San Francisco Veterinarian Clinic

Choosing a Pet's Collar

In recent years, a pet’s collar has become more than just an item to which a leash or a bell is attached. It has become a fashion statement. While this is great for pet industry, it does not excuse buying a collar for an animal that is technically too small. This will be very uncomfortable for your pet and should be avoided at all costs.

When ordering a collar or buying one in the store, it is important to get the right size. It is not fun buying a collar and then getting it home and having it not fit the dog. Some people, really the lucky few, are able to grab a collar in a store that fits their dog perfectly.

The easiest way to avoid making eight trips to the store or post office is to measure the dog’s neck before buying anything. This will ensure that the dog will be comfortable in his new collar and will prevent it from falling off.

To measure a dog’s neck, take a normal tape measure and start at the back of the dog’s neck. Run the tape measure all the way around the dog’s neck. Keep some tension on the tape measure but not so much that the tape measure chokes the dog. Where the tape measure meets, add two inches to the number on the tape measure. This is how big the dog’s collar needs to be and allows for size adjustment.

If a dog has an 18” neck and an 18” collar is ordered, the collar will not fit and the dog will not be happy. An 18” collar should really be used on a dog with a 16” neck, giving the dog wiggle room but also not allowing the collar to come off.

Contact your San Francisco Veterinarian Clinic

For more information on choosing the correct accessories for your dog, contact your San Francisco veterinarian.