When searching for a new collar for your little dog, you may happen to come across a cute variety at the pet store. After crooning over how precious they would look on your furry friend, you suddenly realize these are for cats.
While dogs can wear a cat collar, it is not ordinarily advisable. Cat collars have different design specifications explicitly used for cats that may not be safe or comfortable for all dogs. However, when it comes to cat flea collars, do not put one on your dog, as they may prove fatal to your furry friend.
Can my dog wear a cat collar?
If your dog is small enough for it, your dog can definitely wear a cat collar. This may be especially poignant if your pup is tiny and regular dog collars don’t fit. But, if you’re looking to buy a cat collar as a fashion statement, then avoid putting one on your dog.
The main reason why you shouldn’t put a cat collar on your dog is because of the collar’s design. Manufacturers keep these animals in mind with regard to their activity and behavior. Dogs running around unleashed tend to be more erratic than cats, on average.
Is there a difference between a dog collar and a cat collar?
There is a slight difference between dog and cat collars, but it’s a major one. Cats are explorers, not that dogs aren’t, but they will climb and crawl anywhere they can fit. Since they tend to be more flexible and acrobatic than dogs, their collar design accommodates this.
Cat Collar Design
Because of the natural curiosity of cats, they can get trapped on a host of things and in narrow areas. So, most cat collars come with a quick-release feature. Sometimes it’s a stretchable band, and other times, it’s a type of buckle that releases under tension.
Either way, you don’t want a dog that can easily free itself from its collar. You won’t be able to use the collar to walk the dog or put it in the yard. This is something to seriously think about if you don’t have a fence or if your little dog is voracious.
Dog Collar Design
This is why dog collars are often made of a more stable and durable material with a solid, strong buckle. Manufacturers design these to be comfortable while offering practical restraint.
Stretch Band Exceptions
Now, if it’s a stretchy band that makes up the circumference of the collar, you might be able to get away with using a cat collar on your dog. However, it should fit snugly around the dog’s neck without choking it, and the collar shouldn’t be too loose to aid the dog’s escape.
Do breakaway collars for cats make a difference in putting them on my dog?
Breakaway buckles featured on some models of cat collars are not a good option for most dogs. Unless you know your dog cannot fit into the standard ones available for canines, don’t put your dog into one. However, there are some benefits to breakaway buckles that you should consider.
Breakaway Buckles Allow for Easy Escape
Breakaway buckles, also known as safety buckles or quick-release collars, allow cats to escape traps and danger easily. They open or unclasp when tugged on with a certain amount of pressure while helping to prevent injury and strangulation.
This is great for pets to be able to free themselves from life-threatening situations. But dogs and cats vary greatly in their activity and how much of a problem they present when unsupervised.
Breakaway Buckles; Normal Dog Activity
The problem with your dog wearing a quick-release collar is the fact that if your dog loses the collar, it will also lose the tags. Tags are definitely a more serious issue when it comes to dogs than cats. In most areas, your dog must have tags because animal control may pick up the dog, or they may confiscate the dog altogether.
Features of Non-Breakaway Buckles
Non-breakaway buckles stay closed when pulled, no matter how much force the animal applies to them. This is ideal for dogs, so they stay secure and near you when on a walk and reduces the likeliness of them chasing a rabbit or squirrel when they see it in your yard.
Unfortunately, non-breakaway buckles don’t offer the same protection from injury and strangulation as breakaway ones. It may be a good idea to get one of each kind so that you can use a different one depending on the situation.
What should be the determining factor in using a cat collar on a dog?
Your dog should be the final deciding element in choosing whether or not to use a cat collar on your dog. If you have a little dog that’s an escape artist, managing to get into narrow spaces, a breakaway collar might be best. But, if your dog tends to be intimidating to other animals and people, get a non-breakaway buckle.
In the case, you are still on the fence about which one to get, stick with the non-breakaway type to stay on the safe side. That is, of course, your dog is so tiny that a standard dog collar simply won’t fit it right. Under such circumstances, you’ll have to use a cat collar. Ensure you find one that’s sturdy and stable with a solid buckle.
Final Thoughts
In all practical terms, your dog can wear a cat collar. But, it’s important to take into consideration the design and functionality of the collar before using it on your dog. It’s equally essential to be mindful of the variations of these two different animals. Cats are more flexible than dogs.
For dogs, non-breakaway buckles are better to ensure they stay safe and secure, whether in your yard or going for a walk. If your dog ends up in hot pursuit with a rodent, it can spell disaster for your neighborhood. It may be good to have two collars, one with a breakaway and another with a non-breakaway buckle.
