Consider the collar first. For dogs, a buckled or snap-together collar made of leather or nylon webbing is the best choice, and the proper fit is comfortably close, but not too snug. Make sure your dog’s not wearing a “choke” or prong collar for everyday wear — if you use these, they’re for walking and training only, and are dangerous if left on an unsupervised dog.
For cats, a soft collar with an elastic insert and a slide-on tag will prevent a dangling ID from catching on anything.
Next look at the collar carefully, especially the holes and the fasteners. The collar is weakest at these spots, so if you see signs of excessive wear or strain, you’ll need to replace it.
Then check the ID tags. A license is great, but since many lost pets are picked up by people in the neighborhood, it’s a good idea to supplement the license with an ID tag that has a couple of phone numbers — yours and the number of a friend or relative. Check to make sure the information is current and legible, and if not, order a new tag.
Your pet’s ID tag is best supplemented by a microchip. Talk to your veterinarian about this permanent ID that has helped many a pet find the way home.
Our Pet Connection reviewers especially liked a few specific collars and tags in 2010…. read about them here!
And from Dr. Becker and Mikkel Becker, surprising news about how dogs recognize their owners:
Dogs recognize their owners by facial features. A study published in the journal Animal Behavior showed that dogs recognize and pay attention to their owners’ faces. When the owners’ faces are covered, dogs have a difficult time recognizing them.
Read this week’s entire Pet Connection here!
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