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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

My cat has lost 5 collars and keys in about 4 months

34 replies

MissStrawberry · 29/09/2013 20:02

We bought the quick release ones as we believe they are safer but this is getting ridiculous. He has a magnet on the collar so only he (and his co-living cat) can get into our house. The collar he has just lost was on him for less than 2 hours. We believe he must be getting them off on purpose as opposed to getting stick somewhere and wriggling free.

He is chipped so the collar was only a way of giving him a door key. No door key no coming in or we change the cat flap and run the risk other the neighbour's bullying cats can come in.

Any other collars worth trying?

Anyone want to buy an expensive furry toy?

BTW I have asked him where his collars are but he won't tell me.

OP posts:

BonaDea · 29/09/2013 20:07

I would highly recommend that you get a microchip cat flap. You basically just scan in your cat using his microchip and then the flap 'reads' it and opens whenever he approaches the flap

They cost about £100 but given what you are spending on collars and keys I reckon it will be worth it. They are standard size and should just slot into the existing hole in your door.

We've had one for about 6 years and honestly is fantastic. Our two furballs lose collars all the time and this way there is no stress about them being locked out.

cozietoesie · 29/09/2013 20:12

Sureflap are about £70 online, Bona. Still not cheap but better than the one you quoted I think.

BonaDea · 29/09/2013 20:14

Well like I said ours is about 6 years old so it might have been more cutting edge then! But my recommendation stands to get that sort of flap!

cozietoesie · 29/09/2013 20:15

Absolutely!

Original poster

MissStrawberry · 29/09/2013 20:35

I did reply but it isn't here.

DH said no to £100. I expect would say no to £70 as well.

Previous cat had normal buckle collar.

Need to think what to do, we have several options.

OP posts:

BonaDea · 29/09/2013 20:36

But how much do 5 collars and keys cost??

cozietoesie · 29/09/2013 20:49

It's best, Miss. Many posters here have them in now and swear by them. And you'll see from Bona's post that they last for ages.

Original poster

MissStrawberry · 29/09/2013 20:51

I know.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 29/09/2013 20:54

That sounded real dispirited.

Lay it on thick with DH - latest technology, bells and whistles, really works as well. Present it as the - Oh I don't know - iphone5 of cat flaps?

cozietoesie · 29/09/2013 20:57

Or you could be real sneaky and muse gently about whether you could get Sureflaps more cheaply on the net - and let him surf and find out the latest prices. Ownership of the concept is all, eh?

FeetUpUntilChristmas · 29/09/2013 21:26

OP, I didn't want to pay for the 'chip' flap, but my cat will not wear a collar, if I put one on her she will go crazy, then take it off. I've tried all types, they all have elastic on them otherwise they are dangerous.

If we didn't have this flap then we would have visitors every day and even worse at night.

Lonecatwithkitten · 29/09/2013 21:27

If the cat is losing collars so well he is regularly travelling somewhere where the collar is getting caught. Getting a more resilient collar could mean the cat is caught rather than the collar coming undone which sadly often leads to a dead cat.
Sure flaps whilst they £70 -100 are a very robust cat flap and believe me we've tested several the current one has lasted three times as long as the previous £45 type cat flaps so actually has worked out cheaper plus I no longer have to deal with cat fights in my house.

cozietoesie · 29/09/2013 21:29

And those visitors might not just eat - people often come to the board because stranger cats are spraying and pooing over their house.

angryangryyoungwoman · 29/09/2013 21:35

I would get a microchip cat flap. And charge your cat for the collars lost so far. That'll teach him

Madratlady · 29/09/2013 21:39

My cats both managed to lose multiple fabric quick release collars but when we put leather quick release ones on (not real leather that would be expensive, the leather effect ones from pets at home) they haven't lost one since. Not sure why.

Fluffycloudland77 · 29/09/2013 21:49

I wouldn't put a cat in an elastic or buckle collar, it might get hurt or get trapped.

If I want something I suggest it to dh, then leave it for two weeks. By then it's become his idea and therefore automatically the correct course of action. I try to look briefly confused then let the revelation of his wisdom take over.

Sometimes it takes less than two weeks.

FreckledLeopard · 29/09/2013 22:22

We got our Sureflap for about £67 via SeaPets (and got about 4% cashback too by buying it via quidco). It's worth the money.

Original poster

MissStrawberry · 30/09/2013 10:22

He is taking the collars off himself.

OP posts:

MissDD1971 · 30/09/2013 16:49

MissStrawberry - some cats just hate collars on so will take them off.

My cats - the boy was a bit better but he kept losing them - the girl tried all ways and means (by back door step etc) to get them off. little cow.

if you want to block other cats coming in it's tricky (take it that's why collar for chipped cat door).

Original poster

MissStrawberry · 30/09/2013 17:03

He definitely doesn't want to wear one for whatever reason. Maybe it is because he actually wants the pink, fluffy, flowery one we said we would put him in if he lost another .

OP posts:

MissDD1971 · 30/09/2013 17:08

wait - your other cat wears the collar though??!!

what can you do?? not a lot really. cats are sly buggers and stubborn as fuck unlike dogs who at least do as they're told...

MissDD1971 · 30/09/2013 17:09

MissStrawberry yes give him the girly one.

LOL. that'll teach it.

ClaimedByMe · 30/09/2013 17:11

Buy the magnets from ebay en masse, I have 3 cats and go through loads of them!

WinterWinds · 30/09/2013 17:11

This method has been thoroughly tried and tested in this house......It never fails!!!!!
And it also never ceases to amaze me that Dh hasn't cottoned on to the fact that it was never his big idea in the first place.

NaturalBaby · 30/09/2013 17:12

I caught one of my cats taking off her collar - she looked like houdini and has lost several since we started using them. I like the idea of a microchip flap!
We moved into a house with a magnetic cat flap but use it as a regular one - will other cats definitely come into yours if they could?

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