The Pet Owners Corner

November 27, 2025

Dear Cattalker: Are collars safe for cats?  Mary B.

Dear Mary: There are many situations to think about when considering using a collar. If your kitty is indoors, be aware that items dangling from collars can get caught in registers, or in flooring spaces among many other places. If you are not present when this happens, kitty could have some tragic results. Keep in mind that while breakaway collars are advertised to release quickly, not all will … and even those that do are not always reliable. If you are going to use a collar, make sure it fits properly, allowing two finger widths of space between collar and neck. If you are going away and have a pet sitter visiting, remove the collar so no accidents happen.

If your cat is an outdoor cat, I would definitely say NO collars. They are too dangerous, and do not serve well as a form of identification. It is in our opinion that cats are best kept indoors, but if that is not possible, microchipping is the better method of identification. Collars worn outside can get caught in branches, or be grabbed by predators. So, to be perfectly safe: No outside collars.

 

Dear Cattalker: Are water fountains OK to use for cats?  Linda J.

Dear Linda:  The short answer is yes. Many cats will drink better from the running water in a fountain. The “BUT” part of the answer is that you must keep them spotlessly clean. That means wiping biofilm (the slimy stuff on the sides and bottoms of dishes) off frequently. The entire fountain, tubing, etc. needs to be thoroughly cleaned at least weekly. This means taking the fountain apart and doing a good job of cleaning. If needed, dilute bleach can be used but must be well rinsed prior to reassembly. Failure to do this provides a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria, and makes something that could be beneficial quite dangerous. Look carefully prior to purchase to determine how easily the fountain can be taken apart and cleaned. I am sure you kitty will appreciate a clean, fresh fountain.

 

Pet Owners Corner is designed to answer common questions that pet owners may have. Answers will be simple and straight forward. No questions are too silly to ask; if you have that question, others probably do as well. No medical advice will be given because diagnosing and treating is not possible without a proper veterinary examination.

You may send your questions to: Cattalker2024@gmail.com