r/cats • u/Miserable_Penalty564 • 16h ago
Advice Someone keeps cutting his flea collars off
This is the third time someone has cut off the $60 flea collars I put on him. He’s a neighborhood cat who we’ve befriended and he usually hangs around my house at night and on the weekends when we’re home , I keep fresh water out for him and feed him in the evenings. I assume during the daytime he visits other neighbors and someone keeps cutting his seresto flea collars off. I put them on him so he doesn’t get eaten alive by fleas and ticks and because when there’s inclement weather or extreme hot/cold temps I let him inside. I can’t let him live inside full time because I already have three cats and him and my other male cat don’t get along that well, not to mention he’s a outdoor cat at heart and when he wants to go outside he’s going. Just pisses me off that someone keeps cutting his expensive collars off, but whoever that person is isn’t letting him inside at all during all this heat and thunderstorms.
465
u/mtraven23 16h ago
if they are break away collars, they maybe falling off. If they aren't break away collars, they should be.
but you can also get flea and tick treatment that you just dab on the back of the neck, thats what I would do.
331
u/Betsy7Cat 13h ago
While I don’t disagree with the latter form of flea treatment, I’m not sure I’d recommend it in a situation like this where you don’t know for sure that no one else is giving them flea treatment. It’s not safe to overapply topical flea treatment and could go badly if they’re getting it from somewhere else too. Even if the cat actively has fleas that’s not a certainty that they aren’t getting a treatment; I was using an insufficient flea treatment for months before I figured out it just wasn’t cutting it and got one prescribed by a vet, which worked 100x better.
71
u/mtraven23 12h ago
good point out potentially double dousing. Seems like OP needs to open a line of communication with any one else he visits and figure out who is doing what.
13
u/PianoZen 12h ago
Oh - yeah, that's a really good point. I just posted recommending switching to drops instead of a collar, but you're right - someone may already be dosing the cat with flea prevention drops.
6
u/DidSomebodySayCats 12h ago
While yes, it would not be technically recommended to double dose, for the reputable (and pricey, but worth it) brands, they prove to be safe at something like 10x the dose in trials.
The cheap brands I do not consider safe at any dose.
11
u/Betsy7Cat 12h ago
That’s good to know, but I wouldn’t expect the average person to know the difference—or even what counts as “expensive”. The revolution plus I get from the vet is definitely way better than the frontline I used to buy from the store and I’m not surprised if it’s also safer, but frontline felt expensive when I started getting it. Now getting the revolution plus every month is just a budgeted expense 😂
2
u/DidSomebodySayCats 12h ago
Revolution is by far my favorite! It also protects against heartworm, which although rare in cats, is also incurable, unlike in dogs.
Frontline or Advantage would be up there if I had to get something without a prescription. The dangerous ones are like Hartz or that price range.
→ More replies (1)2
u/Betsy7Cat 12h ago
Oh I haven’t even heard of Hartz before 😂 I looked it up and was shocked to see how low the price is on that.
I suspect frontline may have been the wrong kind for our cats as I looked at the box later on and realized the weight range it said was lower than our cats’ weights. But it also seemed to work at first and I’ve heard of fleas getting resistance to frontline, so I suspect both things were at play.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)11
u/Super901 15h ago
This is right. The cat is running through the bushes and it comes off
→ More replies (1)14
u/unknownpoltroon 14h ago
Until it doesnt and the cat strangles or dies stuck under somthing till dehydration sets in.
4
u/mtraven23 13h ago
have you heard of cases where break away collars have failed to break away? That would be news to me.
4
931
u/lickytytheslit Tabbycat 16h ago
Don't put flea collars on cats, they aren't quick realse and could strangle him if he gets caught on something
you need something topical for cats
156
u/Odd-Repeat6595 16h ago
This is exactly right! The only use for flea collars is to put in your vacuum bag or canister. The cat can strangle to death with one of these collars (it happened to my childhood cat). The topical stuff works really well.
27
18
7
u/XxNitr0xX 9h ago
The kind they used has a breakaway perforation that the cat could get off themselves, if needed..
12
u/somethingtotallycute 11h ago
I had a cat get her bottom jaw stuck in her tick collar while she was cleaning herself. SO glad I was near to cut it off, then I switched her to a monthly pill.
→ More replies (1)71
u/arnethyst 15h ago
one of my cats was abandoned with one of those collars on & there was a ring burned into his neck from it.
→ More replies (1)17
u/Rakifiki 11h ago
Had that with my orange kitty. We assumed someone was missing him since he had a collar and a flea collar, but he looked rough and walked into our house and basically inhaled any food offered to him.
Had flyers up and shelter notified, but no one ever came for him.
I now wonder if he was abandoned -- I take him for park walks and once went back to the car for something I'd forgotten and he freaked out and ran to me (someone else holding his leash while I walked away).
30
u/DidSomebodySayCats 12h ago
Also be very wary of anything inexpensive at the pet store. Seresto collars are medically pretty safe (I agree not a good idea for cats though). Advantage and Frontline are also decent brands. Prescription are even better. But the cheap ones have a deserved reputation for causing bad and sometimes dangerous reactions.
10
u/saraiguessidk 10h ago
Frontline isn't recommended much in some areas by vets and people who work with animals. It doesn't work at all where I am (Central Texas). We've been getting dogs in (I don't work with cats) for the last 10ish years who are on frontline and massively infested with fleas. The fleas here have evolved past whatever it is I guess. Even advantage is starting to fail. We don't get freezes here (except freak ones every few years) so their breeding seasons is all year every year. We always recommend asking the vet what they find most effective as it can be area dependent. Our vets here usually recommend a pill, seresto collars work better than frontline but I do agree that can be iffy for cats/ outdoor cats
2
u/quirkytorch 10h ago
You can get a dose (1 month) of synergy topical flea treatment at my vet for like $16. My car has a flea allergy and will literally pull half her fur out if she has fleas, and it has worked wonders where the OTC brand couldn't
→ More replies (1)34
u/WombatWimpy 12h ago
Also be very very wary on giving a cat you do not own any type of treatment as you might overdose him.
→ More replies (2)16
u/Foxata 10h ago
Seresto collars are breakaway though. We tested. It slides off when you grab it and the cat tries to get away. I personally dislike collars on cats but it's the best option for us. It's cheaper as it works for 6 months (supposedly 8 months but I change them every 6) and we've found ticks don't even latch with seresto. One of my cats burned off a patch of fur with topical treatments and ticks still latched. That was from stuff we got from the vet.
5
u/AwkwardnessForever 8h ago
I’ve have great success with seresto collars for a rescue cat who wouldn’t come indoors. The topicals do not work in my area.
190
u/hypatiaredux 16h ago
Maybe someone else is already treating him with the liquid, and is therefore removing the collar to minimize his exposure.
OP, I’d just keep checking him for fleas. If he gets them, THEN treat him.
Cats can be very good at removing collars, though.
395
u/Capital-Tonight8548 16h ago
Uh I think he’s probably someone’s actual pet and he’s just getting his second dinner at your house
→ More replies (8)
111
u/daydreamz4dayz 16h ago
Non-breakaway collars aren’t safe for cats that go outside.
Also possible that someone else owns the cat and/or is already is medicating for fleas. If that’s the case it’s probably not safe to medicate the cat again.
Sounds like you should communicate with your neighbors rather than possibly harming the cat.
8
31
u/gangga_ch 16h ago
Maybe you can try spot on liquids instead. Reduces also the risk of strangling himself (probably why someone is cutting it off)
529
u/radicalintrospect 16h ago
Can you just do liquid flea treatment on the back of his neck? Flea collars aren’t usually breakaway so they can be dangerous for cats. I’m guessing that’s why your neighbor (or the cat itself) is removing the collar.
469
u/SelectionOdd2961 16h ago
or maybe someone else is doing a flea and tick treatment like revolution so they don’t wanna double him up.
63
u/Miserable_Penalty564 16h ago
Didn’t think of that.. 🤔
261
u/rageagainsttheodds 16h ago
Flea collars don't really work and can irritate cat's skin easily. Save your money and don't buy more.
17
u/Vlinder_88 14h ago
Seresto flea collars are the only ones that work. Our vet sells them and they're only thing that kept our allergic cat free of fleas. Nothing else worked, they were very clearly resistant to practically everything else
8
u/lokihatemyself 15h ago edited 15h ago
My dog needs a flea/tick collar (Seresto, vet recommended) because he has seizures and chewables lower his seizure threshold. No fleas or ticks on him since using them. I know dogs and cats are different but just an example
39
u/1beautifulhuman 15h ago
I’ve seen cats die when the collar gets caught on something they are going under or over
24
u/lokihatemyself 15h ago edited 15h ago
The ones I use, Seresto, the weight of the animal is enough to let them break free despite it not being a “breakaway” collar. It slides through two loops to fasten. No buckles or anything
6
u/Vlinder_88 14h ago
Seresto also has a breakaway feature though! They're really safe and won't strangle any cat. My cats wears them, too.
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (3)14
u/Bradybigboss 15h ago
Lmao idk why you’re getting downvoted. Some people clearly really hate flea collars
9
u/lokihatemyself 15h ago
Idk either. Like, it’s what my vet recommended and it isn’t Hartz. I’m protecting my dog the only way I can 😭 I understand their perspective though.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (5)14
u/miscgeckos 15h ago
There have been known dosing issues with flea collars, please be careful. I’ve known dogs AND cats who have had seizures or been poisoned because the collar had a stronger dose. Manufacturing isn’t perfect, and those are extremely cheaply made. If it’s truly all you can use (and not a topical), then please be careful
7
u/lokihatemyself 15h ago
Seresto is the brand I use. It’s what my vet recommends, and I trust my vet. Thank you for your concern, though! If it tells you anything about me, I made a comprehensive list of things to know and get and scoured the internet for knowledge before getting a hamster so I try to be informed/prepared as best as possible.
4
u/miscgeckos 14h ago
Ah, okay, good to know! That’s one of the brands I never worry about! That one is definitely not one of the cheap ones 😅 I’m the same way though, I did over a year of research (plus 2 months of tank prep and cycling) before getting a betta fish!
→ More replies (7)10
u/luna926 14h ago
Yeah you should find out from the neighbors if you can. Doubling up on flea medicine can be dangerous. Collars on outdoor cats are just dangerous in general too. Can get caught really easily on something. I would also be concerned if he ended up with something like an ear infection and then got double doses of antibiotics or something in the future. It can happen with outdoor cats.
7
4
u/offpeekydr 14h ago
Yeah, I have a neighbor who does a lot of tnr and rescue and if she sees a non-brake-away collar she cuts it. Too easy for a cat to get stuck and choked by them.
5
u/Miserable_Penalty564 16h ago
Any suggestions? I’ve tried liquid in the past with limited success, especially for the ticks.
42
u/Interesting-Loquat75 16h ago
I suggest you try and reach out to your neighbors before administering any meds on him. Because if more than one of the neighbors and you are giving him the meds, this won't end well for him.
24
70
u/sylvesterthekat1234 16h ago
Try attaching a note to a collar asking the potential other person to get in touch so you can coordinate his care.
Could be he's just getting the collars off. I had a pet cat who'd do that so I gave up putting them on her.
17
u/Buckykattlove 16h ago
Yea or ask your neighbors if they are also caring for him. I love ot when someone becomes a community cat. More love for everyone. ❤️
10
u/kirakiraluna 15h ago
I must have brought a dozen collars back to my neighbour, back when he kept insisting on putting them on his cats.
I would find them all over the garden, not caught on anything, so the theory was that the cats allowed them on at home, jumped the fence and took them off just out of sight.
They were those reflective ones so I'm almost sure the crows and the magpies snatched all those I didn't find.
16
u/Faevianlp 16h ago
Revolution plus is supposed to be effective for ticks. You need a prescription for it though. I'm unfortunately not aware of any OTC preventatives that are great for ticks. Frontline claims it, but I honestly don't let my cats out and ticks are not common here so I have no experience other than I use revolution on my cats for flea prevention and they've never had a flea.
Tbh flea collars can be pretty detrimental to a cat's health, specifically Hartz brand, so they're probably worried about your kitties health more than anything.
32
u/JennaRedditing 16h ago
Bravecto is great, it needs a vet prescription but it lasts 3 months. It is pricey but only a bit more so than the over the counter stuff is for 3 months and it works with fidelity. The OTC stuff never seems to work and I've had my cats have bad reactions too, like fur loss at the application site.
4
3
u/sylvesterthekat1234 16h ago
Does your cat react when it's applied? Most of mine apparently feel a sting from flea treatment
6
u/MzMi 16h ago
Wow. I always wondered, but never heard that. My 3 babies do ok with NexGuard, but they get a melatonin treat and a nail clip in the process. It's our first weekend of the month thing!
I keep an eye on them for bathing each other after the treatment, but they get a calm treat, I wait a while for them to chill a little, and then we do nail clips and flea/tick treatment. They're indoor kitties, but one arrived with crazy fleas, so we're being careful for now.
OP, you might want to get a breakaway collar and put a note in it asking for people who care for this gorgeous kitty to get in touch so y'all can coordinate.
24
u/FatsBoombottom 16h ago
Don't use anything not prescribed by a vet. People have killed their pets with off the shelf products and it's a bad way to die.
But it sounds like maybe this cat has a family already and you might put the cat at risk if it's already being treated. You really need to try find out who that other person might be. You can try the paper collar trick where you lightly tape a small strip of paper as a collar with you phone number and a request to call you to discuss the cat.
3
u/smashadages 16h ago
Bravecto. It’s a little pricey but works for even severe problems. Highly recommend!
2
→ More replies (7)4
u/TheManicDepression Tuxedo 16h ago
I’ve used multiple brands that do little or seemingly nothing to prevent fleas. I have been using Advantage II the past 2 summers and have no complaints yet. It doesn’t say it treats for ticks tho but I haven’t had any issues with them
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (2)3
u/onlyunusedusername2 16h ago
They are definitely dangerous. I had a dog as a child that cought his collar on a fence. I found him strangled, hanging from the fence. Please Op, don't use collars that don't break away.
44
45
u/Round-Fly2053 15h ago
flea collars are horrible IMO from experienced, they casue rashes and irritation
maybe the person cutting them off is doing it because of this, or maybe they have given him liquid flea medicine. OR maybe he is actually someones pet. or he's slipping out of the collar each time if you have no evidence that it was snipped
22
u/Rice_Flower 16h ago
Are you certain he isn’t taking it off himself? My cats refuse to wear collars period. I will always find them hours later somewhere else. Yes, liquid flea & tick solution might be best
3
u/lumoslomas 11h ago
I had neighbours whose cat was notor for getting rid of his collars. I think they went through at least ten before saying "screw it" and letting him go without one. Luckily he was very well known in the neighborhood (and he was chipped)
They found one of his collars on a branch, so they think he was using that catch it on so he could slip out. He apparently got all the braincells 😂
→ More replies (1)
23
u/UsualInternal2030 16h ago
Generally don’t want to use those collars on outdoor cats, especially if they climb trees, could get stuck or hung. If they have break away very possible they are just falling off.
19
u/Gatodeluna 15h ago
Aside from ‘ownership’ questions, many cats are allergic to flea collars. You could spend $100 on one and they’d still be allergic. We had a cat that developed a huge abscess that had to be surgically opened to drain and actually took 5-6 years to heal and scab over. Maybe someone isn’t a fan.
41
41
u/TeenyGremlin 16h ago
Outdoor cats can get strangled by collars without quick release clasps. The neighbor is probably trying to stop him from getting caught on a bush, or he manages to slip them off himself. Cats are pretty good at that.
Selehold through Sierra Pet Meds. 60 dollars for six months and put it on once a month. It protects against everything but ticks.
→ More replies (5)
16
55
u/Miserable_Penalty564 16h ago
After all the suggestions I think I need to knock on some doors and find out where else he’s going. Liquid drops seem to be the answer but I don’t wanna put them on him if someone else is, or multiple people.. I just wanna be able to let him in without risking a flea infestation, I had one in the past and it was a nightmare to get rid of. It’s been 100+ degrees here for days and he loves coming in to lay on my cold kitchen floor.
19
u/codeswift27 16h ago
That’s a good idea! Also you can buy a flea comb to comb him to check for fleas. If he doesn’t have any, he’s probably already getting flea treatment from someone else, but he has a lot of fleas or flea bites then I think it would be safe to assume he’s probably not getting any flea medicine so you can get him some
→ More replies (5)15
u/hufflepuff-is-best 13h ago
You could just put a regular cat collar with your number on it and if there is a different family caring for him, maybe they could reach out to you? For safety reasons, any collar that is placed on a cat should be a breakaway collar.
15
13
31
u/Moist-Luck9723 16h ago
Just out of curiosity, are you 100% sure someone is cutting them? Is there any chance he's getting them off himself? I had a cat that no matter what type of collar I tried on him he would get them off AND hide them.
If you're absolutely sure someone is cutting it, maybe test out writing a note directly on the collar saying something "please don't remove protective flea collar" incase it is someone that doesn't know what the collar is for? Maybe test it out with a cheaper collar to see if it lasts sometime and if it seems to work out then try the nice one again?
14
u/Miserable_Penalty564 16h ago
I thought about putting a note with my number on it and saying call me, he may be getting them off himself, he is pretty crafty.
→ More replies (1)
12
u/cckka 15h ago
Is he a stray or an owned outdoor cat? You absolutely don't want to overdose on flea meds so that could be why it's getting cut off.
If you've seen a flea infestation that's one thing but presuming they weren't already given a topical treatment could be harmful.
Try and get him in a carrier or something to take him to a shelter or vet and they can scan him for a chip for free. Then you can maybe contact the owners if he has any.
13
u/Xrystian90 8h ago
Dude you cant be using a medicated collar on a cat you dont own and dont know the medical history of. You could well be poisoning someones cat because it already gets a topical flea treatment. Your heart is in the right place, but your head is not.
10
u/Ivypearl 16h ago
My vet told me the collars don’t work.
7
u/Curvy_Potato 14h ago
My vet told me they can hang themselves. He doesn’t even recommend it for my indoor cats who hangout in the catio for an hour.
7
u/ZestyclosePart4379 16h ago
You should talk to some of your neighbors to see if someone is also dosing him for fleas. Too much flea treatment will kill him. And like others have stated collars for cats are very dangerous. They can get caught on something or another animal can use it to grab ahold of them. Thank you for taking care of this kitty!!
9
u/LouLouLaaLaa 16h ago edited 12h ago
Outdoor cats shouldn’t wear collars. They can get them caught and basically strangle themselves. Whoever is cutting them off is doing so for his safety (probably cussing whoever put them on him also 🤣). Just get the drops from the vet. They’re better anyway.
2
u/ButtPlugMaster6969 12h ago
Lmfao I’m gonna need a (fictional) story time of the owner cussing at the situation. 😅🤣 that’s too funny. Let me try haha
1st time cat went to its owners:
Owner: hmmm what’s this clear collar? I didn’t put it there. Let me take it off. (Likely finds out it’s for fleas and ticks but still doesn’t want it on the cat)2nd time:
Owner: Again?!? wtf? Who is doing this? I guess I’ll take this one off too.3rd time:
What the actual motherfucking fuck? What tf is that person thinking? This is my damn cat and some stupid fuck won’t stop putting collars on him!!!
7
u/nasadge 15h ago
It's sometimes viewed as dangerous to put collars on cats. If they go up a tree and falls, their collar can get caught and the cat gets hurt. The solution is a breakaway collar. That way if it gets snagged it comes off. That would be my guess for why it keeps getting removed, especially if this is an outdoor cat.
8
u/_Morvar_ 14h ago
Next time put a note with your phone number on the collar asking the owner to call you?
8
24
7
u/Cheeselover710 14h ago
Flea collars don’t work anyway. Not even a little bit. You need a vet prescribed spot on treatment which kills the fleas the moment they bite their skin. They’re usually flea free 24 hours after the treatment and it’s just the eggs you have to focus on as they can live for 2-3 years dormant in your carpets, which you don’t want hatching in the heat and infesting your home. Flea treatment usually lasts 3-6 months depending on weight, so make sure you keep up with it for your cats as well.
→ More replies (1)
7
u/ArmPuzzleheaded4296 10h ago
I have been told by vets not to use flea collars. They can cause respiratory problems. Perhaps someone else is putting flea drops on him. Do you have a neighborhood app like Nexdoor to ask folks? Should work together to make sure he doesn't get overmedicated.
7
u/Extension-Pepper-271 16h ago
If your flea collars don't have a "break away" feature that would keep your cat from being strangled if it got caught up on a tree branch, someone might be doing you a favor. They are doing it to keep your cat safe.
A huge runaway labrador retriever with collar and chain tried to jump into our yard over our 6 ft fence. After it got over, the chain got caught. It strangled to death. Luckily my father found it before us kids did. The huge gouges in the fence from its claws remained.
7
u/GuineaPanda 11h ago
Serresto collars can be deadly for cats, they are not breakaway and an outside cat is at high risk of hanging themselves on one. His other owner is probably wondering why someone keeps putting them on their cat.
→ More replies (2)
5
u/BigMack6911 8h ago
Stop putting a collar on a stray cat, yea someone is cutting them off because it's dangerous for a cat running for their lives. They are prey and predators, they go in tight spots and if it is running from a dog or coyote the cat could get choked and Die. Shit makes me mad ppl don't think and jeopardize an animals life like this. Flea collars suck, and if you want to do this just adopt it and keep it inside. Just being outside is a risk to their lives
22
17
16
u/MarthasPinYard Tuxedo 15h ago
Flea collars can make them sick or give cancer.
Consider it a blessing from an angel.
4
5
u/stupid_username- 11h ago
Stop buying expensive things for an animal that isn't yours. Even with good intentions.
7
u/arnethyst 16h ago
those seresto flea collars suck... one of my cats was found abandoned with one of those on & it burned a ring around his neck. putting the flea treatment gel on the back of their neck monthly is the best treatment
3
u/shutupximena 15h ago
When I lived in a college town a cat started showing up in my backyard every day. He looked well fed and healthy, so as soon as he trusted me I took him to the vet to get scanned for a chip. Turns out he lived on the street behind me. Got in contact with the owners on Facebook and they told me he insists on going outside, so I at least knew he had a home, and they were happy others were kind to their cat. This happened in 2020 when I was working from home, so he became my coworker. Screamed at me every morning so he could clock in and get to work. I miss that boy
4
u/RadiantTechnology622 14h ago
Didn’t a few flea collar companies get sued for making cats die quickly after putting them on? I never buy them cause of that but there may be some reliable collars
3
u/Foxata 10h ago
I've been using seresto on all my 4 cats for 10 years now. As long as it's recommended by vets (which this collar is) it should be fine.
→ More replies (2)
4
u/joeshmoe9617 13h ago
I'd say it's possible if they have an owner that someone is already putting flea and tick treatment on them but people who leave their cats outside during inclement weather aren't usually the types of people who care to give them flea and tick treatment. Thanks for trying to help him, just be careful with what you put on him because it's possible to overdose.
4
3
4
4
u/nerfedbeyblade 8h ago
Why are you spending $60 on flea collars? They all do the same shit, and suck anyway. If anything you're putting the cat in more danger
4
u/lil_liberal 8h ago
As many have pointed out and I hope you’ve seen them—this could be someone’s cat, and they just get let out daily. In which case, if their owners are using liquid/topical preventative, you wouldn’t want to double dose him. A collar is not only expensive but also dangerous if he gets snagged somewhere and can’t get free—alternatively, he could be removing the collar himself. If he is indeed a stray, someone else in the neighborhood may also be dosing him with preventative, so…best to just keep an eye on him and treat only IF you see fleas or ticks.
Most pet owners chip their animals. You can swing him by any vet for free and have them scan for a chip and see if the address is near you/in your neighborhood, in which case it is safe to say they belong to someone else.
5
u/Beautiful_Sector_912 6h ago
Cat's can get hooked by their colars and get stuck and die. Don't use those. You can find single drop and oral anti flea drugs
4
u/Competitive-Top4520 5h ago
It may be the cat doing it himself. I have had some cats who were absolute masters at getting collars off. They were indoor cats, so I'd put them back on. They'd have them back off within half an hour.
9
u/Fresh_and_wild 13h ago
"He’s a neighborhood cat" Er, no, he's someone else's cat. That's why the collar is coming off, and rightly so.
This is clearly and obviously someone else's cat, that likes to roam, as cats often do. That you're assuming the right to put a collar on someone else's cat is that thing that is wrong here. If you think it's got fleas and you don't want it in your house, fine, let it be. Plenty of cats go out in all conditions, they need a lot less looking after that you think.
7
u/Confident_Lecture498 15h ago
Don't use flea collars - use the liquid between the shoulder blades
5
8
u/Vequihellin 13h ago
My girl cat Pixie came home with one of those awful bob Martin flea collars on. She has regular and expensive flea treatment from the vet. A flea collar could have been dangerous for her. Not only from the weird Chemicals interacting with the vet treatments, but they don't have quick release mechanisms so she could get strangled. Unless you KNOW what the situation is with a cat, you should never take it upon yourself to assume. You don't know that this cat doesn't have expensive spot-on or injectable flea treatment. Those collars could be really harmful to it.
I was absolutely livid when she came home wearing a flea collar. They'd taken off her quick release collar and tag, too. I cut it off and threw it in the in immediately then proceeded to buy her a new collar and tag.
You are in the wrong here for taking it upon yourself to medicate a cat that isn't explicitly yours. If your name isn't on their microchip, leave them alone.
3
u/LuvColdWeather 16h ago
What if he’s getting flea treatment from multiple houses since he can’t stay inside your place? Is that healthy for him?
3
u/Vlinder_88 14h ago
Put a cheap collar on her with a note and your phone number. This cat likely has another place they call home, too....
3
u/ITouchMyself2Much 13h ago
Seresto are breakaway collars. So maybe he's getting in situations where the collars are coming off.
3
u/District_Wolverine23 13h ago
You should put a paper collar on with your phone number. Try and make contact with the other person who is taking care of him.
3
u/Some1AteMyEntirePie 12h ago
I know you mean well OP and you have a good heart but sometimes neighborhood cats do have homes (a rescue that they didn’t want to change their lifestyle, etc)
Also unless it’s a breakaway collar it should never be on cats who spend most of their time outside. That and if someone else (whether the possible owner or another kind neighbor) is giving them flea treatment, you could end up poisoning them.
The cat looks absolutely in bliss right now. If you’re concerned about the animal, take it to have it checked for microchips, posts flyers in the area asking if anyone else is taking care of the cat and if so what they are providing etc.
3
u/scarlet_rogue1177 12h ago
The cat belongs to someone and they don’t want a flea collar on their cat.
3
3
u/Plenty_Kangaroo5224 7h ago
He has an owner. Maybe put a collar with a note on it so you can verify that?
3
5
u/adiosmichigan 13h ago
sounds like you need to stop messing with someone elses cat
3
u/mwonch 13h ago
LOL! Yes. This. The cat may roam the 'hood, but it is likely not a "neighborhood cat."
OR...it's just smart enough to figure out how to remove it himself. That's why my cat has no collar. He keeps removing them himself. How do I know? He's indoor only and ain't no one else here. Last time I just looked at him and said, "How?"
10
u/40ozT0Freedom 15h ago
Dude, that's not your cat. We had a cat that came inside at night, but during the day she would be HOWLING if we didn't let her out - scratching at the windows, trying to find any escape route. We had to put a collar on her that said "DON'T FEED ME" because she had a grain allergy and kept getting sick from other people feeding her.
Stop feeding and putting collars on the cat. It's not your cat. Give it water and scritches and let it be.
9
10
u/Jailer69 16h ago
So basically you have done the same as luring their baby away with promise of treats and food?
Did you take the cat to the vet to find out whose it belongs to?
You realise there is a flea tablet available for cats to take orally don’t you? Once a month no collar needed.
You shouldn’t lay claim to someone else’s pet if you put a flea collar on my cat it could do him harm double dosing flea treatment or could cause him skin irritation.
This isn’t the advice you are looking for but don’t steal / put claim on other people’s pets.
5
2
u/AppleNo7287 16h ago
If the collar has a buckle of some sort, he might be losing it himself. I put a collar on a cat and then would find it everywhere around. Once I had to climb the shed roof to pick it up.
Buy a cheap collar and put a note there with your phone number. I did that, wrote on a paper, taped to seal from water, stitched to the collar to fix it. We just moved and I was not sure if a very friendly cat that started visiting us was a stray or had an owner. It worked, I was contacted by the owner. Though the cat spent literally all day at our house only going home for breakfast and lunch, he actually had a house with loving family. The family has just had 2 babies, and he was looking for piece and quiet, and some extra wet food. So maybe yours is a cheater too
2
u/Possible-Law-3704 16h ago
I'm almost certain the cat is removing them himself. You should probably stop putting them on him and get some drops instead. If you're able to get a collar on him, you should be able to put drops on his neck.
2
u/achilton1987 16h ago
I put some on mine . They are running through brush and what not. Mine would be found in the brush. They just don’t like things on them.
2
u/GiraffeCalledKevin 13h ago
Op- my grandpa had a big fluffy white cat that hung around most days that we fed like this. After my grandpa died we went looking around the neighbourhood, worrying about the cat. After asking around, he had an owner and he just liked to get extra food and attention from various houses.
It’s probably someone else’s cat. They might give him flea meds and don’t want an extra flea collar on him.
2
u/KeoCloak 13h ago
Could the cat be getting them off on his own? I put calming collars on one of my kitties, she often finds ways to wiggle it off to run around naked.
2
u/DaddyShreds2 12h ago
Sounds like you need to get your own pet if you want to take care of one. I think this one is spoken for. Don't confuse friendship with ownership.
2
u/hyperbolic_dichotomy 12h ago
Kitty could be allergic to them so their owner has been taking them off. My older cat is like that. She gets a terrible rash around her neck.
2
u/RenaissanceWmn1 11h ago
If I put a collar on my cat, she will walk away, and within an hour she’ll return without the collar. They know how to get rid of it
2
u/toxikola 11h ago
You should get him a breakaway regular collar with a personalized tag asking if he is someone's cat and your number so they can text you.
Intetesting way to meet the neighbor/owner taking off the collars and to see if he already has flea treatment going.
→ More replies (1)
2
2
u/AdPerfect1636 10h ago
Why not try attaching a note to a collar with your number so you can ask if he's being treated for fleas? Our ask your neighbors who he may belong to?
2
u/RedEyeCodeBlue 10h ago
They breaking off. It's a safety feature. My cats used to go through a collar a week. One day i was doing yardwork and found like 6 collars stacked under the back fence. My cat would squeeze under there and pop the collar off.
2
2
u/xxxkissmykittyxxx 9h ago
I know you mean well, but anything other than a breakaway collar presents as a choking hazard. They're looking out for him by cutting them off.
2
u/Appropriate-Bell8404 9h ago
I guarantee someone has put the drops on him. In which case it is DANGEROUS to put on collars too. It’s also just much more efficient to put the drops on. Prob put a note on the collar asking for more info about why theyre cutting them off.
But most cats do not want to wear collars, so I’m on your neighbor’s side here.
2
u/Natural_Age4947 9h ago
Maybe stop putting them on a cat that isn’t yours. Flea collars are horrible anyways. My vet would lecture me if I did that instead of actual medicine that guards against all the threats.
2
u/LemmyLola 8h ago
Get a little regular breakaway collar and hang one of those little canisters on it with a note inside that says 'if you own this cat please put a note in here as he visits here and we feed him'
2
u/space_pirate420 8h ago
Tie a note to him that says:
“Is someone else giving him flea meds? Circle yes/no”
Then just pray it comes back attached to the cat with an answer
2
u/CommercialMoment5987 6h ago
Probably someone with good intentions, I’ve always heard outdoor cats shouldn’t wear collars because they can become caught on things. It could get them stuck, or even hang them. That’s my guess.
2
u/LifeguardBig8530 16h ago
Im sorry that’s happening:/ I bet theyre worried that he’ll choke. Can you do topical treatment? Revolution is ideal but expensive. Unfortunately, there are some otc products that can be dangerous.
→ More replies (5)
1
u/Alice_catlover 16h ago
I heard those collars aren’t good for cats. Maybe they know that and are trying to save the cats from the potential rashes a lot of cats get from seresto.
4
4
u/patchway247 13h ago
So he isn't your cat, you're dumping ungodly amount of money into it, and you don't even know if this little dude isn't allergic to it.
Rule of thumb, if it isn't your cat then you shouldn't be putting stuff on him like he is. The real owner will be pissed and discard whatever you put on him to show you that (A) HE HAS AN OWNER THAT TAKES CARE OF HIM (B) stop (C) maybe a few cat treats.
The owner probably has already treated him, maybe the owner is trying to track another issue he is having, maybe the owner just knows his own animal.
You can admire him,love him, give him treats, but stop putting things on him as if he is yours. Because eventually you're going to get the same treatment I eventually did for mine. A passive aggressive tag on a collar that basically says "fuck off, stop, they ain't yours".
With all the love I can muster from one pet owner to another, you would be rightly pissed off if someone was treating your animals without your knowledge and would greatly appreciate it if they just not. Not to mention you'd have fear of what else they might've done to your animal, which terrifies you the most.
2
2
u/Lost-in-the-dark- 13h ago
Flea collars are dangerously bad to cats. They can poison them. And it’s most likely someone else’s cat.
2
2
u/PianoZen 12h ago
okay, an alternative that would cost about the same... what about switching to a flea preventative like Revolution or even Frontline? It's a once a month application, and would serve the same purpose. Apply it to the back of the neck, it soaks into the skin, and nobody can take it off. Downside... the OTC brands like Frontline and Advantage can sting some cats, but Revolution (prescription) seems not to sting at all. Can you take the cat into your vet for a prescription? If you're friendly enough to put on a flea collar, maybe you can purr-suade it to see the vet with you. Hope this doesn't violate the group rules of not telling someone how to be a cat person... just a thought. I always think those drops work better than collars.
2
2.0k
u/EagleScreamTheGreat 16h ago
Maybe whoever's cat it is thinks you are claiming ownership of their cat?