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At first glance, many dog collars seem like nothing more than cute and colorful accessories. But not all dog collars are created equally. For instance, some collars help with training your dog to walk on a leash and avoid pulling. Others could help with finding your dog if they get lost. But which collar is right for your dog?
Purposes of Different Dog Collars
Most dog owners are familiar with the tried and true or . These are the most widely available and for good reason: they鈥檙e convenient and hold a dog鈥檚 . You may consider other options based on your dog鈥檚 lifestyle, age, and how active they are.
Calming Collars for Dogs
have only been on the market for a short while, but many owners of anxious dogs swear by them. These fabric collars are generally filled with dried herbs and offer a soothing aroma. Be sure to check these collars鈥� ingredients and materials to ensure they鈥檙e safe for your dog. Some plants, like cloves, are toxic to dogs.
Flea and Tick Collars for Dogs
Another level of protection during flea and tick season could be your dog鈥檚 collar. slowly release active ingredients that provide topical protection from external parasites.
Martingale Collars for Dogs
have two loops; one that slides around the dog鈥檚 neck, and another that tightens when the dog pulls while on a leash. The loop doesn鈥檛 obstruct the dog鈥檚 airway, instead, the slight tightening discourages a dog from pulling while walking.
Personalized Collars for Dogs
Rather than get a dangling tag, you could get a with your contact information and dog鈥檚 name embroidered on the fabric. This promotes your dog鈥檚 safety if they get lost.
Recovery Collars for Dogs
While not necessarily for everyday use, are designed for dogs recuperating from surgery or dealing with an open wound, like a hot spot. Some recovery collars are made of soft, flexible fabric, while others are inflatable. Your veterinarian can advise you on what recovery collar promotes your dog鈥檚 healing after an injury or surgical procedure.
Reflective Collars for Dogs
Do you walk with your dog at night or live in an area with heavy traffic? A helps both you and your pet remain visible in dim lighting.
Materials Used for Dog Collars
The best material for your dog鈥檚 collar depends on a few factors. For example, if you have a growing puppy, you may purchase a due to their inexpensive price point. A puppy grows rapidly during their first year, and you may need to purchase multiple collars to keep up with growth spurts. It might not be worth it to invest in a pricier material, like leather, if you鈥檙e only going to use a collar for a few weeks.
Once your puppy has reached maturity (or remains relatively the same size), you may opt for a more durable material that can withstand water, heat, and scuffs from play sessions. As noted, leather is one such material, but lightweight aluminum is another great option. This material wipes off clean, and some models can withstand up to 350 pounds of pull force.
You may also opt for a . Neoprene is the same material used in wetsuits and resists dirt and debris. These collars are ideal for dogs with longer hair that mats easily. Ultimately, the ideal material for your dog鈥檚 collar depends on their fur, size, and whether they have skin sensitivities or allergies.
Understanding the Features of Dog Collars
A basic dog collar is a circle of fabric that clips or buckles around your dog鈥檚 neck. For many owners, this meets their needs. There are many subtle 鈥渂ells and whistles鈥� of dog collars that offer unique benefits. Some include:
- Pockets for tracking tags. Here, you could insert a to easily locate your dog if you get separated.
- D-rings. D-rings are metal-shaped rings that resemble the letter. These have an advantage over O-rings in that they give the handler more control of their dog while on a .
- Quick-release closure. If you regularly change your dog鈥檚 collar, a plastic snap-release can make this process fast and easy.
- Reflective stripes or patterns. These elements promote both your and your dog鈥檚 safety while walking at night or in dark areas.
- Padded or rolled leather. The shape and material of these collars prevents chafing on dogs with short fur or sensitive skin.
When considering collars with decorative elements, such as or , think about your dog鈥檚 safety. Some decorations could cause skin irritation or get snagged on something while your dog plays. Aim to choose a collar that鈥檚 safe first, and stylish second.
Making Sure Your Dog鈥檚 Collar Fits Correctly
Many dog collars come in standard sizes, such as small, medium, and large. You should rely on a dog鈥檚 exact measurements rather than estimations on product labels. The good news is that ensuring that 鈥渏ust right鈥� fit is easy. Here are some tips.
First, wrap a soft measuring tape around your dog鈥檚 neck. Play around with how tight the tape is to get a measurement range. Once the tape is looped around your dog鈥檚 neck, see whether it could slip over their head. If it does, tighten the tape, and note the measurements.
Many pet stores allow owners to bring their dogs inside. Here, you can experiment with different lengths and sizes to get the right fit. During this process, attempt to slide two fingers underneath the collar. If you can鈥檛, the collar is too tight 鈥� but if you can slide more fingers, it鈥檚 too loose.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Dog鈥檚 Collar
As a rule of thumb, you should always wash your dog鈥檚 collar when they have a bath. If your dog is dirty, chances are, so is their collar. Keeping their collar clean does more than make it look nice; it can also prevent skin irritation, fur loss, and chafing.
How to clean and maintain your dog鈥檚 collar largely depends on the material. For example, use dish soap and warm water to clean a . You can simply use warm water to wipe off mud and dirt from smooth materials, such as neoprene and biothane (a polyester blend of polyvinyl or polyurethane).
Cleaning a is a bit more involved. Avoid using leather cleaners that you鈥檇 use on a piece of furniture or shoes, as the chemicals can be toxic for your dog. Instead, mix a solution of baking soda and vinegar, then, using a toothbrush, spot-clean the collar.
A dog collar鈥檚 packaging should offer the appropriate instructions for keeping the product clean. This information can be especially useful if you purchase a collar that comes with special care requirements.
Consider Your Dog鈥檚 Needs When Getting a Collar
Just like how there isn鈥檛 a breed for every person, there isn鈥檛 a collar for every dog. In the end, selecting the ideal dog collar comes down to your dog鈥檚 breed, size, and age. A small dog, like a Chihuahua, will have different collar requirements than a slightly larger Maltese. A rapidly growing Great Dane puppy could outgrow collars on a near-weekly basis.
Do your research, measure your dog鈥檚 proportions, and consider your own preferences when choosing that Goldilocks collar: not too loose, not too tight, but just right. Soon, you鈥檒l be able to outfit your dog with a collar that鈥檚 fashionable, comfortable, and safe.