The veterinarian will help you decide on the harness model that best suits your pet’s spine. 

Neck injuries may be a contraindication to wearing a collar. Consider the characteristics of the well-being of your ward.

Be sure to provide your kitten with an address book. It is not necessary to indicate exactly the home address on it, besides, there is usually hardly enough space on a pendant or medallion for a couple of phone numbers. A popular option is an address book in the form of a shiny keychain on a collar with the pet’s name on one side and the phone numbers of the owners on the back. This is a quick way to attract the attention of a caring person and bring home your four-legged friend if he is lost.

There are address cards in the form of an unscrewing capsule with a note inside. Another option is to make an engraving on the address tag in the form of a plate attached to the collar. Don’t miss the chance to keep your pet safe in case of an emergency.

We wish your kitten to wear accessories with pleasure, and joint walks in the fresh air bring joy!