Visually impaired kittens and collars with bells

[Darkwave]

I’m a bit fan of the kitty convict project (http://www.explodingkittens.com/kittyconvict) and so I like for each of my cats to wear that type of collar. The collars are bright orange, with a bell.

We have two visually impaired kittens who are now 6 months old. One has one good eye and one badly damaged eye, while the other has very poor vision in both eyes (the formal term is severe symblepharon - the effect is like seeing through very foggy and dark glasses).

I am debating whether to remove the bells from the kittens’ collars, or at least from the collar for the kitten with limited vision in both eyes.

In theory, I’d prefer to leave the bells on, to alert me if they’re trying to sneak out the house. But I’m concerned that, due to their near-blindness, they rely more on their hearing than an unimpaired cat would, and so the bell will be a hindrance.

Thoughts?

(in answer to the inevitable question - yes, the kittens are also chipped. But the collar will still help with spotting them if they escape - especially the tortie, who blends into EVERYTHING.)

[jen-s]

My blind kitty doesn’t wear a collar, bells or no bells. He’s built with a short, thick neck (think football player) and a tiny head and no matter how tight you fasten the collar, it will slip right over his noggin. :lol:

I will say that while I appreciate the jingle of the tags on my dog’s collar when I’m trying to find her on a 40 acre horse farm at night, I cannot imagine how annoying it would get hearing bells from 2 active kittens. Clearly you are coping with it and I give you mad props for that.

FWIW, I haven’t had trouble containing my guy, but some of the sighted brats, er, cats, in my house are a different story.

[Darkwave]

"I cannot imagine how annoying it would get hearing bells from 2 active kittens. "

Well, one squawks all the time anyway, so the bell would be quiet next to that

Our third cat has a bell on, and it turned out to be quite handy, since it gives the kittens a bit more warning when she’s coming.

Even though they have visual issues, they’re extremely good at wriggling into places they shouldn’t be, or escaping when I think I have them cornered. I have to separate them from the adult cat at feeding time, and the tortie is very skilled at sneaking out the door of their room when I open it a crack. She’s also very adventurous, so I think it’s only a matter of time before she tries to escape outside.

Besides being an escape artist in the make, the tortie is both the hardest to see/find and the more visually impaired of the two, so I’m really torn as to whether to put a bell on her. The other kitten is both white and less adventurous, so I’m not as worried - if she gets out, she’ll just sit on our porch and cry.

[Zu_Zu]

One does not want a visually impaired kitten ( animal) to escape with a bell or ‘blinking sign’ that tells predators
‘Here I am - I can’t see and I’m lost and scared and hiding right here! Come eat me!’
IMHO - rather have the kitten return to your voice when it is safe to return - until then the kitten should remain in quiet hiding’ like taught by its mother .

[Zu_Zu]

I have ferals and ‘derals’ domesticated ferals - barn and house - have for decades - in case my idea seems off the wall .
The safety of my cats is my top priority !

[B]and Yes I have two (14yo) derals with visual issues

‘BEETLE’ and 'POPCORN ’ they are my responsibility and I take that seriously.[/B]

[shayaalliard]

My blind Abbi does not wear a bell, partly for that reason. She does use her hearing to play and get around- all her toys make noise in some form.
I would remove them- actually, I think they annoy even sighted cats and I always remove them.

[Darkwave]

“until then the kitten should remain in quiet hiding’ like taught by its mother .”

Alas, the kittens were both orphaned bottle babies, so they may be lacking in some of the standard early education. I’m not sure they know the quiet hiding thing.

“My blind Abbi does not wear a bell, partly for that reason. She does use her hearing to play and get around- all her toys make noise in some form.
I would remove them- actually, I think they annoy even sighted cats and I always remove them.”

Hmmm…maybe I’ll go without the bell on the kittens - hopefully the orange collar will be enough to spot them as they try to make a break. If the torti shows indications of making a serious attempt to escape outside, then I’ll rethink the bell and possibly add it.

I’m not too worried about predators if they get out - we live in a very urban location. By far the greatest risk is getting hit by a car.

Our adult cat adjusted very well to the bell, and I prefer to keep it on her, as it gives the kittens a bit of warning when she is coming their way.

[Zu_Zu]

Instinct handles that ‘hides quietly’ idea

if the kitten has visual issues and gets spooked and * runs ( flees) instead of hides ? A car should be considered a PREDATOR of sorts .

Outdoors (whether country or suburban) coupled with visual limitations becomes a HIGH RISK for an animal

I commend you on helping and caring for these kittens -

• I was trying to help - please know that.

• currently the glitches on Coth prevent me from editing quoting using icons aand deleting
  I would if I could .

Good Luck with your kittens ~

[Darkwave]

Zu Zu - I very much appreciate your help here, as I do the help of everyone who posted. Thanks, everyone!

[Rackonteur]

[QUOTE=Darkwave;9008630]

I’m not too worried about predators if they get out - we live in a very urban location. By far the greatest risk is getting hit by a car.
.[/QUOTE]

Even city centers can have hawks. Subdivisions can have them as well, plus owls, foxes, tom cats, other cats – including ferals – with territories to fight for, dogs … cars may be a major risk, but don’t think of even “very” urban locations as free of animal predators. Just because you don’t see them, don’t think they’re not there.